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Kyoto contrasts, Gion geishas and... cars
Blog: Muza-chan's Gate to Japan - 17 November 2011
Gion, the old Kyoto district renowned for its Geisha community, is by far the biggest tourist attraction not only in Kyoto but throughout the entire country. It occupies a relatively small area around the Shijo-dori, between Yasaka Shrine in the east and the Kamo River in the west, and it includes two famous streets, one alongside the Shirakawa Canal and the other, Hanami-koji-dori, located between the Shijo-dori and the Kenninji Temple.
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The Weird and Wonderful World of Vegetarian Cuisine in Kyoto: Part 2
Blog: Never Ending Voyage - 15 November 2011
Japan was a culinary adventure for us in a country where food is prepared with love and the quality of ingredients and skill in presentation is world class. Kyoto was the perfect place to venture into the weird and wonderful world of shojin ryori or Zen Buddhist vegetarian cuisine.
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The Grave of a Great Shogun
Blog: Muza-chan's Gate to Japan - 15 November 2011
If you visit Nikko, you must visit the Tōshōgū Shrine. And if you visit the Tōshōgū Shrine, you should visit the grave of one of the most important figures from the history of Japan, Ieyasu Tokugawa, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate. Granted, the grave by itself is not very impressive, but the path to the grave, through a forest of Sugi 「杉」 (Japanese cedars), is truly beautiful.
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Hot Octopus & Straw Shoes: A Winter Festival in Japan
Blog: Inside the Travel Lab - 13 November 2011
Whenever I feel the cold breath of winter on my neck as autumn runs out of time, my tastebuds turn to octopus, the signature dish at...Hot Octopus & Straw Shoes: A Winter Festival in Japan first appeared on Inside the Travel Lab. Head over there for more juicy fresh travel goodness. Or, you know, something you might like to read...
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Osaka Crab Restaurant
Blog: Muza-chan's Gate to Japan - 13 November 2011
Some of the many Japanese food specialties for which Osaka is renowned are the crab dishes (kani in Japanese). There are many Japanese crab menus, some of them popular overseas, too: crab sashimi, crab sushi rolls, kani-suki (crab hot-pot), charcoal-grilled crab, crab tempura…
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The Weird and Wonderful World of Vegetarian Cuisine in Kyoto: Part 1
Blog: Never Ending Voyage - 10 November 2011
Kyoto is a vegetarian heaven in a notoriously difficult country for those who don’t eat meat or fish. In Japan fish broth is in everything, and can be difficult to avoid without eating in purely vegetarian restaurants.
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High-speed Jet Ferry and a Travel Tip
Blog: Muza-chan's Gate to Japan - 10 November 2011
The cruises on Sumida River and in Tokyo Bay, with yakatabune (old-style Japanese houseboats), regular ships or with the futuristic Himiko are a well known attraction in Tokyo. A little less known is the fact that from Tokyo and Yokohama you can enjoy a longer cruise towards Izu Ōshima, the largest (and closest) of the Izu Islands, a group of volcanic islands administered by Tokyo.
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Mt. Odake (大岳)
Blog: Hiking in Japan - 7 November 2011
Mt. Odake, which translates as Big Peak, is a rocky outcrop perched high on the ridge in the Okutama region of Tokyo. The views of Tokyo on a clear winter night from neighboring Mitake are a must-see and the views of Fuji are impressive when the cloud isn’t in. The hike: From the top of [...]
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Photo of the Week: Okunoin Cemetery, Koya-san
Blog: Never Ending Voyage - 6 November 2011
Okunoin is a wonderfully atmospheric cemetery in the temple town of Koya-san up in the Kansai mountains. Tombs and Buddhist statues are scattered throughout an ancient forest of giant cedar trees. These statues with woollen hats and red bibs are Jizo Bodhisattvas.
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We "heart" gyoza
Blog: Budget Trouble - 6 November 2011
As can be expected, in the self-proclaimed Japanese capital of gtoza, we take our gyoza very seriously. So seriously, that every November we throw a mega dumpling party - Gyoza Matsuri.
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Japanese Castle nicknames, the Carp Castle
Blog: Muza-chan's Gate to Japan - 6 November 2011
Many Japanese castles received during history… nicknames. Related to the castle’s appearance or to particular legends, these nicknames are varied, ranging from birds to natural phenomenons… Because of the white exterior, the Himeji Castle is known as Hakuro-jō, “White Egret Castle” or Shirasagi-jō, “White Heron Castle".
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Kyoto, the birthplace of Kabuki
Blog: Muza-chan's Gate to Japan - 5 November 2011
It is common knowledge that Kabuki, the classical Japanese dance-drama, is performed only by men playing both feminine and masculine roles. What is less known is the fact that kabuki was actually created by a woman and, at the very beginning, all the roles were… played by women!
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Japanese Zen Gardens, Isshidan
Blog: Muza-chan's Gate to Japan - 4 November 2011
During the Muromachi period (1336-1573), the Zen Buddhist monks invented a new and unique garden style, the Karesansui gardens, known today as Japanese rock gardens, dry landscape gardens or Japanese Zen gardens. Unlike the typical, large Japanese gardens, with ponds and alleys, the Karesansui gardens are small, designed to be viewed at a glance.
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Nagasaki and the Atomic Bomb Museum
Blog: 501 Places - 31 October 2011
Most of us would never have heard of Nagasaki had it not been for a few rogue clouds. On the morning of August 9th 1945 an American B-29 bomber carrying a nuclear bomb with the code name “Fat Man” was circling over the city of Kokura, its intended target. A late covering of cloud had [...]Nagasaki and the Atomic Bomb Museum is a post from: 501 Places
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Japanese Sweets Store Alley and some Travel Tips
Blog: Muza-chan's Gate to Japan - 30 October 2011
At the beginning of the Meiji era, a confectioner named Tozaemon Suzuki opened a candy store on a small street from Kawagoe. The store was a success and soon afterwards, several other confectionery stores opened on the same street. Soon the small street became known as Kashiya Yokocho, the “Sweets Store Alley". It is estimated that during its peak period, around 1930, more than 70 candy stores were located on this street.
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Hiroshima and the Peace Memorial Museum
Blog: 501 Places - 27 October 2011
Growing up in the latter years of the Cold War the subjects of nuclear wars, mushroom clouds and Armageddon were never far away. We had Reagan and Thatcher talking tough to the revolving procession of aged Soviet leaders while the movies of the day depicted scenes of nuclear wars that caused genuine panic in many [...]Hiroshima and the Peace Memorial Museum is a post from: 501 Places
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Top Destinations – My Travel Wish List
Blog: Landlopers - 26 October 2011
I’m constantly asked about my travel bucket list, to the point where I wrote a post explaining why I don’t believe in travel bucket lists. Simply put, I want to go anywhere I haven’t been before. I love exploring and learning and there are no...Copyright LandLopers All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized use prohibited.
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Mt. Shirakami (白神岳)
Blog: Hiking in Japan - 22 October 2011
Situated on the edge of a UNESCO World Heritage forest, Mt. Shirakami offers a glimpse into the ecosystem of yesteryear, with ancient beech trees, untamed wildlife, and jaw-dropping oceanic views. The hike: If you’ve come by train, you’ve got an awful lot of walking just before reaching the trailhead, so make sure you start early [...]
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Osaka With Kids
Blog: My Little Nomads - 21 October 2011
The Best Things To Do With Kids In Osaka. Continue reading →Read the entire article here: Osaka With Kids Or go straight to The Paris With Kids Guide
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How Much Does It Cost To Travel In Japan?
Blog: Never Ending Voyage - 20 October 2011
The cost of travel in Japan puts many people off visiting. We wouldn’t have travelled there ourselves if we hadn’t had the opportunity to spend three and a half weeks housesitting in Kyoto.
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The Last Shogun of Japan and Paddington Bear: the story of Hakodate
Blog: 501 Places - 20 October 2011
It is said that we can link anyone in the world through no more than five connections. The link between the last Shogun of Japan and Paddington Bear however is considerably shorter than might be expected. These two unlikely characters are in their own way a part of the history of the city of Hakodate [...]The Last Shogun of Japan and Paddington Bear: the story of Hakodate is a post from: 501 Places
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Hiroshima Ground Zero
Blog: Muza-chan's Gate to Japan - 17 October 2011
On my visit to Hiroshima I felt compelled to visit as many places related to the atomic bombing as I could. And I soon noticed that all of them are marked with the distance from the “ground zero"… The “ground zero” term originates from the US Army, defined shortly after the war as the point on the ground located directly beneath the explosion. The bombing target was the Aioi Bridge, but the bomb actually exploded a few hundred meters away from the bridge.
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Photo of the Week: Italy at Disney Sea, Tokyo
Blog: Never Ending Voyage - 16 October 2011
Wandering around the Mediterranean area of the Disney Sea park in Tokyo, we found ourselves transported to the quiet streets of an ancient Italian town. The theming and attention to detail at Disney is truly impressive. You can even take a gondola ride and we had a deliciously authentic pizza overlooking the canals.
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Tokyo Sky Tree Second Observatory
Blog: Muza-chan's Gate to Japan - 16 October 2011
The height of Tokyo Sky Tree, 634 meters, was selected to symbolize the name of the old province that included today’s Tokyo and Saitama, Musashi: 6 「六」 can be read mu, 3 「三」 sa and 4 「四」 shi.
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10 Awesome Cities for Kids and Families
Blog: My Little Nomads - 15 October 2011
The best international cities for kids from Asia, Europe, and North America. Continue reading →Read the entire article here: 10 Awesome Cities for Kids and Families Or go straight to TheTravel With Kids Blog
