Saturday, December 7, 2024

JAPAN

I have long thought it would be cool to visit Japan.

Here are some things I might visit there:
  • Whisky Distilleries
  • Tea Plantations
  • Buddhist Temples (Kyoto is most famous)
  • Sumo Matches
  • Hiroshima
SUMO
There are six Grand Sumo tournaments (or honbasho) each year: three at The Sumo Hall (or Ryo-goku Kokugikan) in Ryo-goku, Tokyo (January, May, and September), and one each in Osaka (March), Nagoya (July) and Fukuoka (November).
http://www.sumo.or.jp/eng/ticket/nittei_hyo/index.html#2009

Suggestions from Atsuko:
I would normally recommend people to stay in Tokyo for 2-3 days even for those who don't like a crowded big city as it is a good benchmark for someone who has never been there to know that Tokyo is like compared with the rest of the country and also from where you come from (e.g. Toronto). Also, there are many places to see in Tokyo. Then, I'd strongly recommend spending at least two days (three, if possible) in Kyoto.

To make your travel in Japan more convenient and economical, I'd suggest you buy a Japan rail pass (big discount considering the length of your stay) before you leave Toronto. You can start from Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, then (if you're interested) Hiroshima, and even visit Kyushu.

From Bob:
The two things you ABSOLUTELY MUST DO in Japan are:
1) visit Kyoto. This will take three days minimum to see.
2) visit Hiroshima. Going to the International Peace Park is essential
to learning about humanity. And unlike me, you should go out to Miwajima island which is accessible by ferry from Hiroshima.
2024:
I would concentrate on cities like Yokohama, amazing food and diverse culture; Nagano, if going in the wintertime; and the island of Shikoku, which has numerous shrines. 

From Bradley, August 2008:
It is in the Shibuya district of Tokyo (you can't miss shibuya, it is a center of fashion). It is right next to the department store "109", on the street called Bunkamura-doori. It is called "Kujira-ya", or "House of Whale". No kidding. Go for the teriyaki. Skip the raw heart.

From Shabnam, June 2008:
We chose to stay in a Ryokan while in Tokyo — we wanted to experience the authenticity of Japanese accommodations. Authentic Ryokans however, can really only be found outside of a city — as the truly beautiful ones are hot spring resorts — here is the link to one to give you an idea: http://www.hotelboun.com/english/

ARITA
As I learned at the Gardiner Museum, this is the home of Japanese porcelain. Here's a nice story about the Arita Pottery Tour.

AIZU WAKAMATSU
  • "The heart of Japan's rugged north country and it prides itself on its samurai heritage." - Lesley Downer
  • Shibukawa Donya
    • An inn offering traditional Aizu cuisine
  • Tsuruga-jō, 1-1 Otemachi, Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima 965-0873
    • Crane Castle
    • One the most ancient and formidable fortress in Tohoku
  • Saigo Tanomo Mansion, 
    • Home of the chief minister of the last daimyo
  • Enzoji Temple, Jikemachiko-176 Yanaizu, Kawanuma District, Fukushima 969-7201
    • This temple dates from 807.
CHIBA
National Museum of Japanese History, 117 Jonaicho, Sakura, Chiba 285-0017

FUKUOKA
Shofuku-ji Temple
 • First Zen temple
Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine
 • Dedicated to the spirit of Sugawara Michizane, a scholar and politician of the Heian Period
 • Located about 250 meters from Dazaifu Station
Kyushu National Museum
 • The first new national museum in Japan in over 100 years
 • Located a five minute walk from Tenmangu Shrine

HIROSHIMA - MIYAJIMA
Hiroshima is famous for the Genbaku (atomic bomb) Dome and the Peace Park. The town of Hiroshima is relatively small. If you go to Hiroshima, you may want to go visit "Himeji -jo" Castle and Miyajima as well.

Every October all eight million Shinto deities visit Izumo Taisha for kanari matsuri.

KAGA
Now One Fast Train From Tokyo: Culture, Crafts and Hot Springs by Hannah Kirshner, New York Times, May 17, 2024

KAMAKURA
Kotokuin Temple
 • Second biggest Buddha statue in Japan

KISO VALLEY
Magome and Tsumago villages


KOYASAN Koyasan
 • Seen in En Route Magazine

KURE
Yamato Museum (Kure Maritime Museum), 5-20 Takaramachi, Kure, Hiroshima 737-0029
 • Featured on Combat Ships: Leyte Gulf as seen on the Smithsonian Channel

KYOTO
Kyoto is an ancient capital of Japan, and has many national treasures such as temples and shrines. I would spend the first day in the "Gion" area, visiting Kiyomizu Temple, Yasaka Shrine. On the second day, go see the Kinkaku-ji, Golden Temple, probably one of the most famous temple in Japan.

Chion-in Temple
 • As the head temple of the Jodo (Pure Land) sect of Buddhism, one of the most important sacred sites in Japan.
Daigoji Temple
 • World Heritage Site and a National Treasure
Kyoto Imperial Palace
Kiyomizudera Temple
 • Hosso sect temple
Ninnaji Temple
 • Founded in the year 888 as an imperial residence
Fushimi-Momoyama Castle
 • Originally built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1592
Iori Machiya Stays
Ippodo Tea
 • Centuries old tea shop where I went in 2009

Ichiwa
• Mochi shop that opened in 2000
Tale of Genji Museum, Higashiuchi-45-26 Uji, Kyoto 611-0021
  • Displays the world of the early 11th century Japanese classic novel The Tale of Genji with projected images, models, and exhibitions. 
Tokugawa Art Museum, 1017 Tokugawacho, Higashi Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 461-0023

Aoi Matsuri
  • One of Kyoto's three most famous festivals (along with the Gion Matsuri and Jidai Matsuri) and takes place every May 15. The festival's main attraction is a large parade in Kyoto, in which over 500 people dressed in the aristocratic style of the Heian Period (794-1185) walk from the Imperial Palace to the Kamo Shrines.
  • Shingon temple in Ōtsu in Japan's Shiga Prefecture. This temple is the thirteenth of the Kansai Kannon Pilgrimage. 
  • Where Murasaki Shikibu wrote The Tale of Genji
Sacred Sites and Sun-Dappled Canals: Kyoto from the Water by Patrick Scott, New York Times, Sept. 11, 2024

KYUSHU
4 Can’t-Miss Towns in an Often Overlooked Corner of Japan by Rachel Herring, New York Times, October 23, 2024

MATSUYAMA 

MATSUMOTO
Matsumoto Castle,  4-1 Marunouchi, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0873, 
Matsumoto City Museum of Art, 4 Chome-2-22 Central, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0811

MIYAJAKI, Miyazaki Prefecture, Kyushu
Phoenix Country Club, 3083 Aza-Hamayama, Oaza-Shioji, Miyazaki-shi, Miyazaki-ken
Takachiho Shrine, 1037 Mitai, Takachiho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki 882-1101
  • Kagura is a sacred dance performed daily

MOUNT FUJI
Fuji Mountain Guides
Two day ascent and descent

MOUNT HIEI
Hiking the mountain
Enryaku-ji, where the Tendai sect was founded, is on top of it

MOUNT KOYA
 • WikiTravel
 • Japan Guide
 • Where Shingon sect was founded

NAGASAKI
  • Opened in 1900
  • Features Castella
  • I Am a Cat author Soseki Natsumi loved Castella

NAOSHIMA
Benesse Art Site Naoshima

  •  Japan's Art Island

NARA

  • Nara is also an ancient capital, and you can visit temples and historic buildings.
Horyu-ji Temple
 • Oldest wooden buildings in the world
Nara National Museum
Todai-ji Temple
 • Built in 743
 • Great Buddha Hall, the largest wooden building in the world
 • World's largest statue of the Buddha

NARITA
Boso-no-Mura Museum
Naritasan Shinshoji Temple
 • Shingon Sect temple

NIKKO

Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura
 • Edo-era theme park located two hours from Tokyo
Nikko Toshogu Shrine
 • Mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu

OSAKA 

I spent lots of time (10+ years ago) in the downtown areas of Osaka. Personally, I prefer "Minami (South)" area to "Kita (North)" area. The best place to visit in Osaka is the Osaka Castle. Also see, Shiten’no-ji Temple.

OTSU, Shiga Prefecture, Honshu Island
  • An hour northeast of Kyoto by train
  • Enryaku-ji Temple, 4220 Sakamotohonmachi, Otsu, Shiga 520-0116
    • Founded by Saicho in 788
  • Ishiyama-dera,  Chome-1-1 Ishiyamadera, Otsu, Shiga 520-0861
    • Shingo Temple

SAITAMA

SAKURA
Kawamura Memorial Museum of Art
  • Corporate museum displays a wide range of modern and contemporary art works,
National Museum of Japanese History

SAKURAJIMA
Active Volcano

SHIKOKU

SHIRAKAWAGO
Paper Making

TAKAYAMA
Takayama Hostel Zenkoji Temple Inn
  • Dr. Karl stayed here in August 2010
TOKYO
Tokyo is a huge city. If possible, try to stay in the area close to "Roppongi", "Akasaka" or "Shiodome". Roppongi is a place that never sleeps, and is popular among young Japanese and foreign residents and travelers. You'll be traveling with your father and may think that it's not appropriate to stay in the busy Roppongi, but it's is a very convenient place to stay. Shiodome is a quieter place, and it's also a good place to go visit places like "Asakusa" (you can take a boat from Shiodome) and Roppingi.

Some short descriptions of the key areas:
Ginza: 5th Avenue of Tokyo. High-end stores and department stores
Roppngi: Mentioned above, Roppingi Hills is a famous shopping/business tower.
Shibuya: Popular among young people, lots of stores, pubs, bars, and many young people. I find it it's a little tiring to be there for a long time.
Asakusa: A must place to visit. Still has a feel of good, old traditional Japan
Shinjuku: Another big place popular among business people

While you're in the Tokyo area, you can take a day trip to see the Mt. Fuji, visit "Onsen", hot springs in Nikko and visit Yokohama.
More things to visit:
Kawamura Memorial DIC Museum of Art, 285-8505 Chiba, Sakura, Sakado, 631

UJI
Image of Amida by Jo-cho- in the Phoenix Hall of the Byodo-in

USUKI, Oita Perfecture, Kyushu
  • Town known for its unique stone Buddhas
  • Ryugenji Temple
  • Usuki Joseki

YOSIDA
A Japanese Village Wants Tourists to Come for Heat, Soot and Steel by Craig Mod, New Your Times, April 18, 2024



Kiuchi Brewery, Kiuchi Brewery, 1257 Konosu, Naka, Ibaraki 311-0133
http://www.kodawari.cc/engpage/kodawari/html/index.htm

Map of Japanese Disilleries
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?f=l&hl=en&ei=f2UYRpPtG5m6jgPPxaC7Ag&sig2=zKlFu9KtJrwZY5AhKuTZaw&om=1&msa=0&msid=106987198724773075650.00000111cf373d18e9760&ie=UTF8&ll=37.439974,137.8125&spn=27.300908,55.371094&z=4

Yoichi Distillery
 • Nikka distillery

For Sake's Sake! by David Wolman

From the Globe and Mail, March 29, 2014:
Chris Rowthorn
* Kyoto-based Lonely Planet author and tour guide
Jasmine T. Blossom
* Kansai-baed travel blogger
* "If I had to name one region for castle- and history-lovers, though, it would be Kansai.”
Japanese Castles
"Stay in a Buddhist monastery on Koyasan – a serene mountain-top retreat. Visit Miyajima Island. Spend time in an onsen town."

Kadokawa Musashino Museum, 359-0023 Saitama, Tokorozawa, Higashitokorozawawada, 3 Chome−31−3 
  • Striking cultural complex known for the huge Bookshelf Theater library, plus displays on anime.

The Tale of Genji: The Arthur Waley Translation of Lady Murasaki's Masterpiece with a new foreword by Dennis Washburn
  • Recommended by Niponica
WOODEN TEMPLES
Nanatsubshi ("Seven Stars") in Kyushu
  • Luxury train
Dazaifu Tenman-gū, 4 Chome-7-1 Saifu, Dazaifu, Fukuoka 818-0117
  • Shinto shrine in Dazaifu, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. It is built over the grave of Sugawara no Michizane and is one of the main shrines dedicated to Tenjin, the deified form of Michizane. 
Pilgrimmage Route


Three Great Gardens of Japan:
  1. Kenroku-en, 1 Kenrokumachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0936 (West Coast)
  2. Kairaku-en, 1 Chome-3-3 Tokiwacho, Mito, Ibaraki 310-0033 (Near Tokyo)
  3. Koraku-en, 1-5 Korakuen, Kita Ward, Okayama, 703-8257 (East Coast)

88 Temples, 750 Miles, Untold Gifts: Japan’s Shikoku Pilgrimage by Marta Giaccone, New York Times, June 23, 2023
4 Can’t-Miss Towns in an Often Overlooked Corner of Japan by Rachel Herring, New York Times, October 23, 2024
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