Tag: shrine
Radio Taiso At Nezu Shrine And An Early Morning Walk
“Ohayōgozaimasu!” says the man stretching beside his portable radio. Its tinny sound reminds me of hanging around my grandparent’s garage, except I can’t quite make out what’s being said. The man is decked out completely in white, from his floppy hat down...
Half-day Kyoto Walking Tour Part 1: Gion to Kodaiji Temple
Looking for a short walking route in Kyoto that will give you real time chills and great photo opportunities? Look no further. We’ve put together a fabulous walking tour that winds through Kyoto’s Gion district and finishes at the Kodaiji Temple complex....
Kyoto After Dark: An Evening Stroll through Pontocho and Gion
Kyoto is the gently lit canal to Tokyo’s fit-inducing neon—part of its charm for many. As such, once the sun goes down and the monks close the temple gates, many visitors are left wondering what’s next. If you still have energy for...
Top 3 Torii Gate Tunnel Photo Spots in…Tokyo!
Loving those red torii gate tunnel images from Kyoto, but just can’t get down there? Never fear; Tokyo can deliver. We went traipsing around town to find the top three photo spots to complete your holiday snap collection. The good news? You...
Taking in the Sights on a Kamakura Tour
Kamakura is the ultimate Tokyo day trip. From the Great Buddha of Kotoku-in to the tree-lined grounds of the Hachimangu Shrine, Kamakura affords a chance to see some of the most iconic landmarks Japan has to offer. Best of all, it’s all...
Exploring the Oldest Shrine in Japan: Ujigami Shrine
Uji-gami Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the Kyoto city of Uji. Originally built as a guardian shrine for the nearby Byodoin, it is now quite remarkable in its own right. Dendrochronological studies of the wood have determined that Ujigami Jinja...
Ambling Asakusa Tour: A Tour of Old Tokyo Part 3
After a leisurely boat ride along the Sumida River, you will arrive in Asakusa. The history of this neighborhood dates back to the Edo period. At that time, warehouses used for rice storage filled the neighborhood. At the turn of the 19th...
Kyoto’s Most Instagrammable Temple: Yasaka Koshindo
It’s easy to forget what century you’re in as you explore the cobbled, hilly streets of Higashiyama. This part of Kyoto is famous for its high concentration of beautiful and historic shrines, temples, tea houses and restaurants. As I wandered along, lost...
Kifune Shrine: One of Kyoto’s Most Instagrammable Shrines
In a stroke of genius, I decided to make the journey into the mountains north of Kyoto, where the rushing river and shaded streets would offer respite from the summer heat. Even though it was the rainy season, it had been dry...
Things to do in Yunomine Onsen
Yunomine Onsen in Wakayama Prefecture
Japan, like other countries located in the ‘Pacific Ring of Fire’, is volcanically active and prone to numerous earthquakes. The four tectonic plates underneath this island nation cause daily tremors and are responsible...