Category: Japan
Kayaking to Mariyudō-no-taki waterfalls
Iriomote’s number-one attraction is a boat trip up the Urauchi-gawa (浦内川), a winding brown river reminiscent of a tiny stretch of the Amazon. We rented a kayak from the mouth of the river, Urauchi-gawa Kankō (浦内川観光 ) and paddled up 6 km braving against… Continue Reading “Kayaking to Mariyudō-no-taki waterfalls”
VIA ALPINA, Grütschalp to Rotstockhütte
Via Alpina, Section 12 – Part 1 Grütschalp (1520m) -> Mürren (1638m) -> Bryndli (2133m) to Rotstockhütte (2019m), 10 km, 600m up Back to the Via Alpina Route! Last October I finished roughly half of the route (the Via Alpina is a trail of… Continue Reading “VIA ALPINA, Grütschalp to Rotstockhütte”
Overnight at a temple, Jimeiin, in Koyasan
We stayed one night at one of the temples in Koyasan. Jimeiin is a quiet, serene temple with beautiful gardens. We were welcomed by young monks and escorted to our traditional Japanese room, which overlooked two different, wonderful gardens. For dinner, a tasty tofu… Continue Reading “Overnight at a temple, Jimeiin, in Koyasan”
Kumano Hongū Taisha
The most beautiful Shinto shrine I have ever seen. After walking on the Kumano Kodo for two hours, we arrived at the main shrine past 5 pm.
Kumano Nachi-Taisha
One of the main three shrines in Kumano, Nachi-Taisha, nestled in a dense mountain forest. A very picturesque pagoda was erected in front of the tallest waterfall in Japan (133m). We arrived around 3 pm and started from Daimon-zaka, walking up to the Nachi… Continue Reading “Kumano Nachi-Taisha”
Ryokan Hoshidekan 星出館 in Ise
In Ise, we stayed at the super quaint, traditional wooden Ryokan (Japanese-style inn) Hoshidekan. It is located near the river and in the midst of an old neighbourhood. This old building with tatami rooms is taken care of beautifully. Among the many details the Suikinkutsu… Continue Reading “Ryokan Hoshidekan 星出館 in Ise”
Ise Jingu
Ise Jingū, the most sacred Shinto shrine in Japan, on the Kii Peninsula, near Osaka. Going inside the deep-forested shrine compound, we felt awed by the mystic and spiritual atmosphere of the place… like the other hundreds of visitors. For religious reasons and to… Continue Reading “Ise Jingu”
With a little help of a friend
Some amazing trees in one of Japan’s most important shrine, the Ise-jingū.
Ohhhh – Matsusaka Beef
Wikipedia: Matsusaka beef (松阪牛?Matsusaka-gyū also “Matsuzaka beef”) … is one of the most famous beef types within Japan and internationally, with a high fat-to-meat ratio. Within Japan, Matsusaka beef is generally considered one of the three top brands (known as Sandai Wagyuu, “the three big… Continue Reading “Ohhhh – Matsusaka Beef”
Noboribetsu Foot Onsen
We’re off to Noboribetsu Onsen. It’s located in Jigokudani, the “Valley of Hell”, and indeed, steaming hills and mountains, blubbling water, geysers and dark, thick mud ponds everywhere. No doubt the devil will make an appearance soon. We observe this natural spectacle from a… Continue Reading “Noboribetsu Foot Onsen”
Fly, Hike & Travel. 