Well today was my last sightseeing day.
As seen in the photos I sent this morning I had onigiri and a banana (not together mind ) for brekkie.
Then the ritual train ride to Osaka Station to catch another train to Sannomiya Station in Kobe.
Each day I give thanks for the two apps that make travel easier- Hyperda and Google Maps.
I get the trains I need from the first and literally step by step instructions to my destinations from the second.
I had copied three locations in Kobe from japan-guide.com as possible sites to visit and happily noted that all were most easily accessible from Sannomiya Station.
So
off for a 15 minute walk to Sorakuen Gardens. What a revelation. There
was a display of chrysanthemums, bonsai and various other floral
combinations scattered throughout the gardens. Not only that there was a
couple having wedding photos taken.
Whilst enjoying a cup of
tea and mochi I was approached by a couple who offered to take my
photo. Obviously I was happy to agree. The man took my camera and his
wife shielded him from the sun with her umbrella. He kept moving back
and further back and suddenly I realised that I had added zoom to take a
"closer" pic of the wedding couple so I apologised and moved the
setting back to normal. Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to
reciprocate as they hustled off at a rapid rate. I felt a bit
embarrassed re the zoom incident so didn't want to be too pushy. Sat
down again to finish my tea and sweet when I hit the motherlode
literally. Two sweet old ladies who I had noticed talking about me and
looking as if they were dying to take a pic. The teeshirt I had on today
is a mashup of Godzilla (in Japanese- Gojira) and Jaws. They initiated
the contact by saying "Gojira" and much nodding agreement ensued. One of
them came up and asked if she could have her photo taken with me-
combination of Japanese and gestures- again happy to oblige. Then I
indicated for the other one to also get a photo with me. Much giggling
and thanks all round. Then I took a photo of them with their camera and
one with mine. Parted as best friends. A few minutes later I noticed
they were taking shots of each other in front of one of the floral
displays and a Japanese chap came up and started giving tips on where to
stand to minimise squinting into the sun, etc. a truly wonderful
experience and a glorious little gem of a garden. It belonged to a Mayor
of Kobe who's family gave it to the city for public access.
Next
a 7-8 minute walk back pretty much the way I had come to get to Ikuta
Shrine which dates from 201AD. It has been rebuilt numerous times, the
last being after the Kobe earthquake in 1995. Turns out Kobe is named
for the 44 retainers (kanbe) sent to run the shrine early on.
On the way to Sorakuen I had noticed a Yoshinoya so after visiting Ikuta I headed there for lunch.
Replete
I now headed north for 10-12 minutes to Kitanocho which is an area
where foreigners lived when Kobe port was opened up for trade after the
Meiji restoration in the 1870's. Uphill all the way quite a workout and
you have to wonder if the gaijin were being punished by having to trek
up and up, even allowing for the stupendous views over the city and
port.
There are a number of houses (known as Ijinkan) which
are open to the public. I bought a ticket to 5 of them including the
former Chinese Embassy and the Kobe Foreigners Club. After all the
walking up hills and stairs each house of course is 2 story so I really
finished my sightseeing this trip on a literal high.
Now it was even more literally downhill all the way back to Sannomiya Station.
When
I was within about 200 metres I noticed what appeared to be a bamboo
thicket leading to what the sign on the footpath said was Green House
Silva, a cafe/coffee shop. I wandered in to look and there was a Shibe
asleep in front of a kennel next to the path leading to the cafe. I took
some photos of the dog and looked at the building. An absolute knockout
It had 3 floors the 2nd and 3rd were open and people sitting looking
out through the bamboo. I started to head back down the path to the
station and thought why not have a coffee? So in I went and it's as
amazing inside as out. My double expresso was exorbitantly expensive
(¥610) but worth it for the taste and the ambience.
I will
definitely have to revisit Kobe at some other time. A very interesting
place and it seems there is a saying; " If you can't go to Paris go to
Kobe."l Paces like Green House Silva and an absolute plethora of quirky
boutiques, handcraft shops and the like definitely contribute to a
cosmopolitan feel.
Reverse direction now from Sannomiya to Shinimamiya then to Family Mart for provisions.
Dinner, bath,writing and then I will pack ready to meet up with Yoichi at Suminodo Station in the morning.
The old story- first week lasts forever and then it's time to leave plays out again.
It
was terrific to call Mum for an eye update. Hopefully the dropless 4
days before your next appointment will augur well for a hopefully drop
free future.
Lotsalove,
Tim
PS-
I must reiterate the number of comments I got today from people who
recognised Gojira on my tee and were genuinely tickled by it. Worked
exactly as I had hoped.
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