INSPIRATION & EXPERT ADVICE FOR INDEPENDENT TRAVELLERS
Every spring, cherry trees all across Japan explode into soft shades of pink, making it one of the most beautiful (and popular) times to visit. The landscapes become irresistible for both travelers and locals alike. It seems like everyone is out enjoying walks in the park, picnicking under the blooming trees and happily capturing nature’s...
Less than an hour from Hiroshima is Miyajima, a small island selected centuries ago as one of the Three Most Scenic Spots in Japan (Nihon Sankei). A claim like that can lead to big expectations, but Miyajima Island has no trouble living up the high praise. Mountains and forests back the island’s historic shrines while...
A late afternoon rain gently pattered down on my umbrella as we walked along a tree-shaded path in northwest Kyoto. The light was dim, the day’s last remaining sunlight unable to break through the clouds. The further along the path we got, the faster I walked, eager to see one of Kyoto’s most famous sites....
One of the fondest memories of our trip to Miyajima Island was hiking Mount Misen. Seeing as Mike and I both love nature, history and experiencing the culture of a destination, Mount Misen was the perfect place for us to combine our interests into an active afternoon of exquisite views and spiritual sites. About Mount...
Miyajima may be known as “shrine island”, but there is just one that takes centre stage- Itsukushima Shrine. You may not know Itsukushima Shrine by name, but you probably have seen photos of the shrine’s famous torii gate, standing in the waters of the Seto Inland Sea. It was photos of this torii gate, seemingly...
The Tokyo International Forum is one of the most unique and distinctive buildings in central Tokyo. Forget your typical city skyscrapers, the International Forum resembles a large ship! Its glass atrium features elegant, curved walls reaching 60 metres high, all supported by metal columns and bars. The inside of the atrium was filled with natural...
Koyasan- sacred, traditional and somewhat mysterious- was one of the most rewarding places we visited in Japan. In this quiet mountain town, we not only got a glimpse into the time-honored ways of Japanese religious life, we got to experience it. We stayed overnight in Buddhist temple, sampled the customary vegetarian cuisine and attended a...
The stone path was dim and moody. Centuries old cedar trees towered above us, shading the moss-covered tombstones below. We didn’t say much as we quietly wandered deep into this ancient cemetery, the largest in Japan. When we did speak, it was in whispers, as though not to wake the dead. You see, we were...
As a sacred site for Buddhism in Japan, Koyasan features many temples dedicated to the practice of Shingon Buddhism. While each is important in their own way, none is as central to Buddhism in Koyasan as the Dai Garan Complex. About the Dai Garan Complex (Danjo Garan) Since the founding of Koyasan in 816, the...
As soon as we arrived at Mt. Koya, I was excited to begin exploring the temples and shrines of this sacred Buddhist site. We started our day in Koyasan by visiting Kongobuji Temple, the beautiful headquarters of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism. About Kongobuji Temple Kongobuji Temple is the result of combining two temples, Kozanji and Seiganji,...
All it took was a seeing a single photo and I was hooked on visiting Yoshino. The picture showed a perfect vista- a vast valley full of pale pink blossoms, as far as the eye could see. I wanted that picture. I wanted to see that scene for myself. So, when it came time to...
It was unlike any mountain path we had walked before. Thousands of vermilion coloured torii gates lined the way, sheltering us from the forests of sacred Mount Inari. On and on we walked, through the seemingly never-ending tunnel of gates at Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari Shrine. The further we walked, the older and less dense the...
Hiroshima, Japan. August 6, 1945. 8:15 am. A bright flash lights up the sky. A fireball 300 metres wide burns with intense heat, 4000°C. Morning commuters disappear, vaporized or turned to carbon in an instant. A mushroom cloud floats up. A powerful shockwave flows over the city, destroying Hiroshima in stages. Buildings become shrapnel, blown...
At the mention of Hiroshima, most people immediately think about the first atomic bomb and the devastation it caused. It will forever be what Hiroshima is known for. It also is the main reason why tourists come to visit Hiroshima. Regardless of what our guidebook led us to believe, there was more to Hiroshima than...
Bright neon signs, flickering video screens, illuminated towers, glowing skyscraper windows, a vibrant energy on the streets- this is Tokyo after dark. Tokyo at night is a bustling, lively place. Sidewalks are busy with people heading for dinner and drinks after a long day at work, while a steady stream of people pour in and...
It’s hard not to love Japan. Beautiful and evocative, Japan awakens your imagination and captures your heart. Japan is a nation that’s not afraid of innovation and progress, yet is passionately protective and proud of its culture. Temples, shrines, peaceful gardens and traditional customs, co-exist with towering skyscrapers, futuristic architecture, speeding bullet trains and a...
After visiting Tokyo’s Sensoji Temple, we walked through the Asakusa district towards the Sumida River. Arriving at the riverbank, we were met with this view of unique and intriguing architecture. On the left, is one of Tokyo’s most modern and well known landmarks, the Tokyo Sky Tree. On the right, is a more perplexing structure...
Japan is a country I have wanted to visit ever since I was in the seventh grade. Learning about it in social studies class, I was fascinated by the history and culture, enamoured by its beauty. As intriguing as Japan was in textbooks, it was infinitely better in real life. Just one day into our...
I had never heard of Japan’s Miyajima Island until I started seeing photos of its famous floating torii gate. Once we booked our two week trip to Japan, this iconic torii was added to my list of must-see places in Japan! The Great Torii (O-Torii) stands at the sea entrance to Itsukushima Shrine and is...
We are Rhonda and Mike, a Canadian couple who make it a priority to travel every chance we get!
We describe our travel style as "laid back luxe" and enjoy a mix of outdoor adventures and historic sites.
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