Autumn in Japan: gingkos, maples and hot tea
In Autumn in Japan, there are many beautiful colours, and some amazing trees we don’t see so often in Australia. The tree above is a Gingko tree, in a temple courtyard, in full Autumn leaf. They are bright yellow, and can be seen from across the...
Go’o Shrine Naoshima
Go’o Shrine The Go’o Shrine 『護王神社』is an Art Project designed by photographer Hiroshi Sugimoto, erected circa 1998 on the island of Naoshima. It is a re-interpretation of a style of Shinto Shrine architecture. The name Go’o means something...
Geek Heaven
In Tokyo, the place to go and take your fill of electronics, gadgets, hobbies, games and cosplay is a district called Akihabara (often abbreviated as Akiba). Located around a major multi-storey local rail crossroads station, it is easy to access...
Public bath – bathing suits may not be worn.
Public bath experience Try this arty public bath house 銭湯 (sento) is located on the tiny island of Naoshima, about 2.5 hrs by train and ferry from Osaka. Jims Japan regularly takes travelers to this art-themed island. Bathing is segregated by...
Japan the beautiful and myself
In December 1968 Japan’s first Nobel Laureate, novelist Yasunari Kawabata, began his Nobel lecture entitled “Japan the Beautiful and Myself” with these words: “In the spring, cherry blossoms, in the summer the cuckoo.In autumn the moon, and in...