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Kumano Kodo Day 1: Takijiri-Takahara, Japan
The Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail became popular in the Eleventh Century among Kyoto’s nobility and who are we to argue with that. A self-guided tour sounded doable and it is. In Hindsight is 20/20 –...
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Hotel Kiri-no-sato in Takahara, Japan
Hotel Kiri-no-sato in Takahara is the only game in this small town. Run by local Jian Shino who speaks English, Spanish and Chinese (as well as his native Japanese), this welcoming ryokan/hotel has...
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Kumano Kodo Day 2: Takahara-Chikatsuyu, Japan
Trail notes for today – Climb through Takahara and continue on an undulating trail past several oji shrines. Ten kilometers/6.2 miles has an elevation gain of 480 meters/1,575 feet and a 520...
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Magnificent Hayatama Taisha Grand Shrine in Shingu
Life is full of surprises and Hayatama Grand Shine in Shingu is one of them. Marine Steve and I never had any intention of walking this last Kumano Kodo section. The stretch from Koguchi to...
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Achi Shrine and Other Sights in Kurashiki
During the Edo Period (350 years ago), the area along Kurashiki-gawa River was under direct control of the shogunate. Trade by boat brought prosperity to this small town. Beautiful storehouses and...
View ArticleKyoto Arashiyama District: Gio-ji Temple and Bamboo Forest
There’s a short (or long) story about the founding of Gio-ji Temple, a Shingon Buddhist nunnery. Inside the small thatched building are wooden statues. Gio, her sister Ginyo, their mother Toji, and...
View ArticleArashiyama District Kyoto: UNESCO Tenryuji Temple Zen Garden
It’s all about the zen garden at UNESCO Tenryuji Temple, one of Kyoto’s five great temples. There’s not much to see in the temple buildings, built and rebuilt many times over the centuries. Most of...
View ArticleRide the Randen Tram to Exquisite and UNESCO Ninna-ji Temple
The 100-year old Randen tram is the only tram or street car left in Kyoto. With transfers, the Randen stops near Ninna-ji Temple. Take the 7.2 kilometer/4.5 mile Randen Arashiyama Main Line from...
View ArticleWave A Joss Stick and Heal: Hsing Tien King Worship Temple (Xingtian Temple)...
Taipei is capital of Taiwan and located at its northern tip. A gigantic, sophisticated, modern and beautiful city with over 2.6 million people and I deliberately scheduled extra days to lose ourselves...
View ArticleWave A Joss Stick and Heal: Xingtian Worship Temple
Hsing Tien King Worship Temple (also called Xingtian Temple) is 2-3 blocks from the Landis Hotel. One of Taipei’s busiest temples although built in 1967, it is dedicated to Guangong/Guan Yu (162-219...
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