Life in Japan

02/11/2018

It's hard to pick a favourite season or favourite place in Japan... but when there are blue skies, fresh air, and a view that soothes the eyes and soul, there isn't much to complain about.

And a little tip for those taken the 'well-trodden path'; just because some sightseeing spots are well known, doesn't make them any less impressive. Take for example kinkaku-ji temple pictured here. There is definitely a kind of growing snobbery about getting to 'unknown' locations and finding the 'real' Japan (I'll admit that I too am guilty of that way of thinking; ...because lesser known places are truly great to visit too!) but don't let that kind of thinking take away from visiting somewhere more 'standard'. Because there is absolutely nothing standard about a majestic temple (that has been burnt down on numerous occasions as told in the heart wrenching tale of The Temple of The Golden Pavilion by Yukio Mishima) coated in gold reflected beautifully in its immaculate garden's water's surface. So don't let others convince you that visiting well known spots are any less worthy of our attention and appreciation in this day an age where we seem to be on a constant search for something new to consume.

Now, that being said, there are some keys to enjoying the more well known spots, such as choosing times of days that groups may be less likely to be there, or times of the year that are quieter, or contacting a great local guide so that you can squeeze even inch of juicy goodness out of the spot and soak it all in like a sponge!

That's my two-cents on the subject.
What do you think???

31/10/2018

Now that the weather has settled, and is no longer crazy changeable like in spring, sweltering hot like in summer, or freezing like in winter, it's the perfect time of year for exploring the mountainside, and for trying out a bit of hiking!

While of course the higher peaks will be cold, and some routes may even be closed off depending on where you are, but southern peaks such as Mt. A*o in Kumamoto (pictured) offer the perfect escape to enjoy Japanese nature at it's finest even at this time of year

31/10/2018

Autumn sunsets... settled and sombre.
The brisk air, sharp bird song, and crisping of leaves, winter is surely creeping in

23/08/2018

Wind is picking up...

21/08/2018

Sunset feels... 😍

14/05/2018

There's more to tatami (bamboo rush) mats than meets the eye! While a stay at a traditional ryokan (Japanese travel inn) with the aroma of tatami wafting through the hallways beckoning weary travellers to their rooms is appealing in itself, these durable mats are far more practical than their aesthetic appearance and relaxing aroma suggest... for example it adjusts the room temperature by cooling it in summer and warming it in winter, regulates room humidity, has a sound insulating effect compared with other flooring, is soft and therefore kid-friendly, and can lead to saving money in the long-term if you consider that tatami is designed to be used with minimal amounts of furniture! ...and it smells nice 😊💓

13/05/2018

Don't miss a beat with this great time-lapse of Japan by Todor Vankov! Thanks for sharing with us~~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoETa0Rc6io

I made this timelapse during a trip in Japan. Check the TimeStamp for more information. I hope you'll enjoy it! TimeStamp Link : 0:01 - "Wagu no hama" beach ...

04/05/2018

Another shot from today's trip to Fushimi Inari Taisha💓
One of the miraculous moments where there was no one walking on the path in the shot!

04/05/2018

Travelling in Japan during Golden Week should come with a caveat; start early (earlier than you think you need to!), or be ready to join the swarms of Japanese embracing their longest extended holiday of the year AND beautiful weather !!!

Not to say that staying at home is the better option... just that careful planning could help make a great experience even better!

12/01/2018

Care to take a random walk down town with me? Nothing eventful but ... sometimes you just gotta get out! #奈良 #奈良町

12/01/2018

Love these decorative lanterns at Kasuga Taisha in Nara❤️♥️❤️ It's well worth the lengthy walk!
#日本 #奈良

09/01/2018

Seen this kind of decoration on entrance ways and people's front doors?
It's a 'shimekazari'; a small rope made from rice straws, with carefully crafted zigzag-shaped paper strips called shide (not the best example in this shot!). It has the same role as the shimenawa from the Shinto shrines - to keep the bad spirits away…

and can also be decorated with items such as the daidai (a Japanese bitter orange) which is considered a good omen because if “daidai” 「橙」 is written with a different kanji「代々」 can be translated as “from generation to generation". Another item seen on it is lobster, which is also an auspicious item, being a symbol of extreme old age. Pine twigs are symbols of power and longevity, because they are green all the time and the fern leaves are symbols of hope and desire to have a happy family, growing from generations to generation… Dried persimmons are also a common item also!
#日本 #お正月 #しめ飾り

06/01/2018

Snack-time! Rice fermented to create the perfect creamy yet sour yoghurt-like food 😁 served with almond, roasted oats, and maple syrup!
#日本

03/01/2018

Warm sunlight and sharp winds are a welcoming environment for new years resolutions and goodwill for the year ahead...
#日本

02/01/2018

Happy New Year to All...and welcome to the Year of the Dog!
明けましておめでとう〜〜
#お正月 ＃日本

26/10/2017

Although there are few seen in this photo, there was a friendly buzz out this evening after an unusually warm day following a week of rain.

25/10/2017

Where deer roam the streets ...

04/10/2017

Another day, another Inari Shrine! It's a bit gusty out today, but the rustling leaves make exploring all the more exciting ^-^

30/09/2017

The change is clear on the streets with jackets and boots replacing sandals and shorts, and the fresh breeze making the leaves of even a small shrine or temple right in the middle of a big city dance brings a smile to my face. ☺️ Enjoy your weekend everyone!!!

29/09/2017

Simple white blossoms against a cool leafy curtain and a chill in the air are certainly enough to convince the senses that autumn is well and truly here ♥️☺️🍃🍂

28/09/2017

Stone lanterns are just one of the things that I have fallen in love with here in Japan

27/09/2017

Thumbs up if you like the sound/smell of glorious rain ^-^ Little kittens enjoying the start of their first autumn on this earth! So happy that the stifling heat of summer in Japan is over, and cannot wait for the countryside to reveal itself is beautiful auburn hues!

15/08/2017

A local community celebrating Obon, with Obon-odori (Obon Dance)
I find its often these smaller community and family based festivals that give glimpses of the real Japan