Temple Ruins, Hiraizumi, Japan
At the Motsu-Ji site in the World Heritage town of Hiraizumi, Japan, most of the huge temple complex built in the 8th Century has been destroyed by wars, fires, and earthquakes over the years.
Asia
Types of Accommodations in Japan: We’ve Tried Them All
We’re not backpackers, but we’ve been on the move constantly during our six weeks in Japan. We’ve experienced a range of accommodations, but none for longer than five nights–at the … Read more
The Temple of the Golden Pavilion, Kyoto, Japan
The most famous temple in Japan, the gilded Temple of the Golden Pavilion of Kyoto, was intentionally burned to the ground in 1950 by a deranged monk.
Seven Things I’ll Never Get Used to in Japan
Food? No problem. Small spaces? Check, I can handle that. But still there are a few matters, after a month in Japan, that continue to surprise me. 1. Public … Read more
Visiting the A-Bomb Memorials in Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Seeing the stark record of the atomic bomb destruction in Hiroshima and Nagasaki makes us reflect yet again on the horror of war.
Japan Saves the Day: Helpful People Rescue Klutz Yet Again
Is it that the people of Japan are so helpful, or that I’m in such need of help? Probably both. Today I had a third encounter, not with the pavement*, … Read more
Sakurajima Volcano, Kagoshima, Japan
We took sort of an unplanned side trip to Kagoshima, at the very end of the southern Japanese island of Kyushu, just to see one of the most active volcanoes … Read more
Itsukushima Shrine, near Hiroshima, Japan
The Itsukushima shrine, a torii arch set into the sea near Hiroshima, and its attendant Noh theater stage, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Zenkoji Temple, Nagano, Japan
Zenkoji Temple in Nagano offers a variety of religious images best taken in context.
Matsumoto Castle, Matsumoto, Japan
We toured the castle at Matsumoto, which is entirely made out of wood, btw, while we waited for the light to swing around and hit the “good” side of the … Read more