Category: Asia
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Coming of Age Day in Japan: What you should know
Today (the second Monday of January) is one of the first holiday’s of the new year (after the New Year’s period called O-shougatsu, of course). Known as “Coming of Age Day” (成人の日, Seijin no Hi), it celebrates those who become adults between 2 April of last year and 1 April of this year. As it…
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Kurobuta: Kagoshima’s Special Tonkatsu (Pork Cutlet)
Kurobuta, or “black pork”, is a speciality lean pork cutlet, one of the signature dishes from Kagoshima Prefecture. Located in the southern part of Kyushu, Kagoshima Prefecture hosts a breed of pig known as the “Kagoshima Berkshire”, a species first imported from Berkshire, UK, in the 1860s. History During the Edo Period, very little “meat”…
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Historic Matsumoto: Castle Town of one of Japan’s Original Castles
Like many old castles in Japan, Matsumoto Castle (松本城) was surrounding by an old castle town, which today is known as the Historic Matsumoto Castle Town. This amazing area hosts not only the castle but many preserved streets, artisans, merchants, temples and more! If you make your way to Matsumoto, make sure you allot some…
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Shinsui Gorge: Beautiful Columnar (Lava) Jointing
Located in Kirishima city, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, Shinsui Gorge (known as ‘Shinsuikyo’ 神水峡 in Japanese) is a 20-metre gorge that has an intimate history with the surrounding volcanoes that the area is famous for. History of Shinsui Gorge Shinsui Gorge is in Kirishima Geopark, an area with over 20 active volcanoes in close proximity, known…
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Kiso Fukushima: A Quiet Town on the Nakasendo Trail
Kiso Fukushima is a small town in Nagano Prefecture, close to the Nakasendo Trail – the mountain trail that ran between Tokyo and Kyoto – in Nagano Prefecture. It is a beautiful town, it boasts a traditional, picturesque quarter that is not frequently visited by many travellers. Kiso Fukushima – History Kiso Fukushima (also called…
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Kenroku-en: One of Japan’s Three Great Gardens
In Kanazawa City in Ishikawa Prefecture, close to the castle, is Kenroku-en, a garden renowned for its beauty at any time of year—even winter! Spread over 11.7 hectares (nearly 25 acres), it has ponds, several tea houses, and one of the oldest fountains in Japan. History of Kenroku-en Local legend – Sacred Well of Kenroku-en…
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Tonkatsu Wakaba: Premiere Pork Loin Restaurant
Located in Fukuoka City, Tonkatsu Wakaba (とんかつわか葉, not to be confused with another small national chain with the same name that is run by Yoshimi!) is a premiere pork loin, pork cutlets and pork curry restaurant. With one of the highest ratings in Fukuoka, a city known for amazing foods, on Tabelog, a Japanese restaurant…
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Nakama Banyan: Friendship Trees
On the Japanese island of Yakushima is a special set of trees called the Nakama Banyan. These banyan trees, which are a type of fig trees, have grown together into an arch – providing an excellent place for photos! In Japan, Yakushima is the northernmost island on which Banyan trees, which are native to to…
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Nagoya Castle: One of Japan’s Most Important Castles
The capital of Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya, is home to what was once one of the most important castles in Japan. Nagoya Castle, or Meijo as it is sometimes known, is one of the “100 most famous castles in Japan”. In fact Meijo means “famous castle” in Japanese. It is also sometimes called Kinkojo (“Golden Shachi…
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Hakata-ori: Fabric of Samurai, Sumo and Kimono
Known across Japan for its quality, Hakata-ori has been produced for nearly 800 years in Fukuoka Prefecture. Known equally for its thickness and stiffness as well as its high quality, it has been designated a “traditional craft” by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Hakata-ori – From Then to Now In the beginning Silk…
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Shukkeien Garden: Oasis in Hiroshima City
Located in the middle of Hiroshima City, Shukkeien Garden is a historic Japanese garden situated near the Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum. The name Shukkeien means “reduced landscape” in Japanese, referring to the collection and condensation of scenic beauty from various regions. It is said to be a condensed version of China’s Xi or West Lake…
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One-Day Kyoto Itinerary: Combining Fushimi Inari Taisha and Tofuku-ji Temple
I have travelled many places in Japan, but one of my favourite cities has to be Kyoto because of its rich history. As someone who is interested in traditional Japanese architecture and culture, cities like Kyoto are what draw me more than modern cities like Tokyo. Two of my favourite sites in Kyoto are Fushimi…
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Miyajidake Shrine: Fukuoka’s Sunset Boulevard
Northwest of the Japanese city of Fukuoka lies one of Japan’s most iconic Shinto shrines – so iconic you may have seen famous pictures of it! If you have seen a picture of the sunset down a large boulevard with a bay in the background and a torii gate in the midground, that is probably…
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Seiryu-ji: Beautiful Buddhist Temple in the Mountains of Satsuma
In southern Kagoshima Prefecture lies the Satsuma Peninsula, an extremely mountainous region with beautiful beaches, stunning volcanoes and a long history intertwined with Japan’s. Near the middle of this peninsula lies a solitary temple inspired by Chinese designs. Named Seiryu-ji, it is stunning for not only the artwork on display but also its golden pavillion.…
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Oyaku Garden: Miraculous Healing Water and Medicinal Plants
Located in Aizu-Wakamatsu (Fukushima Prefecture) in walking distance from Tsuruga Castle (Eastern Japan’s Largest Castle), Oyaku Garden, which translates as “medicinal garden” is an old garden and former feudal lord residence that has been operating since the 1380s. Mythical origins and confirmed History The exact origin of this garden is not fully known, but it…
