Posts

The Village of Asuka, Japan

Nara is considered the first official capital of Japan. But before Nara, there was Asuka. The Asuka period ran from 592 to 710 AD, and this area is often considered to be the first capital of Japan. Read more

Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto

Kiyomizu-dera Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site founded in 778. Kiyomizu means pure water and was given the name because of the Otowa Waterfall within the grounds. Read more

Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto

Fushimi Inari Taisha is one of the oldest shrines in Kyoto, founded in 711 AD. Read more

Ryoanji Temple in Kyoto

Ryoanji Temple is a Zen Buddhist temple founded in 1450. It contains one of the best examples of a dry landscape garden. Read more

Nishiki Market in Kyoto

Nishiki Market, or Nishiki Ichiba in Japanese, is a narrow alley with over 100 shops and restaurants. The covered red, yellow, and green awning makes it possible to visit on rainy days and has become a symbol of the market. Read more

Kinkakuji Temple in Kyoto

Kinkakuji Temple in Kyoto is the site of the Golden Pavilion, formerly called Rokuonji. The top two floors are completely covered in gold foil. Read more

Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya

Atsuta Shrine was founded 1900 years ago in Nagoya. It is one of the most important shrines in Japan, second after the Great Shrines of Ise. Read more

Japanesepod101 for Learning Japanese

Thinking about learning a few phrases before your trip to Japan? Japanesepod101 might be just what you need! There are thousands of lessons from Absolute Beginner to Advanced levels. Read more

Cormorant Fishing on the Nagara River

Cormorant Fishing, called Ukai in Japanese, is a 1300 year old fishing technique that uses cormorant birds to catch fish. Read more

Hikone Castle

Hikone Castle is one of only five castles in Japan designated as a national treasure. The other castles include Himeji, Matsumoto, Inuyama, and Matsue. Read more