What's Shakin'?

On Monday July 16th, Japan was hit by two large quakes. The first, at a magnitude of 6.6 on the Richter Scale, struck around 10:15 am in Niigata Prefecture. Hardest-hit was the town of Kashiwazaki, where at least 8 people died and 800 have been injured. The earthquake collapsed homes, buckled roads, and sparked a fire at Japan’s largest nuclear power generating facility.

I was too far north to feel the first quake, but I did feel the second tremor that struck just after 11 pm. This earthquake was stronger, at 6.8, but luckily it was based out in the Sea of Japan and no direct damage has been reported as a result. While the quake didn't feel particularly powerful, it lasted over a minute. It was enough to get me out of bed, dressed, and into a door frame to wait it out while the windows and doors rattled.

Japan uses the Shindo Scale 震度 to gauge earthquake intensity which differs from the more common Richter Scale. In a country where earthquakes are said to occur once every 5 minutes, July 16th may have been just another Monday for the locals, but my routine was definitely "shaken-up"!

Elementary School 小学校

I've been teaching at the elementary schools in town for the last two weeks. It's a whole different world from junior high... the kids ride unicycles, collect frogs, catch chickens, and perform child labour in the school garden.

For whatever reason, unicycles are a mainstay in the schoolyard and a part of every elementary school child's education here in Japan.

One of the schools has a pet chicken named "I-chan". One of the kids insisted on showing me how easy it was to catch I-chan. I'm surprised I-chan is still alive. Why doesn't I-chan just cross the road?

The eight elementary schools in the area have an annual garden competition. Everyone gets involved with the planting and upkeep of the garden, with judging being held in the fall. The school with the chicken has won for the last several years. Perhaps I-chan eats the bugs?

Jodogahama

About 300 years ago a Buddhist priest came to this beach and proclaimed it to be "just like Paradise (Jodo)." I visited Jodogohama a few weekends ago while camping along the coast near Miyako.

Sports Festival

A few weekends ago the local schools held their annual sports festivals. Each school divided students into two teams, red vs. white. The teams competed in a number of events, participating in everything from relay races to cheering competitions. Each event garnered the winning team points. I attended the events at the main school in town. It was freezing and poured rain the entire time. Everyone was soaked but things carried on despite the conditions.

Tokyo

Finishing off in Tokyo, there was still a lot to see. These shots include Senso-ji temple, a traditional Shinto wedding at the Meiji Shrine, and some Harajuku girls who look as if they've dropped acid. The question is: was it before, or after they got dressed for the day?

Shibuya

Shibuya crossing in Tokyo. Apparently the busiest intersection in the world. Waves of people flowed across the intersection every few minutes between traffic, it never stopped. I shot this video from the Starbucks that overlooks the crossing, which is also reportedly the world's busiest. The Starbucks people were not pleased...the video cuts out right as I get tapped on the shoulder.

Kiyomizu-dera

This is one of Kyoto's most famous temples. Meaning "pure water" in Japanese, the temple complex has a waterfall running through it that is thought to be therapeutic. Water from the fall flows out in three separate streams, from which people may drink. Each of the three sources is said to govern its own unique property, be it love, health, or wisdom. A drink from any of these fonts is said to aid you in its corresponding area.

The main structure dates from 1633 and is constructed entirely of wood. It features a large stage which garnered the expression "to jump off the stage at Kiyomizu" in Japanese. This adage is akin to "taking the plunge", and it is believed that one's wish will be granted should they survive the fall.

Alone In Kyoto

I went for a walk in a Buddhist temple complex near where we stayed on our last day in Kyoto. It was all very Zen.

Fushimi Inari-Taisha

Fushimi Inari in Kyoto is the primary Shinto shrine in Japan dedicated to the spirit of Inari. Inari is the protector of cereal grains (especially rice) and is associated with wealth. As a result, many families and businesses will donate barrels of rice wine or vermilion torri gates as offerings. As Fushimi is the principal Inari shrine in Japan, many have donated and paths leading to the shrine are lined with over 10,000 torri gates!

Inaria's official messengers are foxes, and so shrines are often adorned with fox sculptures. There is even a special sushi dedicated to Inari made of rice-filled sweetened tofu called Inari-zushi. Sounds nasty, but they are some tasty nums!

Ginkaku-ji 銀閣寺

Built in 1474, Ginkaku-ji (Temple of the Silver Pavilion) was commissioned by the grandson of the Shogun who built Kinkaku-ji temple. Originally intended to emulate the Golden Pavilion with a covering of silver leaf, the cost of an ongoing war at the time prevented the structure from ever reaching completion. While the Silver Pavilion may not live up to its intentions, the surrounding gardens more than make up for any lack of "bling".

Kinkaku-ji 金閣寺

The Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion Temple) is one of Kyoto's most famous sites. The original structure was built in 1397 as a retirement villa for a local Shogun. Later, it was converted into a Zen Buddhist temple.

In 1950 the temple was burned to the ground by a disturbed monk obsessed with its beauty. The current structure dates from 1955 and is completely covered in pure gold leaf apart from the ground floor.