We happily arrived at Kukuoka Airport on Day 2 - 29 May 2010, 8.10am (Japan time, 1 hour ahead of Singapore).
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11:07 PM |
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Day 1 - Gathered on 28 May 2010 10.30pm to depart from Changi Airport T3 to Fukuoka, Kyushu, Japan on 29 May 2009, 1.10am
10:52 PM |
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Our first day in Japan was quite interesting and tiring. We went to many places and learned more about Japanese history,culture, and people. But since the others have talked about where we visited, we shall focus on something more interesting in Japan and that is their vending machines. They have a vending machine for almost anything!!! They sell anything you want, fast food, cold food, even cigarettes can be bought! This is one of the most different things in Japan from Singapore.
Emil
10:50 PM |
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As I think back the encounters I had today with the volunteer guides, I am impressed by the spirit of life long learning, active contribution and passion they displayed.
We had 2 English speaking Japanese ladies at the Dazaifu Tanmangu Shrine as our guides and a gentleman with a lady at the Kumamoto Castle as our English speaking guides. All four have common traits: they were of retiree age and we have some difficulties following their English.
Yet, when they saw some of our puzzled expressions in following their explanations, they did not give up and persisted - sometimes showing pictures, mostly trying to correct self in attempt to communicate better.
From what I understand, for seniors like them to do this is not easy in Japanese culture given that they are like Chinese - afraid to "lose face", especially as one progress through the age. It requires much determination and courage to overcome self and face others to speak in English which is not their native or official language at all. Such spirit of determination and courage, especially as one gets older is required in a life long learner.
Beside what impressed me about their display of life long learning spirit is their passion in giving back to the society through volunteerism. They volunteer to be English guides during their available weekends, turning up punctually, looking eagerly and respectfully to share their knowledge and passion with visitors like us via a foreign language medium that they find it hard to use.
Their strength is amazing too. Some of us were physically tired by late noon yet our elderly guide still could smilingly paused to wait for us to recover. Meanwhile, she tried to entertain us with some palace juicy histories. Where does she find such energy? Passion.
Imagine how different Singapore could be like if everyone is to be like this: passionate and persevering life long learner who seeks to contribute to the society actively? Will you make the difference?
Tan KK
12:09 AM |
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We departed Fukuoka Airport and headed to Daizaifu Tenmangu Shrine.
At the Shrine, we learned more the Japanese culture and how the Japanese pray. This trip to the Shrine also help us know more about the history of Japanese God.
Next, we headed to Kumamoto Food Pal to have our lunch. We had a filling lunch and headed to the bakery. In the bakery, we learned how the breads were made. The methods used are very different from Singapore. Furthermore, we could see how the machines work and when we got back to Singapore, we are able to tell our friends about the machines.
Next, we went to Kumamoto Castle and looked at the different wooden buildings. The Kumamoto castle is so big that we took two hours to visit different parts of the castle. The big camphor tree is older than the castle which is 400 year old by 200 years! One of the buildings has a very steep flight of stairs, we had to climb against gravity all the way to the top. We also had to go down the staircase carefully or else we would fall. We had to take out our shoes at some buildings and put in the plastic bag provided for us. This is to respect the Japanese culture. In summary, we learnt more about Japanese Culture and how to respect them.
Mandy
At the Shrine, we learned more the Japanese culture and how the Japanese pray. This trip to the Shrine also help us know more about the history of Japanese God.
Next, we headed to Kumamoto Food Pal to have our lunch. We had a filling lunch and headed to the bakery. In the bakery, we learned how the breads were made. The methods used are very different from Singapore. Furthermore, we could see how the machines work and when we got back to Singapore, we are able to tell our friends about the machines.
Next, we went to Kumamoto Castle and looked at the different wooden buildings. The Kumamoto castle is so big that we took two hours to visit different parts of the castle. The big camphor tree is older than the castle which is 400 year old by 200 years! One of the buildings has a very steep flight of stairs, we had to climb against gravity all the way to the top. We also had to go down the staircase carefully or else we would fall. We had to take out our shoes at some buildings and put in the plastic bag provided for us. This is to respect the Japanese culture. In summary, we learnt more about Japanese Culture and how to respect them.
Mandy
10:43 PM |
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We landed on Fukuoka airport in Japan on June 29 2010 at about 8a.m. After going through the customs, we headed to our first location, the Daizhaifu Tenmangu Shrine. The shrine was built in respect of the God of Learning or Literature, Michizane Sugawara and there was a English tour guide who told us many things about the Shrine.
Next, we went to Kumamoto Foodpal Centre where we took our lunch and sampled some of the snacks or sweets that they have made. I tried some of the snacks which were simply delicious!
We then headed for the Kumamoto Castle where there was also a English tour guide who took us around the Castle. The things which fascinated me most were the staircase inside the Castle which is so steep and the tree which was 600 years old, older than the main attraction which is only 400 years old.
Finally, we headed back to our hotel which is about 5 mins journey away from the Kumamoto Castle according to the tour guide.
Yanli
10:41 PM |
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On the 28th of May, we left Singapore and reached Fukuoka at about 7.15am Singapore time the following day. After taking some group photographs at the airport, we proceeded straight to the Daizaifu Tenmangu Shrine.
It was a 45 minutes journey to the shrine. The tour guide gave us a detailed account of the Daizaifu Tenmangu Shrine. It was a shrine that was built over the grave of Michizane Sugawara by the Japanese. He endured a extreme hardship life and died in 903 at the age of 59. It was really an important place as it teaches us Japan's culture and history.
After going to the Daizaifu Shrine, we went to the Kumamoto Food Pal. The tour guides there showed us how some pastries were made. This helped us to know how some of the pastries were made. After going to the Kumamoto Food Pal, we went straight to the Kumamoto Castle.
It took us 2 hours to explore the whole Castle. It was a large and extemely well fortified Japanese castle. The original castle took 7 years to be built and was completed in 1607. This allowed us to know more about the history and culture of the Kumamoto Castle.
Andreana
It was a 45 minutes journey to the shrine. The tour guide gave us a detailed account of the Daizaifu Tenmangu Shrine. It was a shrine that was built over the grave of Michizane Sugawara by the Japanese. He endured a extreme hardship life and died in 903 at the age of 59. It was really an important place as it teaches us Japan's culture and history.
After going to the Daizaifu Shrine, we went to the Kumamoto Food Pal. The tour guides there showed us how some pastries were made. This helped us to know how some of the pastries were made. After going to the Kumamoto Food Pal, we went straight to the Kumamoto Castle.
It took us 2 hours to explore the whole Castle. It was a large and extemely well fortified Japanese castle. The original castle took 7 years to be built and was completed in 1607. This allowed us to know more about the history and culture of the Kumamoto Castle.
Andreana
10:39 PM |
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After we arrived at Fukuoka, we visited the Daizaifu Tenmangu Shrine. Our tour guides were very friendly and we were taught how to do a proper prayer at the Shrine etc, which is very different from our Buddhist culture in Singapore.
Next, we visited the Kumamoto Food Pal. I was constantly attracted by the appealing and appertising cakes and other pastries there. The white chocolate Chosen-ame totally made me drooled. It felt great trying the samples which were freshly baked.
Our final stop for the day was the Kumamoto Castle. We were taught the history and culture of the Kumamoto Castle and how it came about. We were also given the opportunity to venture around the castle and climb the towers. The climbing of the towers was tough, as the stairs were steep and narrow. Most of us felt tired after climbing. However, all the climbing of stairs was worth it, as the view from the top of the tower was absolutely mesmerising.
Amanda
Next, we visited the Kumamoto Food Pal. I was constantly attracted by the appealing and appertising cakes and other pastries there. The white chocolate Chosen-ame totally made me drooled. It felt great trying the samples which were freshly baked.
Our final stop for the day was the Kumamoto Castle. We were taught the history and culture of the Kumamoto Castle and how it came about. We were also given the opportunity to venture around the castle and climb the towers. The climbing of the towers was tough, as the stairs were steep and narrow. Most of us felt tired after climbing. However, all the climbing of stairs was worth it, as the view from the top of the tower was absolutely mesmerising.
Amanda
9:59 PM |
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We arrived at the Fukuoka airport at around 7 plus according to Singapore time. We ate breakfast on the plane. It was first fun at first but at the end it make me feel like vomiting.
The first stop was the Daizaifu Tenmangu Shrine. We saw a lot of different handcrafts used to design the house. Daizaifu endured a life of hardship and died at the age of 59.
At the second stop, the Kumamoto Food Pal, we ate our lunch and I must say that the food was quite nice but was a bit too much for me. We later went to a bakery shop. All the food were so nice and I love the cake that had cheese melted in it. I even bought some food back for my family.
The last stop was at the Kumamoto Castle which we learned about the history of Kumamoto. I love the part when people took pictures with the samurai, as they would do all kinds of funny actions. I also learned that it took a long time for the castle to be built.
I have learned a lot of things today which had enriched my knowledge and widen my view.
Stella
9:57 PM |
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Our first destination today was Daizaifu Tenmangu Shrine to learn about its history and why was it constructed. I think the lady who brought us around and giving us the explanation was rather good in speaking English. One thing different about the temple in Fukuoka and Singapore would be the way we make our wishes. In Fukuoka, we had to throw a coin first, bow twice and clap your hand twice before making your wish, and eventually bow again. However in Singapore, the method of making a wish was easier.
The next destination was Kumanoto Food Pal where we had our lunch. Afterwhich we headed to the Sweet Factory where we had the chance to sample 4 different pastries. The mochi that was coated with white chocolate is very chewy, and the outer layer was crispy.
The last destination was the Kumamoto Castle where we got to enjoy very beautiful scenery, and even had to climb very steep flight of stairs which caused most of us to be quite tired.
Overall, I think that today was a fruitful experience.
Kellyn
The next destination was Kumanoto Food Pal where we had our lunch. Afterwhich we headed to the Sweet Factory where we had the chance to sample 4 different pastries. The mochi that was coated with white chocolate is very chewy, and the outer layer was crispy.
The last destination was the Kumamoto Castle where we got to enjoy very beautiful scenery, and even had to climb very steep flight of stairs which caused most of us to be quite tired.
Overall, I think that today was a fruitful experience.
Kellyn
9:51 PM |
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