The Brisbane Botanic Gardens at Mt. Coot-tha are 56-hectares of lush woodland, ponds and examples of the flora of Queensland and from around the world. Not far from the entrance, in a pleasant little hollow, is an unexpected surprise: a small Japanese garden. Like many Japanese gardens, once visitors step through the gate the central … Continue reading A Japanese Corner in Southeast Queensland
This article in Japan Today outlines the history and craftsmanship of gold leaf, 99% of which is produced in Kanazawa. (Archived article published in Japan Today.)
The heat and humidity of the Japanese summer leaves many people looking for a bit of elevation to catch whatever cooling breeze might be available. For people in the Kanto region, one such pleasant respite can be found in a few hours spent at Izu Panorama Park. The park sits atop Mt. Katsuragi at the … Continue reading Staying on Top: Izu Panorama Park
This article in Japan Today introduces a World Natural Heritage site that is one of the most remote spots in Japan, but technically a part of Tokyo. (Archived article published in Japan Today.)
Yoyogi Hachiman Shrine sits on a small wooded hill next to Yamate-dori, one of Tokyo's famed ring roads, just a short walk from Yoyogi Park and an even shorter walk from the shrine's namesake train station on the Odakyu Line. The shrine was founded in 1212, dedicated to Hachiman, a deification of the Emperor Ojin … Continue reading Yoyogi Hachiman Shrine: sacred hilltop with prehistoric roots
This article in Japan Today describes how the city of Toyama has leveraged its glass-blowing history into support for modern glass art. (Archived article published in Japan Today.)
Japan has been called "the land of the gods" because of its many gods, mostly associated with the Shinto religion. Perhaps one of the most popular, or best known, among these is Inari, a god believed to be dedicated to meeting such basic human needs as food, clothing, and shelter. As a god of food, … Continue reading Yutoku Inari Shrine: Kyushu’s largest shrine dedicated to the god of basic human needs
This article in Go Nomad Travel magazine describes a ferry journey across the Tsushima Straits, island hopping from Korea to Kyushu. Lots of interesting things to see, do, and experience! (Archived article originally published in Go Nomad Travel.)
It was a dark and stormy night. A young Buddhist monk named Kukai was aboard one of four ships crossing the East China Sea from Kyushu to Tang China, fearing, as did all aboard, for his life. He prayed for rescue to Munakata Omikami, a goddess of the sea, and also invoked the help of … Continue reading Chinkokuji: preserving part of Kukai’s legacy
Ibaraki's Kasama is a bit of a hidden treasure. Just a couple of hours from Tokyo, it is relatively unknown by foreign tourists, and even by most Japanese. Yet it offers many interesting sights and activities, especially at this time of year. Kasama hosts an annual azalea festival from mid-April to early May (in 2023, … Continue reading Kasama: abundant azaleas (and other delights)
This article in Japan Today describes things to see and do on the border islands of Tsushima and Iki, closer to Korea than to the Japanese mainland with history to match their location. (Archived article published in Japan Today.)
Seventh century Japan wasn't yet a nation-state, but neither were any of its Asian neighbors. Nonetheless, the most powerful of the various groups on the Japanese archipelago, the Yamato, had regular trade and cultural exchanges with its counterparts on the Korean Peninsula, especially the kingdom of Baekche (southwestern quadrant of the peninsula). So when the … Continue reading Kikuchi Castle: an ancient mountain fortress
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