Papers please! Fawlty Towers in Ehime, Shikoku

 An absolutely shocking experience trying to check into a hotel that I'd booked weeks before the long weekend, so I could try to see three beautiful castles in northern Ehime...

An aggressive, rude and downright nasty man greeted me at the front desk of Hotel Ohta in Ozu, demanding to see my passport for a photocopy to be made. No, sorry mate, I live here - and I'm a bit tired, as I've travelled from Fukuoka in a rush to get here on the last train. Response = he brandished a probably well-used laminated copy of some guidance dated 2002 that non-residents need to prove their identity...and told me to get out!

Me not budging, but Mr. Jobsworth in fury-mode stomping about ranting (but flipping a switch to check in apparently Japanese guests without asking for any proof of ID or residence in Japan - how would anyone know!?)...it's pretty hard to get a Japanese credit card which I used for my booking, by the way, even if you have lived here for 20 years...Maybe these other guests live in Singapoer, matey?

Long story short, this unsavoury individual spat the dummy rudely whilst talking to my wife (on my phone, with battery in the red after a day's work & an evening's travel) eventually calling her a 'noisy old crone' and hanging up on her. Unbelievable. So she called the cops (answered in Matsuyama - miles away, on a Sunday night, middle of a long weekend - they won't be up to much!) while I tried to stink out the lobby with my refusal to go anywhere. Incidentally, once that check-in paper signed, regardless of what else happens, the contract to stay has been established - particularly if you've paid in advance. Yes, my booking was on their computer. Stand your ground, travellers - there are NO police rules natioanl or local requiring copies be made of ANY documents.

About an hour later, I can hear him on the phone in his cubicle stage left, giving it the humble 'hai, hai, wakarimashita' routine = somebody just ripped him a new bumhole. My guess was the local koban (police box). Without any hint of apology, just my name (I had one now, I was 'gaijin' earlier) grunted and a room key grudgingly dangled over the counter. No eye contact or hint of humility - let alone customer care!

I had checked out other accommodation options whilst sitting there on the naughty step; nearest was 64km away by car. Figured I could find a bench at the station if needs be. I'd come all this way, probably only chance in a lifetime, and I wanted to see the castle!

The lights were flickering off at the castle by the time I'd yomped there (having dumped belongings in the room); and all the local restaurants were very closed by the time I'd yomped back again. Bento it was.

And the room? Not worth the effort - labelled non-smoking when I booked, but obviously not. It stank. Tiny, and I didn't dare sit on the chair - looked like someone had given birth on it. Absolutely disgusting.

Any thrill I had spotting Ozu Castle, brilliant lit up atop its hill earlier when my train rattled to a halt at the station...very much a distant memory. Fortunately, I needed to get out of there at first light to go photograph a very lovely rebuilt castle. Sadly, not many hotel options in this town, so I'm sure Mr. Angry will not be going out of business...must say, he's lucky to still have any teeth. I was in the mood, shall we say.

Harrison Ford - a biography

 Harrison Ford was born in the United Stated on July 13, 1942.

After working for a local theater compnay, he moved to Los Angeles to become an actor. He made his debut in 1966 and appeared in many films, but he took a break from acting because of dissatisfaction and doubts about his way of becoming an actor.

After that, he studied by himself and became a carpenter. He thought of an opportunity to be  active as an actor while renovating house and making furniture. After that, he was introduced to Fred Roth, whom he met through carpentry, and appeared in the movie "American Graffiti". He was a ppreciated for his positive attitude, such as coming up with various ideas for his his role, and gained the trust of derector George Lucas, and was also noticed by Francis Ford Coppola, who was also the producer of the film, and continued to appear in many films.

Harrison Ford as Han Solo, Star Wars

In 1977, he auditioned for "Star Wars" through the introduction by Fred Roth, and the uneasy state of mind & manly atmosphere at the time of participation were the deciding factors, and he decided to play the role of Han SOlo, and with the explosive hit of the film, he became a world-famous star.

After that, he appeared in many films, such as Working Girl" and "Patriot Game", and he explanded his career as an actor by appearing in a wide range of genres from romantic comedy to suspense. In addition, in 1993, he achieved great box office success in the role of Richard Kimble, the main character in the film "The Fugitive", and was nominated for the Golden Globe Award, establishing himself as a Hollywood money-making star. I

In May 2023, the Honorary Palme D'Or was awarded to him at the 76th Cannes International Film Festival.

Posted for Ayumi

Postcard from - Hakata, Kita-kyushu

Naka River yatai

I had a really nice weekend working in Hakata - the people I was working with were great, and the location was only a short walk from downtown.

No hawkers

There were dozens & dozens yatai lining the Naka River, offering all sorts of Japanese fare, from yakitori to ramen & okonomiyaki. There were queues for each and every one, and happy customers bellying up to the counters eagerly. Drinks in full flow and the scene quietly buzzing - but unlike Shinjuku not a pimp in sight & no sign of scampilly clad maids; nor the throaty jostling of Osaka with elbows out. Instead, a really orderly and patient excitement.

I found a seat with my boss for ramen, and got chatting with a Danish traveller - we got told off for talking too much/not eating & drinking fast enough (a yatai faux pas!) so I'll do better next time. The munchies were great, masters super friendly and the beers...just right :)

Fish face

Next evening I had to have sushi - especially squid, which I remember from a road trip around Kyushu twenty years ago as being exceptionally good. No disappointment this time either.

I really enjoyed my evenings out in Hakata - place has a really welcoming vibe. Nobody in a rush, the food is great and you can walk to anywhere you want to get to. If you need to get any further the new subway lines will get you there quickly, if the extensive bus network won't. I can't wait to come back...

Hikaru Utada - a biography

 Utada Hikaru is one of the most famous singers in Japan.

She was born in New York in 1983, and lives in London now. She debuted in 1998 when she was only fifteen years old. She became quickly popular because of her beautiful & unique voice. So her first single "Automatic" sold more than two million copies and her first album "First Love" topped the Japanese album sales chart.

Hikaru Utada

Her songs were were getting more & more famous. Therefore, "Flavor of Life", which was released in 2007, recorded first place of degital songs sales in the world. She also received a prize named 'Artist of the Year' in japan Gold Disc Grand Prize. However, in 2010, she suddenly declared a pause. Nobody knew the reasons. It made many people sad and they though she might not come back. 

Then, in 2016, she suddenly started her activities again. Actually, she married and gave birth to her baby. "Fantome, which was first released when she came back was recorded first place in Billboard Japan. It show how she is loved by many Japanese people. 

Today, Utada Hikaru's songs are used by many daramas, animes, and movies. She and her songs are loved by many people all over the world.

Posted for Akane

Postcard from - Kokura, Fukuoka

I took the opportunity to jump off the shinkansen a stop early (I was heading to Hakata for work) and take a walk around Kokura Castle. It was not hard to find, only 10 minutes from the (very new) station.

I was very surprised to see loads & loads of cyclists around the entrance to the castle - they'd just finished stage one of the Tour de Kyushu, with media interviews and team selfies & groupies everywhere...I didn't recognise anyone! Probably impossible to get a room in town tonight - glad I didn't need to. The approach across the Riverwalk is enticing.

The castle itself is a rebuild, but on the original site of the castle first erected between 1602-8. It's been burnt down a couple of times, and was finally fully restored in 1990. Like most other castle sites, it was a military base in the first half of the 20th century; an important location at the neck of northern kyushu and the channel into the Seto Sea/Sea of Japan, and all points west to Korea. If the weather had been different on August 9th, 1945, Kokura would have been ground zero instead of Nagasaki.

There are historical artifacts & storylines inside the keep - as well as a lift & most disappointingly of all, a fancy cafe occupying the whole top floor. Nice views in all directions, and comfortable to sit & catch your breath with an expensive desinger coffee & pastry.

The gardens don't add up to much, but the shrines on the north side offer shade & loads of vending machines which don't help the vibe, as well as a view of the walls where the moat once was.

All-in-all, an attractive centrepiece, but not much context . 

Kurt Cobain -a biography

 Kurt Donald Cobain was an American musician.

Kurt Donald Cobain was born in Aberdeen, Washington, on Feb 20, 1967.

His mother was waitress Wendy Elizabeth and his father was car mechanic Donald Leland Cobain.

His uncle, aunt and great-uncle were musicians and Kurt developed an interest in music.

He loved "The Beatles" and drawing   very much so he started singing at two years old.

His parents divorced when he was nine years old.

Kurt, his father, step mother and her two children lived together.

He bought his first guitar at a pawnbroker when he was four-teen years old.

Kurt formed "Nirvana" in 1987, with Krist Novoselic and Aalon Brookhard.

Their music genre is called "Grunge".

Nirvana released "Nevermind" in 1991.

Their master piece "Smells Like Teen Spirit" got the MTV video music award in 1991.

 

Kurt got married to musician Courtney Love in 1992.

But he was sick with heroin addiction and depression and he died in Seattle, Washington on April 5, 1994.

He was found dead at his home the cause of death was suicide by gunshot.

He was only twenty-seven.

I'm a big fan, so I want to visit the Pop Music Museum in Seattle some day!

J.K. Rowling - a biography

J.K. Rowling's journey to success was filled with hardship & resilience.

Born in England in 1965, she loved writing stories from a young age. After university, she worked various jobs but never felt fully satisfied. She dreamed of becoming an author, yet life presented challenges. Her mother passed away, her marriage failed, and she returned to England as a single mother, struggling financially & emotionally. Despite these challenges, Rowling started working on a story about a young wizard named Harry Potter.

Sitting in cafes, she carefully wrote while her baby daughter slept beside her. Rejection after rejection came from publishers, but Rowling didn't give up. Finally, in 1997, a small publisher took a chance on her manuscript. The first Harry Potter became an instant success, transforming Rowling's life.

The Harry Potter series went on to become one of the best-selling book series in history, leading to films, merchandise, and a dedicated fan base worldwide. Rowling;'s story is a powerful example of perseverance, proving that even in the hardest times, holding onto your dreams can lead to amazing outcomes.

Posted for Miki