TANKS Travel Tales - a travelogue.......

When I travel, I typically do not have a fixed itinerary or a list of sights to experience. My preference being to wander around without any fixed plans while hoping to serendipitously chance upon local gems not listed in any travel guide books. But occasionally, I did have an item on my to-do-to-visit list which I usually picked up while browsing magazines or watching travel shows on TV. The Kintai-kyo is one such item. Having been "introduced" to this historical wooden arch bridge while watching a travel documentary on Japan's NHK channel, I decided that when the opportunity presented itself, I will try to visit this local icon in the city of Iwakuni. That opportunity came in July 2019 when I visited the nearby city of Hiroshima. Taking the local train line from Hiroshima, it was easy to get to Iwakuni in neighbouring Yamaguchi Prefecture. Switching from the train to a local bus after arriving at Iwakuni Station, I finally arrived at Kintai-kyo which spans across the N...

Located in Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture, the original Iwakuni Castle was built in the year 1608. Sited at the top of Mount Shiroyama, the castle must had looked a formidable obstacle to any attackers in the 17th century. However, merely seven years after the building of the castle was completed, it was torn down based on a decree ( Ikkoku-ichijo ) from the Shogun Tokugawa leyasu.  The present castle at the site was a re-constructed structure in 1962. As in most castles in Japan of today, the Iwakuni Castle is more akin to a museum than a place of residence. Inside the castle are displays of artefacts from the Edo period including samurai body amor and swords. Iwakuni Castle, Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan (2019) At the top of the castle, which is four storeys high, one can get a bird's eye view of the famous Kintai-kyo Bridge. The castle is accessible via a ropeway cable car. The station is a mere five minutes walk from the Kintai-kyo Bridge. From the upper station, a joyf...

Fishing for ayu (a.k.a. sweetfish, Plecoglossus altivelis ) is common among the residents living close to rivers and streams in Japan. With its clear and clean waters, many rivers and streams are teaming with aquatic life and ayu , being a favourite food fish, is often fished both commercially or as a hobby by many locals. Crossing the famous Iwakuni Bridge or Kin-tai kyo  on my way to the top of Mount Yokoyama to visit the Iwakuni Castle, I looked down into the passing Nishiki River and chanced upon the sight of this fisherman fishing for ayu at low tide. Because I was standing on the bridge almost directly overhead, I could frame this shot seemingly from a bird eye's view perspective. This is another of those photo moments that would digitised the memory of that moment in time during my trip. A perfect digital momento to an unforgettable travel experience. Fisherman, Nishiki River, Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan (2019)

Visiting the city of Iwakuni in July 2019, I came across many interesting street artefacts,. All the artefacts were crafted objects depicting the history and culture of Iwakuni in particular and Japan in general. This photograph of a street artefact of a traditional Japanese-style lamp was taken just in front of the famous Kintai-kyo Bridge, a unique wooden bridge which spans the Nishiki River. Canon EOS70D, focal length: 62mm, f/5, 1/160 Artefact of a traditional Japanese-style lamp located along the street just in front of the Kintai-kyo Bridge, Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan (2019)

Visiting Iwakuni and its famous Kintai-kyo Bridge was another item ticked off my personal travel bucket list. Besides visiting the world famous bridge, hiking Mount Yokoyama and getting the  official stamp of the Iwakuni Castle on my Japan travel journal, I also spent time walking around the neighbourhoods near Kikkou Park.  Most of my neighbourhood walks in cities I visited were meant to acquaint myself with the local history and lifestyle. During these leisurely walks, I often kept a lookout for photo opportunities. These photo moments could be anything from the local architecture, famous landmarks, nature, markets or even the mundane rubber ducky as seen in this photograph taken with my DSLR. What are the memorable photo moments encountered in your travels? Rubber ducky on a small outdoor water feature, Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan (2019)

"We cannot extend our lives. But we can certainly expand it. Travel!"  - Anonymous (verbally related to me by a friend who heard it from someone he met on his travels) The Author in front of the Kintai-Kyo Bridge ( 錦帯橋 ), Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan (2019)