Coexisting with Nature

Accommodation that we were staying in was a primary school remodelled to serve tourists coming to Hita city. The whole building was wooden floor where some of the classrooms have been remodelled into Kitchen and dining area. On the first floor we had a classroom redesigned into a bathroom where there was a big bath tub with 5 to 6 showers on each side. The rooms which we stayed in had tatami on the floor which gave Japanese traditional house like atmosphere. Wherever we walked around, the place was very spacious in general and it was very comfortable to walk on the wooden floor which looked old but did not make so much creaking sound unlike old buildings with wooden floors.

The whole area is surrounded by mountains where it produces a peaceful atmosphere which any tourist can enjoy. The atmosphere was completely different to the city hotels with lots of noise. We were able to sleep comfortably and wake up by the birds singing. This atmosphere gave me a feeling similar to when I was in New Zealand. This place was more like ‘home’ than merely a place to stay for few days. The chefs and the managers were so kind, treating us as if we were just like one family.

The dinner was served in a buffet style where we were able to enjoy all the fresh vegetables and Japanese traditional foods. We had different menu every meal and sometimes we were able to eat more than we were initially given where I was content that I was able to eat as much as I want without looking around.

It was noticeable that the staff members in the community were being very careful with us, but back then I failed to notice that they really wanted us to enjoy the meal and the accommodation. Also that they might be thinking that the meal we ate did not fit us and perhaps they were worried about us. I wanted to give them some token as an appreciation but I really did not have anything to offer them and I was embarrassed that I only received their warmth. 

I learnt that just because of the fact that we paid money for their accommodation, it does not mean that we should think that we have the right to receive such care. I regret not being able to speak Japanese to them and the next time I visit I want to thank them for everything they offered us while we stayed in their accommodation.　By Tommy  

The accommodation facility we stayed at is called Haneda Tamokuteki Kokyukan (Haneda Muliti purpose Exchange Building.   For further information about this accommodation, please click here. 

Best Stress reliever: Hita Onsen

The part of the trip I was looking most forward to was the onsen experience, for which Hita is quite famous. Thanks to the time management skills of Tamura Sensei we were able to include a visit to an onsen in out schedule.We went to Kizantei hotel which is located upstream of the Chikugokawa River, on the banks of the Mikumagawa River, and boasts of more than 100 years of history. The open-air bath/onsen was on the 8th floor. The hotel offered both normal (500 yen) onsen as well as foot onsen(free). The onsen was divided into two parts first, was the big inside onsen which had glass windows from where you could see the entire city and it was very pretty. The second was an onsen placed outside which I liked more since you could actually feel the breeze while enjoying the hot bath. In conclusion, I think if you are ever to visit Hita, experiencing an onsen is a must. By Paren   

Õyama Dam - The artificial great mountain

       On the 2nd day, we visited Ooyama Dam, which is on operational since 2012, 94 meters in height and 340 meters in length. What a monster! Observing the dam from the base, getting wet by the furious water discharged by side, I just felt so small in front of the dam. Furthermore, behind this giant wall is another scary thing: a water reservoir of 580000 meter cube. In other word, the reservoir is just endless in every scale: depth, width, length. The deep green color of the water reminds me would be better not fall off into it, even though I could swim very well.

           

    

However, by considering this “monster” fairly, it is very meaningful to the people of Hita. The main purpose of the dam is to adjust and save the water from the upstream. Thanks to it and other dams, the people will not have to worry about lack of water, as well as floods or bad quality (water quality is strictly observed from the dams). In the past, actually there were several protests again the establishment of these dams, particularly “Beehive Castle” event in 1960, but I believed that until now people will be glad of them. In addition, in the case of this Ooyama dam, I think it is quite an interesting dam. As regard of its amazing appearance, the mechanism of the dam is really natural friendly. 

In details, there is no artificial gates, and just fixed open gates that will naturally discharge the water due to the water height and pressure, and that I think is very environmental-friendly, that operators cannot suddenly release a huge amount of water and cause floods in downstream. The dam is also not generating a huge amount of electricity, but just enough for its own maintenance. I always love magnificent artificial wonders like this, which just shows me the greatness and continuous efforts of human civilization. Great experience! By Thai

On the third day, we visited Ooyama Dam, which is

on operational since 2012,

94 meters in height and 340 meters in length. What

a monster! Observing the dam from

the base, getting wet by the furious water discharg

ed by side, I just felt so small in front

of the dam. Furthermore, behind this giant wall is

another scary thing: a water

reservoir of 580000 meter cube. In other word, the

reservoir is just endless in every

scale: depth, width, length. The deep green color o

f the water reminds me would be

better not fall off into it, even though I could sw

im very well.

However, by considering this “monster” fairly, it

is very meaningful to the

people of Hita. The main purpose of the dam is to a

djust and save the water from the

upstream. Thanks to it and other dams, the people w

ill not have to worry about lack of

water, as well as floods or bad quality (water qual

ity is strictly observed from the dams).

In the past, actually there were several protests a

gain the establishment of these dams,

particularly “Beehive Castle” event in 1960, but I

believed that until now people will be

glad of them. In addition, in the case of this Ooya

ma dam, I think it is quite an

interesting dam. As regard of its amazing appearanc

e, the mechanism of the dam is

really natural friendly. In details, there is no ar

tificial gates, and just fixed open gates

that will naturally discharge the water due to the

water height and pressure, and that I

think is very environmental-friendly, that operator

s cannot suddenly release a huge

amount of water and cause floods in downstream. The

dam is also not generating a huge

amount of electricity, but just enough for its own

maintenance. I always love

magnificent artificial wonders like this, which jus

t shows me the greatness and

continuous efforts of On the third day, we visited Ooyama Dam, which is

on operational since 2012,

94 meters in height and 340 meters in length. What

a monster! Observing the dam from

the base, getting wet by the furious water discharg

ed by side, I just felt so small in front

of the dam. Furthermore, behind this giant wall is

another scary thing: a water

reservoir of 580000 meter cube. In other word, the

reservoir is just endless in every

scale: depth, width, length. The deep green color o

f the water reminds me would be

better not fall off into it, even though I could sw

im very well.

However, by considering this “monster” fairly, it

is very meaningful to the

people of Hita. The main purpose of the dam is to a

djust and save the water from the

upstream. Thanks to it and other dams, the people w

ill not have to worry about lack of

water, as well as floods or bad quality (water qual

ity is strictly observed from the dams).

In the past, actually there were several protests a

gain the establishment of these dams,

particularly “Beehive Castle” event in 1960, but I

believed that until now people will be

glad of them. In addition, in the case of this Ooya

ma dam, I think it is quite an

interesting dam. As regard of its amazing appearanc

e, the mechanism of the dam is

really natural friendly. In details, there is no ar

tificial gates, and just fixed open gates

that will naturally discharge the water due to the

water height and pressure, and that I

think is very environmental-friendly, that operator

s cannot suddenly release a huge

amount of water and cause floods in downstream. The

dam is also not generating a huge

amount of electricity, but just enough for its own

maintenance. I always love

magnificent artificial wonders like this, which jus

t shows me the greatness and

continuous effors of human civilization. Great exp

erience!