Japan Trip 2001 - Week 3



Day14: 1/1/2001 ---- New Year's Day ----


A Happy New Year!
Back to Top



Day15: 1/2/2001


I went to do a "Hatsumode", the first time going to a Japanese shrine in the year. Well, Don't tell me that you have heard I believe Jesus. I am not a religious person while I am in Japan (like many people in Japan), Okay!?

This is the entrance of the Atsuta Shrine. About 140,000 people come to this place for the first three days of the year.


Another "TORII" which is a gate like structure you see in the picture. Here's getting crowded...


This is the shrine, you toss coins (and don't throw at people in front of you!) and make wishes. If you pay more, your wishes may more likely to be come true, I guess...


Japanese people buy "OMIKUJI" which is like a fortune telling note. You can buy them at cost of a $1, and you need to tie your "OMIKUJI" to desired place located in shrine for your good luck.


See!? Here's the proof of Japanese believing everything. This guy, wearing a black cloth is from Temple, and behind of him, there is a group of people, who are selling books about how to change your luck. In addition, if you can see the cardboards in white and yellow, those are people from church. They are telling people not to believe other than the God.
Back to Top



Day16: 1/3/2001


Today is the last day of the first three days of traditional new year's break in Japan. Many of my friends are going back to work from tomorrow, except my dad. He doesn't have to work until next Tuesday.

Nagoya was quite cold, I saw some snow, but not too much. Later tonight, the temperature will go as low as 32F. I will not be happy... Tonight, I would like to wish the University of Oklahoma will win the game!
Back to Top



Day17: 1/4/2001

Alright! University of Oklahoma beat FSU! I am pretty my friend from there is happy now. FSU's QB took the award over OU's QB. I thought that was not cool. Now they prove that.
Well, Nagoya was cold and windy, but I think it is not cold as Wichita... I went to Hoshigaoka, where I always go whenever I need to buy something big or specific.

This is Hoshigaoka, the big building is Mitsukoshi department store. I usually go there to find books, CDs I want. Otherwise I have to go to Sakae, downtown of Nagoya city. I bought three CDs, and two books,

If you have seen cars carrying a Christmas tree like ring in its front during the holidays, we have similar one. Have a ring like objects called "Shimenawa" Some cars carry the same way as American do.

Back to Top



Day18: 1/5/2001

I went Nagoya Airport. The airport has only one runway. 34-16, I think. I was not feel like to go today because of the windy, cold weather, but the weather supposed to get worse over the weekend so I decided to go there. There were not much traffic today, but with help of 500mm lens I borrowed from dad, I took some pictures. The lense was so good, so I couldn't take any pictures of the airplane on taxiway. They must be on the runway, almost the edge of it... Anyway, I guess I have to show the picture, right!? This is taken from my digital camera so the picture is not so well...
All Nippon Airways
Japan Air System

The Pokemon Jet! You can get some Pokemon stuff if you use it. This is the easiest way to get some money from the parents with a kid... (Note Pikachu on the fuselage and tail, and Poke-ball on the engine...)
Back to Top



Day19: 1/6/2001

Today I spent time in Japanese Casino, generally called Pachinko. I do not know the root of the word came from, but "Pachinko" is originally established in Nagoya. During the WW2, we were making a whole bunch of war planes, and the left over of the ball bearings used in aircraft become the balls of the game. I wish I can show the pictures...

In the afternoon, I went to JR (Japan Railway) Nogoya Station to pick up my friend, Hideyo. (I think some of you might remember...) Then I took her around the city, the met another friend, who also studied in WSU, Ai. They are both doing fine since after they got back here. That was very nice to see them again. Some of people I know, cannot be found anywhere!
The Place I went with Hideyo Today...
- Nagoya Towers 12th and 15th floor

Nagoya Castle

Over view
This is me! Agh, cold!

Nagoya City Hall


Aichi Prefecture Capital - Nagoya is the capital of Aichi Prefecture. So we are pretty much same as Topeka in Kansas


Nadia Park



Back to Top



Day20: 1/7/2001


Oh well, I am getting busier for preparing to leave Japan... I think I have enough stuffs I can give to my friends.
Back to Top
 



Go to Top / Home / Index  / Week1 12/18 - 12/23 / Week2 12/24 - 12/30 / Week3 12/31-1/6 / Week4 1/7 - 1/10

Last Updated on January 6, 2002

Copyright 2001 - Kosuke Ishikawa / Unauthorized copying of contents, partcial or whole, is not permitted.