Results tagged “temples” from little lost tokyo :: travel blog
Some pictures of my visit to the senso-ji temple in Asakusa, which is the most important one in Tokyo and equally full of people at all times of the day.
And then on to Harajuku with another temple and the park where bands
were set up along the pathways playing their wares. It was great just
to stand and listen to then as they were all pretty decent.
I got an early night last night, going to bed at 1.30am but boy did I need it. I woke up at around midday and deciding the day was pretty much lost I tidied up my washing and decided to have a lazy afternoon going through my photos and watching series five of ER on the hotel lobby TV. So here is the backlog of images, first up is Kyoto with the Manga Museum, a performing family, the streets of Gion and a temple.
And back in Osaka I did the unthinkable and went to Universal Studios for a lazy, familiar afternoon out.
Off in the mountains at Koya-san, between getting lost I did manage to take some photos; temples, mountain views, a graveyard where huge companies own plots for their employees when they pop their clogs, and me doing the whole ryokan thing. Mind you I've worn a yukata (that's basically a bath robe btw) in other places too, like here in Tokyo.
Briefly back in Tokyo after cutting Ise short before heading off to Fuji-san I stayed at Juyoh again. Here's a shot of the house out back with the roof garden - a month can make a big difference, here's the original image from when I arrived in Tokyo.
I hope that makes up for the wait (you know who you are ^_^)
And back in Osaka I did the unthinkable and went to Universal Studios for a lazy, familiar afternoon out.
Off in the mountains at Koya-san, between getting lost I did manage to take some photos; temples, mountain views, a graveyard where huge companies own plots for their employees when they pop their clogs, and me doing the whole ryokan thing. Mind you I've worn a yukata (that's basically a bath robe btw) in other places too, like here in Tokyo.
Briefly back in Tokyo after cutting Ise short before heading off to Fuji-san I stayed at Juyoh again. Here's a shot of the house out back with the roof garden - a month can make a big difference, here's the original image from when I arrived in Tokyo.
I hope that makes up for the wait (you know who you are ^_^)
While I wasn't able to book anywhere to stay in Kyoto, I did manage to find somewhere in the almost legendary Koya-san. Tucked away in the mountainous region south-east of Osaka, Koya-san (or Mt. Koya) was and is a place of pilgrimage where the Japanese would trek to with religious vigor. The town itself is fairly small and houses over 50 temples that welcome guests in their ryo-kan accommodation where they can enjoy the vegetarian meals prepared for the Buddhist monks and in some cases, as it was with me, an early morning prayer. Thankfully the morning prayer at my ryo-kan was only at 7am and not at 6am as is standard fair. I found it a very profound experience, with the chanting of the monks' prayers and the incense really helping to draw you into the right mindset. Very relaxing indeed.
As well as taking in the sights, one thing that I wanted to do while here was to get a good trek up into the mountains around Koya Town. The one thing I learned to loath was hiking maps that are so bloody simplistic its impossible to navigate with them. Thankfully I was in Japan so after being suitably lost for 2 hours I wasn't too freaked out as somebody would give me a lift into town if push came to shove and it started getting dark - this also highlighted Japan's obsession - or rather lack of - when it comes to street signs. They just do not like naming streets and telling you. In the end, while I was asking a group of old ladies who were also out walking where I was they flagged down a truck and got him to take me back to Koya Town. From here I decided to do the more traditional and safer tourist spots at either end of town. From the first I ended up out of pure curiosity doing pat of the women's pilgrimage over the mountain tops. This trail was what women used to trek back when they weren't allowed to enter Koya-san, it goes passed nine shrines and markers that point out the boundaries of Koya-san and the area into which they could not enter.
It was a worthy experience with the morning prayers and all, but I'm glad I only have two days here as there isn't that much to do during the days to justify the extortionate price. These two days have cost me a weeks worth of usual accommodation.
As well as taking in the sights, one thing that I wanted to do while here was to get a good trek up into the mountains around Koya Town. The one thing I learned to loath was hiking maps that are so bloody simplistic its impossible to navigate with them. Thankfully I was in Japan so after being suitably lost for 2 hours I wasn't too freaked out as somebody would give me a lift into town if push came to shove and it started getting dark - this also highlighted Japan's obsession - or rather lack of - when it comes to street signs. They just do not like naming streets and telling you. In the end, while I was asking a group of old ladies who were also out walking where I was they flagged down a truck and got him to take me back to Koya Town. From here I decided to do the more traditional and safer tourist spots at either end of town. From the first I ended up out of pure curiosity doing pat of the women's pilgrimage over the mountain tops. This trail was what women used to trek back when they weren't allowed to enter Koya-san, it goes passed nine shrines and markers that point out the boundaries of Koya-san and the area into which they could not enter.
It was a worthy experience with the morning prayers and all, but I'm glad I only have two days here as there isn't that much to do during the days to justify the extortionate price. These two days have cost me a weeks worth of usual accommodation.
Okay, I'm on my way back up to Tokyo and find myself back in Kansai, so what better way to spend it than to check out some more of Kyoto. Heading down south from Tokyo when I first started this trip, Kyoto only got a day (and a bit to be fair) of my time and what I saw overall left a bitter taste in my mouth.
Deciding that ALL the travel writers in the world can't be wrong, I came back to this little bit of supposed paradise - actually I'm staying in Osaka again and travelling up for the day like last time because once again accommodation is impossible to find at late notice. Maybe this is my problem as Elaine (as in Elaine and Carl, the two Australians from U-en Guesthouse) mentioned that Gion is superb after dark.
So there I was on another daytime trip to the city. I tried to move about a bit more and see a greater variety of sights than last time. First of after arriving I made a beeline for the subway and headed north out of the central station area to the International Manga Museum since they were having a cosplay (read: dress up) day on. On a large lawn in front of the museum was an area for the cosplayers to lounge around, have picnics, take photos and generally tell each other how great their costumes were. It was great, and slightly intimidating if I'm honest, although not in costume I wasn't allowed onto the lawn so it's not too bad. I wish I'd had something put together actually.
Anyway, onward into the museum where there were many, many (and I do mean many) manga compilations on bookshelves spread across three floors; their aim is to have the largest collection of manga in any language in the world. Beyond the reading spaces, where people can come in and read the manga just like in a library, there were exhibition spaces weaving their way throughout this ex-junior elementary school including one that charted an early manga artist from the 1800's who developed some of the modern day elements you would associate with the medium (I'm afraid his name escapes me for the moment).
After that, I wandered, anywhere and everywhere to the east of the river. Through Gion - during the day it is a beautiful place with geisha clacking around the streets in their wooden shoes. At one point I got lost in an expansive graveyard, built up a steep hillside on small plateau's with interconnecting stairways, and I'm pretty sure that I ended up in a place I was meant to pay to enter.
This was a much more satisfying trip to this city and one that has made me want to visit again, with enough planning so that I have some accommodation here and can experience the place after the sun goes down.
Deciding that ALL the travel writers in the world can't be wrong, I came back to this little bit of supposed paradise - actually I'm staying in Osaka again and travelling up for the day like last time because once again accommodation is impossible to find at late notice. Maybe this is my problem as Elaine (as in Elaine and Carl, the two Australians from U-en Guesthouse) mentioned that Gion is superb after dark.
So there I was on another daytime trip to the city. I tried to move about a bit more and see a greater variety of sights than last time. First of after arriving I made a beeline for the subway and headed north out of the central station area to the International Manga Museum since they were having a cosplay (read: dress up) day on. On a large lawn in front of the museum was an area for the cosplayers to lounge around, have picnics, take photos and generally tell each other how great their costumes were. It was great, and slightly intimidating if I'm honest, although not in costume I wasn't allowed onto the lawn so it's not too bad. I wish I'd had something put together actually.
Anyway, onward into the museum where there were many, many (and I do mean many) manga compilations on bookshelves spread across three floors; their aim is to have the largest collection of manga in any language in the world. Beyond the reading spaces, where people can come in and read the manga just like in a library, there were exhibition spaces weaving their way throughout this ex-junior elementary school including one that charted an early manga artist from the 1800's who developed some of the modern day elements you would associate with the medium (I'm afraid his name escapes me for the moment).
After that, I wandered, anywhere and everywhere to the east of the river. Through Gion - during the day it is a beautiful place with geisha clacking around the streets in their wooden shoes. At one point I got lost in an expansive graveyard, built up a steep hillside on small plateau's with interconnecting stairways, and I'm pretty sure that I ended up in a place I was meant to pay to enter.
This was a much more satisfying trip to this city and one that has made me want to visit again, with enough planning so that I have some accommodation here and can experience the place after the sun goes down.
I know, I know, it's a really awful pun but after you've been to Nara to sample it's wondrous temple delights you'll be coming away with only one thing on your mind too. The shear number of deer wandering around the city park is bordering on the obscene and thanks to tourists both international and Japanese, every one of them hound the visitors for any possible treats hidden in the depths of their trouser pockets.
Now I really understand the plight of the unfortunate fellow that had his JR Rail Pass scarfed by a pocket-picking rogue deer. And why JR's Nara Office was so quick to issue a new one, things like this must happen on a much too regular basis.
Getting beyond the deer though for just a moment, Nara is a beautiful place whose large expanses of woodland and parks, and low-rise buildings barely justify the title of town let alone the grandeur and claustrophobia of a Japanese city.
This does however make for a welcome change of pace and perfectly frames the monumental Todai-ji whose main hall, founded in 745 AD, is still the world's largest wooden structure today. Walking through the suitably impressive Nandai-mon gateway to the south the stage is ample set as you pass by two great statues of the guardian gods. In the distance the Daibutsu-den (Great Buddha Hall) raises its horned head, teasingly revealing just enough to keep you interested for the journey left between the two of you.
Inside, the largest bronze statue in Japan, a fifteen metre tall Buddha, sits peacefully upon a lotus throne. Flanked by smaller, but equally impressive statues it's easy to understand why this place played such an important role in securing the imperial power of Emperor Shomu, despite nearly bankrupting the nation.
Leaving the grounds you are left to tangle with the deer once again as you fight your way around the parks and the wooded trails where, thankfully, fewer tourists also means fewer deer. A win-win I think. This area, although not as grand as the Daibutsu-den, houses some working shines where Shinto Priestess go about their business caring for the shines in the eerily quiet woodland. If ever there was a perfect mesh between man and nature, it is here amongst these structures; absolutely stunning.
Now I really understand the plight of the unfortunate fellow that had his JR Rail Pass scarfed by a pocket-picking rogue deer. And why JR's Nara Office was so quick to issue a new one, things like this must happen on a much too regular basis.
Getting beyond the deer though for just a moment, Nara is a beautiful place whose large expanses of woodland and parks, and low-rise buildings barely justify the title of town let alone the grandeur and claustrophobia of a Japanese city.
This does however make for a welcome change of pace and perfectly frames the monumental Todai-ji whose main hall, founded in 745 AD, is still the world's largest wooden structure today. Walking through the suitably impressive Nandai-mon gateway to the south the stage is ample set as you pass by two great statues of the guardian gods. In the distance the Daibutsu-den (Great Buddha Hall) raises its horned head, teasingly revealing just enough to keep you interested for the journey left between the two of you.
Inside, the largest bronze statue in Japan, a fifteen metre tall Buddha, sits peacefully upon a lotus throne. Flanked by smaller, but equally impressive statues it's easy to understand why this place played such an important role in securing the imperial power of Emperor Shomu, despite nearly bankrupting the nation.
Leaving the grounds you are left to tangle with the deer once again as you fight your way around the parks and the wooded trails where, thankfully, fewer tourists also means fewer deer. A win-win I think. This area, although not as grand as the Daibutsu-den, houses some working shines where Shinto Priestess go about their business caring for the shines in the eerily quiet woodland. If ever there was a perfect mesh between man and nature, it is here amongst these structures; absolutely stunning.
It's been a few days and no new photos? What's gone wrong! Well it's just what happens when I don't have wifi internet, but on the plus side the computer at the guesthouse I'm now at is well equiped for everything I need to do bar resize the photos so they're not gigantic.
Since I've set up house in Osaka instead of Kyoto I've been commuting to get there; three trains, 50 minutes. Awide arc on the Osaka Loop Line to Osaka Station, then a one stop stint on the Kyoto Line to Shin-Osaka station and then a 15 minute bullet into Kyoto.
I've a few photos here from Kiyamizu, a temple up in the mountains to the east of Kyoto, with some fabulous views across the city and of the temple itself too. Strolling back I went through Kyoto Imperial Palace's public gardens where some of the sakura and other plants have begun to bloom making for a beautiful view.
I was out at a pub last night, or a bar take your pick, and met this swedish guy named Fredrick and his workmate Nanaka who work for a company in Osaka (duh!). We chatted and played a few games of darts, it was fun.
I can't believe it took this long but I had udon for the first time today after visiting the Osaka Aquarium, it was cooked with some roasted veggies and went down a treat!
I left Tokyo today and headed out to Kamakura. Arriving at the station in the centre of town my first stop was only a 'short' walk away.
And there it is, Daibutsu, or the Great Buddha is a 24 metre tall statue nestled in the beautiful wilderness that encroaches on the town. Visiting this place was the first time this felt like a true holiday, If not for the Japanese people themselves I might as well be in London or Newcastle rather than Tokyo - it's that familiar. Back in the Shrine It's a simple affair with some gorgeous plants and smaller buildings dotted around; You could even go inside the statue itself but other than being able to see the much more rough construction it was a bit of a letdown (I can't really complain since it only cost 10p!).
This marvelous view is from one of the many (many!) temples in and around Kamakura. It stretches way up the hillside and affords some great views of the town and the beach and the Pacific. While up on the observation deck I even spied an eagle that hovered in the winds around the temple and swooped in close to the ground a few times. There were a few of them in the skies around town I noticed after that. Or maybe it was stalking me, who knows!
And from another shrine hidden away up a very large very steep hill (that was not mentioned on the map I hasten to add!) and through a long tunnel in the rock face that emerged into an alcove of the next valley over.
Travelling back down into the town centre I walked through the crowded shopping district and happened upon this not so small temple at the end of the main high street - the oldest in Kamakura.
Like I said, not so small...
Popping back through town I came across this gem, made from solid wood and used solely as a marketing stand for the statues sitting at its feet.
There was still loads to see, but most of the shines shut early, 4:30pm, so I just had to make my way back after that. Since there is plenty I haven't seen so I may go back (again, when I return to Tokyo later on).
