kansai
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Hirano Jinja: A Blossoming Cherry Blossom Sanctuary in Kyoto
Kyoto is a city renowned for its rich cultural heritage and beautiful shrines and temples. One such shrine that deserves a visit is the Hirano Jinja, located in the northwest part of the city. Hirano Jinja’s draw is its beautiful gardens, which are especially stunning in the spring when the cherry blossoms are in full…
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Ise Grand Shrine: Japanese Imperial Divinity
Ise Grand Shrine in the city of Ise in Mie Prefecture, Japan, is one of the most sacred shrines in Japan. Located (by train) about 2 hours south of Nagoya, it also has a close relationship with the Japanese imperial family. The shrine complex has two main shrines, the Inner Shrine (Naiku) and the Outer…
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Tofuku-Ji Temple and Tsuten-Kyo Bridge, Kyoto, Japan
After visiting Fushimi Inari and Mt. Inari, the next stop on my trip to Kyoto was Tofuku-ji Temple (東福寺) and Tsuten-Kyo Bridge. Tofuku-Ji is one of the “Five Great Zen Temples in Kyoto” and it is easy to see why. Combined with its garden, which contains the Tsuten-Kyo (covered) bridge, it is easy to see…
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Oshi Sushi (押し寿司) – Making sushi in a box
Before coming to Japan, I wasn’t very knowledgeable about sushi. I had eaten sushi in “Japanese” restaurants (Chinese people, not Japanese people, run most of the ones in western countries). I had eaten “sushi rolls” (makizushi, 巻き寿司) and “sashimi” (nigirizushi, 握り寿司) but I couldn’t really tell you what was typical. You couldn’t expect me to…
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Toji Temple, Kyoto – The Temple for the Defence of the Nation by Means of the King of Doctrines
I recently posted about Fushimi Inari and Mt. Inari, Kyoto – The path of 1000 gates, which I visited during my trip to Kyoto. However, it was not the first place I went to in Kyoto. After getting off the Shinkansen (bullet train) at Kyoto station, I split up with my host family and went…
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Fushimi Inari and Mt. Inari, Kyoto – The path of 1000 gates
If you are travelling to Kyoto on a budget, you don’t like spending money or you just like hiking, then Fushimi Inari is for you. Fushimi Inari Taisha (伏見稲荷大社) is a Shinto Shrine in Kyoto that is dedicated to Inari, the god of rice. It is free to visit and is open 24/7. Fushimi Inari…
