Zōkyō

The next morning we started off at Ikuta Shrine. The Shinto shrine is located in the Chūō Ward of Kobe, Japan, and is possibly among the oldest shrines in the country.

According to Nihon Shoki, it was founded by the Empress Jingū at the beginning of the 3rd century AD to enshrine the Kami Wakahirume, and was used as the base for a festival welcoming warriors back from the latest attempt to invade Korea. It now apparently carries a reputation of being a place at which NOT to marry as many famous Japanese couples who have been married here have since divorced.

We had a long day wondering walking up and down Kobe’s hills. Heading back to our hotel, we stopped for a glass of red wine at a really cool place called “Diente Diente” before we did. Red walls, a great big bar, and friendly staff, with “Coffee and Cigarettes” playing on the screen. Perfect little hole in the wall in a really cool neighborhood. Well worth stopping by for a cafe and some window shopping on a trip to Kobe.

We still had two more days ahead of us, so we went home to make a little place for the next day then crashed.

Meandering around.

Then we took a stroll down to Kobe Port.

“Opportunities, many times, are so small that we glimpse them not and yet they are often the seeds of great enterprises. Opportunities are also everywhere and so you must always let your hook be hanging. When you least expect it, a great fish will swim by.”

Og Mandino (American Essayist and Psychologist, 1923-1996)

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, Children of all ages…

Come one, Come all…

Behold the latest unseen fandangled enigmatic discoveries of the known universe, all under one tent. Bewildering oddities to seize your imaginations and mysteries of wonderment to steal your hearts. It truly must be seen to be believed.

Do not be fooled by the artistry of this creation. No doubt there was a unhinged passion in the uncovering of these peculiar phenomenons, yet their marvel is unto themselves, never to be seen until now, before your very eyes!

It is with great honor to WELCOME YOU TO THE BERZIRCUS!!!

Sunday morning
Brings the dawn in
It’s just a restless feeling by my side
Early dawning
Sunday morning
It’s just the wasted years so close behind
Watch out the world’s behind you
There’s always someone around you who will call
It’s nothing at all

Sunday morning
And I’m falling
I’ve got a feeling I don’t want to know
Early dawning
Sunday morning
It’s all the streets you crossed, not so long ago
Watch out the world’s behind you
There’s always someone around you who will call
It’s nothing at all


-L. Reed, J. Cale