Ibusuki - Day 2
We planned the itinerary for the next day but the heavy rain just ruined our well-thought plan.
We hoped to see the lake, drive to the southernmost cape of the Satsuma peninsula, or try the hot spring next to the ocean. These all just didn't happen as the rain was non stop, so our strategy was to stay dry in indoors' museums.
I have to mention that it is a lovely gesture that many hotels in Kagoshima Prefecture have spare umbrellas for guests' use.
Alright, the mountain was so foggy. We could hardly see the roads along the mountains. Thanks to my friend's good driving skill, we could still drive around the windy mountain roads and go to several tourist spots.
Before we explored the area, we found a light therapy spot in the hotel which is set up by the cancer research centre. You simply lie on the ground in an enclosed "cage". Lights of different colours come in all directions and in different forms around the cage. Close your eyes and feel it for 20 minutes. I'm not sure about its effect but it's fun to do so.
We also checked out some displays on Bhutan tourism in the hotel. Well, I don't see myself going there one day. Not now.
Anyway, the rain was still in full force. Nevertheless, we headed to an art gallery located in Hakusuikan Ibusuki Ryokan, a famous Japanese-style hotel in Ibusuki anyway. Before the trip, my friend and I debated whether we should stay there but eventually we chose the hotel on the mountain side, and I am very happy with our choice.
The gallery displays works and art pieces from the ancient times in Satsuma area. Some of the art pieces was influenced by the Western culture because Kagoshima Prefecture has had a history of trading with the West. It is quite common for a big hotel to have a gallery like this in Ibusuki. I also found some Satsuma ceramics and paintings in a big hotel, Iwasaki Hotel, but the hotel decor looks "tired" and old style. Definitely not a good option for staying for a vacation.
The highlight of the day was to try out the traditional flowing somen noodles in Tosenkyo. It was fun, and it was tasty. There are two main restaurants serving such noodles in the area, one run by the city and another one run by a private company. My friend believed that the government-operated restaurant must be losing people's hard-earn money as there were very few customers when we had lunch there.
My friend decided to drive to Chiran where is well-known for tea as well as its preserved samurai district. I wanted to visit the traditional houses and gardens, but we had to change our plan to visit the Chiran Peace Museum instead.
Visiting this museum gave me a very uncomfortable mixed feeling. The museum documented letters written by young soldiers who scarified themselves as "human bullets" during the Pacific War. It also keeps some of their remains like medals, clothes and bags. They were all so young, mostly from 18 to less than 30 years old. Some of them were volunteers while some were not.
The war was massive. Many people from Japan and the Allied died. The Japanese young soldiers were instructed to flow the specially made aircrafts to crash into the Allied's battleships as these young people were not skilful enough to fight against the Allied. It was totally insane and unethical.
It is good that the museum is built to memorise these young people, but in another way, I feel that it is wrong to honour this stupid act and war tactic.
Human lives are precious, and should not be treated like as if it's worth nothing.
There has been conflict between Japan and China over the years. As a Chinese, I also feel odd visiting a museum dedicated to Japanese soldiers.
After the visit to the museum, I really wanted to come back to the hotel, breath and take a break. It's a good 45 minutes' drive.
It is fantastic to have a cup of tea, doing nothing while enjoying the mountain view. I also got a chance to walk around the hotel to feel the fresh cool air!
We hoped to see the lake, drive to the southernmost cape of the Satsuma peninsula, or try the hot spring next to the ocean. These all just didn't happen as the rain was non stop, so our strategy was to stay dry in indoors' museums.
I have to mention that it is a lovely gesture that many hotels in Kagoshima Prefecture have spare umbrellas for guests' use.
Alright, the mountain was so foggy. We could hardly see the roads along the mountains. Thanks to my friend's good driving skill, we could still drive around the windy mountain roads and go to several tourist spots.
Before we explored the area, we found a light therapy spot in the hotel which is set up by the cancer research centre. You simply lie on the ground in an enclosed "cage". Lights of different colours come in all directions and in different forms around the cage. Close your eyes and feel it for 20 minutes. I'm not sure about its effect but it's fun to do so.
We also checked out some displays on Bhutan tourism in the hotel. Well, I don't see myself going there one day. Not now.
Anyway, the rain was still in full force. Nevertheless, we headed to an art gallery located in Hakusuikan Ibusuki Ryokan, a famous Japanese-style hotel in Ibusuki anyway. Before the trip, my friend and I debated whether we should stay there but eventually we chose the hotel on the mountain side, and I am very happy with our choice.
The gallery displays works and art pieces from the ancient times in Satsuma area. Some of the art pieces was influenced by the Western culture because Kagoshima Prefecture has had a history of trading with the West. It is quite common for a big hotel to have a gallery like this in Ibusuki. I also found some Satsuma ceramics and paintings in a big hotel, Iwasaki Hotel, but the hotel decor looks "tired" and old style. Definitely not a good option for staying for a vacation.
The highlight of the day was to try out the traditional flowing somen noodles in Tosenkyo. It was fun, and it was tasty. There are two main restaurants serving such noodles in the area, one run by the city and another one run by a private company. My friend believed that the government-operated restaurant must be losing people's hard-earn money as there were very few customers when we had lunch there.
My friend decided to drive to Chiran where is well-known for tea as well as its preserved samurai district. I wanted to visit the traditional houses and gardens, but we had to change our plan to visit the Chiran Peace Museum instead.
Visiting this museum gave me a very uncomfortable mixed feeling. The museum documented letters written by young soldiers who scarified themselves as "human bullets" during the Pacific War. It also keeps some of their remains like medals, clothes and bags. They were all so young, mostly from 18 to less than 30 years old. Some of them were volunteers while some were not.
The war was massive. Many people from Japan and the Allied died. The Japanese young soldiers were instructed to flow the specially made aircrafts to crash into the Allied's battleships as these young people were not skilful enough to fight against the Allied. It was totally insane and unethical.
It is good that the museum is built to memorise these young people, but in another way, I feel that it is wrong to honour this stupid act and war tactic.
Human lives are precious, and should not be treated like as if it's worth nothing.
After the visit to the museum, I really wanted to come back to the hotel, breath and take a break. It's a good 45 minutes' drive.
It is fantastic to have a cup of tea, doing nothing while enjoying the mountain view. I also got a chance to walk around the hotel to feel the fresh cool air!
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