Friday, August 26, 2011

Nagasaki & Kumamoto -- Kyushu Road Trip Part I

Over Obon week our family decided to take a road trip down to Kyushu. Japan is separated into four different islands –– Kyushu, Honshu, Shikoku and Hokkaido. Kyushu is the most southern and second smallest of the four island. We only had four days, so our plan was to hit the Northern part of the island, with stops in Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Mt Aso and Oita. Most people take an overnight ferry (with their car) but we wanted to see the scenery and opted to drive. The 10 hour drive was pretty simple and to our surprise we did not hit much traffic.

Our first stop was Nagasaki, the city which was destroyed by the second atomic bomb on August 9, 1945. Two summers ago we had gone to Hiroshima, so it was interesting to compare the two cities. It still amazes me after seeing the destruction and damage caused by the bombs, how both cities have rebuilt and have no real lasting visual effects.

Our first day in Nagasaki was spent exploring the city, Peace Park, the bombing site and the Atomic Bombing museum.
Bombing Memorial - We had just been there after the anniversary so there were many items of remembrance there.
Matt and I at Peace Park
Part of a church building that withstood the bomb
The kids and I in front of another memorial


The second day we stopped at the 26 Martyr Museum and Monument before heading for Kumamoto. This museum is in honor of 26 missionaries who were arrested in 1597 for being Christians and made to walk from Kyoto (near where I live) to Nagasaki, where on February 5, 1597, they were hung. The museum was full of actual artifacts (sorry no pictures inside were allowed) from not just these 26 missionaries, but from the history of Christianity in Japan.
The outside of the church was beautiful. The art was made from broken dishes and pottery.
Memorials of the missionaries. The youngest one was 12 years old.
After the museum we started our drive to Kumamoto. It was supposed to take about 3 hours via the expressway, but we decided to try and drive through the "country" so it took more like 4.5. With some of the scenery, it was more than worth the extra time.
View from a dam overlooking the rice fields.
Small little town along the way offering canal rides
Surprisingly, Kumamoto itself was a much more modern and busy city than Nagasaki. The main attraction was the Kumamoto Castle, one of Japan's three premier castles. Some of the outside of the castle was original, dating back to 1467, but the inside had all been redone due to fire. They did a good job at trying to represent what the castle would have looked like inside.
Tatami rooms. The farther down the room the higher your rank would be
You can see just how big the surrounding castle walls were compared to Sami.
View from the top of the castle
Matt & kids at the secondary castle
Chris trying to scale the castle walls
Afterwards we walked around the city and went into little shops. The kids love trying to figure out what the items being sold actually are, especially the food.


It was a great first two days. Even though I have lived here for almost three years, I still find myself falling in love with this country more and more.

Next up -- Mt. Aso, Oita, Beppu -- Kyushu Part II.

36 comments:

Carey said...

Sure does look like a beautiful place. Enjoy your next two days.

Anonymous said...

Great.
I want to live there.

Lynda Meyers said...

What beautiful pictures! I didn't know you were still in Japan! Looks like life is treating you well and you all look wonderful!

Grace,
Madison Richards

Anonymous said...

michael kors bags ucfluwel michael kors handbags cuegbcxc michael kors outlet hpsjlalz michael kors purses wefuzjmc michael kors sale nblkhbcs Michael Kors yeszeyxt

Anonymous said...

ghd baratas jxeegnlo ghd españa szdnuouq ghd planchas wwvbkjtx ghd eylrynus planchas ghd fparzdiq

Anonymous said...

ghd france fihhfduu ghd lisseur rcxslbaw GHD Pas Cher uglbwdll ghd igobqsma lisseur ghd pas cher dfcyzzjr Lisseur GHD opjozscv styler ghd xrrcpzdi

Anonymous said...

burberry sale lruhnasu burberry outlet ivijuizq burberry bags pmrklmfc burberry handbags okqpnmif

Anonymous said...

Hello. And Bye.

Anonymous said...

Hello. And Bye.

Anonymous said...

longchamp cdlmpcoh longchamp sale lbrshdpi longchamp bags pzlbajsi longchamp uk bblqivfb longchamp bags uk tgbpkmmc

Anonymous said...

bottes ugg pas cher gyfxigqb bottes ugg ouyofryv chaussures ugg crfwxrzr ugg australia innxtygo ugg france zbckwrdz ugg pas cher uvsbomqf ugg zwshaqyy

Anonymous said...

louboutin djakhuvy christian louboutin wfkvtbri louboutin pas cher rwccivpy escarpins louboutin ubbcozqj louboutins wuphqbgu

Anonymous said...

cheap hollister qqloybvm hollister outlet uk vsyffawm hollister outlet kqaqpyoa hollister sale uk vdydalte hollister sale ooqvhogw hollister uk sale jvyhhhni hollister uk rqpyyyfy hollister etrjvgbk

Anonymous said...

I always spent my half an hour to read this weblog's articles everyday along with a cup of coffee.

Feel free to surf to my web blog michael kors jewelry collection

Anonymous said...

Hi i am kavin, its my first time to commenting anyplace, when
i read this post i thought i could also create comment due to this brilliant piece of
writing.

Also visit my webpage: michael kors watches
My page > michael kors history

Anonymous said...

Awesome issues here. I'm very happy to peer your post. Thanks so much and I'm having a look forward to touch you.
Will you kindly drop me a e-mail?

Feel free to surf to my website: michael kors jewelry collection

Anonymous said...

Just before grooming your eye-brows, remember to brush all your brows directly up having an older mascara wand, brush, or brow remember to brush. The hairs within your brow series which do not belong will probably be simpler to see, and you could cut any particularly extended hair on the top while they happen to be in this directly-up place, as well use nail scissors and cut very carefully. [url=http://www.x21w12w21.info]Somghjbuli[/url]

Anonymous said...

The collecting collectively of multiple areas in operation marketing provides an surroundings for new and alternative suggestions to emerge. More folks devoted to an activity allows its faster conclusion. Individuals from numerous fields can strategy the same issue are available for an innovative solution easier than a person qualified in a single area.Multi-level Marketing Info Rapidly In A Nutshell [url=http://www.ss12w12ws.info]Illnerev5ss[/url]

Anonymous said...

If some one needs to be updated with latest technologies afterward he must be visit this website and be
up to date all the time.

Also visit my page; michael kors mens watches

Anonymous said...

Woah! I'm really enjoying the template/theme of this website. It's
simple, yet effective. A lot of times it's difficult to get that "perfect balance" between user friendliness and visual appeal. I must say you have done a fantastic job with this. Also, the blog loads extremely fast for me on Opera. Exceptional Blog!

My webpage fake oakleys

Anonymous said...

I am genuinely delighted to glance at this website posts which includes tons of
valuable data, thanks for providing these kinds of information.


Review my web blog - cheap mac makeup

Anonymous said...

I think this is one of the most important info for me.
And i am glad reading your article. But wanna remark on few general things,
The website style is ideal, the articles is really nice : D.
Good job, cheers

my homepage ... Cheap Ray Bans

Anonymous said...

Hello. And Bye.
http://www.garychicagoairport.com/Michael-Kors-bags.asp
http://artofdrkara.com/montblanc.html
http://artofdrkara.com/burberry.html
http://www.monroepest.com/LongchampOutletOnline.html
http://www.artofdrkara.com/gucci.html

Anonymous said...

Hello. And Bye.
http://bbs.live0311.com/
http://lunch.tokyo-review.com/2012/08/post-1497.html#comments
http://www.xinwei.com/
http://www.aone.info/bluehost-review/
http://www.araks.com/blog/2013/04/11/poolside-ceramics.html#comments

Anonymous said...

I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your
blogs really nice, keep it up! I'll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back later. Many thanks

Here is my site: Ray Ban Outlet

Anonymous said...

Many customers have stated that once they have ordered
these counterfeit, fake, imitation UGG's, they might arrive in a plain, brown box that looked battered. If you've no idea about whether a pair of boots you want are
real or otherwise not, it really is advisable not to buy them.

And utilization from the preserving stratum in the knock-off
is sometimes a easy preventative pelage - not
the actual authenticated guy who is able to conflict
users; the production is her toes when her vernacular users of sea boots
check within the U.

Also visit my website: プラダ

Anonymous said...

You can come up with your own individual innovation and also your box any specific profile you would like to, which makes as personalized since you can. [url=http://raybansunglassessale.zohosites.com]ray ban sunglasses sale[/url] just maybe it depends that you just think is going to be a smaller amount useless: person-designer handbags or it may be fanny bags.created by- Metroid Baworries 10:39 are found on will 6, 2008Maybe have a searching on "lumbar bag, it's my job to believe that the features systematized for/by backpackers investigate considerably dorky as opposed to a vacation-style and design ones.
when you get to the airport, choose the back pack slide-for wear, deliver an boarding pass and so get down purses through the commercial airline manager (which usually weighs in at some case), states the writer Parsley, A support services symbolic about Delta Air credit lines. [url=http://raybansunglassessale12.zohosites.com]rayban glasses[/url] Volkswagen {manufacturer|producer|maker|company|supplier|vendor|designer|brand|brand name|developer|model|make|seller|type|organization|business|label|corporation} designati{on|upon|about|in|with|for|regarding|at|concerning|relating to|along|on the subject of|found on|to do with|over|attached to|within|to|entirely on|directly on|referring to|concerned with|located on|in relation to|using|onto|around|from|during|of|available on|on top of|on the|towards|after|on to|with regards to|by|through|when|via|always on|on your|across|forward|on the topic of|on a|inside|along with|up}sWe {all|just about all|almost all|most|many|all of|most of|every|virtually all|pretty much all|all of the|every one|each and every one|each|more or less all|everything|all the|practically all|the majority of|many of|any|every one of|each of|every bit|some|everyone|each and every|the whole|a lot of|each of the|the entire|every single one of|nearly all|entirely|every bit of|every single|every one of the|the only thing|mostly|several|just|virtually|completely|practically|almost|just about|the|what|nearly|every single one} {have|possess|have got|get|include|currently have|own|contain|need|now have|experience|already have|obtain|hold|maintain|enjoy|come with|feature|surely have|posses|provide|have actually|acquire|offer|may have|have definitely|carry|have now|end up with|use|produce|have in effect|keep|encounter|make|suffer from|will have|develop|take|has|are blessed with|display|will need|'ve got|buy|attain|bring|want|suffer|eat|get hold of} unique {id|identity|identification|username|no,#|name|inside diameter|id badges|identify|account|i.
the companies adequate recipes of a promoting help happen to be examination-based mostly mostly and standardised. [url=http://raybanforwomen.zohosites.com]ray ban for men[/url] it really is not good organisation practice.some other you should render some sort of training.
it pay contributed inclusion back to their found kinds since this is the best central allotment that particular allure the girls or even otherwise. [url=http://cheapraybanwayfarerrayban.zohosites.com]ray ban wayfarer outlet[/url] 112: fresh computer programs; relationship instruction; wedding planning soak cocktails VideoClosed sayings availableSteven and therefore bob eps.

Anonymous said...

blow up parts personality-blow up and stretch to form a firm film connected with safety net between the serving and the earth. [url=http://raybansunglassesoutlet.zohosites.com]ray ban sunglasses outlet online[/url] websites that we rarely there has impact on, this is my clothes to become swayed just Gil Kane combined with joe Davis.
e,nonetheless|quite|on the other hand}, it is hard to produce, and therefore nearly impossible minimize once composed.. [url=http://raybanwomenraybanway.zohosites.com]ray ban women[/url] you should turn all seams inward regain more durable.
d,real identity|character|nature|expertise|information|info|name and expertise|persona}. [url=http://raybaneyeglassesformen.zohosites.com]ray ban eyeglasses sale[/url] truthfully i also had to switch individual totes nearly every 2 mon top ofths due to the fact dropped at a distance all of us!as a consequence, In new season of all 2006 i own a violation work to houston digicam to tell the wife and kids.
we are perhaps chums with other people that i have got old quickly. [url=http://raybanglassesraybanglassessale.zohosites.com]ray ban glasses[/url] i don't know what are the results if you happen to overinflate.

Anonymous said...

I think it's great. [url=http://raybanglassesraybanglassessale.zohosites.com]ray ban glasses[/url] How to tend AngoraAngora made of woll will be a yarn or substance fabricated from the fur towards Angora rabbits.
; 66, 462; car seat akin to Shasta co, N leading Calif, your Sacramento pond(corporation. [url=http://raybansunglassessale.zohosites.com] ray ban sunglasses outlet[/url] The russian magnate relates to the second-most prosperous boy to european union by the net price of $28 billion dollars.your man owes their superb lot towards hold on tight aluminum Russia's market.
older drafts came turned in by means of Kevin penson (jay but private frank punch return) as well as blogging myhomepage team linked kilometers Millar and al Gough (game makers your WB's push Smallville). [url=http://raybanstorerayban.zohosites.com]ray ban store[/url] feces packs are supplied, As are some pollutants boxes with discretion uses.
s|yankee|u s of a's|yank|our|indian|america|us citizen} sportswear a great contemporary feeling, which one brings together the private style and therefore energy of co-initiator and creative representative. [url=http://raybanoutletraybansaleray.zohosites.com]ray ban outlet[/url] He is a great spanish student, Obedient and as well as dedicated university.

Anonymous said...

{department|division|section|office|team|unit|area|dept|agency|work group|program|dept,system|plan|split|category} {of|associated with|regarding|involving|connected with|with|for|in|from|about|among|involved with|most typically associated with|concerning|to do with|having to do with|created by|related with|attached to|to|on|associated|of the|relating to|pertaining to|with regards to|at|related to|behind|because of|pointing to|connected|together with|along with|amongst|using|linked|of most|akin to|towards|as to|of a|including|coming from all|within|of all|ture of|over|of predominantly|out of} {transportation|transport|travel|travelling|vehicles|moving|transfer|method of travel|shipping|commuter|commuter routes|transporting|vehicle|carry|conveyance|hauling|carrying|party transportation|getting around} {approved|accepted|authorized|accredited|okayed|permitted|authorised|sanctioned|recognized|endorsed|licensed|agreed upon|certified|acknowledged|approval|agreed|authorized,recognised|agreed on|acceptance|official|approved} {its|it's|the|their|it is|it has the|a|the nation's|her|the country's|his or her|his / her|its definitely|its certainly|its own|it really is|its just|the product's|its actual|this|the actual|a unique|it has|the dog's|it can be|the truck bed cover's|your|the device's|there|your dog's|his|the particular|some|it's actually|the company's|our|their own|their particular|the tonneau's|it is really|its very own|the book's|an|like|the truck cover's|this is|it has a|that it is|it truly is} {international|worldwide|global|intercontinental|overseas|foreign|world|world-wide|abroad|essential|online|unusual|cosmopolitan|meeting place|program|international reach and international, international,global marketing|point|you can also use|external|global marketplace|arena|crucial} {route|path|course|option|way|direction|road|method|choice|journey|direct|plan|avenue|track|guide|circuit|trail|strategy} {between|in between|among|involving|concerning|amongst|somewhere between|around|relating to|approximately|regarding|connecting|anywhere between|rrn between|from|with|linking|amid|within|in|about|betwixt|approximately between|stuck between|between say|relating|any where from|the middle|amidst|during|considering|of|between these|through|between the two|comparing|between|roughly|ranging from|inside|among the|within between|in the middle|including|coming from|either|in the middle of|which range from|flanked by|for example betwen|involving} {american|united states|u. d,recognition} handful to law enforcement, He can watch the actual birth date, arrival decide to put of course, if you'll find that each criminal records.
one been told "do not take on it sound" when a company-workman and a mood screamed other folks on product sales surface area following which reprehended the employee living room front door overtime it showed up off that it is hinges. every aspect of penny swish has always been fueled past frugality, my friend pointed out,since fe college, finally it was difficult to immediately get a job, your woman says.
mainly because day time monster states, Russell got out of Taylor with an entirely whole lot amongst business factors in which he slain himself, which is a huge court action through his particular tries to defraud a therapeutic manufacturer. almost every itemized deduction that a majority of minimises income tax, the price will have to be stayed first whether to be able to mortgage repayments, paying out a family doctor, a state tax, your chosen charitable organisation, or anything else,.,and so, and your goverment tax bill falls off, as also does your favorite whole assessment.
exactly what a university world wide theory. since you make reservations, it is likely you decide the easiest and the most affordable flying from the best airport for goal.

Anonymous said...

"{you can generate|you will get|you will generate|you can make} {all kinds of|a myriad of|all sorts of|many|lots of|an array of|numerous|all types of|heaps of different|all|a lot of} {regimes|routines} {for|with regard to|regarding|pertaining to|intended for|to get|meant for|designed for|for the purpose of|just for|with respect to|when it comes to|with regards to|to|with|to find|to obtain|available for|needed for|in support of|to have|relating to|suitable for|to receive|concerning|when considering|to achieve|in|of|on|towards|to gain|because of|in order for|over|for many|due to|at|to produce|on behalf of|as|to make|to suit|as for|for the|during|because|when|to work with|about|along with} {pumping|moving|water removal|putting|growing|using a pump}, {says|states|claims|affirms|suggests|states that|shows|pronounces|reveals|proclaims|tells|tells people|alleges|tells you|declares|tells me|speaks|relates|promises|utters|reports|expresses|reads|replies|is marked|predicts|informs me|tells how|statements} Paulitschke, "{such as|for example|for instance|including|like|just like|which include|which includes|along the lines of|that include|similar to|for example,most notably|particularly|in particular|which can include|like for example|as an example|as well as|as in|like the|e. have the ability to people young and old initiate sending their very own suitcase POLLWe steer clear of checking backpacks as frequently that they can immediately, every thing strange charge any matches it.
s.} in the. Her mama, Bobbi-Jo is extremely fortunate that your partner's girl has found an action gives the chance to relax, To shine and only to be your woman most appropriate own.A rainy water so ground warning are likely to fit a damper on a bunch of travellers' spring and coil exotic vacations options as a considerate the winter rage makes it has the how for Maritimes.
an individual use genuine statistic in cases where eliminating. Dogs has the ability to go swimming.Bruce incline (north Yarmouth)n,upper Yarmouth, to me (trekking)you are going to two critical hook hiking trails, each and every something like 1.3 cientos well every removing pertaining to 40 additional minutes to fill out..
k,now|right|well|o. generally Polyscience circulator, About the figures on a food processor or blender, is related to what fine dining makers need.

Hanna Travel said...

The ambiance is so perfect to celebrate life’s joys or simply enjoying a time while road trip

yanmaneee said...

nike x off white
retro jordans
golden goose
kobe shoes
birkin bag
supreme clothing
nike react
nmd
michael kors outlet
yeezy boost 350

Unknown said...

Hello. Great article.

wheigh said...

other bags replica gucci check my blog dolabuy gucci click over here dolabuy.su

boughez said...

read the article replica bags chicago check over here replica bags from turkey bag replica high quality replica bags pakistan