That was my first time to go to Japan. I decided to go to Kyoto and Tottori which are in western side of Japan. After I booked flight ticket from website, I started to do research and made my own traveling schedule. I had research data for three months. I tried to understand culture, history, special places and transportation. That was an interesting experience that I have never had. I could have a trip that is totally decide and make plan of my desire. A dreamy and fabulous trip I wanted to have for a long time. Therefore, everything place that I go should have a purpose to visit and understand their characteristics. In summer 2009, I made a dream of traveling Kyoto and Tottori come true.
Kyoto and Tottori are the main cities that I wanted to go. The reason that I want to go to Kyoto is that it was capital in the past, so it would help me understand a part of history of Japan. I also want to see those beautiful and ancient temples, and I heard that Kyoto is a place provides a lot of traditional Japanese food. On the other hand, Tottori is the place that only few foreigners know and visit there. However it is my favorite place in Japan when I saw the introduction since I was middle high. Even it was really hard to go to Tottori for a foreigner like me, I still have strong hope to visit there.
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| ● Kiyomizudera |
The first day that I arrived at Kyoto, I felt that I walked in to an exactly different world. Those traditional temple and edifices around me were fantastic. Since I research information for a long time, I saw the pictures again and again. At the meanwhile, everything became real and appears in front of me. I felt that was the most impact experience in my life. The first step that I visited was Kiyomizudera. Which was famous temple in Kyoto since it is UNESCO World Heritage. This building is national treasure. It was built nearby hills. When I walked approach to the handrail, I looked down the crag. That was most amazing view that I will never forget. I bought a lucky bell for myself as a present. It would reminder me the memory that I visit this wonderful place.
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| ● Sannenzaka and tourists |
When I left Kiyomizudera, there was a little street named Sannenzaka (三年坂) which is a traditional Japanese style street. Every store at there was ancient but let people feel they walk through “Time tunnel” and come back to the past. It was an extremely hot and humid summer, so I bought a mocha ice-cream. The ice-cream tastes delicious, it has strong tea smell and icy. If I could, I really want to go back to the time that I ate the ice-cream. That was one of the finest memories in my life.
After I went to Kyoto, it time to go to Tottori. I took high speed bus to go there since train in Japan costs too much. As a student, I cannot pay as much as price likes that. Originally, I though there is no way except train could take me go to Tottori. However, when I felt depressed and wanted to give up, my Japanese friend told me I can took high speed bus. That was the cheapest and fastest method. After three hours driving, finally, I arrived at the place that I had dreamed to go for a long long time. Tottori is sort of in country side of Japan. I saw mountain and river after I got off the bus. There was a harbor in Tottori. Therefore, seafood in Tottori is famous and delicious. I went to Minatoyama Park at first. It was really beautiful park which is surrounding by mountains and Kamo River. The residents told me if I came in spring, the cherry blossom would bloom that people could see the whole park are filled with lovely pink flowers. I took a walk and spent some time to see this park carefully. It was like what I see from the Internet pictures. I discovered Kamo River was in a secretly place of Minatoyama Park. The river looks so peaceful. The clear blue color let me feel relax and energetic. At the time, I though the nature is most beautiful thing in the world. I also made a wish that I can come here to visit in spring next time. I want to see those cheery blossom trees blooming and bring my friends come with me that we can share the joy.
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| ● Kamo River in Minatoyama Park |
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| ● Minatoyama Park |
This trip made my dream come true. Every moment and memory are precious things in my life and I won't forget it forever. I hope next time I can stay for longer time and deeply feel the culture in the country. I want to visit those places again. I am convinced that when I go back to there, the fantastic and beautiful memories will come out again. Then, I can have new memories with people who are surrounding me at the time.
Eileen, this is a interesting article about places that I had never heard of before. It made me want to visit there sometime. However I would like to know more about those cities, perhaps a short paragraph about history, culture etc. Furthermore your article seems to be more of an personal story rather than advertising. If you could include more information about the places to go, and what makes those places special in my opinion it would make your article stronger. Also try using Microsoft Word, it would correct some of the grammatical mistakes from the text. Over all it is an easy to follow text with clear message of what to expect, good job!
ReplyDeleteYou have written a nice article with nice details of the two places along with the experience you had while visiting them. Your narrative style id good too. I wanted to know more about the two places and their standard of living etc. I believe that the article sounded a bit biased as its mostly based on your experience and how your trip went. Rather you can include more information about the two places in order to make your article less biased and more interesting. Also, I was able to locate few grammatical mistakes but as Tural mentioned they can be corrected with the help of MS word. All in all your article was an interesting read and you have done a nice job.
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