焼酎天国

I received 14 half to barely filled bottles of imo (potato) shochu from my friend's restaurant which closed last Sunday. It was very sad to see the restaurant go, however I can't be anything but happy to have these bottles! I'm going to have to save all the labels and make something from them.

My wife told me that もぐら the one in front should be good. I never knew they had it.

Bowling for shochu.

Happy Mia with the booze.

My first choice, if only to finish off the bottle, is 朝日 (Asahi) one of my favorites.

Nagasaki Electric Tramway - 長崎電機軌道

Nagasaki Ekimae Station

Railway: Nagasaki Electric Tramway (Nagasaki Dentetsu) - 長崎電機軌道 (長崎電鉄)
Type: Railway 鉄道
Location: Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture, Kyushu Region, JAPAN
Distance: 11.5km
Number of Stations: 38
Homepage: http://www.naga-den.com/
Price: ¥120
One day free pass: ¥500
Number of lines: 5
Number of routes: 5
Photos: Nagasaki Electric Tramway

 I was able to ride all of Nagasaki’s lines during a half day of sightseeing in the city with my wife and daughter. The inner city section from the JR station out into the small, moderately level section of this very, very mountainous city is where most of the tourist attractions are. The longest line reaching out to Akasako (赤迫) terminus and passing the Peace Park is under 7km. It contains a part where the tracks parallel the JR Kyushu line. This section plus a street car only bridge on the Hotarujaya Branch Line are the only times the streetcars do not run with traffic.

Shokakuji-shita Station

 Two of the terminal stations were really appealing for me. The first is Shokakuji-shita (正覚寺下駅) on the Main Line (routes 1 and 4). This station is half built on a bridge over a small river coming down from the mountain above. Across from station, on the other side of the river, houses are built above the river on stilts. The second is Hotarujaya (蛍茶屋) at the end of the eponymous branch line (routes 3,4, or 5). After climbing a steepish slope in the middle if a wide road the train stops at a large intersection. Passengers have to get off, but the tracks go on crossing the intersection and entering a garage. The slope of the hill behind the garage increases greatly making running streetcars up unrealistic. Both of these stations exemplify how tight the land is in Nagasaki and how the streetcars go right up to the end of that useable flat-ish space.

Hotarujaya Station

 Most of the cars are older and quite enjoyable to ride on. There are few longer, newer trains also which were more comfortable. The stations are typically in the middle of the street and are very, very skinny. Unlike Hiroden there aren’t any larger developed stations with gates. All payment is done when departing in cash, via a smartcard, or using a one day free pass. The paper passes are the scratch off type and sell for ¥500. You cannot get them on the trains, so plan ahead. We got ours at tourist information office in JR Nagasaki Station, but they are also sold at various stores around town near the larger stations. Android users can download a free app that lets you show your phone to the driver, a single day pass costs ¥520 per adult, however.

My family and I really enjoyed riding the trains. It was a great, easy way to get around the city and see some of the highlights. We had a small amount of time on a rainy day, but thanks to the streetcars we made the most of it.

Nagasaki Electric Tramway - 長崎電機軌道 at EveryTrail

Akashi-Kaikyo Bridgeworld / 明石海峡大橋ブリッジワールド

Location Name: Akashi-Kaikyo Bridgeworld 明石海峡大橋ブリッジワールド
Type: Bridge 橋
Location: Hyogo Prefecture, Honshu, JAPAN
Terminals: Tarumi Ward, Kobe / Awaji Island
Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sleepytako/sets/72157634509871310/
Webpage: http://www.jb-honshi.co.jp/english/bridgeworld/

My brother came to Japan a few months ago on a trip and I decided to book the Awaji Bridge tour for him. My friend and I had discussed going but never had a reason to. Having my brother in town gave us that reason. The tour costs ¥3,000 and is very thorough  You are required to sign waivers, wear a helmet, headphone radio, and everything must be strapped to your body. Dropping a camera off the top of the tower will not only result breaking your camera, but also causing a car accident.

The tour meets on the Kobe side near Maiko station and begins with a lecture and video, then a guided tour of the museum. I figure this long build up to the actual tour is to help get your mind ready for the experience. I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to handle the heights, but did was ok. One member of our group had to return early however. After a decent hike out on the catwalk installed under the road section of the bridge the tour arrives at the first tower. I was surprised to see two cars parked there for use by the bridge maintenance staff.

Since the elevator can only take up so many people at once, the tour goes up in groups. We were in the second group giving us time to watch the sea and inspect the large drying machines. Keeping the wires dry in humid Japan is a very important aspect of keeping the bridge safe and above the water. Wet wires get rusty. The elevator ride was not as claustrophobic as I thought it would be. It went by much faster than I thought it would. Walking up the stairs to the top takes about 2 hours I think the tour guide said. The elevator takes about 2 minutes.



At the top the entrance opens like the hatch in some spaceship. The initial sense of vertigo and fear was strong, but by the second or third minute I felt at ease and was able to enjoy the experience. Our tour guide was kind enough to take a photo of our group which we got a print copy of at the end of the tour. The time at the top was about 15 minutes which was more than enough to take photos and just take in the amazing views. We were lucky because elsewhere on the bridge workers were testing the lighting systems so they were on while we were on the top adding to the beauty.



The tour is well worth it and the guides have an incredible wealth of knowledge about the bridge. So much that I just tuned it out and stop trying to listen. Bridgeworld is a must for anyone living here or coming to Kansai. Check out the rest of the photos on the flickr set.

All of the fun stuff they send you home wi