There are many, many beautiful sights to see in Himeji. When you leave the paved streets you often find beautiful tracks running along side a creek lined with trees and the odd statue and permeating peacefulness. People often sit on the benches and read books, eat lunch and just relax (or is that rerax?).
And then come the back streets. While the main streets are wide, 2 laned roads, the back streets are somewhat smaller (just big enough for two cars to pass, let alone pedestrians and bikers) and you begin to realise just how closely the Japanese people live together. Not only are the houses tiny, but a front or back yard would stretch no longer than 2 or 3 metres from the front door. The house pictured can't even close its stretchy gates because the car is too big! Crazy. But, no matter how small the garden is you'll always see Japanese people watering, pruning and weeding with care.
It is quite common for people who own a business to live on the 2nd storey. Here is a drug store across the road from our residence. On the balcony you'll see the people's washing. Talk about living your work!
