A Land of Contrasts · 1:40pm Jun 10th, 2014
So. Japan.
Today is the first day I really, actually did anything properly tourist-y.
It started with me going to Hiroshima. And clearly one can think of exactly one thing when you hear that name.
Let me tell you, the Peace Memorial Museum is an incredible place. I left emotionally drained. There was this overwhelming sense of grief and horror the entire time I was there, which was only encouraged by some of the things there. Words don't do the place justice, it's one of those things you need to experience for yourself. I may put some of the photos I took later.
Anyway, about the title of this post. Contrasts.
On the Shinkansen to Tokyo from Shin-Osaka (because my JR Pass doesn't include the one Shinkansen that goes from Hiroshima to Tokyo), I noticed something. There I was, sitting in one of the most impressive feats of mechanical engineering ever, passing by countryside that looked about 50 years out of place. Japan's staple is rice, so there were quite literally rice patties everywhere. It was... surreal, I guess.
It really hit when I got to Tokyo. It's a metropolis, bright lights and thousands of people visible at any given moment. Yet, barely a hundred kilometers away is a countryside where not much has changed for decades. It is really strange.
Japan is weird.
Reminds me of Canterbury. Whenever I went there to visit my uncle, I used to love how all the modern building were built amongst the still visible ruins of medieval castles and fortresses. Some places in central London are the same. You're walking on tarmac one minute, and cobblestone the next. Beautiful cities, the both of them.
2195351 especially what comes out of it digitally...
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I would know. I've put over 10 hours into Monster Girl Quest.
I did not enjoy it at all...
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Exactly the same with the shrines and temples in Japan. What's really strange is that, every time I go in one, every outside noise fades away.
2195387 That picture... is it gen 1?
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I don't fuckin' know.
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Some places do have that kind of presence to them. Like they command respect from their surroundings.