Science Overseas Learning Journey - Japan (Kyushu)

Walking along the street towards our first destination - Daizaifu Tenmangu Shrine. There were so many interesting shops along the street.


After walking for about 15 to 20 min, we reached the entrance. Two elderly Japanese ladies were our shrine guides. There were small bridges to cross, nicely designed ponds and gardens to view as we walked towards the actual shrine.


We reached the outer court of the shrine. There was a prayer lot vending machine! Make a prayer in the heart, put in 100 yen and a prayer lot will be churned out. Good ones can keep. Bad ones need to tie them onto the "chase-away-bad-luck" structure. There were a lot of status of legendary figures too. Our guides tried their best to share knowledge of the shrine with us.


Before entering into the actual shrine area, one must wash both hands and mouth with the foundation water as a symbol to cleanse body, mind and soul. Our guides demonstrated and some of us tried. The water was cooling. In the shrine, prayer session was on. Many people, especially came here for success in exam. Charms were sold at the side of the shrine.

One of the things that we captured our attention at the airport and everywhere else in Japan - the toilets are much cleaner than Singapore. There are the traditional Japan squat type and those bidet (water spray) toilet. Careful of the water spray!



Another interesting thing we notice along the streets is that there are a lot of vending machines and there are so many variety to choose from. There are vending machines selling hot fried food and even cigarettes! The cigarette vending machines are definitely a big NO-NO in Singapore!