Japan Tours with Lena

05/05/2024

Japanese Curry

05/05/2024

30/04/2024

It is believed drinking holly water at the Temple of Pure Water one of your 3 wishes (longevity, success in study and working life or happy love and marriage life),- can come true.
Though if you ever wanted to visit Japan, I can help you with this wish.
October tour small group is filling in. Please message me if interested.

29/04/2024

The Temple of Pure Water Kyomizudera is very popular among locals as there are multiple ways to realise one's wishes.
From drinking holly water to going through the "Buddha's womb", people can experience many ways to focus on their wishes.

29/04/2024

Magic of Gion in Kyoto at night

26/04/2024

There are a lot of beautiful maple trees in Eikan-do temple.
Would you like to see how they will transform in autumn?
October group is getting ready for the tour. A few places are still available, join us!

25/04/2024

Philosopher Path in Kyoto and temples on the way dip you into meditative state. So tranquil.

24/04/2024

Nara, first capital of Japan.
We have avoided tourists crowds and explored old town. Very interesting living history.
And of course, deers...

23/04/2024

What is night in Gion without seeing geisha?
In geisha's world nothing has changed since 18th century. Kyoto has biggest geisha (geiko in local dialect) community in Japan. On this video there is maiko, apprentice geisha, busy walking to her place of work.

22/04/2024

No matter what is said
It is Gion I love.
Even when I sleep
beneath my pillow
the water flows...

Isamu Yoshii

22/04/2024

Evening walking tour of Gion, misterious area of geishas.
Just one block away from busy down town Shijo street and we immersed in 19 century Kyoto.

22/04/2024

A famous rock garden is part of Zen temple Ryoanji.
There are 15 rocks and from any vantage point one can only see 14 or less. Only people in the state of meditation and presence are able to see all 15.
We have such person in the group (not me:)!
The grounds of the temple, around stone garden, are breathtaking.

22/04/2024

Golden Pavillion, - Kinkakuji, as always is magnificent.

22/04/2024

Shishi-Odoshi- "Deer chaser fountain"- original Japanese water fountain, created to scare birds and animals, which can damage the garden.
Very meditative sound. I can listen to it forever..

22/04/2024

When you look at Tokyo metro map, you know that you are already lost even before you make one step.

19/04/2024

Nikko- Unesco listed sight of sh**un Tokugawa Ieyasu mausoleum. Though he was a cruel military ruler, he is very respected figure in Japan, as he stopped continuous civil wars. Japan enjoyed 250 years of peace during Tokugawa dynasty rule.
Huge old cedar trees add up to the feel of tranquillity, beauty and history.

19/04/2024

On our rest day we went to teamLab Planet virtual reality immersive exhibition.
No words to describe it.
You need to be there to feel, to smell, to see, to wow.

17/04/2024

Fuji-san,- this is how Japanese people call Mt Fuji, or Fujiyama.
It is a national treasure and a symbol of Japan.
The clouds had opened for us for a couple of hours and Her Majesty has revealed its beauty.
We were really lucky with the weather, with the late blooming Sakura and our wonderful group.
We also visited UNESCO listed village Oshino Hakkai, surrounded by the lakes.

15/04/2024

Shinjuku night life walking tour revealed a few secrets hidden behind unassuming doors.
Japanese society is so multilayered..

15/04/2024

I can't get enough of this adorable 3D cat in Shinjuku.

12/04/2024

When I am not in Japan, I look for different ways to be connected to this fascinating culture,- I read books, paint, cook, respect seasonal changes, practice Ikebana. At Ikebana lessons with a great artist Lara Telford I really rest my soul in beauty and harmony.
I asked Lara to write a few lines about this ancient art and different schools of Ikebana:

Did you know that there are more than 3000 schools of Ikebana in Japan?
Every major temple has its own rules for arranging flowers. These are Temple Ikebana.
There are also major schools like Sogetsu, Ikenobo, Ohara, Ichiyo, Wafu and many more.
The differences are in school’s concepts, philosophy, and techniques.
One of the major contemporary schools of Ikebana- Sogetsu School of Ikebana. Sogetsu school take a vital part in art scene in Japan and has 160 branches all over the world.
Using different colour combinations, creating lines with branches and mass with flowers and leaves, we design three-dimensional asymmetrical sculpture called Ikebana.
Samurai (1185-1868) found the effect of profound meditation while arranging ikebana.
Ikebana was a regular practice for the warriors while resting in temples between the battles.
We concentrate on flower or branch creating different forms. We bring nature to our homes, we create beauty.
We use live materials like any other ikebana schools, but we have a freedom to use any kind of materials, organic and man-made in any combination.
The effect to our souls is rejuvenating.
Start learning amazing art of Ikebana!
E: [email protected]
Insta: lara_telford

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11/04/2024

Our small group of explorers is ready to embark on a 2 week trip to Japan.
We will walk the streets of 4 capitals of Japan- former and current. History will come alive. Culture and art will rejuvenate our souls.
We will immerse ourselves in authentic Japan for 15 days.
Stay tuned for an update on our adventures!

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28/03/2024

Japanese food art is created with so much love and detailing.
In about 2 weeks our group will enjoy authentic dishes in Tokyo.

24/03/2024

IKEBANA SHORT STORIES

When you are in Japan, you encounter Ikebana everywhere: at the exhibitions, in department stores, train stations, museums, galleries, tea rooms, and people homes.

Ikebana has the power to move people. It evokes emotions using material that has carefully been trimmed of the superfluous. Minimalism of Ikebana reveals the essence.
It manages to hold our gaze and temporarily slow down our daily rhythm. Ikebana invites us to see more than what the visible world has to offer.

What do you know about Ikebana?
When was Ikebana born?
How Ikebana became a refined art form?
Why people practice Ikebana in 160 countries?
Where you can learn art of Ikebana?

My good friend Lara Telford, is an amazing, creative Ikebana artist, pottery maker and Ikebana teacher.
She has received her Riji Diploma from Sogetsu School of Ikebana in Tokyo some years ago.
Currently she teaches at her studio in Melbourne. I feel privileged to have been learning this refined form of Japanese art from her.

Please contact Lara if you are curious:
E: [email protected]

22/03/2024

Yaeba, or crooked teeth, are considered attractive in Japan—so much so that girls go to the dentist to have their teeth purposefully unstraightened.

16/03/2024

Going to Japan with the family can be quite challenging. The first step is to plan out your time in Japan. Which city do you go? How long do you stay there? Sightseeing? Transport? What's in there for kids? Which area do you book accommodation?
There are dozens of very important questions. Correct answer can save you money and precious time.
If you feel overwhelmed and don't know where to start, I can help you to plan out YOUR CUSTOMIZED ITINERARY.
I will also save you hours of searching net, looking for tips on various Japan related topics and answer a lot of questions you might have.

14/03/2024

Matsuo Basho spring haiku (17th century)

A cloudy day during the cherry blossom season.
Whether the sound of bell at Ueno
Or Asakusa.

12/03/2024

This painting is my tribute to mysterious Japanese artist and illustrator, who was known by the pseudonym of Monokubo on social media channels. She (some say “he”) created many beautiful drawings that breathe life into a completely new fantasy world where giant animals harmoniously live alongside humans.
There is not a lot known about Monokubo. She was a very talented illustrator, working at Ghibli studio. She mysteriously died at the age of 27 (some say early 30th).
“In the tearoom” reminds of Monokubo’s cat, but there are no people there.
There are a lot of young talented beautiful people sadly leaving our world for various reasons- from mental problems to barbaric wars. We need to fix our world…

08/03/2024

The Japanese have such a low birth rate that there are more adult diapers sold than baby diapers.