Lab trip - day1

At the end of February our lab planned a trip to Hiroshima.
It took around 5 hours by bus, which meant I had to get up around 5 or 6 in the morning. The long ride meant I could sleep on the way so I didn't mind too much.
The first stop was 厳島神社 (Itsukushima shrine) - famous for it's torii that is surrounded by water during high tide. More on that later.

Entrance to the ferry towards Miyajima island.

We were late to that ferry because of the time mixup. So we just hung around for half an hour. I ate an asparagus in fish mince wrapped in bacon - deep fried, in the form of a sausage on a stick. Hmmm...

There were lots of deer just walking round the island. I notices that the males had their antlers cut off - for safety reasons, no doubt.

Aaand that tiny gate in the distance is the first glimpse of the torii (apart from the ferry).

The entrance to the shrine.

Unfortunately, we came during low tide, so rather than floating on water, the shrine is just surrounded by somewhat soggy ground. But the view was fantastic, and the low tide also gives an apportunity to see the drainage ditches.

I really like the red-orange (vermilion) colour of some shrines. It has an almost neon glow to it.

One of the many drainage ditches.

View towards the torii. You can just make it out hiding behind the right wing of the shrine.

Walking through the shrine. The floorboards are not actually attached to the walls. Instead they all have individual metal brackets (standing on a secondary floor I guess) which makes it easier to do maintenance.

View towards 千畳閣 (Senjoukaku).

View from the central platform.
Another plus of the low tide is that you can actually walk to the torii. The weather was super nice and I wished we had an awesome place like this closer to home.

We also got a glimpse at the traditional wedding ceremony or rather the end bit.

Inside the central part.

I don't really have much of an idea what sort of service it was, but perhaps it had something to do with the wedding.

Different colour wing. Fancy painting.

This was a very long gallery. I think I was closer to the exit when I took this photo.

Outside the shrine.

Going up to Senjoukaku.

The pagoda across from Senjoukaku.

I have to say that the view from the top was pretty awesome.

Inside Senjoukaku. I want a porch like this.

This place is probably very nice in the summer. It is completely open to the winds and provides lots of shade.

The rafters have lots of paintings and calligraphy.

Outside again.

The marketplace.

This place smelled extremely delicious.

Cute statues.

While roaming about the place I ate - momiji manju with the unorthodox cream cheese filling, anagoman and blueberry ice-cream.

The screens covering the roads looked pretty handy. Seems to work like regular blinds.

Going back. As a last treat I ate a カキクリームコロッケ - a cream mussel croquette.

The next destination was the Hiroshima City Naka Incineration Plant. This place looked more like a museum than a garbage disposal facility as it was designed by Taniguchi Yoshio (famous for designing museums and such). It's part of the city's architecture project, so no expenses were spared.

Approaching the entrance.

Up we go.

This suspended glass tunnel goes through the entire plant.

Fancy minimalist railing detail.

The glass tunnel from one of the viewing platforms inside.

The metal frame is supposed to mimic wooden construction with it's seamlessness. If I heard sensei right.

The machinery looks so beautiful in the light.

A look at the viewing platform from the tunnel.

Minimalistic benches. Fancy :)

Inside the tunnel.

A model of the plant in one of the viewing cubes/platforms. I have no words other than AWESOME.

A panorama photo of the outside platform.

Fancy!

Going outside.

The platform's impressive overhang relies on prestressed concrete beams.

After the amazing architecture we drove to our accommodation, had a requisite drinking party and went to sleep.

Next day adventures will be in part2.

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