As we pass through the streets of Kyoto I stealthily snap away at some of the beautiful, colourful ladies parading in traditional costume. Locals and tourists alike enjoy hiring these elaborate outfits. The women we spot are mainly wearing Yukata. These are inexpensive, informal summer robe for summer that’s popular for cherry blossom viewing parties, festivals andContinue reading “Colourful clothing and consumerism”
Category Archives: Japan
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Kiyomizu-dera Temple is a brightly coloured, busy temple in the heart of Kyoto’s tourist district. It’s one of the most visited temples in the city so prepare for crowds! This orange and green beacon of worship is thronged with visitors who swarm up its steps from the neighbouring shopping streets. Over 1200 years have passedContinue reading “Kiyomizu-dera Temple”
Shopping, shrines and sweeties
We’re back in Kyoto in the gorgeous shopping streets of Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka. The names Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka, mean ‘Two-Year Hill’ and ‘Three-Year Hill’ . These are referring to the ancient imperial years when they were first laid out. Legend has it that you will die within two years if you fall down on Ninen-zaka and youContinue reading “Shopping, shrines and sweeties”
Captivating Kyoto
Leaving Hiroshima behind the next stop on our tour is the fascinating city of Kyoto. A heady mix of bustling modern city and hauntingly beautiful traditions. Before we even get into the city however I am distracted (it doesn’t take much TBH) with a selection of colourful magazines. Then a cute little shrine, festooned with moreContinue reading “Captivating Kyoto”
Last shrine scenes
Here’s some final pictures from the Daishoi-In Shrine on Miyajima island. This quirky little temple is chock a block with interesting sights. These little Buddhas demonstrate the concept of getting through life by ignoring everything! Within the shrine is a beautiful cave full of hundreds of lanterns. Henjokutsu Cave holds 88 principal Buddhist icons which are relatedContinue reading “Last shrine scenes”
Statue mash up
Carrying on our trip around Daishoi-In Shrine we come across a room full of little gold statues. This is the room of 1000 Fudo Images. Commemorating the succession of the current (77th) head priest, one thousand Fudo myo-o, or Immovable King, images were donated by worshippers. The shrine is stuffed to the gills with aContinue reading “Statue mash up”
Daisho-in Shrine
Itsukushima Shrine might be the most well known but it is not the only shrine on Miyajima Island. We’re off to explore one of the lesser known (but to my mind even better) shrines. Daisho-in is the main temple of the Shingon Buddhist school of Omuro and it’s a treat! It is located at theContinue reading “Daisho-in Shrine”
Itsukushima Shrine
We’re carrying on our exploration of Miyajima Island now and we manage to wrangle an actual snap of us together! There’s a pretty little stretch of beach on the island that is completely empty except for us hardy Brits! Next up on our mooch is the pretty Itsukushima shrine where walkways seem to hover aboveContinue reading “Itsukushima Shrine”
Miyajima Island
Next stop on our whistle stop tour is Itsukushima, also known as Miyajima, a small island in Hiroshima Bay. We hopped on the JR ferry for the short trip across the bay to the island. You can get a ticket as part of the Japan Rail Pass so bonus for us! Just offshore, a giant, orangeContinue reading “Miyajima Island”
Hiroshima Castle
Hiroshima Castle (広島城 ) was built in the 1590s, but was destroyed by the atomic bomb on August 6, 1945. It was rebuilt in 1958 and now serves as a museum of Hiroshima’s history before World War II. Mōri Terumoto, one of Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s council of Five Elders, built the castle between 1589 and 1599. It was locatedContinue reading “Hiroshima Castle”