I was going to post something longer this week, but this week’s WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge theme is ‘H2O‘ and that appealed to me, so here’s another photo blog! When I thought of H2O, I thought of rain, and I immediately thought of this photo I took in Nagoya in 2009: I remember sitting by the temple … Continue reading
On Friday 18th December I set off on a mission. My plan was to visit Mount Shosha (書写山), the site of the temple Engyoji (円教寺) which was partially used in the filming of the Last Samurai. (I know, I know, most of it was filmed in New Zealand, some people really don’t like this movie … Continue reading
It was Tuesday 15th December when I found myself getting spirited away once more and having a real adventure. After taking the ferry from Miyajima to Miyajima-guchi, the train to Hiroshima, and a bullet train to Fukuyama, I then took a bus in to what felt like the middle of nowhere, to Tomonoura (鞆の浦). Tomonoura … Continue reading
In Dharma Delight, abstract artist and Zen practitioner Rodney Greenblat uses light-hearted narrative and vivid pop art paintings to celebrate the joys of living life from the inside out. Part graphic guide, part personal testimony, part art book, Dharma Delight illustrates how seeking the path of compassion and acceptance can be as zany and exuberant … Continue reading
I had only been to Miyajima (宮島) once before, on 27th March 2006. Miyajima, the popular name of the island Itsukushima (厳島), is a small island in the Inland Sea, just off the coast of Hiroshima. I remember liking Miyajima, but I also remember dashing about like a mad thing because I had travelled from … Continue reading
It may be the end of April, and the cherry blossom has been and gone in most parts of Japan, but I’m still thinking about last autumn! On 10th December I continued my journey in Shikoku and travelled to Kotohira (琴平), where I would spend one night. Kotohira is a small town in Kagawa Prefecture … Continue reading
And so my journey continued! On Monday 7th December, working now rather than holidaying, I took the bus from Kobe across Awaji Island (淡路島) to Tokushima (徳島). This was my first time to visit any part of Shikoku (四国), and I have to say I was pretty excited! The journey across Awaji Island was stunning! … Continue reading
My first ever trip to Japan in 2006 was created around an article I had read in the Independent about a place called Mount Koya (高野山), or Koya-san as it is known in Japanese. I was determined to go and stay on this mountain in a temple and eat tofu with the monks who lived … Continue reading
On Saturday 28th November I strapped my hiking shoes on once again and set off for an autumnal hike in the northern mountains of Kyoto. My plan was to take the train from Kyoto to Kurama (鞍馬), then hike to Kibune (貴船) before returning to Kyoto by train. Kyoto is a great city, but in … Continue reading
When I left you last I was settling in for the night in Yunomine Onsen, listening to the rain as I laid my head on the futon, praying for a brighter day tomorrow. Fortunately, I woke the following day, Tuesday 26th November, to find the rain had stopped. It was a dull start to the … Continue reading
Haikugirl's Japan 