Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture, Japan
We traveled by bullet train across Japan from east to west to arrive in Niigata City yesterday. The bullet trains travel on a "magnet cushion" so the ride is very smooth. We were able to see Mt. Fuji to the south in the distance. A lot of the time, the train was in a tunnel so we saw the mountains only rarely. The weather changed drastically from dry, sunny Tokyo to wet, cloudy Niigata. Niigata is on the edge of the Sea of Japan.
Even though it was damp, Ishii San, our amazingly knowledgable tour guide who speaks excellent English, took us for a walking tour through a shopping district and Hakusan Park which has a major Shinto Shrine. While we were visiting the shrine, a " 3 5 7 Ceremony" was occuring. Parents bring their children to the shrine when the kids are 3, 5 or 7 years of age for purification and good luck.
Next door to the shrine is a former merchant's home that is now a tea ceremony house. The staff of Enkikan invited us in to look around and gave a gracious impromptu tour.
This morning we visit Niigata University. In the afternoon, we take our bus to Tainai which I can't even find on the map so it must be small! It is a small community to the south, I am told, near Mt. Yahiko. We will meet with the mayor today. Another full day. Once at the Royal Tainai Park Hotel, we will not have internet access. I may not be able to post again until we get back to Tokyo in a week. At that time, you will have lots to read!
Until then, Sayonara!
Bento is the name of the box style lunches that the Japanese use as "take out".
Ishii San showing us the Shinto purification process before entering a shrine.
The Sea of Japan as viewed from our hotel.
Waiting for the bullet train to Niigata.
10/21/2007 :
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