Advice about Jinjya (Shrine)
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A Summer Day Tour in Misaki Port and Jogashima
If you have a day to get out and adventure, I suggest you make your way to Miura's Misaki Port and neighbouring island, Jogashima. Only one hour away from Yokohama, it makes for a perfect day trip.Misakiko, now a thriving tuna port (the locals call it the "City of Tuna), it boasts a fish market…(424 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Untouched, Friendly and Awaiting your Arrival; Shizukuishi, Iwate Japan.
I planned to arrive in Shizukuishi, Iwate Prefecture while the sun was still shining, but a speech in Chiba City delayed my arrival until long after the moon rose on this village of just over 17,000 residents in Northeast Japan. It was a sweltering day with temperatures around 36 degrees Celsiu…(1112 words)
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The Best Views of Fuji
Kintoki Mountain is a hiking route starting in Hakone or Ashigara. The trail is steeped in legend and named after the legendary Japanese children`s tale, Kintaro. Kintaro is the story of a boy raised in the mountains with animals as friends. There are tales of him wrestling bears, running with deer…(261 words)
Kintaro-man
Amazing Japanese Festivals in August
Many neighborhood associations take great effort to prepare for the yearly Matsuri (festival) in their area. This photo is taken in August as a group in the Noge area of Yokohama transports their O-mikoshi (portable shrine). The taxi driver proudly told me that one of these shrines can cost more th…(166 words)
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Not Quiet Temples and Shrines
Some Japanese temples are beautifully quiet places with peaceful gardens. Before I came to Japan I mistakenly imagined all temples and shrines would be like that. I was thinking of ponds with koi carp and turtles, perfectly maintained leaf-free stone gardens, and areas sculpted with moss and plants…(255 words)
David
Bedazzled by Buds and Blooms
Japanese, and many foreigners who have lived here for a time, have a particular love for sakura season. Of course, the blooming of the sakura trees does herald the arrival of spring and - hopefully - the end of a cold winter. The sakura maps that are popular on TV news, newspapers, Facebook, and ot…(575 words)
Joe Peters
View the Most Beautiful Cherry Blossoms in Japan
A somewhat drab introduction in the metro underground of Kudanshita will quell your palate for something exciting outside. You have probably heard about the beauty of Cherry Blossom season in Japan, but NOTHING will prepare you for the jubilance and grace of huge Cherry trees stretching branch tips…(289 words)
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In Basho's Footsteps
In May 1689 the great Haiku poet Matsuo Basho sold his house and began travelling north through Japan. His written impressions of the journey, over 1200 miles later, became The Narrow Road to the Deep North, a compilation of travel sketches in prose and verse which is a famous reminder of Basho’s o…(379 words)
InBasho'sFootsteps
Ginkgo Biloba, Get Ready for a Gold Tokyo!
I live in the city of Shinagawa and on my way to Shinagawa JR train station, I walk along the properly spaced and placed trees along the main road along the JR train tracks. The tree I am describing is titled Ginkgo Biloba or at times it is known by maidenhair tree. According to Wikipedia, “Gin…(541 words)
AustinA
Japanese Chrysanthemums, A Wonderful Sight To See During Your Visit in Japan
"Kiku" is the Japanese word for Chrysanthemum. After residing in Japan for some 28 years, I understand that the Japanese relationship with this beautiful flower is deep, intricate and somewhat mysterious especially when you are a newbie visitor.I happen to live next to Japan’s second larges…(798 words)
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Kamakurabori Museum Encounter the world of Kamakurabori carving, a traditional handcraft
Even if you have never heard the name “Kamakurabori”, I am sure that many people would say “oh, I have seen this before!” when they see the real thing. Some might incorporate Kamakurabori carvings in their daily lives, whether in a tray, incense container or tea canister. It is a traditional handcr…(1148 words)
Kanagawa P.G.T.D.
Nikko travel guide: access and things to do
Nikko is one of the most historically significant cities in Japan, situated between the mountains of north Tokyo. The city is located in very close proximity to the Nikko National Park, which offers great views of the mountain peaks, as well as numerous waterfalls and hot springs, where you can…(673 words)
Carlos P.
Kyoto travel tips - spend a day exploring Japan’s old capital
Kiyomizu-dera & Jishu Shrine“Kiyomizu-dera is a beautiful temple in Kyoto up on the hills, with a view over the city. The temple grounds are a nice place to walk around and look at the many halls, gates, and pagodas from different angles... Make sure to walk around the different buildings and g…(399 words)
DeepJapan
Hakuhinkan ginza shop, vstone robot shop are good places to collect souvenirs for kids
Hakuhinkan Ginza - http://www.hakuhinkan.co.jp/guide_en.html is a place to visit for sure. Here you can find lots of toys, puzzles, gadgets from Japan that will surely be liked by kids from any country. Its an awesome place. Vstone - kids robots building place - http://www.vstone.co.jp/english/…(121 words)
suku
Top 10 Things to DO in NIKKO Japan | WATCH BEFORE YOU GO | Onsen Paradise
Japan Travel Guide - A Tour of Nikko onsen & area including Kinugawa Onsen. This Away from Tokyo Guide series ventures into the Top 10 things to do in Nikko Japan. This Nikko Tour visits Nikko Onsen, Nikko Edo Wonderland aka Edomura, Toshugu Shrine a Unesco World Heritage location and Nikko food,…(140 words)
DeepJapan Editor
Shinagawa-jinja Shrine Grand Festival
There are various festivals held in different areas of Shinagawa City throughout the year. When there is a festival, there are rows of vendors selling delicious local foods. There is also an omikoshi (portable shrine) procession, which is something you do not get to see everyday. The most spec…(97 words)
EmiOnishi
Make Mochi! A Fun New Years Family Event in Japan
In my opinion, there is nothing better to do in Japan during winter than participate in "mochi-tsuki" and eat fresh and delicious mochi. Mochi-tsuki is a Japanese New Year's tradition and events will be held around the first of January. Usually "Mochi-tsuki" is hosted by the neighbourhood communit…(123 words)
GenS
Matsuri (Festivals)
The best time to experience a festival in Japan is in from spring to fall. The best ones are in the summer, although many are technically in the spring or fall because their origins coincide with harvests or the opening and closing of fishing season.The most interesting and common matsuri are …(306 words)
mikekato
Water, Water, and many drops to drink
Omizu (mizu if you're not using the honorific "O") is the Japanese word for water. If you're visiting Japan you can be assured that the water from taps is safe to drink wherever you're visiting. However, if you really insist on paying 100 to 200 yen for a bottle of water you'll find plenty of brand…(279 words)
Joe Peters
People love to go to Shrines and Temples
One of the most popular is the Ise Shrine.If you ever get a chance to go to Mie-ken I strongly recommend it.In New Year Season I'd suggest to take public transport or if you go by car you should park your car one exit before the actual exit due to heavy traffic.They offer buses to take you …(229 words)
Yuuki I
First Visit for the New Year - Hatsumode
Many Japanese people visit shrines and temples during the first days of the year. It is a way to start into the new year. The new year starts at midnight, so people line up already in the evening of December 31. At the big popular places like Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa or Meijijingu in Harajuku it …(161 words)
David
Day Trekking at Mt. Takao
At 599 meters, or just under 2,000 feet, Mount Takao - Takaozan in Japanese - isn't an especially high mountain. However, with over half a dozen trails leading to the top, in addition to a cable car and chair lift that goes about halfway to the summit, Takaozan offers a great place for a day outing…(822 words)
Joe Peters
How to visit shrines in Tokyo Metropolis!
Japanese shrines generally are based in Shintoism and temples are based on Buddhism. Buildings have different names depending on religions just as we have churches for Christianity and mosques for Muslims. An easier way to tell which one is which is that you’ll find tori archways at shrines and g…(349 words)
Eddie
Ohanami in Tokyo
If you have time now you should go to Yasukuni shrine and Chidorigafuchi beside of Kitanomaru park. A lot of Cherry blossom trees blooming now. Tomorrow will be rain so you should go now! You have casual Japanese good with sake for dinner at Yasukuni shrine. If you have time now just go!(53 words)
noby
Local Secret: YaNeSen
You know you are in for something special when, on the way to Nippori station on the eternally jammed Yamanote line, you find yourself in an almost empty train watching the buildings get smaller and smaller.Affectionately known as YaNeSen (Yanaka-Sendagi-Nezu), this part of Tokyo was untouched …(307 words)
Chiara
Wisteria: Fuji - Spring Flowers in Japan
Tokyo changes all the time, but there are a few places left that feel unchanged. Kameido Tenjin Shrine is a place like this. I was there today for the wisteria flower festival and it was like walking through the old print from "One Hundred Famous Views of Edo" by Utagawa Hiroshige. Wisteria flo…(154 words)
David
Ribbit said the frog. RIBBIT!! said the GIANT frog.
Kaeru in Japanese means to return. The same sounding word, kaeru, means frog.Many Japanese return to the Juban Inari Shrine time and again to offer a prayer or see these two frogs that sit just to the right of the steps leading up to the shrine. This shrine is also one of the stops during t…(262 words)
Joe Peters
Short trip in Fukuoka? There is Dazai Tenmangu and Toto factory to visit
In Kyushu, there are many lovely things to visit and usually, Fukuoka, is not a must-go on the list.But, if you go there, you can certainly enjoy your time.Dazai Tenmangu is a temple dating from the 10th century and built by a Michizane Sugawara, an high-rank administrator of the Heian gov…(344 words)
Claire
Do you like Ukiyoe ? A day tour with Ukiyoe prints with a Japanese bilingual guid!
10:00 am Gather at KataseEnoshima Station of the Odakyu Enoshima Line. ▶Walk to Enoshima Shrine. ▶Have Japanese Sweet then lunch at Restaurant. ▶Explore …(62 words)
sushiyanotsuma
Torinoichi (or Otorisama)
Torinoichi is held at Ohtori Shrine and Chokokuji Temple, next to each other. This year (2014), the event is on November 10 and 22. As people buy a little bigger Kumade, called Kakkome, every year, the Kumade is going to be huge. It is interesting that this festival starts at midnight (0:00) and en…(98 words)
Keiko, OTT
Cultural experience walking tour in Nihonbashi, Tokyo
As depicted in some of Ukiyoe, former fish market of Tokyo had been situated in Nihonbashi. So in the area where the fish market had been, which is next to Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi department (the flagship store), we can see some clues of the history. Some shops, called “Shinise” (long-established sho…(500 words)
TomokoI
How Japanese spend New Year's Day lately....
Well, you may be a bit disappointed. But these days, more and more family stay away from home for the New Year's days. As you may know, New Year's Days is much more important than Christmas (or Hanuka or whatever you call "happy holiday") holiday season. Everybody takes at least these three-day …(397 words)
KIH
How to enjoy Matsuri in Shitamachi
May is the most comfortable month in Japan. Sun shines, flowers bloom and wind blows softly. However, in Shitamachi, May is the season of Matsuri, the summer festivals of Shrines.Usually, the main events including Miya-Mikoshi is on Sunday. In the early morning Mikoshi is started from a shrine …(241 words)
Keiko, OTT
Three things to complete your Kawagoe day trip
Visiting the religious place is sometimes hard.... especially that religion is not of yours and not easy to understand. And also for children.I visited too many temples and shrines in my life. So even I feel get confused of them unless I mean to visit there on purpose. However....these place…(337 words)
Zara
Recharge in Luxury at the Hyatt Regency Tokyo
Being sick is no fun at all, especially when there is work to be done. Thankfully, the last time I found myself ill in Tokyo, I was checked into the Hyatt Regency hotel and it proved to be a perfect place to get some rest during a hectic week.Located in Shinjuku, the Hyatt Regency Tokyo isn't f…(347 words)
Petra
Who would ever think up a festival like this and then keep it going for 1,200 years
Who would ever think up a festival like this and then keep it going for 1,200 yearsIt was our second day of pulling a ten-ton log down a mountain with 50 hefty men clad in fancy gear riding on top of it that my friend Andrew visiting from Australia turned to me and said, "who would ever dream u…(971 words)
Phil
Summer in Hayama
Hayama is located on the bottom side of the Miura Peninsula, between the cities of Zushi and Yokosuka. This quiet seaside community has been a popular home for actors, businessmen, and wealthy expats, but it might be best known as being the site of one of the Imperial Villas.Although the two ma…(529 words)
scramjetmach9
Observe a 97 meter waterfall up close and in person
Nikko is only about two hours away from Tokyo by train, but the contrast couldn’t be me stark. Tokyo is crowded with buildings, but Nikko is abundant with nature. There is also a sacred atmosphere in Nikko as it is home to many temples and shrines, including the well known Nikko Toshogu shrine.…(285 words)
DeepJapan Editor
How to Enjoy Hiroshima Twice as Much!
Many people want to go by themselves and learn about the importance of pursuing world peace and the influence of nuclear weapons by visiting the Atomic Bomb Dome and the Hiroshima Peace Park. In addition, Miyajima’s huge, iconic Torii gate over the water attracts many people with its mysterious pre…(431 words)
DeepJapan Editor
Nikko – breathtaking shrines, temples, and landscape
5 things to do in Nikko“Nikko is one of the most historically significant cities in Japan, situated between the mountains of north Tokyo. The city is located in very close proximity to the Nikko National Park, which offers great views of the mountain peaks, as well as numerous waterfalls and ho…(466 words)
DeepJapan