Week 8 - Japan - Emily Van Torre

Dear bloggers,

After visiting Ota, we took a train and arrived around 2 PM at Takayama. Takayama is a wonderful little city with many charming buildings.
The first thing that occurred to me when we arrived in the city, was the humid climate. I immediately craved for some water. I just got there and I was already sweaty.

Jeroen just kept nagging and whining because he was so hungry due to the trip, so we went to one of Takayama’s many local restaurants. We ordered some typical dishes like sansei (mountain vegetables) , wasakana (river fish) and rice balls on a stick which were dripped in teriyaki. I’ve got to say: I just LOOOOVE Japanese food. It’s just so healthy and full of rich flavours. Mjammie! I think Jeroen was amazed by the good food because he didn’t say a word throughout the entire meal haha!

When we finished our meal, we walked through the shopping streets for the most of the day. Takayama is known for the outstanding skills of its inhabitants in carpentry. That’s what most inhabitants make a living from. But also lacquer ware, furniture and pottery are known as ways for earning their money.

Then we took a bus to Mount Norikura, a dormant volcano with an altitude of 3,026 meters. Mount Norikura is listed in the 100 Most Famous Japanese Mountains. Wow, how many mountains can a country have then?! Norikura means “ riding saddle”. The mountains got its name because the shape of the mountains looks like a horse saddle. The guide took us to a point near the summit. I was amazed by the view. This mountain is ranked as the third highest mountain of Japan. Can you imagine what a great view we had?

That was that for Takayama. Tonight we’re taking the Central Japan Railway and go to Hiroshima where we are planning to stay for two days.
I find that city so interesting. It’s so big and has a rich history and the advanced technology there is unbelievable! So let me tell you something about Hiroshima’s history.

Hiroshima – what means “Wide Island” – was the first city in history that was attacked by the world’s first atomic bomb at the end of World War 2 called “Little Boy”.
At 8.15 AM on August 6^th 1945,  the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) dropped the bomb and it has killed over more than 300 000 people.
Symbolic, the oleander is the official flower of the city of Hiroshima because it was the first flower which bloomed again after the explosion of the bomb. Nowadays, Hiroshima is proclaimed as “The City of Peace”.

As for the  Chügoku-Shikoku region, Hiroshima is the center of industry. Hiroshima is stretched over the coastal areas and has long been a port city. So transportation of goods, to or from Japan, often happens via the ports of Hiroshima of via the Hiroshima International Airport. Of course, this is very advantageous for the city.
The most influential industries in the city are the manufacturing industry - which includes the production of Mazda cars, car parts and industrial equipment- and the steel industry. Hiroshima has a lot of exports, mostly general machinery. Also, the skilled personnel and advanced technologies are one of Hiroshima’s major talents.
As you can see, this business city has a lot of strengths and potential. Its economy might just keep growing.

I can’t wait to get there!

Write to you soon,

Xoxo Emily