| The Corrib Goes Sumo and Christmas Comes to Nagoya |
| After a reasonably quiet week in Sendai, we arrived in Fukuoka - the major cultural centre of western Japan, full of energy and anticipation of the large metropolis that lay ahead. We were ready to hit the shops downtown, pick up some bargains and get ourselves a bit of Japanese style that Fukuoka is famous for. Unfortunately it turned out that the city is also famous for it's designer chic, and everything was just a little out of my price-range. So I enjoyed my time window-shopping and people gazing, and the trip was made all the more enjoyable for the random music and recorded birdsong heard all over the city (at the traffic lights I could have sworn I heard the theme tune from "Ballamory" to guide us across the road). Japan is truly a surprising place... |
| It just so happened that the country's largest Sumo wrestling tournament was taking place in Fukuoka during our stay. Called a Kyushu, it refers to the last major tournament of the year held in November. Some of the cast were keen enough to get up at 6am to witness the Rikishi (Japanese for 'wrestler') at their training camp. |
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The Rikishi's at training camp! |
| Although I wasn't amongst those eager few, reports were that the sumo are very impressive meaty men indeed with their large mawashi. In case you are wondering, mawashi are the thick belts worn by the Rikishi and "are wound in such a manner that protects their genitals as well as offering a way for the combatants to grapple with each other during a Taiketsu, or bout." Sounds like I missed out there! |
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Who knew a sumo wrestler was that bendy? |
| Talking of meat, I had my first experience of possibly the tastiest food I have eaten on the Corrib tour so far. The pot noodles have been replaced by Yakiniku - Japanese cuisine with a Korean influence. Many of the cast are now becoming connoisseurs and almost addicted to the harabi (a delicious meat from the gut) and marbled beef. Made a change from raw fish... |
| Fukuoka was truly a place of luxury - with designer shops galore and fabulous restaurants and bars to enjoy. But most of all however, it was the city where we first experienced the heated toilet seat. |
| After the razzamatazz of Fukuoka, we were a little disappointed by our first impressions of Nagoya - Japan's fourth largest city and situated on the southern coast. My words to sum it up initially would have been 'grey' and 'square'. First impressions can be deceptive however, as Nagoya turned out to be one of the highlights of the tour so far, when we found Christmas had well and truly arrived here. Our hotel was located 10 minutes from the bustling Sakae district in the city centre and right beside a shopping mall festooned with Christmas lights and sparkle. |
| Wandering around the hotel on the first day, we were shocked to bump into a troupe of performing monkeys - dressed up and made to perform acrobatic routines to cheesy backing music, as well as playing instruments in a band (I was reminded of the Riverdance band...only joking). We did find it quite distasteful and decided not to stay watching for long. On a lighter note, the company took a trip to Japan's largest theme park, which has the 2nd largest roller coaster in the world. It was a fabulous way to spend our much-valued day off, and a great time was had by all. |
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Cast and crew members at the theme park in Nagoya |
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The Space Park in Nagoya |
| On November 18th we were privileged enough to attend the national children's blessing ceremony for 3, 5 and 7 year olds at the Atsuna Temple in Nagoya. The children and families were all dressed in their finest traditional apparel and we felt rather under-dressed to be at this grand ritual. We seemed to be a highlight of the day for the children however, as they were keen to be snapped with us in their family pictures. |
| After our shows we found a local hotspot underground called Gary's Bar, where the R&B house band from America played every night. They rocked the place until early morning and we were more than happy to rock with them! For other members of the company, the area close to the hotel was a haven for good dining with a great Italian, Chinese, Sushi, Yakiniku and of course...McDonalds. |
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Riverdance band members enjoy Yakiniku |
| For those of us who like to shop, we were treated to a memorable experience at the monthly Osu Market - cheap and trendy clothes galore and an antiques fair packed full of treasures under Osu Kannon temple. The cast and crew hurried around collecting far more than we could all possibly fit into our suitcases! |
| From our hotel rooms on the 24th floor, we were lucky enough to look out across the beautiful skyline of the city and out towards snow-capped mountains surrounding Nagoya. On our last morning I watched the sun rise over this spectacular view and was truly sad to leave it behind. But now onto Hiroshima... be catching up with you then! |
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Sunrise over Nagoya |
