Abandoned Pillar

Himeji-SanyoRwy-2, originally uploaded by sleepytako.

It appears that this pillar use to hold up the Sanyo Railway as it came into it's terminus at Himeji Station, although it could be a former JR line. Whatever it use to be it reminds me of something out of Half Life 2.

Utility Pole - Aboshi

Himeji-Aboshi-1, originally uploaded by sleepytako.

What things are found bound to utility poles where you live? In Japan there's typically an advertisement or directions to some local shop, in this case it's a hospital (in white red and blue), a no digging warning sign, a serial number or something to that degree, and typically some beige weather worn textured plastic sheath-all bound by metal rings.

Photo taken near Aboshi station, Hyogo.

Accident on the Hankyu Koyo Line

HankyuAccident-1, originally uploaded by sleepytako.

Saturday morning around 11:30 I woke up to a helicopter flying over my house. A rare thing in Japan. Turns out that there was a train accident at Koyoen Station near my house. It appears to me that the train was coming into Koyoen Station and car in the rear jumped the track at the switch. The newspaper article does not mention any injuries.

Hankyu has set up a bus service between Shukugawa and Koyoen stations. Anyone else who wants to come to Koyoen from Osaka or Kobe might also consider taking the Hanshin train to Nishinomiya station and take the bus.

Derailment is 脱線 (だっせん) in Japanese.

This story from the Kobe Shimbun.

Mizuma Railway Logo

EastOsaka-3, originally uploaded by sleepytako.

There is little I love more than faded paint on concrete bricks. What a great logo too. Mizuma Railway (水間鉄道 short name, Suitetsu) is a short single line local railway that runs down the center of Kaizuka city in Osaka prefecture. Misuma means in, or between the water. Water (水) is one of my favorite kanji so it's no wonder I loved riding this line. Also, the trains have conductors who check and punch your tickets--something quite rare in the cities. It's a great ride and the last station is a 10 minute walk from Mizuma temple and offers some other great walking courses.

Door, lock, brick and bike.

EastOsaka-4, originally uploaded by sleepytako.

Rust at Ishizai station.

No Gun-Hunting

EastOsaka-5, originally uploaded by sleepytako.

I don't know how I'd even buy a gun in Japan, but at least I know I cant hunt here.

Do not play here!

EastOsaka-6, originally uploaded by sleepytako.

The sign says "Do not play here!"

Booze Gorilla!

EastOsaka-2, originally uploaded by sleepytako.

The Japanese equivalent of the Kool-Aid man, but with booze. Oh sake!

Used cans of fryer oil.

EastOsaka-7, originally uploaded by sleepytako.

Garbage left outside a small food shop in Kaizuka city, Osaka pref..