2013.6.7

I came to Nagoya after half year or so, but it looked quite different.

I had lunch with 4 friends from the 44th Peace Boat Cruise. It's been nearly 10 years since we traveled together. They say they still travel together once a year or so.

After lunch we went to the bookstore to see my book.  I am glad to find it on the "Best Seller" shelf. Ｉhope it will really become a best seller.

After that we went to Atsuta Shrine (熱田神宮: atsuta jingu) which has 1900 years history.

On the sacred tree we found two snakes and I felt lucky.

In the evening it rained a little bit.

十二月十二日（jyunigatsu jyuninichi）： December 12

I am still in Nagoya. It was fine and rather warm today.
I visited the Nagoya castle again. Last week there were 3 dressed up actors of generals of the Warring State Period of 16th century, but today there were 6 of them. Namely Oda Nobunaga (織田信長), Toyotomi Hideyoshi (豊臣秀吉), Tokugawa Ieyasu (徳川家康), Maeda Toshiie (前田利家), Kato Kiyomasa (加藤清正), and Maeda Keiji (前田慶次). 　This performance group is called "omotenashi bushotai (おもてなし武将隊), entertaining generals formed to promote the 400th anniversary of opening the shogunate. There were many audience who came to see their performances.
Since I was with a tour guide, I knew what I did not notice last time such as the difference of the inner moat and outer moat. Near the castle there was a Noh play theater and inside there are exhibitions of Noh masks which were very interesting and free of charge.

十二月四日（jyunigatsu yokka）： December 4

I went to the Noritake Museum and the Nagoya Castle.
There is one day bus ticket called Meguru (メーグル). Buses circulate many sightseeing spots. You can get on and off as many times as you like. One distance costs yen 200 but one day ticket costs yen 500. So if you use more than three times, you'd better buy one day ticket. Moreover you can get discounts for the entrance fees and special gifts at the restaurants and shops.
Noritake is a very famous ceramic company. I was surprised to see many products of ceramics besides china such as dishes and cups.
At the Nagoya Castle, there was a show by Omotenashi Bushotai (おもてなし武将隊) which is a special group of actors dressed up as warriors or warlords from this area in 16th century such as Maeda Toshiie (前田利家), Toyotomi Hideyoshi (豊臣秀吉), and Tokugawa Ieyasu (徳川家康). Since this year remarks the 400 years anniversary of the start of Edo period, they appeal and promote the tourism in　Nagoya.

十二月二日（jyunigatsu futsuka）： December 2

I came to Nagoya (名古屋) at night. Last year at this time I was in Nagoya too. At that time it was very cold and I saw a very beautiful Christmas illumination on the wall of the department store at the station. Therefore I was very looking forward to seeing the one of this year.
It was rather warm. But there was not that illumination. I asked the security guard. He said they don't have that illumination this year because of depressed economy.