Scenic view artificial lake of Miboro Dam The bus tour took us along the scenic reaches of the Shokawa River, including a stop to see two 450 year old Cherry Blossom trees. Amazingly both Cherry blossom trees survived after removal from the grounds of two ancient temples, Shorenji and Korinji temples.They have survived and flourished. […]
‘Sugidama’ Sake Breweries |Traditional shops – Takayama Japan
February 20, 2013 by
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Traditional Sake Breweries We walked through the Sanno-machi streets of the traditional area and were able to investigate the shops more thoroughly which proved pretty interesting. There are quite a few Sake breweries in the area, many of them established since 1692. Each brewery uses a different rice variety and has a unique traditional sake […]
Hida Hotel Plaza | Farmers Market – Takayama Japan
February 14, 2013 by
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A delightful stay at the Hida Hotel Plaza Back to the hotel plaza. I loved our room in this hotel, Hida Hotel Plaza – spacious rooms decorated in traditional Japanese style in colors of red and gold. A very large en-suite with shower, separate dressing room, prayer niche, comfy beds with gold covers and black […]
Two headed monster-Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine-Takayama-Gifu Province
February 6, 2013 by
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Torii gate – old Takayama town Walking down the street in old Takayama town, we passed through the Torii (gate) Hie-jinja, up a few flights of steps to reach the entrance gate to the Shinto Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine at the top of the hill. The shrine sits against a background of dark green forest trees. […]
Takayama Festival Floats – Matsuri Festivals – Gifu Province Japan
January 30, 2013 by
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This photo of Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall is courtesy of TripAdvisor Takayama Festival Float Exhibition Hall Takayama is famous for the Sanno-machi Historic District (old town area) and the biannual Takayama Matsuri (Festival). The Takayama Matsuri considered one of the most beautiful festivals in Japan with ancient (17th century) floats being pulled through the […]
What is an ‘Irori’? What is a ‘Jizai-kagi’? Takayama – Gifu Province Japan
January 21, 2013 by
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Timber forests along the riverbank We left the hotel and pretty topiary gardens and made good time to Odawara Station. Nice views of small settlements and dark green timber forests along the riverbank. A smooth ride on the Shinkansen to Nagoya where a new guide met us on the platform, an easy transition to the […]
Mt Fuji | Sacred Mountain | Lake Ashi – Komagatake Ropeway – Japan
July 13, 2012 by
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Mt Fuji the ‘Sacred Mountain’ A day trip to visit the sacred mountain of ‘Mt Fuji’ was a special journey. Mt Fuji also known as the ‘Shy Mountain’, very rarely is the summit visible, it is always shrouded in cloud or mist. The road verges were deep in snow drifts as the bus journeyed up […]
Nikko-Lake Chuzenji & Kegon Waterfall|Tokyo Japan Travel
May 30, 2011 by
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A Traditional Japanese Meal Lunch was a very late affair, but no one noticed, as we had all been so absorbed in the beauty at Toshogu Shrine. However this was a traditional Japanese meal, a simple meal, but served very attractively, with individual servings for each person in lacquered and porcelain bowls, and an iron […]
Demolition and Devastation | Travel Tokyo Japan
September 8, 2010 by
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This was a beautiful traditional Japanese architectural style theatre where I saw a performance in 2007. I was so shocked to read it had been demolished. It will be rebuilt by 2013. Meantime Japanese Kabuki will be staged at the Shinbashi Enbujo Theatre nearby.
Toshogu Shrine | Japan Tokyo Travel
September 5, 2010 by
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A day tour to Nikko National Park and the Toshogu Shrine. An amazing experience, not to be missed if you are visiting Tokyo, Japan.