@ Nagasaki By Night, Kyushu, Japan Mikey begins his journey through Kyushu! Nagasaki By Night, Kyushu, Japan Nagasaki is the capital and largest city of Nagasaki prefecture, on the island of Kyushu. The first contact with Portuguese explorers occurred in 1543. This opened up trade with the rest of the world and the tiny port village grew into a diverse city.
While jaunting in Japan, you stopped to bow honorably to Chocolate.
Mikey shook paws with Chocolate the Wild Brumby Horse. They both received one silver mole!
Blue And Gold Egg The first painted eggs came from Mesopotamia, and because eggs were forbidden food during Lent, people painted eggs while Lent was being observed—after Lent, they would eat the eggs on Easter Day.
Beautifully decorated eggs “pysanka” are associated with Ukraine, and the oldest painted egg that was unearthed in northern Ukraine is dated to the end of the 17th century.
Kanji, Kyushu, Japan Kanji, is one of the three writing scripts in Japan. Kanji are Chinese characters and each “picture” represents a word. By combining two words you form another word. Train is the words electric and car written side by side. There are tens of thousands of Kanji characters, and 2136 are described as essential for everyday use.
While jaunting in Japan, you stopped to bow honorably to Faylene.
Mikey shook paws with Faylene the Arctic Feisty Fox. They both received one silver mole!
@ Pine Tree Bonsai, Kyushu, Japan "'Japan!'" read out Choose a name from their tour brochure. " 'A country in which you will be swept off your paws by stunning scenery, pastoral countryside, idyllic islands, dramatic mountains and ancient historic cities. It's easy to understand why Japan is one of the most amazing destinations in the world.'" Mikey settled back in his tour bus seat. "It's certainly been all that so far, Choose a name!" Pine Tree Bonsai, Kyushu, Japan Bonsai (tray planting) is the Japanese art of growing miniature trees in pots. This art form was borrowed from the traditional Chinese art of penjing, which produces natural scenery only in miniature. The Japanese Bonsai creates a miniature tree that mimics nature—the purpose of creating these tiny trees is for contemplation by the viewer.
While jaunting in Japan, you stopped to bow honorably to Choose a name.
Mikey shook paws with Choose a name the Tabby Cat. They both received one silver mole!
@ Nagasaki Night View, Kyushu, Japan Nisshoki is the official name of the Japanese flag. But people still call it の丸 Hinomaru, meaning “circle of the sun”. Nagasaki Night View, Kyushu, Japan Nagasaki is a mountainous area; to get a stunning view of the city, what better place than on top of a mountain? Mount Inasa has an enclosed observatory with outside access, a restaurant, and benches. Night viewing is always a special treat. Depending on the weather and visibility, you can capture some amazing photographs.
While jaunting in Japan, you stopped to bow honorably to Choose a name.
Mikey shook paws with Choose a name the Panda Cub. They both received one silver mole!
@ Deer Scare, Kyushu, Japan "What are you doing, Sam?" asked Mikey, coming across his friend in the hotel lounge, clutching a notebook and pen. "I'm keeping a diary of our experiences on this trip, Mikey. I don't want to forget anything!" responded Sam. "Oh, and the tour guide taught me a useful phrase just now—Sozo ijo no mono deshita!—'Well, that was different!'. I'm going to use it on my postcard home to my Mum." Deer Scare, Kyushu, Japan A Shishi-odoshi, meaning deer-frightening or boar-frightening, is a number of items made to scare away animals from agricultural areas. A sozu is a small type of water fountain, usually made of bamboo segments. One of the bamboo poles is pivoted to one side of its pivot point, so the heavier end sits upon a rock with water trickling into the upper part. Once the weight shifts, the pole tilts, emptying the water, usually into a small pool, then the heavier end falls back striking the rock. The sound is what would scare away any animals. The sound is pleasant, and you can find the deer scare in gardens nowadays for purely aesthetic reasons.
While jaunting in Japan, you stopped to bow honorably to Sam.
Mikey shook paws with Sam the Brown Lovable Labrador. They both received one silver mole!
@ Stone Stairs, Kyushu, Japan "What are you doing, Jake?" asked Mikey, coming across his friend in the hotel lounge, clutching a notebook and pen. "I'm keeping a diary of our experiences on this trip, Mikey. I don't want to forget anything!" responded Jake. "Oh, and the tour guide taught me a useful phrase just now—Sozo ijo no mono deshita!—'Well, that was different!'. I'm going to use it on my postcard home to my Mum." Stone Stairs, Kyushu, Japan Stone stairs and walls lead to one of the many castles in Kyushu. There are 15 castles in Kyushu. Put on a pair of comfy shoes and spend the day walking up the stairs to visit some of these ancient sites.
While jaunting in Japan, you stopped to bow honorably to Jake.
Mikey shook paws with Jake the Black Feisty Fox. They both received one silver mole!
@ Ema And Dragon, Kyushu, Japan "Hey, do you fancy a sand bath, Mikey?" queried Oscar, clutching the itinerary. "Whatever's a sand bath, Oscar?" responded his companion, looking up from his perusal of Tokyo Journal. "Volcanic hot springs line the coast of Ibusuki, in Kyushu, warming the sands to 122-131°F (50-55°C). They bury you up to the neck in the sand, then after ten minutes you have a shower on the beach or go and visit a hot spring. It's called sunamushi in Japanese. It's very relaxing, apparently." Ema And Dragon, Kyushu, Japan Japan has many shrines, some are devoted to love, some to luck. The Ema is a wooden plaque where you can write your prayer or wish. The dragon is seen to be a wise and powerful protector of mankind. They are also a symbol of good luck.
While jaunting in Japan, you stopped to bow honorably to Oscar.
Mikey shook paws with Oscar the Brown Owl. They both received one silver mole!
@ Nagasaki Night, Kyushu, Japan "Hey, do you fancy a sand bath, Mikey?" queried Lilly, clutching the itinerary. "Whatever's a sand bath, Lilly?" responded her companion, looking up from his perusal of Tokyo Journal. "Volcanic hot springs line the coast of Ibusuki, in Kyushu, warming the sands to 122-131°F (50-55°C). They bury you up to the neck in the sand, then after ten minutes you have a shower on the beach or go and visit a hot spring. It's called sunamushi in Japanese. It's very relaxing, apparently." Nagasaki Night, Kyushu, Japan Nagasaki lays claim to having the best night views in Japan. If you go to the observation deck on Mount Inasa you will have a 360-degree view of Nagasaki. You will also get spectacular views from Mount Maya or Mount Hakodate.
While jaunting in Japan, you stopped to bow honorably to Lilly.
Mikey shook paws with Lilly the Green Happy Dragon. They both received one silver mole!
@ Origami Stars, Kyushu, Japan “Would you pass me the binoculars, Mikey?” said Adelaide. "I think that's an Amami Jay flitting around over there! You can tell by its black head, purple neck and back, chestnut body and multi-coloured wings." Origami Stars, Kyushu, Japan Origami–Ori means to fold, and kami means paper–is the art of folding paper into shapes. The origins of folding paper into shapes are thought to have started about 1,000 years ago in Japan. Paper was introduced to Japan in the 7th century, and the first folded paper objects were decorations and tools for religious purposes. Origami as play came later between the 1500 and 1600 century. Origami is fun for all ages, and many beautiful sheets of paper are created for the sole purpose of folding into shapes. Many books have been written on the subject, and if one wishes to take up this delightful art form, there are easy projects to start with.
While jaunting in Japan, you stopped to bow honorably to Adelaide.
Mikey shook paws with Adelaide the Mauve Koala. They both received one silver mole!
@ Silhouette Of A Samurai, Kyushu, Japan "Okay, if you get stuck speaking in Japanese to a pet, you can say Wakarimasen, which is 'I don't understand'," remarked KaitoSushi. "I can see myself needing that quite a lot!" responded Mikey. "On the other hand," continued KaitoSushi, "you can say Wakarimasu—'wa-karri-mass'—which means 'I understand' or Yoku wakarimasu which means 'I understand you perfectly'." "I don't think I'll be using that phrase any time soon, KaitoSushi!" Silhouette Of A Samurai, Kyushu, Japan The Samurai were the hereditary military nobility who were retained by the daimyo (great lord). A ronin was a samurai without attachment to a daimyo. Both carried two swords, a sign of being a samurai. The full-length sword is called a katana, which is a curved single-edged blade with a circular or square guard and a long grip. The other sword, the wakizashi, was short for close combat. When worn together, the pair are called daisho, which translates as “big-little”.
While jaunting in Japan, you stopped to bow honorably to KaitoSushi.
Mikey shook paws with KaitoSushi the Grey Playful Kitten. They both received one silver mole!
@ Soothing Sounds, Kyushu, Japan Usually, countries are content with just the one script. Not Japan; which has three! Firstly, the syllabic hiragana, used to write native Japanese words. Then there’s kanji – Chinese characters adapted to represent Japanese words. They can be read in different ways, often the “native” or “foreign” reading, sometimes depending on what hiragana comes after it. And if that wasn’t enough – katakana. These usually (not always) spell out foreign words in Japanese syllabary to make it easy for Japanese speakers to say. Soothing Sounds, Kyushu, Japan Bamboo and water, are simple things that create a soothing environment when used together. Water pours gently from the bamboo spout of a deer scare. The water trickles in one end of the bamboo pole and when the balance is shifted the pole moves to empty the water, while the heavy end strikes a rock placed behind it. This continues without the aid of electricity, or batteries.
While jaunting in Japan, you stopped to bow honorably to lilycat.
Mikey shook paws with lilycat the Ragdoll Kitten. They both received one silver mole!
@ KiHa 71, Kyushu, Japan "Let's practise our Japanese phrases in the tour guide," suggested Baby. "I'll ask you what your name is. It reminds us not to pronounce the 'u' on the end of 'desu' — it's just pronounced 'dess'. 'O-namae wa nan desu ka'?" "Watashi no namae wa Mikey desu," came the proud reply. KiHa 71, Kyushu, Japan The KiHa 71 series is a DMU (diesel multiple unit) trains, operated by the Kyushu Railway Company. The train runs exclusively on the Yufuin no Mori (the forest of Yufuin) between Hakata to Oita and Beppu. Yufuin is a small onsen (hot springs) resort, surrounded by rich forests.
While jaunting in Japan, you stopped to bow honorably to Baby.
Mikey shook paws with Baby the Tabby Cat. They both received one silver mole!
@ Paper Parasols, Yamaga, Kyushu, Japan "'Japan!'" read out Felix from their tour brochure. " 'A country in which you will be swept off your paws by stunning scenery, pastoral countryside, idyllic islands, dramatic mountains and ancient historic cities. It's easy to understand why Japan is one of the most amazing destinations in the world.'" Mikey settled back in his tour bus seat. "It's certainly been all that so far, Felix!" Paper Parasols, Yamaga, Kyushu, Japan Illuminated wagasa–traditional parasols made from washi (paper) and bamboo–are all ready for the Lantern Dance Festival in Yamaga. The festival is held in the evenings on the 15th and 16th of August each year. The origins of the festival come from the story of how the villagers of Yamaga helped the legendary Emperor Keiko, who was lost in the fog. The villagers held pine torches to light the way for the Emperor and his followers.
While jaunting in Japan, you stopped to bow honorably to Felix.
Mikey shook paws with Felix the Silver Fox. They both received one silver mole!
@ A Shisa On A Roof, Kyushu, Japan "What a varied tour we're having of Japan, Ugie!" remarked Mikey. We certainly are! Shogun, sashimi, sudoku and saké, you might say!" A Shisa On A Roof, Kyushu, Japan A Shisa, a lion-dog based on Chinese guardian lions, sits on a red tiled roof as a ward against evil spirits. The open mouth is to catch any evil, and there will be a second Shisa nearby, with a closed mouth, to keep good spirits in.
While jaunting in Japan, you stopped to bow honorably to Ugie.
Mikey shook paws with Ugie the Black Feisty Fox. They both received one silver mole!
@ Warbling White-Eye, Kyushu, Japan Oh look ... you won a pet! Warbling White-Eye, Kyushu, Japan This lovely little bird rests atop a cherry blossom branch. The Zosterops japonicus, also known as the Japanese white-eye, has a native range including most of East Asia, and has been introduced to other areas of the world as a pet. This small bird has been depicted in Japanese art and in ancient times it was kept in cages as a pet.
While jaunting in Japan, you stopped to bow honorably to Tundra.
Mikey shook paws with Tundra the Arctic Feisty Fox. They both received one silver mole!
@ Mount Aso, Kyushu, Japan Nisshoki is the official name of the Japanese flag. But people still call it の丸 Hinomaru, meaning “circle of the sun”. Mount Aso, Kyushu, Japan In Japan, there are 67 volcanoes, and 55 are considered active. It is no wonder that Japan is located in what is called the Pacific Ring Of Fire. Mount Aso, also known as Aso Volcano, is the largest active volcano in Japan and one of the largest in the world. Located in the middle of Kyushu, Mount Aso last erupted Oct. 2021.
While jaunting in Japan, you stopped to bow honorably to Boci.
Mikey shook paws with Boci the Chocolate Milky Moo Cow. They both received one silver mole!
@ Embroidered Crane, Kyushu, Japan "The tour guide was saying just now that the Misaka stone steps leading to Shaka-in Temple are the highest in Japan at 3333 steps," remarked Mikey. "That's a lot of steps!" responded Po. "Many pets do their best to climb all the steps, and there are rest stops along the way, you know." Embroidered Crane, Kyushu, Japan A stunning red crane, the symbol of long life and good luck adorns this traditional kimono. Embroidered with silk floss and employing the long and short stitches to create the satin stitch.
While jaunting in Japan, you stopped to bow honorably to Po.
Mikey shook paws with Po the Panda. They both received one silver mole!
@ Omikuji, Kyushu, Japan Usually, countries are content with just the one script. Not Japan; which has three! Firstly, the syllabic hiragana, used to write native Japanese words. Then there’s kanji – Chinese characters adapted to represent Japanese words. They can be read in different ways, often the “native” or “foreign” reading, sometimes depending on what hiragana comes after it. And if that wasn’t enough – katakana. These usually (not always) spell out foreign words in Japanese syllabary to make it easy for Japanese speakers to say. Omikuji, Kyushu, Japan An omikuji (sacred lot) is a strip of paper with a random fortune written on it. The omikuji is found in Shinto Shrines and Buddhist Temples throughout Japan. A small offering is made, and an omikuji is randomly selected from a box. If the prediction is not favourable, it is usually folded up and tied to a pine tree or a wire fence on the temple grounds. The idea behind this is based on a pun on the word for pine tree, which is matsu and the verb to wait is matsu, though both words have different characters. It is thought that the bad luck will wait by the pine tree and not become attached to the person. If the fortune is good the holder can also attach it to a pine tree, thereby increasing the good luck, or keep it.
While jaunting in Japan, you stopped to bow honorably to Fin.
Mikey shook paws with Fin the Arctic Feisty Fox. They both received one silver mole!
@ Tonkotsu Ramen, Kyushu, Japan "The tour guide was saying just now that the Misaka stone steps leading to Shaka-in Temple are the highest in Japan at 3333 steps," remarked Mikey. "That's a lot of steps!" responded Hansi (Icky Bird Who Can't Fly). "Many pets do their best to climb all the steps, and there are rest stops along the way, you know." Tonkotsu Ramen, Kyushu, Japan Tonkotsu ramen originated in Fukuoka, on Kyushu island. It is a specialty dish, that was first created as an affordable and fast dish for labourers at the fish market. The broth is made by boiling pork bones, and other ingredients such as spring onions, ginger, and onions, for upwards of 18 hours. The ramen noodles are traditionally left hard in the center, though some shops offer the customer a choice of noodle firmness. Sliced pork belly is added to the dish along with a choice of toppings: chili bean paste, sesame seeds, kombu (kelp), soy sauce, and other offerings.
While jaunting in Japan, you stopped to bow honorably to Hansi (Icky Bird Who Can't Fly).
Mikey shook paws with Hansi (Icky Bird Who Can't Fly) the Playful Penguin. They both received one silver mole!
Hansi (Icky Bird Who Can't Fly) and you found 5 Travel Tokens!
@ Churadama, Okinawa, Kyushu, Japan "Listen to this, Mikey! 'Kyushu is famous for its network of canals, originally used for irrigation and to create a moat around the town’s castle. You can explore the canals on a small punt boat or donkobune where the local boatmen share stories and folksongs along the way.' How about that, then?" "It sounds great, Audra! It'll be a pleasant reminder of our trip to Venice in July 2021!" Churadama, Okinawa, Kyushu, Japan Churadama comes from “chura”, which means “beautiful”, and “dama”, which means “jewel”. These glass balls, a popular souvenir in Okinawa, are made from sea glass and Ryukyu glass—recycled glass bottles. Usually one buys the colour that matches their birthstone.
While jaunting in Japan, you stopped to bow honorably to Audra.
Mikey shook paws with Audra the Blue Beautiful Unicorn. They both received one silver mole!
@ Kumamoto Castle in Kyushu, Japan Mikey and Pika shook paws, said “How do you do?” and posed for a souvenir photo. “Why am I always on the left?” grumbled Mikey. “Let’s change sides.” “No,” said Pika. “This is my best side.” Kumamoto Castle in Kyushu, Japan Kumamoto castle, in Kumamoto Prefecture, was constructed in 1607 and is one of the most impressive castles in Japan. Not much remains of the original wooden castle, fires, civil war, and earthquakes took their toll on the buildings. The castle keep and most of the other buildings are reconstructions made of concrete. The grounds surrounding the castle boast over 800 cherry trees making this a popular spot in March/April to view the blossoms.
While jaunting in Japan, you stopped to bow honorably to Pika.
Mikey shook paws with Pika the Vanilla Milky Moo Cow. They both received one silver mole!
@ Hiragana Wood Stamps, Kyushu, Japan "What a varied tour we're having of Japan, Daisy!" remarked Mikey. We certainly are! Shogun, sashimi, sudoku and saké, you might say!" Hiragana Wood Stamps, Kyushu, Japan Japan has three writing systems. Hiragana—which young children learn first—Katakana, and Kanji. Hiragana and Katakana are native to Japan and represent syllable sounds, and the two are known as kana. Kanji is from China and is made up of word pictures representing whole words. Kanji is the oldest form of writing. Kanji came to Japan in the 4th-5th century. Japan had a spoken language but no written language. Kanji is a difficult language, and only men were permitted to study and write in Kanji. In the 8th century, the women of the Heian (modern-day Kyoto) court created the Hiragana. The men realized that Hiragana, based on sounds, was much easier to read and write, so the men adopted Hiragana as well.
While jaunting in Japan, you stopped to bow honorably to Daisy.
Mikey shook paws with Daisy the Grey Playful Kitten. They both received one silver mole!
@ Shirato Beach, Kyushu, Japan "What are you doing, Saphira?" asked Mikey, coming across his friend in the hotel lounge, clutching a notebook and pen. "I'm keeping a diary of our experiences on this trip, Mikey. I don't want to forget anything!" responded Saphira. "Oh, and the tour guide taught me a useful phrase just now—Sozo ijo no mono deshita!—'Well, that was different!'. I'm going to use it on my postcard home to my Mum." Shirato Beach, Kyushu, Japan Along the Kumamoto coast, you will find the popular Shirato Beach, known for its emerald waters. The area is surrounded by mountains with rich plantations. Near the beach is a small town with traditional Japanese houses, a cafe, and a hotel.
While jaunting in Japan, you stopped to bow honorably to Saphira.
Mikey shook paws with Saphira the Midnight Happy Dragon. They both received one silver mole!
@ Japanese Maple Trees, Kyushu, Japan "'Japan!'" read out Angela from their tour brochure. " 'A country in which you will be swept off your paws by stunning scenery, pastoral countryside, idyllic islands, dramatic mountains and ancient historic cities. It's easy to understand why Japan is one of the most amazing destinations in the world.'" Mikey settled back in his tour bus seat. "It's certainly been all that so far, Angela!" Japanese Maple Trees, Kyushu, Japan The beautiful Japanese Maple trees come in a variety of gorgeous colours, golden, red, orange, green, dark purple, and more. The leaves vary from what we think of as the traditional maple leaf shape to long spidery leaves. The trees can grow very tall, 10-25 feet, but there are dwarf varieties that will only grow 5 feet. Artfully displayed maple trees can create stunning garden views.
While jaunting in Japan, you stopped to bow honorably to Angela.
Mikey shook paws with Angela the Angel Wing Butterfly. They both received one silver mole!
@ Shisa, Kyushu, Japan Mikey has now completed his journey through Kyushu! As he prepares to go home, he receives a wonderful gift! Black Bear, Novice Skier Two boards to stand on, check; two sticks to hold onto, check—this will be fun. Here we go! Woosh! The cold air is exhilarating, the snow is pristine, and the landscape is peaceful and beautiful. Wait, what is my right leg doing? It seems to be going off in a different direction. Oh oh! I just lost one of my sticks. Whaaa! What is that tree doing in my way? Oh no! This hill has turned too steep, and I am going far too fast.
CRASH!
Whew! All in one piece. Thankfully I landed in a pile of soft snow, but how undignified.
Hmm, perhaps bears were not meant to ski—it looks fun when humans do it. Maybe I should have taken some lessons. Ok! Hot chocolate first, lessons second, and a smaller hill. I can do this.
Shisa, Kyushu, Japan This souvenir shop features the stone Shisa, a traditional Ryukyuan cultural artifact. The Shisa is derived from the Chinese guardian lions–a cross between a lion and a dog– most often seen in pairs, that protect from evils. Placed on roofs or flanking the gates. One of the Shisa has an open mouth to gather in any evil spirits, and the other Shisa has a closed mouth to keep in the good spirits. Mikey has enjoyed his journey through Kyushu, but it is time to go home now! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also enjoy a journey through Japan!
While jaunting in Japan, you stopped to bow honorably to Apple Jack.
Mikey shook paws with Apple Jack the Yellow Maned Pony. They both received one silver mole!
Apple Jack gave you 1 "Black Bear, Novice Skier" FULL SIZE
Mikey has completed the quest of
