Sendai has a huge, expensive project going to up-grade all the bridges so that they will withstand the large earthquake that is expected in the next few years. From what I could see, they are expanding the foundation and reinforcing the uprights. This is typical of construction projects in Japan. They put up sheets around the site to act as sound barriers and to keep any dust and dirt from spreading. Also, we do not have strict job descriptions, so the road guards also pick up a broom and keep the roads and sidewalks clean. The gate in the foreground is the entrance to the Shinrin Koen (Park).
Inside the park there is a three kilometer path that goes up and down a fairly high hill. When we first started walking here, I had to stop part way up to catch my breath. Now I zip right up, with just a little heavy breathing. The white building in the background is on the other side of the park and it is the city science museum. Last year, before we went on the Henro Pilgrimage, there was a man using this shelter as a place to sleep. He had a sleeping bag and in the morning got up, put on a suit, and apparently went to work. There are toilets around the park and in the subway station next to the museum, but I have no idea where he bathed.
Some of the facilities have running water (where the homeless man probably took sponge baths) and real toilets. On the top of the hill, however, there are two like this. If a man was using it, you would be able to see him as the black thing inside the door is a urinal. There is also a Japanese style squatter with a door, but there is no running water, except for a faucet where you can wash you hands. This is basically an old fashion outhouse.
At the far end of the park, there is a subway station and an access road out to the main road. I usually walk out to the store with the blue sign - it is a Lawson's - to buy a bottle of sports drink. Interestingly, on the other side of the intersection (you can see it if you look carefully) there is a 7/11. A few years ago we had gas stations all over the place. Now many of them have closed. At the moment convenience stores are opening up in almost any empty spot. I expect that in a couple of more years they will start thinning out, too.
Sendai is the home of a very famous sculptor, name Churyo, who does mostly nudes and semi-nudes. Because he is a local artist the city is full of his work. This statue is at the top of a flight of stairs next to the science museum.
Inside the park there is a three kilometer path that goes up and down a fairly high hill. When we first started walking here, I had to stop part way up to catch my breath. Now I zip right up, with just a little heavy breathing. The white building in the background is on the other side of the park and it is the city science museum. Last year, before we went on the Henro Pilgrimage, there was a man using this shelter as a place to sleep. He had a sleeping bag and in the morning got up, put on a suit, and apparently went to work. There are toilets around the park and in the subway station next to the museum, but I have no idea where he bathed.
Some of the facilities have running water (where the homeless man probably took sponge baths) and real toilets. On the top of the hill, however, there are two like this. If a man was using it, you would be able to see him as the black thing inside the door is a urinal. There is also a Japanese style squatter with a door, but there is no running water, except for a faucet where you can wash you hands. This is basically an old fashion outhouse.
At the far end of the park, there is a subway station and an access road out to the main road. I usually walk out to the store with the blue sign - it is a Lawson's - to buy a bottle of sports drink. Interestingly, on the other side of the intersection (you can see it if you look carefully) there is a 7/11. A few years ago we had gas stations all over the place. Now many of them have closed. At the moment convenience stores are opening up in almost any empty spot. I expect that in a couple of more years they will start thinning out, too.
Sendai is the home of a very famous sculptor, name Churyo, who does mostly nudes and semi-nudes. Because he is a local artist the city is full of his work. This statue is at the top of a flight of stairs next to the science museum.
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