Tokuyama was one of two cities (the other being Shinnanyo, Yamaguchi) that merged on April 21, 2003 to become Shunan, Yamaguchi. The city had a population of about 150,000 people. About 40 of these people are English teachers for both the JET program and various English schools. Its location along the shinkansen line make for easy access to nearby cities such as Hiroshima and Fukuoka. Hikari holds a sizable beach.

Nearby Attractions:
Popular daytrips from Tokuyama (via shinkansen, local train or highway bus) include:
Iwakuni, Hiroshima, Hagi, Fukuoka, and Okayama.

Quick Tips/Suggestions:
Dining
The city has a modest offering of entertainment and dining options. Here is a list of bars/restaurants featuring an English and/or picture menu:

-Ell’s Ditch (Irish pub serving up Irish/British food and European brews)(Downtown)
-Oghiya (yakitori-ya offering a very comprehensive English menu and plenty of drinks) (Downtown)
-WaraWara (izikaya with English/picture menu and plenty of cocktail choices)(Downtown)
-Grazie (Italian restaurant with a set menu in English)(Downtown)
-Ganesh (Indian restaurant; very popular)(Downtown)
-Fracasso (family-style Italian restaurant with unlimited soft-drink bar)(outer Tokuyama)
-Sunday’s Sun (family-style restaurant offering both the drink bar and Western breakfast)(outer Tokuyama)
-Gusto (family-style Japanese restaurant, also with soft-drink bar)(outer Tokuyama)
-Mister Donut (outer Tokuyama)
-McDonald’s (downtown and outer Tokuyama)
-Kentucky Fried Chicken (outer Tokuyama and Kudamatsu Mall)
-Baskin Robbins (outer Tokuyama)
-Dotour Coffee (outer Tokuyama and Kudamatsu Mall)

Yatai
Another dining option that is popular in Tokuyama are the yatai stands that line the sidewalks around Tokuyama Station after dark. They serve up ramen, gyoza, oden, and other Japanese appetizers as well as beer and sake. The prices are low, and the food is delicious. Just go on in and take a seat. The proprietors will understand your broken Japanese. Haha…

Convenient Stores
There’s also the ready-made food at 7-11, if you are in a hurry. The convenience stores Lawson and Poplar also serve up quick eats. They are easily accessible locations throughout Tokuyama. The stores are also handy for paying your bills. Coffee fans can enjoy two great shops to get their fix: CoffeeBoy (on PH street, downtown) and CreamCreme (just off of Old Route 2, behind Jean Paul bakery)

Shopping
Tokuyama has a fair assortment of shopping options. Daiso, the popular 100 Yen chain, has two locations (both outer Tokuyama). Uniqlo offers clothing in sizes and prices that Westerners will appreciate (outer Tokuyama). Tsutaya is a movie/CD rental place with numerous Western offerings (next to Uniqlo). Kintetsu, a modest-sized department store, provides a quality selection of clothing, food, and gift items (downtown). In Kudamatsu (along the #4-5 bus route), you can find Mr. Max (similar to WalMart), Seiyu (which IS WalMart, but more expensive), Thanada Life Create Store (Crate and Barrel-esque store), and SunLive (a modest shopping center).

Entertainment
Entertainment options are fairly limited. The city library offers a modest selection of English books. Live music can be found at a few bars, and the popular Bar Nells offers a nightclub that is very popular with foreigners and Japanese alike. Shidax is a very popular karaoke center (also offers namihodai or “all you can drink” option). There is also a very modest art museum with regularly changing special exhibits and a cafe. Movix, the largest movie theatre, is located at Kudamatsu Mall (movies cost about 1,900 yen).

Festivals
The city has a small offering of festivals throughout the year. The most popular is the Christmas Tree Festival, where the city fills the trees along Miyuki Dori with Christmas lights and plays Christmas carols from 6-10 p.m. each night. On December 23-25, food stalls fill the sidewalks, offering grilled meats, beer, cotton candy, candied fruit, and small-scale carnival games.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Today is my birthday and I just turned 31. I wish to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for visiting my website and leaving your kind and nasty comments :-). Another year gone and another to come. This travelogue will go on as usual in the coming year.

Stay tuned to the next episode of my travelogue

Beautiful, breathtaking Hangzhou is the capital and pride of the Zhejiang Province. Being one of the seven Chinese ancient capitals, not only is the history and culture of this legendary city prominent, but its scenic landscapes and serene beauty will leave tourists in complete awe and wonder.

Highlights:
West Lake
The one thing in Hangzhou that struck me most was the tranquility of the famous West Lake, with its fascinating legends and myths that have surpassed time and dynasties. It is the backdrop of all the stories told to me as a little child, including famous legends like “The Lady White Snake” and “The Butterfly Lovers.” Surrounded by vast mountains and lush, misty forests on three sides and the flourishing city on one side, the lake provides an elegant mixture of wilderness, serenity, and modernization.

Song Dynasty Town
Another tourist attraction not to be missed in Hangzhou is the Song Dynasty Town’s singing and dancing performance. Hangzhou, being the capital of the legendary Song Dynasty, pays tribute to this ancient dynasty with traditional dancing, gorgeous, colorful costumes, dazzling laser lights, water displays, stunning backdrops, and a real cannon! The performance was the most memorable Chinese performance I have seen, and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it… Definitely a Hangzhou highlight!

Peak Flown from Afar
Other significant places I visited in Hangzhou were the Peak Flown from Afar and the Ling Yin Temple. The Peak Flown from Afar are actually grottoes with hundreds of Buddha statues carved into the stones, which were rather intriguing to me… they are simply ancient works of art.

Ling Yin Temple
The Ling Yin Temple, farther up the mountain from the grottoes, showcases huge gilded Buddhas, beautiful murals, and the highest copper hall in the world! At first I thought it may well be another tourist trap with “the highest in the world” and “the biggest in the universe” catchphrases, but mind you, this temple is worth visiting for its magnificence and grandeur alone.

Overall, Hangzhou can be enjoyed by cruising around the West Lake, strolling on the lakeside at dawn or dusk, hanging out at one of the many bars along the lake, watching the locals play a game of chess in the park, or simply lazing in the gardens. This peaceful city is undoubtedly the Oriental capital of leisure.

Quick Tips/Suggestions:
There are things I did not leave Hangzhou without: Sampling the traditional cuisine of Hangzhou, tins of Dragon Well Green Tea (the mother of all teas in China), a silk scarf (Hangzhou is not nicknamed “The City of Silk” for nothing), and a delicately carved sandalwood fan.

Another important note: When in Hangzhou, relax and unwind. Do what the locals do… do nothing.

Best Way to Get Around:
Local Guided Tour
It is best to visit Hangzhou with a guided tour. That way, you can visit all the popular tourist spots and restaurants and don’t have to worry about getting around or not speaking the language.

Buses
If you’d rather stay independent, the buses in Hangzhou are abundant and come in various kinds: common buses, air-conditioned buses, medium-sized buses, double deckers, and tour buses. Stops are reported in both Chinese and English, with prices ranging from RMB1(common) to RMB5(tour).

Taxi
Taxi services are also available in Hangzhou and are charged according to meter. The first 4km costs RMB10.

As in most cities, rush hour is from 7 to 8:30am and 5 to 6:30pm, so try to stay off the extremely crowded buses and limited taxis during these times.