Mount Yoshino offers splendid views of cherry blossoms during spring. It is one of the most popular hanami 花見 (flower viewing) spots in Japan. In April 2016, on a lovely sunny day I went on a solo hike to mount Yoshino to experience senbonzakura 千本桜 (thousands of cherry trees). Although I kept a regular track […]
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Manga Museums in Japan
The collection of manga books and materials available here is unparalleled. There are research reference rooms where you can get access to over 2,50,000 manga materials inclusive of international publications. There are also exhibition corners, featured sections and workshop areas.
Seven Great Temples of Nara
南都七大寺 Nantoshichidaiji is the name given to a group of seven temples in Nara. 南都 Nanto means the southern capital. Nara was Japan’s ancient capital from 710 t0 794 CE. During this period, Buddhism flourished in Japan and gradually gained devotees. During the Nara period, many Buddhist temples were built in the capital which received imperial patronage. Among these, […]
Finding India in Japan
I am talking about that feeling you get when you are walking down the streets of a foreign land and then suddenly you spot something that is connected to your motherland. It could be a restaurant that serves your country’s cuisine or a handicraft store that sells items imported from your country or anything else […]
3 Most Beautiful Places in Japan | 日本三景
In 1643 during the Edo perdiod, a neo-confusian scholar named Hayashi Gahō wrote a book called Nihonkokujisekikō (日本国事跡考) where he mentioned about three beautiful sceneries in Japan. Gahō travelled the whole country and admired Matsushima (in Miyagi), Amanohashidate (in Kyoto) and Miyajima (in Hiroshima) the most. Later, these three places together came to be known as nihonsankei (日本三景). Nihonsankei is also linked to […]
10 best castles you should visit in Japan
During my stay in Japan, I had the privilege of travelling to all the 47 prefectures. I explored many popular, as well as less travelled destinations. Among the many places of interest in Japan, castles hold a special place. Be it the huge white castle of Himeji or the small castle tower at Hirosaki castle […]
Tenbu|天部 – Indian dēvatā who went all the way to Japan
Itsukushima shrine in Japan is popular among Japanese and foreign tourists. Its a place of devotion as well as sightseeing. The deity which is enshrined here is considered a manifestation of Benzaiten. Goddess Benzaiten is actually the Japanese counterpart of goddess Saraswati, an Indian (Hindu) deity. In Japan, there exist numerous such deities of Hindu […]
5 reasons to love Japan
Japan is unique in its own ways. Don’t you agree? A country with deep-rooted tradition and yet technologicaly advanced. Be it fashion or food, there is a touch of kawaiiness (cuteness) in everything that makes us all go ”aww kawaii desune!” You are going to hear the word “kawaii” so often in Japan that you […]
Top 5 Winter Activities in Japan
Is winter a good time to visit Japan? The answer is definitely ‘yes’. When I talk about winter in Japan, things that come to my mind are illuminations and snow festivals. Japan has made it a point to devote festivals for each season. There is a theme for every season in Japan. Spring welcomes the […]
How I travelled the 47 prefectures of Japan in less than a year
Call it a spree or a frenzy, I had to see all of Japan from Hokkaido to Okinawa. Ever since I stepped into the enchanting world of Japanese animation, all I wanted was to see Japan with my own eyes. To me, Japan is and has always been the fantasy land where all my favourite […]