Engyouji and Himeji in Japan

ShimaShima Registered Users Posts: 2,547 Major grins
edited July 21, 2008 in Journeys
So I realized after my several posts from my trip to Japan this past March, that there was still I had left over to post...

Engyouji is a really neat temple on the top of one of the hills in Himeji, you have to take a skyway car up to get there... and on top are areas where the Last Samurai was filmed. Himeji itself is best known for the castle, as it is one of the best preserved old castles in Japan.

Climbing Engyuoji there were a lot of these:
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I love this statue of Jizo:
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This you may recognize from the Last Samurai movie:
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After our climb up Engyouji we headed over to Himeji Castle:
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The castle from another angle:
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Looking up can make a person feel rather small:
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And then lastly, I would like to end on an amusing note. The grounds at Himeji Castle are flooded with cherry blossom trees (I missed cherry blossom season) but next to all the trees at the time I was there was the following sign:
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Which translated roughly to: "The cherry blossoms are tired. Let's give them a little break." Basically, normally people sit under the trees, but the sign (and rope around the sitting areas) indicated they didn't want anyone sitting their presently, as it's not good for the roots for long periods of time.

More photos from our day in Himeji can be seen here: http://photos.cathoffman.com/Japan_March_2008/471366

Thanks for looking :)

Comments

  • SpagbagSpagbag Registered Users Posts: 85 Big grins
    edited June 8, 2008
    What a fantastic castle.

    Looking upwards at the eaves, it starts to resemble an iced wedding cake. :-)
  • mandamanda Registered Users Posts: 88 Big grins
    edited June 9, 2008
    Looks like we both like visiting Japan, nice photos.
  • schmooschmoo Registered Users Posts: 8,468 Major grins
    edited June 9, 2008
    I love the light in the first one. The shadows make it look so serene!

    That is one impressive castle. The roof lines really add to the "stacked" features of the building itself. I'd love to see this in person sometime, maybe with a sweet colorful sunset, too.

    Love the sign thumb.gif
  • ElaineElaine Registered Users Posts: 3,532 Major grins
    edited June 9, 2008
    Love your shots of Himeji! That place is so impressive. Wish I could go back, armed with better gear and little more photo knowledge. Thanks for sharing your views!
    Elaine

    Comments and constructive critique always welcome!

    Elaine Heasley Photography
  • ShimaShima Registered Users Posts: 2,547 Major grins
    edited June 9, 2008
    manda wrote:
    Looks like we both like visiting Japan, nice photos.

    Yup yup! My favorite country to visit, though I only have China and Canada to compare it with so far in regards to other countries I've been to outside the US.... :)

    Your post reminded me that I still had other adventures from my trip this past March that I hadn't shared on here yet ^_^



    Thanks for the lovely comments everyone! I always hate leaving Japan...
  • vaio2006vaio2006 Registered Users Posts: 93 Big grins
    edited July 21, 2008
    nice photos!
    I checked out your galleries and i love how you put up pics of Yodobashi and Bic. (I'm more of a Yodobashi kinda guy cuz most of my points are from there)
  • Awais YaqubAwais Yaqub Registered Users Posts: 10,572 Major grins
    edited July 21, 2008
    These are cool Shima !! enjoyed the trip
    Thine is the beauty of light; mine is the song of fire. Thy beauty exalts the heart; my song inspires the soul. Allama Iqbal

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