Alex Quinn's Japan Journal

2/11/2006, Sightseeing in Ako, castle, seaside park

Akemi and I spent the day exploring Ako, a town very close to Aioi.  I go to Ako all the time for okonomiyaki at Minato-ya, but I had never really seen the sights of the town.

We started out by riding rented bicycles to a little castle ruins.  Part of the castle has been rebuilt.  The rest is maintained as a flat place marker of what was there before.  I'm told it's just called "Ako Castle" or "Ako-jo".

Akemi in the part of the ruins that was partly rebuilt.

There's also a little historical house that has been rebuilt/restored.

You can peek inside.

Although clearly a reconstruction, it is both cute and mildly interesting.

This part is the flat place marker of what used to be there.

These little markers are all over the ground showing you what used to be in that particular location.

The place is something of a park, but it feels rather empty.  I guess that's fitting for the location of a castle that is no longer there.

They have done some landscaping to make it a pleasant place to visit.

These people are taking pictures near the entrance, next to the former moat.

My picture of the moat.  A little prettier.

After seeing the castle, we headed to Oishi Shrine, which was recently rebuilt.

Entering Oishi Shrine.

Oishi Shrine in Ako.

Many people were touching this guy, I guess for good luck or something like that.

The walkway leading to the shrine is lined with the sculptures of 47 honorable samurai warriors.

Statues of samurai warriors.

Next, we went to Kaihin Park, a park next to the sea.

I think the place has the feel of some place in California.  I often feel that way when I go someplace with blue sky, lots of green, open space, and flower beds.

Not sure how often this ferris wheel actually gets used.

Looking around Kaihin Park.

Within the park, there is a museum about salt.  Ako is said to be "famous" for salt.  Have you ever heard of Ako salt? ...  Didn't think so.  Anyway, Ako produces salt.  Many of the local specialty souvenirs you buy are made with salt from the sea around Ako.

Different kinds of salt from around the world.

A huge block of salt.

I thought this exhibit design was pretty cool.  No matter where you stand, you can see one of the TVs.  Not sure what it was actually about.  The design overshadowed the content.

While I was in the museum, I made friends with this eel.  Isn't he cute?

A closer look reveals that part of his head has been chewed off, but he doesn't seem to mind.  Who would?

After the museum, we enjoyed more of the park.

Looking around Kaihin Park in Ako.

Looking around Kaihin Park in Ako.

Looking around Kaihin Park in Ako.

Looking around Kaihin Park in Ako.

Walking along the seaside with Akemi.

I like this picture of the two of us, quite a bit.

Sculpture at Kaihin Park.

For dinner, we headed to Minato-ya for some okonomiyaki.

Minato-ya.  I took this picture for the web page I plan to make for Mr. Minato.

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