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
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Japan 2015: Tomonoura – A Port Town that Leads to Chance Encounters
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
Japan 2015: Miyajima
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
Japan 2015: Kurama and Kibune
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
Japan 2014: Matsushima
In my last post I wrote about a morning visit to Shiogama (塩釜), and left you waiting for me to move on to Matsushima (松島). So, here goes! After visiting Shiogama Shrine, I made my way back to Hon-Shiogama Station and waited for the next sightseeing boat to Matsushima. It was a dull day, and … Continue reading
Japan 2014: Shiogama
“Early the next morning, we visited Shiogama Shrine, rebuilt by Masamune, Lord of Date, when he was governor of the province. The fine wooden pillars were of impressive girth, and the rafter beams were brightly painted. The shrine was at the top of a long flight of stone steps, and its vermilion lacquered fence was … Continue reading
Japan 2014: Sendai
Despite staying three nights in Sendai (仙台) I didn’t get to see all that much of it as I was using it as a base to visit other areas. Still, what I did see of Sendai I liked. It seemed like a very livable city, not too dissimilar to Nagoya really, and it’s certainly a … Continue reading
Postcard from Japan: Rilakkuma Ema
At Zenkoji (a temple in Nagano) today I spotted these Rilakkuma (リラックマ) ‘ema‘ (絵馬) boards with people’s prayers and wishes on them. Cute.
One Night in Tokyo – Lost in Translation
Last night the Watershed cinema here in Bristol hosted a Lost in Translation evening which, naturally, I had to attend. Here’s how the evening was billed: Say ‘konnichiwa!’ to an evening of film, music and a pink wig or two. For one night only lose yourself in Tokyo with Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson at … Continue reading
A to Wa of Japan: Week 33
It’s time for A to Wa of Japan again! Last week’s post was about things beginning with ま (ma) and we looked at Mamachari ( ママチャリ).This week we are looking at things beginning with み (mi). A big thank you to those who joined in with suggestions this week: UK Seikatsu suggested Mishima Yukiko (三島由紀夫 / an author), Miura-hanto (三浦半島 / a peninsula located … Continue reading