Roger and Stephen in Singapore: Japan

Showing posts with label Japan. Show all posts

Tuesday, 12 August 2014

Yokohama Sand Sculptures

While in Tokyo we read in the newspaper that a large sand sculpture exhibition had just opened in Yokohama. The train to Yokohama took us about 30 minutes from Tokyo and the exhibition is on until the 3rd of November.

Sand sculptors from around the world have created giant detailed sculptures that include World Heritage and historical buildings from China, Japan and South Korea. The artists used sand from the Tottori Sand Dunes, Japan’s largest coastal dunes which is about 6 hours by train from Tokyo.

Seajong the Great - Korean ruler

Incredible detail on the sculptures

Sand trees

Terracotta warriors

The Great Wall of China

The Forbidden City

Terracotta Warriors

The Forbidden City

Admiral Perry and officers who opened up Japan to the West

Meji era Japan

Admiral Perry's fleet

Meji era Japan

Terracotta Warriors

Dragon

Yokohama City

Wednesday, 30 July 2014

Imperial Palace Tokyo tour

Having missed out on a tour of the grounds of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on past visits to Japan , I made the effort to book ahead in order to go on the free guided tour during our latest trip to Tokyo. The tour is just over an hour and is conducted in Japanese but audio guides were available for other languages.
The Imperial Palace in Tokyo is the main residence of the Emperor of Japan. It is located in a large park-like setting of about 3.5 square kilometres close to the Tokyo Station and contains several buildings including the main palace and the private residences of the Imperial family as well as the Imperial Household Agency.
Most of the structures of the Imperial Palace have been rebuilt after being destroyed in World War II. After the war the current Imperial Household Agency building was used as a temporary palace.
The current palace complex which consists of 7 main buildings and was completed in 1968 in a modernist style with Japanese architectural references such as the large gabled roof, columns and beams. The gardens surrounding the palace are beautiful and very sculptured and would be spectacular in Autumn.

Entrance for the tour

Fujimi- yagura keep - Mt Fuji could be seen from here when first built in 1457

Fujimi-yagura keep

Imperial Household Agency

Chowaden Hall - used for receptions

The main entrance to Chowadan Hall

Sculpture that represents a pine tree

Chowadan Hall

Balcony for New Years Day and Emperor's Birthday greetings for the public in the courtyard

Shrubs clipped to form hills

Meganebashi Bridge

Part of the 7 buildings making up the Imperial Palace

Nijubashi Bridge

Fushimi - yagura Keep and Meganebashi Bridge

Lights on the Nijubashi Bridge

Thursday, 4 July 2013

Okayama Castle - Okayama, Japan

Located across the river from the Korakuen gardens is the Okayama Castle. The Castle has a black exterior, earning it the nickname Crow Castle or sometimes Gold Crow Castle due to the gold gilding on the roof. The Castle has been home to fifteen Lords of Okayama from 1573 to 1869. The castle was burnt to the ground in the Second World War due to an air raid and the castle was rebuilt in 1966 to original plans.
The black exterior and gilding on the roof made it a striking site when approached from a distance.

Okayama Castle

Okayama Castle view from the Korakuen gardens

Wednesday, 3 July 2013

Korakuen Garden - Okayama, Japan

Korakuen gardens is considered one of the three great gardens in Japan and is located in Okayama. Korakuen was built by in 1700 by Ikeda Tsunamasa who was the Lord of Okayama. The current garden layout was constructed in 1863. The garden suffered severe damage during the floods of 1934 and during World War II bombing in 1945, but has been restored based on period paintings and diagrams.
The gardens are designed to give the visitor a new experience at every turn. The gardens consists of vast lawns areas, tea plantations, several teahouses, rice fields and ponds. At the time our our visit the Karume azaleas were just finishing flowering but still were quite colourful.