WWII Radio Tower Visit

So I'm waiting for Elin to wake up from her nap and today is one of those days where I never know if it's going to be a 1 hour nap day or a 3 1/2 hour nap day. However we're approaching the 3 hour mark so I thought I'd sit down and write about yesterday's field trip to the Radio Towers here in Sasebo. I had an opportunity to go with some other spouses from the OSC to visit this historic site that is only ten minutes from our houses. These towers can been seen from all over the city and hold quite a bit of historical significance. They are responsible for sending the order "Niitakayama Nobore 1208" to the Japanese Imperial Navy to attack Pearl Harbor in 1941, bringing the United States into World War II. Along with similar towers in Tokyo and Taiwan, they were used throughout the war to broadcast information to the fleet.

Despite the towers' grave significance to Americans, it was a unique opportunity as it is not open to the public. Our tour guide explained they are in the process of adding the site to the National Registry so they can preserve its history.

There are three towers that surround a wireless telegraph station which would relay messages north, southwest and east...hence the three towers. We were allowed to visit the inside of Tower #1. Inside lies a crank that would be used to tighten the cable to the telegraph station to improve the clarity of the messages. 

Thanks to a photography class I recently took I learned how to use my camera to photograph the inside of a dark space. With no indoor lighting it is essentially pitch black inside. However tiny windows above us allowed in a bit of light that showed off the impressive structure of the tower. 

Here is the telegraph station. The station and towers were actually in use until 1997. If you look at the beam covered in vine below, you will see the support for the wire that was connected to Tower #1. Tower #3 stands behind the building. Given it was a cold, dreary day, combined with the overgrown brush and decaying buildings, it really brought a surreal feeling to the experience. 

We couldn't quite figure out what this little hole in the building was for but I did find it quite entertaining that it held empty sake bottles. For a rainy day perhaps? 

This reminded me of our time diving in Chuuk and all of the sake bottles that still remain in sunken ships on the ocean floor. I doubt they are from the 40's like the one below but I still found it to be funny. 

                                        

So anyway, it was a really neat experience to see something like this. I love studying history and having the opportunity to live in a country that was an enemy of ours just over 70 years ago really provides some fascinating experiences. I can't wait for the next one!

Matane,

Caitlyn

Castles Castles Everywhere!

Before Colin deployed we wanted to fit in as many day trips as possible. I think it really was Colin's effort to make sure I was comfortable driving longer distances on the left side of the road in the land of Kanji road signs. If that is the case, it definitely worked. So the weekend before he left we decided to take a drive out to the city of Kumamoto, southeast of Sasebo. One of the things we are quickly learning about living in Japan is you should always think about two things when you plan a trip anywhere.

1. How long will it take given the slow speed limits
2. How much will it cost in tolls.

We didn't think about either of these before we left.

Oops.

It ended up taking 2 1/2 hours each way and costing a whopping $70 in tolls. Ouch. However I think this trip was almost worth it as I became more comfortable with the roads, we saw some beautiful countryside and Elin had a blast climbing more stairs at the castle in the city of Kumamoto we visited.

I am learning that one of the many things that makes Japan so darn beautiful are the castles. Unlike the ornate, glittering castles we're accustomed to seeing in Europe, Japanese castles are much more understated and very zen like…imagine that! According to this site, there are approximately 274 castles in Japan. Given how little usable land area the country has, that is pretty impressive to me. 2 down, 272 to go!

Kumamoto Castle, built by Kato Kiyomasa dates back to 1607. Similar to most castles in Japan it has a pagoda like structure to it which means….lots of stairs! After a 2 1/2 hour car ride Elin was ready to climb them all. And so she did. And what a view!

                                       

It is funny how one would think winter time is a terrible time to sightsee. However I found the scenery surrounding the castle just gorgeous. Especially when you have this cute little bugger to photograph. 

Imagine what this will look like when the cherry blossoms bloom on these branches!

                                                   

As you can see it had just rained so there were lots of puddles to step around. Or jump in. Which is exactly what E did. Not exactly scenic but very necessary. 

Mom forgot to button the onesie. Oopsie. 

Queen of the Puddles!

Aside from the castle we didn't find much else to do in Kumamoto, at least anything toddler friendly.  While I am happy we went we will probably not go back, at least by car. As I mentioned roads are expensive to drive on around here, something this Cali girl & Texas boy are still getting used to! 

Fortunately the drive home was peaceful. Elin enjoyed a rare car nap. Puddles are exhausting!

Matane,
Caitlyn