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

Japan,  Iwakuni A beautiful wooden arch bridge, the Kintai-kyo in Japan's western prefecture of Yamaguchi was originally built around 1673. With a history dating more than 350 years, the bridge spans over the Nishiki River, overlook by the Iwakuni Castle on top of Mount Yokoyama.  The original article was first posted in this blog on 4 July 2021. ****************** 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 tr...

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)