Chiba Port Tower is nothing more than an observatory tower located in the port-side area of Chiba city, in the prefecture of the same name. It is 125 meters tall, yet with only 4 floors, and located on the top of this tower is a cafe which sits alongside an observatory room. The tower was […]
Read more
Chiba Shrine was erected in 1181, and dedicated to the Shinto deity Myoken, a “bosatsu” who is the personification of the Polaris Star. Myoken is believed to offer protection from bad luck and bad health. Located within walking distance of the city’s main station, the architecture of Chiba Shrine is set apart from what we […]
Read more
Located a good hour away from Tokyo and in Chiba City, the Chiba Castle or Inohana-jo, was first built in 1126 by Tsuneshige Chiba. He was the first ‘gunji’ administrator of Sōma District, and was then transferred to the same position in Chiba District. For many centuries, the Chiba family ruled over the area from […]
Read more
Daishō-in or Daisyō-in is the historic Japanese temple on Mount Misen, the holy mountain on the island of Itsukushima and walking distance from the famous Itsukushima Shrine. Founded in 806, Daisho-in is the 14th temple in the Chūgoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage and famous for the maple trees and their brilliant autumn colors. It is also […]
Read more
Kanda Shrine was first built during the Tenpyo Era (730AD) in the fishing village of Shibasaki, near the modern Ōtemachi district. It was only in 1616 that the shrine was moved to its current location and this was to accommodate the expansion of Edo Castle. Today it is conveniently located a short distance on foot […]
Read more
While many of you may enjoy Miyajima for its unique atmosphere and many temples, this little island also offers many hiking trails that, for the most courageous of you, will give you the opportunity to discover Miyajima like never before. Today’s video covers just a tiny selection of these trails and follows the flow of […]
Read more
Tsukiji Market, or Tsukiji Fish Market as we know and love it, is scheduled to close up and move to a new location in Toyosu by November 2016. While this decision will most probably have a beneficial impact on the business itself, it is on the other hand sad news for anyone who loved the […]
Read more
Just one stop away from Akihabara Station, Ochanomizu Station is just your average train station that connects different subway and train lines to each other. Additionally it functions as a hub for anyone who wants to visit places such as the Nikolai Cathedral, Yushima Seido, Kanda Myojin, the Japan Football Museum, Tokyo Medical & Dental […]
Read more
Constructed in 1168, the first Torii of Itsukushima Shrine is maybe one of Japan’s most famous Torii and actually represents the boundary between the spirit and the human world. While many of you may have had the chance to see the Great Torii in person, we bet that not many of you knew that the […]
Read more
Koinobori is one of Japan many beautiful traditions that comes full of history and meaning. These carp streamers were originally created to celebrate the Tango no Sekku Festival, celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th moon in the lunar calendar. Today, Koinobori are flown to celebrate Kodomo no Hi, or Children’s Day all across […]
Read more
Located in Hiroshima prefecture, Itsukushima Shrine is maybe one of Japan’s most famous shrines thanks to its iconic position on Miyajima island (formerly known as Itsukushima), its unique structure built over the water on pilotis and, finally, for its majestic Great Torii. Itsukushima, now known as Miyajima or the “Shrine Island”, was almost forgotten until […]
Read more
Located a short walking distance from the famous Kanda Myojin Shrine, Yushima Seido is a shrine dedicated to Confucius, the well known and respected Chinese scholar. Confucianism was very popular in Japan during the latter part of the Edo period (1603 ~ 1867) and Yushima Seido used to be part of Confucian school during the […]
Read more
