Topic
Photo posts and Tokyo photo walks from around Japan.
105 posts · page 3 of 6
I traveled to Shikoku recently, catching the Shinkansen to Okayama and then the train to Takamatsu, crossing the Seto Ohashi Bridge. This is a stunning set of bridges that links Honshu to Shikoku. There are 2 other bridge routes to Shikoku, but this is the only one that trains go across. The view from Washuzan looking over the bridge was fantastic.
The Konnou Hachimangu Shrine in Shibuya dates back to 1092. This weekend there was a festival held in the grounds of the Shrine to celebrate "Wa" (和), all things that are Japanese, which of course included Sake tasting.
Seijogakuenmae (Seijo) is a family orientated station on the Odakyu Line, running to Shinjuku. It is a very relaxed and green area of Tokyo with plenty of charm about its narrow shady lanes and streets.
Jishu Shrine is located in the Kiyomizu Temple area of Kyoto. It is a Shrine for those praying for good fortune in love. There are a number of good luck charms that can be bought here to help you find your best partner.
Shimokitazawa is a popular area on the Odakyu and Inokashira Lines. On the weekend, the narrow streets around the station are full of people checking out the many stores and restaurants. The area has a relaxed feel about it. Next time I need a guide to show me some of the better places to eat.
Yobuko in Sagaken is a well known harbor town famous for its fresh squid. Many tourists come here to eat squid, ika, that has been freshly caught and then served as sashimi or eaten while the squid is still moving.
Okayama's Korakuen has been in existence since the Edo Period and has entertained many important guests through the years. It is considered one of the three famous gardens of Japan and is designated as a Special Scenic Location under the Cultural Properties Protection Law.
Ise Jingu is made up of a large number of sites around Ise. The most well known are the Gekku and Naiku sites. You can get to Ise Jingu (Naiku) by train from Nagoya. Close by is Okagesama-dori, which has some wonderful old style shops.
Hiroshima Genbaku Dome, the well known scene of the destruction caused by the first Atomic bomb dropped on Japan at the end of World War II. Every year in August a ceremony is held to remember the lives lost and to remind the world of the danger of atomic weapons.
Midtown Water Works at Roppongi is a show that has been put on for the summer months, starting July 17 to August 23, 2010. I went there last night to see what the crowds were enjoying and got caught in the rain.
Summer is a time of festivals in Japan and also the time of Obon. I took these photos at a local matsuri in Chiba which included plenty of drum playing and obon dancing.
Tokyo Daijingu is located near Iidabashi Station in Tokyo. The Shrine is descended from the famous Ise Jingu Shrine in Mie-ken. Tokyo Daijingu is said to be a strong spiritual source for helping couples create good relationships and so has become a popular place for weddings. On week days it is often crowded, particularly with women, who line up to buy good luck charms and omikuji.
Capsule Inns or hotels are well known in Japan for providing a place to stay the night at low cost, without taking up a lot of space. I stayed at one recently and thoroughly enjoyed my time. If you have never tried one I encourage you to give it a go.
There are 2 sets of gardens at Ryoanji Temple, the dry rock garden and the wet gardens. There are fifteen rocks in the dry garden raked with white gravel. There are many stories about the meaning behind these rocks and how they are laid out. It is a good place to come and mediate on life and other subjects
On the weekends you can walk down the main street in the Ginza without any traffic. These cats took advantage of the quiet roads to get some time out on top of one of the street signs.
Kofu is located about 2 hours West of Tokyo in Yamanashi-ken. You can catch an express train from Shinjuku that makes it an easy day trip. Summer can be humid since the town is surrounded by mountain ranges.
Yamashita Koen in Yokohama is a popular place for people to relax and enjoy. Couples stroll up and down the waterfront, families picnic on the grass, children play. The park was formally constructed after the 1923 earthquake, but has a history back to the opening of the Port to the West over 150 years ago.
