16) Japan Part II: the beauty of this land

One of the first things that really struck me when I got in Japan was what many of the woman around my age were wearing; absolutely beautiful kimonos (which are a type of traditional dress). I would see these women looking just stunning, walking all over the city. I thought to myself that I was going to be able to get some great pictures of this, as there was such a beautiful contrast between the ancient and traditions, and the fashions and technology that Japan is right on the cutting edge of. So I planned to get pictures the next day, after having some time to formulate what I wanted to go for in these pictures. It turns out that this was a one-day thing, because of some sort of summer festival. What I was planning on trying to show in the pictures was the contrast between the modern and the traditions, but also how it works, and is common in Japan. One golden missed opportunity was a couple on the beach, at sunset. The guy was wearing typical American hip-hop type clothing, and his girl friend was dressed in a beautiful flower kimono with her hair all done up. I only really got one shot worth posting, although I am not very satisfied with it.


Fukuoka has all sorts of beautiful temples and shrines scattered throughout the city. They stand shoulder to shoulder with modern buildings, and have seen as much as 1,249 years of change go by. I saw as many of these beautiful buildings and statues and shrines and graves and gardens as possible. I was never disappointed by what I saw, or learned.




These first four are from the Kashida Shrine, constructed in 757.




When I finally got to the zoo and botanical gardens I was happy I was there, and felt it was worth the hour-long journey the previous day (only to find that it was closed) and the expensive taxi ride back. These gardens boasted the biggest greenhouse in Asia, and had beautiful rooms full of just orchids.