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.
11:46 PM |
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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!
11:30 PM |
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We happily arrived at Kukuoka Airport on Day 2 - 29 May 2010, 8.10am (Japan time, 1 hour ahead of Singapore).
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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