Tag Archives: Japan

Temple Surfing in Japan

When originally planning my trip to Japan I had wanted to stay in at least one temple while there. The thought of waking up before the crack of dawn for a Buddhist sermon seemed both peaceful and poetic in some … Continue reading

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Hiroshima and the Itsukushima Shrine

Hiroshima Hiroshima: the sight of 80,000 horrors.  On August 6, 1945, at 8:15 a.m. the US dropped the bomb that led to the end of the war. When first planning my trip to Japan, I put Hiroshima as a top destination to go.  I’ve … Continue reading

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Through the Torii Gates of Fushimi to the Golden Pavilion of Kinkaku, Kyoto Here I Come

Kyoto, city of thousands of shrine and temples.  Having seen the Silver Pavilion the day before, it was time to see Kyoto’s crowning jewel: Kinkaku-ji, the Temple of the Golden Pavilion.  Unlike Ginkaku-ji, which was never actually covered in silver, Kinkaku-ji … Continue reading

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Kyoto Day One – Heian Shrine and the Silver Pavilion

Arriving in Kyoto I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.  Home to over 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines, picking exactly what to visit can be quite the challenge.  We stayed at OKI’s Inn, which was fairly centrally located.  Near-by was the … Continue reading

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Above the Clouds with Mount Fuji

Hiking to the top of Mount Fuji was my primary goal when first visiting Japan.  To say it was easy or that it went without a hitch would simply be a lie.  Fuji was tough and my original plan to … Continue reading

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Tsukiji Fish Market – Just After 9 is the Right Time

The Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market – where to even begin??!  It’s such a strange and wonderful place that it should be on the top of the list for anyone visiting Tokyo.  Full of chaos, wonder, and really strange things there is … Continue reading

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