Tag: japan

From samurai towns and castles to cherry blossom season, autumn foliage, museums, and one-of-a-kind festivals, this tag gathers everything that makes traveling through Japan so distinctive.

Historics, Religious Places

The Mystique of Yakuo-in Temple: Encounter Tengu Legends, Ancient Myths and Sacred Goma Rituals

The Yakuo-In temple on Mount Takao, Tokyo, is steeped in 1200 years of history, intertwining with Tengu (demon-like deities) and Buddhist rituals like Goma. The temple complex, adorned with Tengu statues and a five-storied pagoda, offers a glimpse into Japan’s mythical folklore amidst natural beauty. Continue reading The Mystique of Yakuo-in Temple: Encounter Tengu Legends, Ancient Myths and Sacred Goma Rituals

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Nature, Parks

Harbor View Park – Gaze at Neon City Views & Walk Through Remnants of the Taisho Era

Harbor View Park, or Minato no Mieru Oka Koen, offers a stunning view of Yokohama’s skyline and the famous Minato Mirai. The 72-hectare park is filled with lush greenery, a picturesque rose garden, and historical sites, making it a tranquil stop from the city of Tokyo. Continue reading Harbor View Park – Gaze at Neon City Views & Walk Through Remnants of the Taisho Era

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Historics, Religious Places

Kyoto’s Higashi Honganji & Nishi Honganji Temple – The Largest Wooden Structure In The World

One of the underrated places near Kyoto station is the magnificent Higashi Honganji and Nishi Honganji temple. Known as the Place of the Original Vow, these temples have stood since the time of Oda Nobunaga, having a stronghold in both politics and religion Continue reading Kyoto’s Higashi Honganji & Nishi Honganji Temple – The Largest Wooden Structure In The World

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Historics, Religious Places

Discover Otagi Nenbutsuji: Kyoto’s Secret Temple of 1200 Whimsical Rakan Statues

Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple, nestled in Kyoto’s Arashiyama hills, is a special temple because of its 1200 whimsical stone statues. The site offers a unique blend of 30-year art and faith, providing a serene and joyful escape from traditional Buddhist temples in Japan. Its autumn beauty and cultural festivals make it a hidden gem in Kyoto. Continue reading Discover Otagi Nenbutsuji: Kyoto’s Secret Temple of 1200 Whimsical Rakan Statues

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The 'Warehouse district' of Kawagoe, aka, Kurazukuri with its line of Edo period merchant houses and shops
Historics, Towns and Cities

Kawagoe Guide: Experience The Unique Japan Post Town From Edo Period Bell Towers to Taisho Era Streets

Just a little away from the bustling futuristic city of Tokyo, lies a historic town where the echoes of a bygone era can still be heard today. This town in Japan, where its streets are riddled with samurai-period buildings is known as Kawagoe. Embarking on a day trip to Kawagoe is a pilgrimage through multiple centuries where you can go back to more than a … Continue reading Kawagoe Guide: Experience The Unique Japan Post Town From Edo Period Bell Towers to Taisho Era Streets

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The view of Yokohama Harbor from Landmark Tower Sky Garden
Movie Locations

7 Must Visit Places in Yokohama: The Real-Life Location of Anime ‘Bungou Stray Dogs’

Tall, shimmering skyscrapers. An iconic color-changing ferris wheel. A port that sees humungous ocean liners and cruises cross into the seas. And crowds that wear the utmost stylish clothes. Dazzling Yokohama has every appeal to be on screen in scenes of an anime or a pop culture action movie or even an urban fantasy novel. That said, while the city is steeped in ultra-modern vibes, … Continue reading 7 Must Visit Places in Yokohama: The Real-Life Location of Anime ‘Bungou Stray Dogs’

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Ameena Navab, AWO journalist, stands before a shrine at Yakuo In temple in Mount Takao during autumn Photo credit: AWO staff
Mountains, Nature

Mount Takao – A Mystical Mountain of The Yokai, Tengu and Red Maple Leaves

Japan is known for its fair share of mythology involving supernatural beasts and deities known as Yokai and while most of these creatures are seen on the pages of books and paintings, a certain mountain exists where a shrine is dedicated to one of these very Yokai – Mount Takao. Amidst the flurry of red maple leaves in Autumn and pink cherry blossoms in Spring, … Continue reading Mount Takao – A Mystical Mountain of The Yokai, Tengu and Red Maple Leaves

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Hotels

Matsubaya Ryokan – A Traditional Japanese Inn From the 1800s For The Modern Traveler

Fitting perfectly with Kyoto’s traditional street in the city’s Shimogyo Ward and sitting opposite the grandiose Higashi Hoganshi temple, Matsubaya Ryokan is every bit a Japanophile’s dream stay and is one of the must experience ryokans in Kyoto. Matsubaya Ryokan first opened its doors in 1884, when the inn’s then owner welcomed a monk from the nearby marvelous Higashi Hongaji temple as their first guest. … Continue reading Matsubaya Ryokan – A Traditional Japanese Inn From the 1800s For The Modern Traveler

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Historics, Towns and Cities

9 of Japan’s Edo Period Cities & Samurai Districts: Old Edo Towns, Nakasendo Trails, and Castle Towns Takes Travelers Back to the 1600s

Stroll along the same old streets that the samurais and feudal lords once did. Tucked between Japan’s beautiful hills and nature, these historic towns of The Land of The Rising sun stand strong as they had in the 1600s with the same medieval buildings and architecture still inviting travelers today. These old towns in Japan can be found in various prefectures and districts with the … Continue reading 9 of Japan’s Edo Period Cities & Samurai Districts: Old Edo Towns, Nakasendo Trails, and Castle Towns Takes Travelers Back to the 1600s

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