Like Hokokuji, Engaku-ji is not your average temple, and it is actually ranked as the second most important Zen Buddhist temple in Japan. Founded in 1282 by a Chinese Zen monk at the request of Hojo Tokimune (then ruler of Japan), Engaku-ji is in fact more like a closed village temple than an actual temple. […]
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Number 10 on the Kamakura 33 Kannon pilgrimage, Hokokuji is one of Kamakura’s most peculiar temples. Secluded and located in the eastern hills of Kamakura, Hokokuji was founded in 1334 and, like many other temples in the region, it suffered badly as a result of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. What’s so special about this […]
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Alongside Shimoda and its many gorgeous beaches, Shirahama Beach comes in a close second. Famous among surfers this 800m long beach is EXTREMELY popular in summer, and we can’t stress the word popular enough here! During July and August you may have a hard time finding a decent spot to lay down your summer gear, […]
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Located along the east coast of Izu towards Shimoda on route 135, Shimoda hides a gorgeous little shrine sitting right by the beach. Although it is rather small in size, the Shirahama Shrine is none the less full of surprises. Accessible by a small bridge, the shrine’s entrance will welcome you with a large red […]
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If it were not for the Yebisu Beer museum and the Taillvent-Robuchon “maison bourgeoise” (sorry folks for breaking your dream but this is not a “chateau” or a castle since the structure was not built by any lords from the French royal family) Yebisu Garden Palace would have been one of Tokyo’s most boring places […]
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Located off the shores of Futami city in Mie and just 10km away from Ise Grand Shrine, Meoto Iwa (also known as the Married Couple Rocks), are a couple of small rocks sitting peacefully. According to the Shinto Futami Okitama Jinja (二見興玉神社), the rocks represent the union of the creators of Izanagi-no-Okami (God), represented by […]
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Sitting proudly within the confines of the the Kotoku-In temple, the Great Buddha statue, or Daibutsu is another very popular religious attraction of Kamakura. Despite its overall sense of serenity, the Daibutsu had a rather tumultuous history! It all started in 1233 when the good people of Kotoku-In decided to erect a giant wooden representation […]
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Originally erected and founded by Minamoto Yoritomo in 1063, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu is the most important Shinto Shrine in the famous resort city of Kamakura, near Yokohama. Its popularity among Japanese tourists of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu is almost without limit and its 1.8km long approach gives the shrine its unique sense of grandeur that unfortunately quickly vanishes […]
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Enoshima’s hidden little village, with its small shrines, is by far the best part of this Island. WIth a unique view of Mt.Fuji, the place looks like it was frozen in time with villagers living almost completely cut from the rest of the world. If you continue further down to the shore you will stumble […]
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Very popular among both Japanese and foreign tourists, Enoshima is a gorgeous little island just off the coast of the city of Fujisawa but still connected to it by a long bridge. With a circumference of about 4km, Enoshima offers many different attractions ranging from a marina, to different shrines, parks and caves hidden on […]
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English Close to the main Daiden, Zojo-ji Temple main building, stands a very unique cemetery also known as the Unborn Children’s Garden, where people come and and pray for the miscarried, aborted or stillborn children of Japan. This cemetery or garden, is unique in many ways since unlike usual cemeteries you will not find any […]
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English What stands out the most here at Zojo-Ji temple is the striking contrast between the old and new Japan. While its immediate neighborhood is dominated by modem buildings and Tokyo Tower, Zojo-ji feels like it has been stuck in a bubble where time moves at a slower pace to its surroundings. Located a few […]
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