Japan
There are [43] photos and [15] stories about Japan
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Friday, 22 Aug 2014 | Views [760]
We decided to take a walk up a holy mountain, Ishizuchi-san, the highest mountain in western Japan (1982 metres), whilst we were in Shikoku. A cable car takes you up part of the way, then a stepped path leads up past shrines to the summit. There ... Read more >
Tags: ishizuchi, trekking in japan
Sunday, 17 Aug 2014 | Views [495]
For just 500 yen a day (less than £3), we hired a bike each (choice of "sporting" or "comfort"), to ride a cycle path which links Shikoku Island with Honshu Island, via seven islands in Japan's Inland Sea.
The cycle path runs for 70km along ... Read more >
Tags: cycling in japan, japan inland sea, shimanami kaido
Sunday, 17 Aug 2014 | Views [466]
There are literally hundreds of temples and shrines in Japan, especially in Kyoto. They range from the ultra-ornate, such as Kinkakuji, "the Golden Temple", to small, moss covered ones hidden between mid-rise concrete buildings. Some have immense Buddhas ... Read more >
Sunday, 17 Aug 2014 | Views [445]
We saw geishas!!!
Whilst we were in Kyoto, there was a special event we went to. Served with cold beer and green beans (yes, that's right, green beans!), we were entertained by Maiko dancers (Maiko are apprentice Geishas just completing ... Read more >
Tags: geisha, kyoto, maiko
Sunday, 10 Aug 2014 | Views [436]
We've been asked a bit more about what Japanese food is like, particularly whether there is a lot of sushi.
The main staple food seems to be sticky rice which is eaten at almost every meal including breakfast. And a little pot of miso soup. Then add ... Read more >
Sunday, 10 Aug 2014 | Views [516]
As you would expect, the Japanese train system is excellent - extremely clean, punctual and frequent. We love the bullet trains (Shinkansen) that whisk you through the country at top speed (we estimated our one yesterday was going at least 200 mph).... Read more >
Friday, 8 Aug 2014 | Views [461]
The city of Sendai celebrates a love story each August. And everyone loves a good love story!
There seem to be various legends behind it but the one we were told by the Sendai tourist office was this:
According to Chinese legend, two stars, Altair ... Read more >
Tags: japanese festival, sendai tanabata
Thursday, 7 Aug 2014 | Views [449]
The Chinese-inspired Aomori Nebuta festival, in the North of Honshu, is an incredible spectacle. Several parades take place, each made up of giant floats; bands of drummers, flautists and hand cymbalists; and groups of dancers accompanied by "jokers" ... Read more >
Tags: aomori nebuta, japanese festival
Friday, 1 Aug 2014 | Views [434]
Each year for the past 400 years, the villagers of Gujo-Hachiman have taken to the streets for a dancing festival called O-Bon. It originated from Shinto-Buddhist religious beliefs that ancestors' spirits return from the dead for a few days around the ... Read more >
Tags: folk festival, gujo, japanese festival
Thursday, 31 Jul 2014 | Views [365]
Gifu is a large modern town, through which runs a clean, clear, gravelly river. It is here that one of the oldest traditions takes place each night - cormorant fishing.
The cormorant fishermen inherit their roles from their fathers and their ... Read more >
Tags: cormorant fishing, gifu
Tuesday, 29 Jul 2014 | Views [705] | Comments [1]
Mid July to end of August is one of Japan's main festival seasons. In Matsumoto, we went to a big Taito drumming festival. Bands from around the country came to perform against the backdrop of the magnificent sixteenth century black and white wooden ... Read more >
Tags: drumming, japanese festival, matsumoto, taito
Tuesday, 29 Jul 2014 | Views [319]
Japan seems full of contrasts between the old and the new:
Neon-lit skyscrapers next to ancient shrines; Pachinko (pinball) machines by old tea houses; Ladies wearing the latest fashions from Paris in the same street as ladies wearing elegant kimonos ... Read more >
Tuesday, 29 Jul 2014 | Views [233]
Japanese food is the stuff of Michelin stars and the dreams of Master Chef contestants. The presentation is immaculate - colourful, dainty, served in delicate little dishes and plates. The taste is wonderful - full of contrasting flavours and textures, ... Read more >
Tuesday, 29 Jul 2014 | Views [284]
Having initially been a bit nervous about going to Japan, as neither of us can speak or read Japanese, our introduction to Japan has been really heartwarming.
The politeness and friendliness of the Japanese people and their kindness ... Read more >
Tuesday, 29 Jul 2014 | Photo Gallery
Japan
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