Exploring Naoshima: Japan’s Art Island Marvel
Naoshima is a small island in Japan’s Seto Inland Sea known for its contemporary art and architecture. It’s famous for its art museums, outdoor sculptures, and installations scattered throughout the island. The Benesse House Museum, designed by Tadao Ando, combines art with accommodation, offering a unique experience for visitors. Naoshima has become a pilgrimage site for art enthusiasts, blending modern art seamlessly into its rural island surroundings, making it a haven for artistic inspiration and cultural exploration.
Read MoreFushimi Inari Shrine & Kyoto Trail
Today, our trio decided to visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. It is one of the most iconic Shinto shrines in the country. The shrine is renowned for its thousands of vibrant red torii gates, which form picturesque tunnels along the paths leading up Mount Inari. These gates, donated by individuals and businesses, symbolize wishes for prosperity and success. We started quite early in the morning to avoid the crowds and embarked on the scenic hike through the torii-lined trails to explore the smaller shrines and enjoy panoramic views of Kyoto.
Read MoreSanzen-in Temple in Kyoto
Luca and I went for a stroll around Kyoto, beginning with the beautiful Sanzen-in Temple. Located in the rural town of Ōhara near Kyoto, it features stunning moss gardens, ancient statues, and serene ponds, offering a peaceful retreat in the midst of nature. This visit, I found myself particularly captivated by the wells and little creeks.
Read MoreEihei-ji Temple
Eihei-ji Temple is located near Yasuko’s home and, for various reasons, it has become a favorite temple for almost everyone we’ve visited Japan with, including Luca. One notable feature is its use of “borrowed landscape”, where the surrounding natural scenery is harmoniously incorporated into the garden’s design, enhancing the sense of tranquility and connection with nature.
Read MoreEverything Tofu Lunch in Kyoto
I think we were all eagerly anticipating the culinary experiences in Japan. Having visited Japan numerous times, I’ve always found food to be an essential part of the journey. This visit was no different. We chose a renowned tofu restaurant at the top of Kyoto Station, waited in line for a while, and enjoyed another fantastic—and for Luca, probably a bit surprising—tofu-only meal. It’s in moments like these that I regret how little the Western world appreciates the versatility and potential of tofu.
Read MoreMikuni & Takefu Knife Village
The Takefu Knife Village is one of my favorite places to visit in Fukui. Renowned for producing a wide variety of knives and scissors, their kitchen knives are particularly exceptional. Some of these high-quality blades are crafted by factory employees, while others are made by independent knife makers who rent space within the factory. A unique highlight is the elevated pathway that allows visitors to observe the knife-making process up close, providing a fascinating glimpse into the craftsmanship involved.
Read MoreMikuni Festival
The Mikuni Festival is a vibrant celebration steeped in tradition and community spirit. This festival dates back over 300 years and is most famous for its grand procession of ornate Yamakasa floats, which are meticulously handcrafted and decorated with elaborate figures and vibrant colors. Participants, dressed in traditional attire, parade these massive floats through the streets, accompanied by lively music and chants, creating a festive atmosphere.
Read MoreMikuni Coastal walk – Tōjimbō – Oshima
Today we went for a walk in Yasuko’s hometown, Mikuni. We drove to the seaside, parked the car and started to walk towards Tōjimbō, one of the touristic highlights of the area, a dramatic stretch of rugged basalt cliffs that have been shaped by sea erosion over millions of years. These sheer cliffs, rising as high as 30 meters, extend for about a kilometer along the coast and offer breathtaking views of the Sea of Japan.
Read MoreD.T. Suzuki Zen Museum
We went to visit that beautiful and calm place in the middle of Kanazawa. This second time for me, I felt an immense calm in the surrounding gardens or sitting in the house looking at those “borrowed landscapes”.
Read MoreOyama-jinja Shrine in Kanazawa
On the way from one place to another, we walked by this rather special shrine, had a quick look before moving on.
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