Sake Barrels at Shinto Shrine
A wall of Sake Barrels A great wall of colourful Saké Barrels can be seen along the path to Meiji Jingu, the main Shinto Shrine in Tokyo. The barrels are wrapped in straw and have wonderful unique graphics. However, as an article in the...
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...
See how to present a soybean, and enjoy a Zen vegetarian lunch.
In the grounds of the Zen Buddhist Temple of the heavenly dragon (Tenryuji) in Arashiyama I had a very special dining experience. Their vegetarian restaurant Shigetsu had the most artistically presented and tasty collection of dishes for their set...
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...
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...