Friday 28 November 2014: Shizuoka Although the hotel in Okazaki looked creepy, I had a good sleep and no ghost was disturbing me. When I woke up I started the daily routine of Showering, breakfast, packing etc… When I was finished I checked-out and walked to the railway station. Sadly the sun was gone, but the temperature was still good. Somehow it felt like my big rucksack became heavier by the day. My Japan Rail pass was expired today, so I had to rely on the old fashioned train tickets. I had to go back to Nagoya to transfer to the Shinkansen train to Shizuoka. In the end of the morning I arrived at Shizuoka where I first walked to my hotel to drop my luggage. Slightly lighter packed I walked back to the railway station. At the tourist information desk I asked for some details about bus times. The girl spoke English very well and they helped me a lot. The bus to Nihondaira would leave at 13:15 and that made me to have one and a half hour spare time. I quickly walked to the nearby Sunpu park. This was the location where once the castle of Tokugawa Ieyasu stood. After he was born in Okazaki he was kept at young age hostage here in Shizuoka by the Imagawa clan. After the Imagawa clan was defeated at the Battle of Okehazama in 1560, Tokugawa Ieyasu was free and built later his own castle at Sunpu Park at 1586. Just four years later Tokugawa Ieyasu was forced by Toyotomi Hideyoshi to abandon his castle and move to Edo (Tokyo) and build another castle for himself. After Tokugawa Ieyasu won the battle of Sekigahara in 1600 and became Shogun, he recovered Sunpu. When his son Tokugawa Hidetada became the 2nd Shogun in 1605, Tokugawa Ieyasu retired from Edo back to his castle in Sunpu, where he died in 1616. At this moment there is not much left from the castle at Sunpu Park. Most buildings burnt down in the 17th century or were demolished by the Meiji government in the 19th century. Only the East Gate and the Tatsumi-Yagura Tower has been rebuilt in the last century. Inside there is a small museum, which was not very interested. Behind the gate there is now a large park where many students come to sport or relax. There are still layouts of the moats visible, but the former location of the main keep is beyond recognition. Inside the park there is a large statue of Tokugawa Ieyasu together with a falcon. He loved to go out hunting with his falcon. There was still time to visit the small Japanese garden in the park, but it was a bit disappointing. Perhaps I did see too much Japanese gardens already? Just when I walked back to the railway station it started to rain again. Oh… not again….. For a moment I started to seek cover in a convenient store and to buy some sandwiches for lunch. Via a covered walkway I went back to the bus station. I still had some time to eat my lunch and drink some hot coffee, while waiting for the bus. It took quite long and I almost thought that I missed the bus somehow. I asked some people, but no one could understand me or could help me. Finally the bus came and I draw a ticket and sat down. It took about 40 minutes and finally I arrived at Nihondaira. The bus stop was in front of a ropeway on a high hill. Normally from this hill there are nice views over the sea, tea plantations and the Fuji volcano. Although it stopped raining, there was still heavy overcast to enjoy the view. I only had about two hours to spend here, before the last bus back would leave. So after a short moment to explore the area, I walked to the ropeway station. The car went downwards to the beautiful Kunozan Toshogu shrine. This shrine is dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu who is also buried here and not as most people think in Nikko. It is said that his body is buried here and his soul in Nikko (more about Nikko later). The large shrine contains wonderful woodcarving. Via a small track I walked to the mausoleum at the back of the shrine. Here I stand in front of the grave of the most important man in Japan for the Dutch traders. I could not help to thank him for his support in a difficult time. No one can’t deny that he made it possible that the Netherlands became the only western country, who was allowed trade in Japan for 245 years. On the other hand the Dutch gave the Japanese people Western knowledge about the medicines, scientific and technological revolution. With deep respect and in thoughts I walked back to the entrance. Here is also a very interesting museum with belongings of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Sadly it was not allowed to take any pictures. It was time to go back by ropeway to the top. Although the sky became lighter, it was still not possible to see the Fuji volcano. While waiting for the bus, I explored the interesting souvenir shop. This time I did not have to wait long for the bus arrived. In the darkness we drove back to Shizuoka railway station, from where I walked to my hotel. After a refreshment shower I went back to the station area to search for a decent restaurant. This time I did not have any trouble to find one. Shizuoka has a nice and cozy center. I entered a BBQ restaurant which was loaded with people. I ordered some meat and vegetables for the BBQ and Sashimi. I also ordered cold Sake. They served the glass in a wooden box and start filling the glass until it poured over the glass and also filled the wooden box. It was a bit strange and difficult to drink it, without spoiling the sake. The diner tasted very good, but the sake was dangerously tasty. Before I knew it, I felt quite dizzy and happy. After diner I walked back to the hotel and spend the evening behind my computer, before sleeping. It was another interesting day full of history.
Posted on: Thu, 08 Jan 2015 23:09:58 +0000
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