Japan
Shrines and temples in Japan. A note by an absolute beginner
On our journey in Japan, we saw numerous Japanese shrines and temples. I cannot say that I fully understand what I saw, mainly that we traveled without a professional guide. The post is all about I realized on spot and later at home digging a bit in the Internet resources.
Kiyomizudera
Kiyomizudera, officially known as Otowa-san Kiyomizu-dera, is a historic temple in Kyoto, Japan. Founded in the late 8th century during the Heian period, it is renowned for its wooden stage that juts out from its main hall, 13 meters above the hillside below. Its name, meaning “Pure Water Temple,” derives from the Otowa Waterfall running beneath its main hall, where visitors drink for health, longevity, and success.
Beef maki. Truly Japanese
Before departing to Japan, I believed Japanese maki consisted of raw or cooked fish, seafood, or vegetables wrapped in nori. I considered the inclusion of meat, such as chicken, to be a European innovation. …Till I ordered and tasted rolls with Japanese beef and kimchi the midst of Tokyo.
Tsukiji fish market
The Japanese enjoy eating fish, especially fresh raw fish. In Japan, there are many different processed fish products available. One remarkable place is the Tsukiji Fish Market, which is the largest wholesale fish market in the world. Despite being familiar with modern logistics processes, I initially struggled to comprehend how it functions.
Japan, an island nation in East Asia, stretches over several climatic zones and features varied geography. It comprises rugged mountains, dense forests, and extensive coastlines, influencing local climates significantly. Northern regions like Hokkaido experience harsh winters with heavy snowfall, making them popular for winter sports. Central Japan, including Tokyo, has a temperate climate with hot summers and mild winters. The southern islands, such as Okinawa, enjoy a subtropical climate with warm temperatures year-round. The country’s diverse topography and climate contribute to its rich biodiversity and distinct seasonal changes, making it prone to natural events like typhoons and earthquakes.
Koyasan experience
Koyasan, otherwise called Mount Koya, is the main seat of the Shingon sect, one of the most important Buddhist sects in Japan. The place is visited by both Japanese pilgrims and foreign tourists, who usually stay there overnight to experience a Buddhist temple lodging (called shukubo in Japanese).
Okunoin cemetery
Okunoin Cemetery, located in Koyasan, Japan, is the largest and most sacred Buddhist cemetery in the country. It serves as the resting place for over 200,000 monks, including Kobo Daishi, the founder of Shingon Buddhism. This serene and mystical site is renowned for its ancient cedar trees and thousands of lanterns that light the pathways
Japan diaries 2.0. Transport
Our trip to Japan changed for good my initial comprehension of Japan and the Japanese society. As professionally I deal with transport and infrastructure economics, one of my special interests all around Japan was its transportation system. And already on our first day in Japan, I got quite a nice experience pack.
The Rainbow Bridge
The Rainbow Bridge is an iconic suspension bridge in Tokyo, Japan, connecting the Shibaura Pier and the Odaiba waterfront development in Tokyo Bay. Opened in 1993, it spans 798 meters and features a distinctive white color, illuminated at night by colorful lights. The bridge supports vehicular traffic, pedestrian walkways, and the Yurikamome automated transit line.
JAPAN Photo Gallery
First time in Japan. The journey begins
During my early university days, I had a lecture on transnational corporations. A key issue about Japanese business culture was comprehensive understanding of Japanese business conduct and keiretsu. However, a two-week journey to Japan revealed my lack of prior knowledge about the country and its society.
Himeji castle
We got out of the Shinkansen train at Himeji railway station and saw a white castle on a hill. The view was impressive, but we didn’t realize how big the castle was at first. We were standing at the station exit gate, in front of a wide alley, two or three kilometers away. On the approach way to the castle, we had to navigate through fortification walls, smaller gates, and baileys. Initially, I didn’t pay much attention to it.
Japan’s historical governance structure has evolved significantly over the centuries, with power shifting among emperors, shoguns, and modern governmental systems. In ancient times, the Emperor of Japan was considered a divine sovereign, central in both governance and religious importance. However, by the end of the 12th century, real political power shifted to the shogunate systems, beginning with the Kamakura Shogunate. Shoguns, military dictators appointed by the emperor, effectively ruled Japan during this feudal period. They controlled the land through regional lords known as daimyo.
The shogunate era lasted until the mid-19th century when the Meiji Restoration in 1868 reestablished the emperor’s power, initiating a period of rapid modernization and westernization. This era transformed Japan from a feudal society into a modern industrial state with a centralized government. Post World War II, Japan adopted a democratic form of government with a constitutional monarchy. The Emperor now serves as a ceremonial figure without governmental power, while the elected Japanese government manages the country’s administrative and political operations.
Binzuru
Binzuru, also known as Pindola Bharadvaja, is one of the four great arhats in Buddhism. Revered in Japan, statues of Binzuru are often found near temple entrances where visitors rub parts of the statue, believing that touching Binzuru can heal ailments and bring good health.
Waiting for the Mount Fuji to appear
During a trip to Japan, we visited Jogashima Park to capture a sunset with Mount Fuji in view. Unfortunately, clouds obscured the view due to heat-induced evaporation. Despite this, the experience of sitting on volcanic rocks, observing photographers, and reflecting on our journey provided a memorable and peaceful conclusion to our two-week adventure.
Nara
Nara, the capital of Japan’s Nara Prefecture, was the country’s first permanent capital established in the year 710. Known for its historic treasures, including ancient Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, and the sprawling Nara Park, it houses the famous Daibutsu, a giant Buddha statue in Todai-ji Temple.
Koinobori
Koinobori, meaning “carp streamer” in Japanese, are colorful windsocks traditionally flown in Japan to celebrate Children’s Day on May 5th. These streamers, shaped like carp, symbolize courage and strength, inspired by the carp’s ability to swim upstream. Families display them to wish their children success and good health.
Jūnihitoe
The jūnihitoe is an intricate and multi-layered ceremonial kimono worn by noblewomen in ancient Japan during the Heian period. This elaborate ensemble could consist of up to twelve layers of silk, each representing different seasonal colors or themes.
Sake
Sake is a traditional Japanese rice wine brewed by fermenting polished rice. It is typically enjoyed warm or chilled.
Kenroku-en, the Japanese garden
Kenroku-en is a historic Japanese garden established in the 17th century in Kanazawa, Japan. It is renowned for embodying the six attributes of a perfect landscape: spaciousness, seclusion, artifice, antiquity, waterways, and panoramas.
Late hours in Shinjuku
During our two-week trip, we spent four nights in Tokyo. Each evening, we visited Shinjuku, a special ward known for its nightlife and located near the Shinjuku railway station, which is considered the largest in the world. The area is popular for late evening activities, as most commuter trains depart around midnight, making it a common destination for people coming straight from work.
The Golden and Silver Pavilions of Kyoto
The Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji) and the Silver Pavilion (Ginkaku-ji) are two iconic temples in Kyoto, Japan, embodying the aesthetic contrasts in Japanese architecture. Kinkaku-ji, covered in gold leaf, reflects extravagance and is set against a mirrored pond, symbolizing wealth and purity. In contrast, Ginkaku-ji, originally planned to be covered in silver, remains unpainted, exemplifying simplicity and understated elegance.
Kamikochi
Kamikochi is a remote mountainous highland valley within the Chubu Sangaku National Park in Japan. Situated at approximately 1,500 meters in altitude, it is part of the Northern Japan Alps. The area is noted for its alpine climate, diverse flora and fauna.
Learning Japan and Japanese culture
Traveling offers a glimpse into foreign cultures, while living abroad provides a deeper experience often accompanied by culture shock. Still even short trips to other continents deepen understanding and provide surprising new insights into everyday cultural aspects.
Oinari San. The path of torii
Fushimi Inari Shrine, located in Kyoto, Japan, is famed for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which create a striking path up the sacred Mount Inari. Dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice and prosperity, this shrine is one of the most iconic in Japan. Visitors often walk through the torii gate-covered trails as a spiritual journey or to enjoy the mesmerizing visuals.
Ginza
Ginza is Tokyo’s upscale shopping district, renowned for its luxury boutiques, department stores, and fine dining. It’s a hub of contemporary culture and fashion, and also features iconic architecture and theaters, making it a popular destination for tourists and locals
Japan’s history is often divided into distinct periods, each named after the emperor’s reign or the ruling power’s seat. Notable periods include the Asuka Period (538-710), when Buddhism was introduced; the Nara Period (710-794), characterized by the establishment of a permanent capital; and the Heian Period (794-1185), known for its court culture and literature.
The feudal era saw the Kamakura (1185-1333) and Muromachi Periods (1336-1573), marked by shogunate rule. The Edo Period (1603-1868) brought about prolonged peace and isolation, while the Meiji Restoration (1868) initiated modernization and westernization. These periods reflect shifts in governance, culture, and society, helping to frame the historical narrative of Japan.
Aori Matsuri
Aoi Matsuri is one of Kyoto’s three main annual festivals, held every May 15th. Dating back to the 7th century, this traditional event features a parade with participants dressed in elaborate Heian-era costumes. The procession moves between the Shimogamo and Kamigamo Shrines. It’s known for its use of the aoi (hollyhock) leaf in decorations, which symbolize protection against natural disasters.