Finally, on our last day, we visited the Imperial Palace East Garden. We had already been here the day before, on a Friday, when the entrance was closed. So we had to come back the next day, a cloudy Saturday. But we still enjoyed the visit. The entrance to the East Garden is the Ote-mon,… Continue reading Tokyo: Imperial Palace East Garden
Tag: Sightseeing
Tokyo: Metropolitan Government Building
Finally blue sky and sunshine over Tokyo... and what better way to make the most out of this weather then to visit the observatory deck on top of the two towers of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building? The best is that the observation decks are free of charge to the public! We walked a few… Continue reading Tokyo: Metropolitan Government Building
Kamakura: Hasedera Temple
Our final temple during our visit to Kamakura was my favourite one - the Hasedera Temple. It is famous for its large Kannon statue, the goodness of Mercy. It is one of the largest wooden statues made from camphor wood and gilded in gold in Japan. It has 11 heads, each of which represents a… Continue reading Kamakura: Hasedera Temple
Kamakura: Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine and Great Buddha at Kotokuin Temple
From the Kenchoji Temple we walked downhill to the main site in Kamakura. The Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine is about 15 mins by foot and is the most important Shinto shrine. Therefore it is also the most crowded and packed place that we visited in Kamakura. Everyone wanted to see the lucky charm in the shape… Continue reading Kamakura: Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine and Great Buddha at Kotokuin Temple
Kamakura: Kenchoji Temple
After we left the Engakuji temple, we continued our journey along the rail tracks. They took us to a small street, from which we followed the signs to the Kenchoji temple, which is all together 1km away. It won't be difficult to miss, you just follow the tourists! The Kenchoji temple was constructed in 1253… Continue reading Kamakura: Kenchoji Temple
Tokyo: Tuna at Tsukiji Fish Market
I did not make it to the tuna auction, but if you are willing to wake up early enough then go to the Tsukiji Fish Market at around 4am. Foreigners who wish to view the auction have to apply at the Osakana Fukyu Center (Fish Information Center) at the Kachidoki Gate, starting from 5am on… Continue reading Tokyo: Tuna at Tsukiji Fish Market
Tokyo: Tsukiji Fish Market
It was still raining the following day and we decided to visit the most famous fish market in the world. The Tsukiji Market is the biggest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world and also one of the largest wholesale food markets of any kind. We left the hotel at 6.30am in the morning… Continue reading Tokyo: Tsukiji Fish Market
Matsumoto
Apart from the Matsumoto Castle there is not much to see in Matsumoto. We briefly visited the City Museum to learn about the castle, the city and its annual events but left after 30 minutes. We then strolled south from the castle across the Metoba River until we hit the 'frog' street - apparently there… Continue reading Matsumoto
More gassho-zukuri houses in Shirakawa-go
After our brief visit to Ainokura we travelled to Shirakawa-go, the largest village with gassho-zukuri houses. We first stopped at the Shiroyama Tenshukaku view point to glance over the village with its old style houses with those large triangular roofs. It is a very pretty sight, all year round. Probably even more so in autumn… Continue reading More gassho-zukuri houses in Shirakawa-go
Takayama: Yatai, miniature temple and Sakurayama Hachimangu shrine
Takayama is known for its two famous festivals, which date back to the 17th century. One in autumn and one in spring, when 11 (autumn) or 12 (spring) huge elaborate yatai (floats), adorned with medical dolls are paraded around town, a spectacle that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors. The yatai are symbolic of the… Continue reading Takayama: Yatai, miniature temple and Sakurayama Hachimangu shrine
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