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”
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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”
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”
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”
Horror and hope
Our next stop is a sombre one – the now infamous town of Hiroshima, forever synonymous with the horrors of the atomic bomb. Whenever we travel, we do our best to try and get beneath the surface of a country, to see all sides of it and it’s history. This can sometimes mean uncomfortable, orContinue reading “Horror and hope”
Brick Lane revisited
Along with a glut of candy coloured neon joy we also took a tour of some of London’s street art hot spots. We take a quick turn around Wood Street in Walthamstowe before heading to my favourite art spotting haunt – Brick Lane. We first visited around four years ago and it’s interesting to see howContinue reading “Brick Lane revisited”
Neon wonderland
Taking a brief break from our Japanese Odyessy to document a quick trip to London this weekend. Staying with a university friend in Amersham we first head to Walthamstowe, the home of 90s boy band E17! There’s a surprisingly quaint old village centre with a 15th century timbered house. But our main focus is hidden,Continue reading “Neon wonderland”
Photo dump!
Last lot of Takayama photos now folks before we head onward to Hiroshima. Random snaps galore! The man poses in front of yet another gorgeous little wooden homestead. If only we could dismantle one and rebuild it in our back garden! Here’s a few colourful snaps of posters, banners and stuff to buy. There’s lotsContinue reading “Photo dump!”
Sake warehouses and canals
Hot on the heels of the Hida folk museum we hop on a train to the quiet little town of Hida Furukawa. The historic, canal-lined streets, temples and museums of Hida-Furukawa are less crowded than Takayama and the town has a wonderful calming feel, due to small canals full of carp that flow through theContinue reading “Sake warehouses and canals”