Enoshima Island Tour

Hi everyone! It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Well, I haven’t abandoned this blog. Just been focused so much on my other blog. Plus the fact that I no longer live in Japan has made it more difficult for me to regularly post about Japan. However, I intend on posting here once a week again.

To begin, let me reintroduce you to a video series I’m doing called A Taste of Japan. I’ve done several videos in this series already. Here is the most recently published video, all about Enoshima. There will be more than thirty more videos in this series. Please enjoy!

As you may have seen, it’s a fairly long video, and may be one of the longest in this series. But I hope you found it informative and interesting. If you have any comments, please leave them in the comments section below!

Living in Japan: Favourite Thing

I got a big question his week. Check out my answer.

I Read Encyclopedias for Fun

It’s now April 20th, one year from our big move to Canada.  And in honour of that, Sierra has given me one of the most difficult questions to answer.  Thank you very much! Of course, if you have any questions, please post them on the original post here.

S. R. Carrillo asked this whopper of a question:

What’s your favorite part about living in Japan?

Hasedera in Kamakura

Well, Sierra, this is a rather difficult question to answer because I love so much about Japan.  However, I would have to say that one of my favourite things to do is sightseeing.  In particular, old temples and shrines.  I love exploring different places.  The area i live in is so rich in history and historic sites that I haven’t seen them all.  And I lived in Kamakura, one of Japan’s old capitals.  I’ve seen the major sites, but I haven’t…

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Exploring Nara

This time in Exploring Japan, we look at the ancient capital region of Nara in the Kansai area.

Nara Prefecture is located in east of Osaka, in the middle of the Kii Peninsula, and it’s completely landlocked.  The population is 1,396,849. The capital city is Nara.  The 5 largest cities are:

1. Nara (366,591)
2. Kashihara (125,605)
3. Ikoma (120,304)
4. Yamatokoriyama (89,023)
5. Kashiba (75,227)

The prefecture’s population is decreasing steadily, as is the population of Nara city.  However, Kashihara, Ikoma, and Kashiba are all growing, which is a bit unusual.  Usually, it’s the biggest city that grows while the smaller ones lose people.

Castles

Koriyama Castle in Yamatokoriyama has some reconstructed turrets and a gate, but the rest is ruins.  However, it seems that what remains is quite impressive.

Things to see and do

Nara has an incredible wealth of historic sites, and has more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other prefecture in Japan.  Three cities or towns have served as capitals of Japan, and there’s something to see in every place.

Nara is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Japan.  Many of the sites can be found in Nara Park.  A lot of people like to go there to see and feed the deer.  Todaiji temple is very famous, and it’s home to Japan’s largest Daibutsu, or Great Buddha statue.  There’s a lot to see there, including the deer.  Kofukuji temple has a three storey and five storey pagoda, the latter being one of the tallest in Japan.  Sarusawa Pond is a good place to view Kofukuji.  Nara National Museum is an impressive museum and hosts one of the best collections of Buddhist art and artifacts.  Himuro Shrine is well-known for its cherry trees.  Ukimido seems interesting, as it’s a hexagonal building built on Sagaiike Pond, and it looks like it’s floating.  Kasuga Taisha is a temple that has an impressive approach and a great forest, Kasuga-yama Primeval Forest.  Isuien Garden is small, but very beautiful. Yoshikien Garden is next to it, and is also quite pleasant, and free for foreigners.  Shin-Yakushiji temple has some impressive warrior statues.  Outside of the park, there’s also plenty to see.  Heijo Palace is a very impressive and well-preserved historic site with very recent replica buildings, including the Daigoku-den.  Nara City Museum of Photography is good for photography fans.  Yakushiji temple is a reconstructed temple after a fire, and is quite impressive with its two pagodas (one dating back to 730 CE).  Gangoji temple is an interesting place to visit with its many statues, particularly the demon statues. Toshodaiji temple is a very important temple in Japan, as it helped spread Buddhism in the country.  Nara Century Hall has plenty of events.  The Mount Wakakusa Fire Festival has fireworks and dry grass is set on fire.  In March, Shuni-e is a Buddhist memorial service that has been carried out since 752 CE without missing a year.  Nara Toka-e is a festival in August where 10,000 candles are lit around Nara Park.  Naramachi is a historic area that dates back to the 8th century and has several small museums, restaurants, shops and more.

Kashihara was also an old capital of Japan, known as Fujiwarakyo.  Here, you can visit the site of Fujiwara Palace.  But also, there’s Kashihara Shrine and Imaimachi, a well-preserved historic district.

Asuka is a village where another old capital existed, Asukakyo.  In fact, it’s considered the first capital of Japan.  Ishibutai Burial Mound has one of the largest burial chambers found in Japan.  Takamatsuzuka Burial Mound has colour frescas that were found, which are now in the museum next to it.  Asuka-dera temple is said to be Japan’s first Buddhist temple, and it contains a Buddha statue.  Oka-dera temple is also a very old temple, and it has a clay image of Nyoirin Kannon from the 8th century.

Yoshino is a small town that is home to several temples and shrines that are part of the Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range.  Among these are Kinpusenji temple and Yoshimizu Shrine. Also visit Nyoirinji temple, Yoshinomikumari Shrine, and Yoshino Shrine.  You can also visit the Miyataki waterfall.  This mountain town is in the Yoshino-Kumano National Park.

Ikaruga town has one of the most famous sites in Japan, Horyuji temple.  This is a very large temple complex with many impressive buildings.  The Chumon gate has guardian statues that are the oldest in Japan.  Kondo, the Golden Hall, is the oldest wooden building in the world at more than 1300 years old.  Gojunoto is a five-storey pagoda that is the oldest in Japan.  Daikodo is an impressively large building dating back to 990.  Hokkiji temple is another important temple, and it has a three-storey pagoda that is the oldest of its kind in Japan. Horinji temple is another old temple, though some reconstruction has been done due to fire as a result of lightning.

Food

A local specialty is kudzu, a plant that can be used for many kinds of food.  Also, Narazuke is a local kind of pickle traditionally made from melon cucumbers.  Kaki-no-hazushi is a kind of sushi made with mackerel or salmon wrapped in persimmon leaves.  And finally, you can try somen, a kind of noodle made from wheat.

Have you been to Nara?  Did I miss anything?  Leave a comment!

Exploring Nagasaki

We’re going back to Kyushu in this week’s Exploring Japan with Nagasaki.

Nagasaki prefecture is situated on the northwest part of Kyushu and consists of peninsulas and many islands on the East China Sea.  The population is 1,407,904. The capital city is Nagasaki.  The five largest cities are:

1. Nagasaki (443,766)
2. Sasebo (259,800)
3. Isahaya (141,151)
4. Omura (90,517)
5. Minamishimabara (50,363)

The population of Nagasaki and its cities has been declining for quite a long time, since at least the 80s.

Castles

Shimabara Castle in Shimabara is a reconstruction of the original castle.  It’s mostly concrete with not much left of the ruins.  It looks nice, but I’ve heard it’s not impressive.

Hirado Castle in Hirado is another reconstruction.  It’s situated on the top of a hill surrounded by the sea.  It sounds pretty nice.  I’d like to see that.  The main tower is a museum.

Kushima Castle in Omura is the remains of a castle with a reconstructed turret.  The walls are in great shape, so it’s probably worth seeing.  The grounds are now a park.

Kaneishi Castle in Tsushima is located in an interesting place.  It’s on Tsushima Island halfway between Japan and Korea.  There’s a turret gate and some stonework still there.

Things to see and do

Nagasaki is probably most famous for the second atomic bombing by the Americans in World War II.  However, it’s got a rich history with a connection with Europe, particularly Portugal and the Netherlands.  It also has the largest proportion of Catholic people in Japan.

Nagasaki city has a lot to see and do.  The 1945 bombing is commemorated by a couple places.  First is the Atomic Bomb Museum.  Also, try the Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims and the Oka Masaharu Memorial Nagasaki Peace Museum.  And of course, the Nagasaki Peace Park. For some foreign flavour, there’s also plenty to see.  Glover Garden is a collection of European style houses from the 19th century.  The Twenty-Six Martyrs Museum and Monument is a memorial for the 20 Japanese and 6 foreign missionaries that were crucified in the 16th century. Koshibyo Confucius Shrine is the only Confucius shrine that the Chinese built outside of China. Sofukuji temple was also constructed by the Chinese, though they were residents of Nagasaki.  Oura Catholic Church is the oldest church in Japan, though it’s no longer a church. Urakami Cathedral is a reconstruction of the original, having been destroyed in the bombing.  Dejima was the only port in Japan that remained open to the Dutch, and is now a reproduction of the original, allowing you to walk around and see what it was like. Nagasaki Chinatown is the oldest Chinatown in Japan. For something more Japanese or contemporary, there’s plenty to offer.  From the top of Inasayama, you get an amazing view of Nagasaki, and it’s considered one of the top 3 night views in Japan. Nagasaki Penguin Aquarium is a very good aquarium that’s next to the beach. Suwa Shrine is a good place to visit.  The Kofukuji temple was one of the only historic places to escape destruction. Also enjoy the Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture, as well as the Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum.  Off shore, there’s an island called Hashima.  It’s nicknamed Gunkanjima, Battleship Island.  The small island is actually a ghost town, the abandoned ruins of a tiny mining city that used to be the most densely populated place in the world.  Enjoy the Lantern Festival, a Chinese festival featuring thousands of Chinese lanterns.  Also, Kunchi, Nagasaki’s biggest festival with plenty of food and floats.

Sasebo, the second largest city, also has a bit of foreignness about it.  Apart from the US Naval base, there’s plenty of tourists.  The biggest draw is Huis Ten Bosch, the Dutch-themed amusement park.  Sasebo Zoological Park and Botanical Garden is decent, hosting plenty of plants.  Pearl Island Resort is a small shopping mall, and you can also see the small Sasebo Aquarium and IMAX Theater.  To see the history of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, check out the Japan Maritime Self Defense Forces Museum. You can also go on a tour of the Kujuku Islands by boat.

Shimabara, next to Minamishimabara, has a few things to see.  In addition to Shimabara Castle, there’s also Hara Castle Ruins, which consists of foundations and remnants of the Shimabara Rebellion. The main attraction is Unzen-Amakusa National park.  Mt. Unzen is an active volcano, and you can also visit the Mt. Unzen Disaster Memorial Hall.  Mizunashi-honjin Fukae has 11 well-preserved houses that were quickly covered by pyroclastic flows, but are now available for public viewing.

Tsushima is a city that is also an island.  It’s a fairly big island that’s located halfway between Japan and South Korea.  The island has some good things to see.  The Arirang Festival is a Korean-Japanese friendship festival that has unfortunately had a problem, and is suspended for at least 2013.  Tsushima Wildlife Conservation Center is dedicated to only one animal, the Tsushima yamaneko, or Tsushima leopard cat.  Ayumodoshi Nature Park is a good place to go hiking, swimming, and camping. Tsutsuzaki-Osakiyama Park provides a beautiful view of the sea. Tsushima has numerous small mountains that can be hiked, as well as many places to go biking.  There are plenty of beaches to enjoy, as well.

Food

The local favourite in Nagasaki is champon, which is similar to ramen, but uses a lot of seafood.  Ringer Hut is a chain restaurant throughout Japan that specialises in Nagasaki champon.

Have you been to Nagasaki?  Leave a comment with your recommendations!

Exploring Nagano

In this week’s Exploring Japan, we return to central Japan with the mountainous prefecture Nagano.

Nagano Prefecture is located in the central part of Honshu in the Chubu region.  It’s very mountainous, so has little room for habitation.  It has a population of 2,148,425.  The capital city is Nagano.  The 5 largest cities are:

1. Nagano (387,146)
2. Matsumoto (243,571)
3. Ueda (158,187)
4. Iida (104,877)
5. Saku (100,552)

The population of Nagano is slowly declining, with most cities losing people.  However, Matsumoto seems to be growing steadily.

Castles

Matsumoto Castle in Matsumoto is considered one of Japan’s top 3 castles.  It’s an original, and the appearance is unique due to its black and white colour.  This is one castle I want to see very much.

Takashima Castle in Suwa is a reconstruction, and it’s in a unique location, on an island.  It was reconstructed in 1970, and is apparently pretty decent.

Matsushiro Castle in Nagano city is a partially reconstructed castle.  Many buildings have been reconstructed, though the main tower has not.  From what I can tell, it looks pretty nice.

Ueda Castle in Ueda consists mainly of gates, buildings and walls.  It appears to be fairly well-kept.

Komoro Castle in Komoro has a couple of gates and some ruins.  Inside the castle grounds, there’s an amusement park and zoo.

Takato Castle in Ina has a couple gates and a reconstructed turret.  It also has a park that’s good for cherry blossom viewing.

Sports

Matsumoto Yamaga F.C. is Nagano’s representative of J League soccer. They’re in division 2.

Things to see and do

Nagano is famous for a few things, especially its ski and hot spring resorts, as well as Matsumoto Castle.  It’s the location of the 1998 Winter Olympics, of course.

Nagano City has a few attractions, but most people go there because of the nearby ski resorts outside the city.  In the city, the biggest attraction would be Zenkoji, a very old temple with a street lined with old houses and restaurants leading to the gate.  Nishi-no-Mon is a sake brewery and restaurant that’s nearby.  Also nearby is the Nagano Prefectural Shinano Art Museum.  Binzuru is Nagano’s biggest summer festival and it leads up to Zenkoji. Kagai Onsen Ichiyoukan is an interesting hot spring with brown water. Men and women can bathe separately or together. Omura Onsen Makibanoyu is another hot spring with a great view of the valley. Sports facilities from the Olympics also remain open, including M-Wave (the speed skating arena), Big Hat arena, and Aqua Wing arena (now an aquatics centre).

Matsumoto, the second largest city, has some attractions, but like Nagano, most attractions are outside the city in surrounding towns.  But in the city, other than Matsumoto Castle, you can also visit a couple museums.  The Japan Ukiyo-e Museum is a very large museum of the traditional form of art.  Also, there’s the Matsumoto Folkcraft Museum, which isn’t very large. Kaichi School Museum is dedicated to Japan’s first junior high school.  Nawate-dori is a traditional shopping street along the river. Saito Kinen Festival Matsumoto is a classical music festival founded by the famous conductor, Seiji Ozawa.

Azumino city is known for wasabi.  Daio Wasabi Farm and Water Mills is Japan’s largest wasabi farm.  Hotaka Shrine has an incredibly long 100 metre shrine building.  Todoriki Residence is an Edo period hunting lodge. Hot air balloon rides are available through Azumino Kisen Hot Air Balloon Rides.

Chikuma city has an incredible amount of historic sites despite its small size.  Temples and shrines include the beautiful Chourakuji, the large Zenkoji Daihongan Branch temple, the small Chishikiji, Fukeiji and its beautiful gate, and the big Takemizuwake shrine. Joyama Historic Park and Arata-jo Mountain Castle feature castle ruins.  Mori Shogunzuka Burial Chamber features a 1600 year old tomb, the Shinano no Sato Historic Park with a replica village from that time, and the Nagano Prefectural Museum of History.  Other museums include Nishizawa Piggy Bank Museum, Togura Kamiyamada Onsen Museum, Shuzo Collection Sake Museum, Kurashikan Museum (in a restored traditional building), and the Koshoku Furusato Cartoon Museum.  Enjoy the Kamiyamada Onsen Summer Festival, the Togura Fireworks Festival, and Jomon Festival.  There are numerous hot springs to experience, though Zuisho has a beautiful garden. Lots of hiking and cycling is also available.

Komagane is a small city with a couple interesting features. Kozenji temple seems worth a visit.  Komagane Kogen Art Museum features Japanese art. Komagatake Ropeway takes you up Mt. Komagatake with a possible view of Mt. Fuji.

Shiojiri city has a couple things to experience.  It’s known for its wine, so you can enjoy drinking.  It also has the Hiraide ruins archaeological site with a museum.

Suwa is a small resort city that has plenty to do.  Suwa Taisha is a major shrine and hosts the Onbashira festival.  This is one of the most dangerous festivals in Japan, where logs are pulled down into the valley and men try to ride the logs. Suwa Geyser Center has an hourly geyser eruption of about 10 metres.  Hiking the Yatsugatake is popular, as is biking around Lake Suwa.  Suwakoland is a great place for swimming, exercising and enjoying hot springs.  The Suwa Fireworks Festival is considered one of Japan’s top fireworks displays every year on August 15.

Ueda city has a few good things to see.  Anrakuji temple is a beautiful temple that has Japan’s only remaining octagonal pagoda.  Ueda City Museum has some well-preserved samurai armour.  Yamamoto Kanae Memorial Gallery celebrates the art of Kanae Yamamoto and his support of allowing children to do art freely. For more art outdoors, visit Utsukushigahara Open-air Museum.

Hakuba is famous for its ski resorts.  There are 7 main ski areas.

Karuizawa is a small town famous for its summer resort.  It has plenty of shopping, including an outlet shopping mall and the Old Karuizawa Main Street (or Old Karuizawa Ginza) with its high class shops.

Joshin’etsu-kogen National Park is the second largest national park in Japan.  It’s known for Shiga Kogen, the largest ski resort in Japan.  Mount Asama is in this park, and is the most active volcano on Honshu. Jigokudani Yaen-koen is where you can see Japanese macaque monkeys enjoying hot springs.

Kiso Valley has some interesting small post towns to see.  Magome is the most touristy, and gets pretty crowded on its historic main street.  Tsumago is a wonderfully preserved and restored village with Edo period buildings.  Narai is quieter than the other two villages, but you can see an original section of the Nakasendo trail.  The hike between Magome and Tsumago is one of the most famous in Japan.

Obuse is home to the famous Hokusai Museum.  It features art of the famous artist Katsushika Hokusai, who painted the well-known The Great Wave off Kanagawa, part of the Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji.

Food

Nagano’s most famous foods include soba, especially Shinano soba.  It’s also known to have the second best apples in the country.  You can also get wasabi in Nagano, as it has the largest wasabi farm in Japan.  And for the adventurous, try inago, which is stewed grasshoppers.

Have you been to Nagano?  What would you recommend?  Please leave a comment!

Exploring Miyazaki

Back to Kyushu this time for Exploring Japan with Miyazaki Prefecture.

Miyazaki Prefecture is located on the southeastern part of Kyushu, facing the Pacific Ocean.  It has a population of 1,128,412.  The capital city is Miyazaki.  The 5 largest cities are:

1. Miyazaki (399,834)
2. Miyakonojo (168,072)
3. Nobeoka (131,182)
4. Hyuga (63,223)
5. Nichinan (57,689)

The population of the prefecture and most of the cities are in a decline due to the low birth rate.  However, Miyazaki city is growing as many people move to the city.

Castles

Aya Castle in the small town of Aya is a reconstruction from 1985.  However, it’s design is based on pictures of other castles that were built around the same time Aya Castle was.

Obi Castle in Nichinan is mainly ruins, though the main gate has been reconstructed.  There are a few other buildings on the grounds, including a museum.

Nobeoka Castle in Nobeoka consists of ruins.  There weren’t many buildings at this castle in the first place, and no main keep.

Things to see and do

My impression of Miyazaki originally was fruit and surfing.  Miyazaki does attract a lot of surfers to its beaches, but Miyazaki is very well known for growing many kinds of fruits and vegetables.

Miyazaki, the capital, is a popular tourist and resort city.  Aoshima Beach is a major attraction.  It’s great for surfing and Aoshima island is also popular with its shrine and interesting geological features. The Aoshima Subtropical Botanical Garden should be nice to see. Miyazaki-jingu shrine is dedicated to Japan’s first emperor, Jinmu.   You can visit the Heiwadai Tower in Heiwadai Garden.  The city has a zoo, the Miyazaki-city Phoenix Zoo.  Tom Watson Golf Course is also in the city and is one of Japan’s most famous and popular golf courses.

Ebino city doesn’t have much to see, but I found a couple of events that seem interesting.  In late July, there’s the Cow Jumping Festival.  Cows jump logs to celebrate the health of livestock.  August sees the Taiko Festival and Odaiko Odori, both Taiko drum festivals.

Hyuga has an interesting sight.  The Mimitsu area has a lot of traditional, historic buildings from the 19th century.

Kobayashi city has several things to see and do.  Ikoma Plateau provides a great view of the city from its flower garden. Idenoyama Park has an aquarium, restaurants, and a lake.  It also hosts the Firefly Festival. Sannomiya Gorge would be great to see. Cross the Suki Suspension Bridge, and you can visit the Mamako Falls. Inyoseki is a fertility shrine with a rock shaped like a phallus.

Nichinan seems like a very interesting city.  Apart from the Obi Castle ruins, there’s plenty to see.  I’m interested in Udo Shrine, which was built into the side of a seaside cliff.  Horikawa Canal District features a restored canal. Tsu no Mine is a mountain with a good view of the port area. Sun Messe Nichinan features replicas of 7 Moai Statues of Easter Island. Aburatsu Port Festival has rowing and bow and arrow competitions.  The Obi Castle Festival has an interesting looking parade procession.

Saito city has a few interesting places to see.  Saitobaru is a National Special Historic site with a historical research facility. It features 311 burial mounds in 9 clusters. The Tonokori Castle ruins are also in Saito.  Tsuma Temple seems interesting, as well.

Takachiho is a small town that has some historic sites.  The Takachiho Gorge and the Minai Waterfall are great to see from a boat. The Ama-no-iwato shrine is situated above the gorge. There’s plenty to see at Shonenji temple, as well.  You can also see Takachiho Shrine and the Takachiho Onsen (hot springs).  At the base of the gorge, there are a couple teahouses that serve nagashi somen, which are noodles that flow down bamboo chutes.

Food

Miyazaki is famous for its fruit, of course.  But something that looks really good to me is the chicken. Specifically, sumibiyaki, which is chicken meat cut into small pieces and charbroiled.  Chicken Nanban is marinated in sweet and sour sauce, then deep fried.  Sounds good!

Have you been to Miyazaki?  What would you recommend? Please leave a comment!