When Dave and I traveled around Japan for New Year, it was a trip full of superlatives. Almost everywhere we went was the most beautiful, oldest, biggest, or best in Japan. Todaiji, which I wrote about in my last article,…
Todaiji: Buddhism in Japan
The early and mid-700s was a hard time for early Japan, especially for the Imperial family. There were rebellions, famines, and outbreaks of disease. The Emperor Shomu, who reigned at the time, was forced to change the capital four…
Delays
Sorry for the lack of update this week. It is my week to update, but I am busy with a new job and moving into a new apartment. Once things settle down next week, we should be updating as usual…
Nara: Ancient Japan at its Finest
When people think of ancient Japan, many first think of the former capital city, Kyoto. Even many of the Japanese I meet, when I mention that I enjoy visiting historic places, one of the first questions I’m asked…
Jinmu-ji and Mt. Takatori – A hiking paradise
One of the great things about living in Japan, and in Kanagawa in particular, is that there are always new and interesting places just waiting to be discovered. There always seems to be some cluster of old shops, an…
A Jogashima Walking Adventure
In addition to its immense and ancient history, Japan is also a land of great natural beauty. A bit more than a year ago, I had the privilege of experiencing some of that beauty at a place called Jogashima.…
Wandering Tokyo with a Camera
I’ve lived in the area near Tokyo for several years now, but it still amazes me sometimes how the city can be such a contrast, one neighborhood to another, one place to another, sometimes even one block to another. Most…
Hamamatsu Castle: A Missed Opportunity
In my last post, I wrote about the charming castle they rebuilt in Kakegawa. As it turns out, the next city down the line towards Nagoya, Hamamatsu, also has a rebuilt castle. Hamamatsu castle, however, is on the opposite…
Kakegawa – A Charming Castle Town
If you take the Shinkansen toward Nagoya, somewhere in Shizuoka you will pass through a small city called Kakegawa. For most people, the Japanese included, it is just a minor stop on the way to bigger and better things.…
Away from Home – Wandering Around Sasebo
Sorry for the lack of updates lately. As my friend and co-blogger mentioned, we’ve been on the road traveling for Christmas and I’ve spent the New Years holiday down in Kyushu visiting David. Once I get home later this…