I found this on the internet last night and I just had to share it with you all! This company organises for visitors to go to a local Japanese family's house to have a genuine home cooked meal.
I think this is such a great idea. I will definitely sign up for the experience on my next trip!
Check out the link here: http://www.nagomikitchen.com/
You can also do some cooking classes to learn how to make some authentic Japanese meals. Awesome!!!
G
Friday, April 13, 2012
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Cherry Blossom Celebrations
As the cherry blossom season gets under way in Japan, I thought it would be nice to share some of the photos I took of the cherry blossom atmosphere/celebrations and the blossoms themselves.
A spectacular event in Japan and indeed the world.
Enjoy the photos over the next week or so.
G
A spectacular event in Japan and indeed the world.
Enjoy the photos over the next week or so.
G
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| Cherry Blossoms at Zojoji Temple |
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Hiroshima Part 3 - Itsukushima Shrine
As you travel to Miyajima by ferry, the first thing you see is the famous Torii gate. This is considered to be one of the three best views of Japan. The gate sits over the water and looks spectacular and hints of the beauty yet to come. Directly behind the Torii gate is Itsukushima Shrine. It also sits over the water and looks like it is floating at high tide.
Itsukushima consists of a Noh theatre stage, a main hall and a prayer hall. All of these are joined together by corridors all built over the water.
Typical of the Japanese, Itsukushima is simple in its design. Painted red it stands out and highlights the beauty of its surroundings.
Itsukushima is a stunning shrine. Its positioning over the water makes it unique and because of this it should be on everyone's 'to do' list. The solitary red Torii gate is perfectly complimented by the subtley complex Itsukushima. When you stand on the furthest point of Itsukushima and look out through the Torii gate to the Seto Inland Sea, you have a sense of ages past and of a calm which is reflected throughout Miyajima.
The next time I visit Japan I will be coming to Miyajima and staying a few nights at one of the Ryokan. This is because I want to wander around the island at dusk/night after all the day tourists have gone when Itsukushima will be lit up and look even more spectacular.
I enjoyed Itsukushima, but like with everything else in Japan, I want more time to appreciate it. I will be going back!
G
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| The famous Torii gate and Itsukushima behind |
Itsukushima consists of a Noh theatre stage, a main hall and a prayer hall. All of these are joined together by corridors all built over the water.
Typical of the Japanese, Itsukushima is simple in its design. Painted red it stands out and highlights the beauty of its surroundings.
Itsukushima is a stunning shrine. Its positioning over the water makes it unique and because of this it should be on everyone's 'to do' list. The solitary red Torii gate is perfectly complimented by the subtley complex Itsukushima. When you stand on the furthest point of Itsukushima and look out through the Torii gate to the Seto Inland Sea, you have a sense of ages past and of a calm which is reflected throughout Miyajima.
The next time I visit Japan I will be coming to Miyajima and staying a few nights at one of the Ryokan. This is because I want to wander around the island at dusk/night after all the day tourists have gone when Itsukushima will be lit up and look even more spectacular.
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| The view through the Torii gate from Itsukushima |
I enjoyed Itsukushima, but like with everything else in Japan, I want more time to appreciate it. I will be going back!
G
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Hiroshima Part 2 - Climbing Mt Misen
One of the main attractions on Miyajima is climbing Mt Misen. The start of the climb is located a short distance behind Itsukushima Shrine. You can take a rope way up the mountain or walk.
We arrived a little late in the day so we decided to save time and go via the rope way. The views from each gondola ride along the rope way are spectacular. At the end of the rope way is Shishi-wa station which has an observatory and monkeys!!! This was my first encounter with Japan's wild monkeys. There are signs telling you not to look the monkey's directly in the eye as they will think this is a challenge. I took a few photos of them and then we watched them run around and huddle together for warmth. I think they are pretty cute!
We enjoyed the view and pressed on towards the summit.
The trail to the summit can be quite steep in places but is rewarding as you get to stop at a few places along the way. One of these places is Reikado. This temple protects a flame which was originally lit around 1,200 years ago and was used to light the Hiroshima Peace Park eternal flame.
The path to the summit is winding in places and feels positively ancient with small statues here and there and parts where boulders have partially blocked the path. It was a lot of fun exploring the mountain.
Giant boulders and temples along the path.
An ancient path....
The day we selected to climb Mt Misen was a cold, overcast day with fog rolling in and out as we snaked our way to the top and sheets of rain falling over the Seto inland sea in the distance. In this atmosphere we reached the summit to find the area almost to ourselves except for the roaming sacred deer.
Legend tells us that a God sits atop some of the boulders each and every night to watch over the sacred Miyajima.
You can almost feel the God sitting there as you pass by in the almost complete silence at 500 meters above the sea.
The view from the observatory was quite breathtaking on this day.
The climb up Mt Misen is one of those things you have to do at least once in your lifetime. Unfortunately it is not for everyone as it can get steep in parts. We were lucky that the day we visited lent itself to the sacred nature of the island. We were there in early January so it was cold but the trek to the summit warms you up.
Add Mt Misen to your list of 'must see' in Japan - it is more than worth it.
G
We arrived a little late in the day so we decided to save time and go via the rope way. The views from each gondola ride along the rope way are spectacular. At the end of the rope way is Shishi-wa station which has an observatory and monkeys!!! This was my first encounter with Japan's wild monkeys. There are signs telling you not to look the monkey's directly in the eye as they will think this is a challenge. I took a few photos of them and then we watched them run around and huddle together for warmth. I think they are pretty cute!
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| Must....stay....warm! |
We enjoyed the view and pressed on towards the summit.
 |
| The view from Shishi-wa observatory area. |
 |
| The flame lies within this building |
Giant boulders and temples along the path.
An ancient path....
The day we selected to climb Mt Misen was a cold, overcast day with fog rolling in and out as we snaked our way to the top and sheets of rain falling over the Seto inland sea in the distance. In this atmosphere we reached the summit to find the area almost to ourselves except for the roaming sacred deer.
Legend tells us that a God sits atop some of the boulders each and every night to watch over the sacred Miyajima.
You can almost feel the God sitting there as you pass by in the almost complete silence at 500 meters above the sea.
 |
| These are the boulders where the God sits and protects Miyajima. |
The climb up Mt Misen is one of those things you have to do at least once in your lifetime. Unfortunately it is not for everyone as it can get steep in parts. We were lucky that the day we visited lent itself to the sacred nature of the island. We were there in early January so it was cold but the trek to the summit warms you up.
Add Mt Misen to your list of 'must see' in Japan - it is more than worth it.
G
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