Heading back from Nikko we’re catapulted back into the frenetic modernity of Japan and it’s hectic railway network. Even the usually dry train literature is exciting to me. It helps that it’s super cute and colourful too. The bullet trains have magazines advertising lots of intriguing, and in some cases, unfathomable, things for sale includingContinue reading “Capsule hotels & manic manga”
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Into the abyss
After the wonders of Nikko we head to the impressively named Kanmangafuchi abyss. Kanmangafuchi is also known for its row of about 70 stone statues of Jizo, a Bodhisattva who cares for the deceased. This particular group of Jizo statues is alternately called “Bake Jizo” (Ghost Jizo), “Narabi Jizo” (Jizo in a line) or “HyakuContinue reading “Into the abyss”
Final details
A last look now at the sumptuous shrines and temples of the UNESCO World Heritage site at Nikko. Toshogu Shrine, one of the main sites at Nikko, is the final resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate that ruled Japan for over 250 years until 1868. Ieyasu is enshrined at ToshoguContinue reading “Final details”
Deeper into Nikko
As we wander further into the beautiful world heritage site of Nikko we’re overwhelmed by the decoration and religious details. Below is the Mizuya, a stone building sheltering the water basin used for purification before entering the temple buildings. Below are more details of the Kyōzō, the shrine’s storehouse for sutras or holy scriptures. I loveContinue reading “Deeper into Nikko”
Moss strewn and mysterious
The UNESCO World Heritage Site Shrines and Temples of Nikkō includes 103 buildings and the stunning natural setting around them. The buildings belong to two Shinto shrines (Futarasan Shrine and Tōshō-gū) and one Buddhist temple (Rinnō-ji) Above is Ishidorii, the imposing stone Tori gate at the entrance to the temple complex. Torii literally means BirdContinue reading “Moss strewn and mysterious”
Nearing Nikko
After the excitement of our first ever bullet train ride we arrive in the small town of Nikko. Nikko itself is a fairly average Japanese town, nothing too unusual (EXCEPT IT’S IN JAPAN!) We’re actually heading to Nikko National Park, a scenic place of natural beauty and ornate shrines. We meander through the town untilContinue reading “Nearing Nikko”
Biting the bullet
Finally it’s come to the defining Japanese moment that the train geek man has been waiting for for months . . . our first bullet train!! These super slick, pointy nosed, high speed beasts criss-cross Japan at jaw dropping speeds. There’s no time for dilly dallying, hence the sight of cleaners lined up ready andContinue reading “Biting the bullet”
For Sakes sake . . .
Another of my Japanese obsessions is the beautifully ornate Sake barrels often found displayed close to shrines. There is a particularly impressive Sake barrel display close to the entrance of Meiji Jingu Shrine in Shibuyu. When displayed near a Shinto shrine, such barrels are called kazaridaru, which means “decoration barrels.” The barrels on display areContinue reading “For Sakes sake . . .”
High jinks in Harajuku
Next up on my must see list was the quirky shopping and sights of Tokyo’s stylish teens – Harajuku. So after watching the human chaos at Shibuyu crossing we head through the bustling streets towards the style mecca of Harajuku. We know we’ve arrived when we spot the cartoony flowers marking the entrance to TakeshitaContinue reading “High jinks in Harajuku”
Shibuya Scramble!
A quick hit and run post here folks! It would be a shame, nay a sacrilege, to come to Tokyo and not take a walk across the famous intersection outside Shibuya Station AKA the Shibuya Scramble! Rumoured to be the busiest intersection in the world (and definitely in Japan), Shibuya Crossing sends literally hundreds ofContinue reading “Shibuya Scramble!”