Off to Ostu City
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April 13, 2013 - Off to Ostu City
While we stayed in Tokyo for 2 nights, it was time to leave already. After all we were on school trip and had to follow a strict schedule. Though we left Tokyo in the best way we can, by Japan's famed "Shinkansen" High-Speed rail line. One of my personal favorite things to do in Japan is take advantage of it's highly developed rail-system, which makes domestic travel so simple. Our next destination was Ostu city in the Shiga prefecture, where we will stay at a Japanese household for 2 nights.
It was just enjoyable riding the bullet train as you just see the sights outside zoom past you. I couldn't understand why my colleagues were busy checking their Facebook notifications or just fiddling around with their smartphones, but such sights can not be ignored. I also appreciated the Japanese love of merchandise, as I indulged in the "Doctor Yellow" bento box.We even managed to catch a glimpse of Mount.Fuji.
After the 3 hour trip where we took regular rail in Kyoto, we reached our destination Ostu. And at first glance, I can tell this one of the many great travel destinations in Japan that are kept from international tourists. In fact the city is of historic importance and holds numerous Japanese national treasures with the Enryuku-Ji included as an UNESCO world heritage site. Our first place of travel was at Lake Biwa, Japan's largest fresh water lake. It's crystal clear beauty was quite a sight indeed. We spent an hour just playing pebble skipping. I stayed at the Ishikawa family, who's hospitality have made me greatly enjoy my stay as they showed me around of Ostu's biggest sight, the Mi-derra temple.
Composed of nearly 40 buildings, it's easily one of the biggest temples in Japan hence an day of exploring may not be enough. And this was one of the many sights that Ostu has to offer. How this city is not in the maps of every tourist traveling in Japan astounds me. Nearly every local sight just made me take out my camera as I snapped as much shots as I can.
I am in great gratitude for the Ishikawa family in sharing such local treasures. While most people rush off to Kyoto to explore Japan's history, the city of Ostu has just as much to offer. It's defiantly the highlight of this schooltrip for me, an destination I would not mind to visit once more.
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2013/04/13 - 大津市へ 2013/04/13 - Off to Ostu City |
