Temples(寺＝てら＝"tera" in Japanese, often called "otera") are the places of worship in Japanese Buddhism. Virtually every Japanese municipality has at least one temple, while large cultural centers like Kyoto have several thousands. Temples store and display sacred Buddhist objects. Some temples used to be monasteries, and some still function as such. Structures typically found at Japanese temples are: Main hall : The sacred objects of worship, such as statues, are displayed in t… Read more

Your Best Yummy Feast --- Eat H School Gurlie Pai-chan -- Peel Off Omanko Seal.....… Read more

Tōrō (灯籠 or 灯篭, 灯楼 light basket, light tower) is a traditional lantern made of stone, wood, or metal. In Japan, tōrō were originally used only in Buddhist temples, where they lined and illuminated paths, or lit lanterns were then considered an offering to Buddha. The oldest extant bronze and stone lanterns can be found in Taima-ji,Nara(stone lantern built during the Nara period). There are two main types… Read more

Mt. Daisen*=大山(1,729m=5,673ft), a complex volcanic mountain in Tottori-pref.(鳥取県), written as "大山" literally means "big mountain" not pronounced as "Oh-yama" like the one in Kanagawa-pref. Daisen has also been called Hōki Fuji(伯耆富士) or Izumo Fuji(出雲富士), depending on from which side it's viewed. Hōki(伯耆) and Izumo(出雲) are both the old province names of the area. In the middle of the mountain, there is a Buddhist temple called ”Daisen-ji”(大山寺) which has existed as a centre of worship by th… Read more

8th Day(Naka-bi)=midday… Read more

Travel Japan with Pai-chan(Northern Hokkaido) Rishiri Island (利尻島, Rishiritō) and Rebun Island (礼文島, Rebuntō) are two small islands near the northern tip of Hokkaido. The islands are part of the Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park and offer beautiful hiking trails, coastal sceneries, alpine flowers and small fishing villages. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------… Read more

Pai-chan ..... Your Hiking Guide ..... Various Courses Available (Tomorrow is "Travel Japan with Pai-chan" : Northern Hokkaido )… Read more

Asahidake Onsen(旭岳温泉) and Hiking Course and Mt. Asahidake in Autumn Asahidake Onsen (旭岳温泉) is a small hot springs(0nsen)village in the Daisetsuzan National Park(大雪山国立公園), Hokkaidō, consisting of only 12 buildings including a few hotels and a youth hostel and is considered as a base for tourists and hikers using Asahidake Ropeway to climb Asahidake(旭岳), Hokkaidō's highest peak of 2,291m. Hiking opportunities in the area range from 30 to 60minute walks all the way up to one or two day tours of the… Read more

Daisetsuzan National Park(大雪山国立公園) in the center of Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido(北海道) is the first place in the country to see autumn colors each year. The leaves and grasses in the higher elevations of the national park usually reach the peak of their seasonal beauty around mid to late September, roughly two months before the trees in Tokyo start changing colors. In some locations the season has already reached its peak. One such location is Mount Asahidake(旭岳), Hokkaido's talles… Read more

By Air : Tokyo(Haneda) or New Tokyo(Narita) <--1h30min--> Sapporo(New Chitose) <--1h55min~2h--> Osaka(Itami or Kansai) * Rail travel to/from Sapporo is also possible(e.g. 17h by deluxe sl e e ping coach). A spacious island located at Japan's northern extremity with festivals throughout the seasons. A region with an abundance of natural beauty. Hokkaido is an island at Japan's northern extremity, surrounded by sea in all directions. It is an extensive land, accounting for 22% of Japan's to… Read more

Talking about Japanese "Festivals"="Matsuri" =祭り(in Japanese Kanji) There are countless local festivals (matsuri) in Japan because almost every shrine celebrates one of its own. Most festivals are held annually and celebrate the shrine's deity or a seasonal or historical event. Some festival are held over several days. An important element of Japanese festivals are processions, in which the local shrine's kami (Shinto deity) is carried through the town in mikoshi (palanquins). It is the only time of the… Read more

Kamakura(鎌倉) is an ancient city, sometimes called as "Eastern Kyoto" with a relatively small population of 173,541(as of 01 Sep.,'14). It has flourished since warlord Minamoto Yoritomo(源頼朝) established a new government in 1192 and continued to rule Japan for over a century until the next ruler Hojo(北条) regents. Kamakura is surrounded on three sides by mountains and the south side faces the sea, so this landscape was highly suitable for constructing a fort. With its many historical temples, shirines, m… Read more