Well, the third day. I went to the Kobe Earthquake Museum and Nara Park. I couldn't take any pictures in the Earthquake Museum, the reason being that the Japanese don't like to have pictures of their unhappy past taken.

The Kobe Earthquake Museum shows the spirit of humanity in humans. It is astounding to see how Kobe/Japan rebuilt itself in spite of such a destructive force of nature. The earthquake is known as the "Great Hanshin Earthquake", so go wiki that on your own. =D

Then we went to Nara Park, where there was yet another temple, and there was loads of DEERS =D Well, Japan is a traditional country, like I mentioned. There have loads of beliefs which are rather interesting. One of them is that if you rub a part of an Arahat and subsequently rub the same part of your body, you will be healed of the disease on that part of the body. Another one would be the hole in the temple which is supposedly the size of Buddha's nostril. If you can crawl through it, you will have good fortune and a good life. It is interesting to see how people choose to believe in such superstition. Does superstition and life after death propel humans forward in time?

Kobe Earthquake Museum... exterior only. Since I can't take anything inside, this post is quite empty...



Energy Savings... Cool eh? There was this digital chart showing the CO2 emissions cut, power saved etc in the museum lobby. (I could take photos at the lobby.)


ASTRO BOY! (in the museum lobby, I could take photos there.)
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Nara Park (Nara Ko~en; as pronounced in Japanese)


Deers, loads of them! Deers are believed to be messengers of God in Japan. So they don't eat deer meat (I love that meat... =P)



Yeah, pictures. I don't exactly like the place, so I'm not going to say much. Since I'm a Christian, I don't quite like the idea of staying in temples, but since I was with the school and the ticket was purchased, I quickly went in and came out.

NOTE: It's like 9:45am, but I'm so sleepy that I'll post more in the afternoon or later at night. =D

Uttered by Matt at 8:59 am 0 comments  

Labels: Japan Trip

15th November 2007 - Hiroshima, Peace Memorial Park

This is the highlight of the trip, at least for myself. Being a History student, the thought of visiting the place where the world's first atomic bomb was put to use was fascinating and unimaginable. There are many things a teacher can do with the videos and the lessons, but nothing beats going to the real place itself.

The Peace Memorial Park was built in commemoration of the first atomic bomb ever dropped on the world. Everyone knows the effects of the A-bomb, and this Park puts the American's use of the A-bomb into question. Should the Americans have used the A-bomb? Indeed, the Japanese did kill many in WWII, but does that justify the use of such a deadly and destructive weapon? I cannot comprehend the decision made by the Americans to use the A-Bombs, TWICE. There was no need for Nagasaki, Japan would have surrendered sooner of later.

The price of peace is seen here. Peace comes at a high price, it is something that is difficult to attain, but is easily shattered. The Japanese learned the price of peace through the hard way.

NOTE: Will upload pictures from other days in Japan tomorrow. Right now, I'm sleepy.




The A-Dome.
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The "T-Shaped Bridge" that was targeted, and some monuments near the bridge.
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Children's Memorial Site.
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The flame, that will be ignited until all the countries around the world no longer possesses nuclear weapons...

And a crow drinking from a water cooler. =D
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Peace drum from Korea.


Some monuments in the museum.



A time to remember - 8:15am.
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NOTE: DO NOT PROCEED IF YOU HAVE A WEAK STOMACH. I REPEAT, DO NOT PROCEED IF YOU HAVE A WEAK STOMACH OR JUST FINISHED LUNCH.


Hiroshima, before and after the bombings.


Preserved Tongue. Eww...


Fusion of metal and teapots...


The much talked about "shadow on the stairs".


Slime people. After-effects of the A-bomb.




Nuclear Age.
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And the hotel I stayed in on my second night:

And some interesting sculpture in Kobe...

Uttered by Matt at 12:29 pm 0 comments  

Labels: Japan Trip