Trip to Awaji Island

I took a over night trip with my parents to Awaji island which locates off the coast of Kobe.  The world’s longest suspension bridge connects Awaji and Kobe (main island), and it was my first time to drive on it.  My parents wanted to go to Awaji to eat “Hamo” fish which is in season right now.  I really love small fishing villages in Japan.  They have depressing looking in general, which give me some kind of nostalgia and leave good amount of bitterness in my mouth.

Fising village

Kani

We walked around and found a crab on a step of stairs to a shrine.  He was so mad at us (since my dad was poking him with stick) and made hissing noise with bubbles coming out of his mouth.  We played with him for a while.  Next day after the feast of Hamo fish ( we nibbled everything even bones and heads…. good..), we drove around the island.  Here is the real “bridge to nowhere” which I found on the island.

Bridge to nowhere

We also visited a temple designed by Architect Tadao Ando. I heard so much about this temple  but it was cooler than I expected.  I guess something happened to the old original temple (fire, earthquake or some kind of damage?), and they built a new contemporary one underneath a water pond.  I do like Ando’s architecture and was very curiouse how he did it to spiritual institution.   I couldn’t take any pictures inside, but it was really amazing experience.  If you do ever go to Awaji, go here.

Honpuku-ji