海外向けに英文併記しています⇒Japanese

                   
      Korea Report (English)
  We three brothers could have the third travel to the overseas country after two years 
without elder brother. The travel was to visit five world inheritances in three big cties such 
as Buhsan,Keisyu and Seoul in Korea for sightseeing by bus for 4 days since Nov.25th to 
Nov.28th, 2014 and for enjoying Korean gourmet. Before going to Korea,we hesitated to visit 
there because of no good relations between Japan and Korea. However it came to nothing 
then after finishing our travel. Korea was called so far as " the country close geographically 
but distant politically". Nowadays both countries became really close each other in the 
world. I have been longing for visiting the neighboring country until now. At last my dream 
had come true by this happy travel.

1. 5 hours bus trip from Inchon airport to Tegu 
  It took 2 hours and half from Narita to Inchon airport in Korea. I didn't know that the 
neighboring country was so near from our country until I visited Korea this time. Our flight 
arrived at 4:30 in the evening and when we got out the gate after finishing immigration and 
collecting our baggages, our local attendance Ms.Che was wating us Japanese 27 members 
of this tour. We transfered to our bus and started to Teg heading toward the South through 
the express highway. We saw the wall of Suibara castle,the world inheritance lighted up 
located at the distance of 42 km from Seoul on the way. The castle was built by King Seiso 
in the age of Lee dynasty to transfer the capital to that place taking 2 years and 9 months 
from 1794. However nowadays only the rampart with 9 m height and 9.8km length was 
remained. Our bus ran and ran straight into midnight road and shortly came to the city 
streets decorated with illuminations where was Tegu, the third city with a population of 2 
million in Korea. I couldn't read entirely the letters on signboards written in Hangul word. 
 In old times, this country also used Chinese character same as Japan but they abandoned 
the Chinese character before we knew, nevertheless geographically close to China. We took 
a dinner in a restaurant there late night and we were shocked by Korean custom and 
manners for eating Korean food different from Japan. It passed 11 o'clock when we checked 
in "Crystal hotel" while having fire in our mouth by Kimuchi pickles and we went bed without 
taking a shower tonight. 
2. History of Korean Peninsula
  Korean peninsula was ruled for almost 600 years by three countries (Kokuri, Kudara and 
Shiragi) which developed their unique culture respectively and contributed competingly each 
other to a lot of fields like Buddhism, farming and art. Above all, Kudara was on intimate 
terms with China and Japan, built up refined Buddhism culture, and affected on ancient 
Asuka culture of Japan. Shiragi having rich land and mild climate, bloomed gorgeously the 
dynasty culture by centering the capital at Keisyu, destroyed Kudara in 660 years and 
Koukuri in 668 years, and founded the united Shiragi Age.     
3. Sightseeing at Kainji Temple
   We got up at 5:30 in the next morning and started our hotel one hour later. Today was 
tightly scheduled to see first the world heritage "Kainji Temple"in Kayasan national park 
located at a distance of 70km from west of Tegu, to move to Pusan for city tour and to 
reach at Keisyu tonight in total 350km running. We had fortunately a fine weather suitable 
for sightseeing today. We got off the bus at a mountainous area and after passing gates 
went up the stone stairs and approached to the temples. I heard that the "Kainji Temple"
was buit by both King Junnou and Ritei in 802 years but burnted again and again by war fire 
since Aunin War. The building existed now was almost rebuilt in the end of Lee dynasty.   
Looking of the temples were apparently different from the ones in Japan because they had 
special roof tiles, paint in special blue and sand paved on the grounds in Chinese style. I 
might be able to say that Japan had the wooden culture but Korea had the stone and soil 
culture. After enjoying seeing the temples for one hous and half, we headed toward the 
harbors city "Pusan"(the second city,about 3.5 millions population) situated in the South of 
Korean peninsula  
4. To Keisyu after Pusan 
  Before noon our bus arrived at Ryutousan Park in Pusan where Pusan tower and bronze 
statue of natinal hero "Lee syun jin"who defeated Hideyoshi's troops were on a small hill. 
We enjoyed there taking pictures and seeing the Japan sea far away over there. After 
taking a lunch at a seafood restaurant, we went for a stroll in a fishery market near seaside 
where we could see such rare fish as scabbard fish. After then we were conducted to an 
international market where we enjoyed shopping and experienced casino for the first at a 
casino shop invested by Lotte group. Without taking enough time there, we left Pusan for 
the hotel tonight in Keisyu located at about 86km in the North from here. Keisyu is called as 
Kyoto in Japan and No.1city of cultural heritage in Korea. It became dark entirely when we 
arrived at the world heritage "Tenmazuka" within the old tomb park of the world's largest 
class in Keisyu, today's last destination. There were a lot of articles left by the departed in 
the tomb and we could learn the culture, art and history of Shiragi Kingdom. We checked in "
Corron Hotel"at 8:30 and made ourself at home by taking a shower.  
5. From "Bukkokuji Temple"to Seoul 
  We started the Hotel also early in the 3rd morning of this trip. After eating Kimuchi and 
bean sprout as our breakfast, we visited a pottery of earthenware first where we could see 
Korean pottery art. I bought a strap in an amethyst shop as my souvenier next. We arrived 
at "Bukkokuji Temple"located at the hillside of the mountain before long. which was buit in 
535 and became the culture center of Shiragi dynasty. We could see mountains floating on 
the fog as an indian-ink drawing far from the precincts. Most of the timber buildings was 
burnt down in Jinshin War in 1593 though it was said that the building in those days was ten 
times bigger than now. I heard that the present building was restored in the large 
constructions afterwards. We reached to the solemn buildings such as temples,towers,gates 
and stairs by taking a walk.for about one hour. After then we left Keishyu heading toward 
Seoul as the final distination. Falling into a doze on the bus, we enjoyed seeing DVD singing 
by Misora Hibari who is also very popular in Korea. After running for four hours and half, we 
reached to Seoul international city with 10 million population and stopped at a factory of 
Korai Carrot for shopping and and seeing inside. Before evening we arrived at World 
Heritage "Shotoku Palace", and went round inside the palace. The palace was built in 1405 
as a detached palace of Keihuku Palace but burnt down in Jinshin War. Since rebuilding 
1611, it was used as a formal royal palace for about 300 years until annexing Japan-Korea 
(1910) and Emperor Junsyu in the age of last Lee dynasty also lived there until dying in 
1926. I was deeply impressed by Korean 2000 years history after seeing such big gates and 
large buildings. We stayed in "Yoido Hotel" tonight. 
6. Optional city tour on the final day 
  We awaked at 6:30 this morning. Before starting hotel, we took a picture at our hotel 
rooftop from where we could see "Seiga Dai"Korean presidential residence in front of a 
large hill in a foggy rain. We had no schedule this day first but decided to participate in the 
optional tour by paying additional money. We left the hotel at 7:30 for taking a city tour. It 
became heavy rain unfortunately but got off the bus near Nandaimon Gate and went  
walking on the street of markets and took a cofee at Starbucks shop together with my 
brothers. After then we were directed to the duty free shop and Korean food shop where 
we bought chocolates and Kimuchi etc. and were on board KE001 flight departing 17:50 to 
Japan. This travel was scheduled tightly but very enough to learn Korean culture and 
history.(The End) 

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