Most travelers to Japan tick off at least two things- the mesmerizing Tokyo and the nearby Mount Fuji that is iconic of Japan. Do climb the volcano or see it from afar from a nearby holiday town like Hakone. Also, pamper the travel voyeur in you in youthful Tokyo. But don’t neglect to check mark off your list the rest of the country and the countless activities it has on offer. Here are a few places/things you could start with-
Kyoto-This old capital of Japan needs at least five days to do it any sort of justice. The city teems with culture, architecture, art, markets and an old world charm that grows on you instantly.There is just so much to do in Kyoto. Apart from the main city, Kyoto’s outskirts also offers myriad attractions. Whether you are strolling through the Geisha district of Gion or taking in the sheer beauty of the golden Kinkaku-ji shrine Kyoto is repository of the best of Japanese culture and traditions. Equip yourself with a tourist map from the tourist office near JR rail. Buy yourself either a bus or a subway day pass and you are good to go.
Buddhist shrines– Nara is a beautiful temple town set in picturesque countryside. Autumn and spring colors especially makes Nara lovelier than it already is with its Zen gardens, museum, forests ,tea houses deer parks and Buddhist shrines. One of Japan’s first permanent capitals, this gem is home to a whopping eight Unesco World heritage sights. The main shrine of Nara is an important pilgrimage sight. The imposing diabutsu or Great Buddha can easily compete for Japan’s top sights. The towering Buddha is one of the tallest in all of Japan. This compact town is doable in a single day with sights within walking distance of each other. The town is easily accessible from Kyoto, located conveniently about half an hour away. It can be tacked on as a side trip from Kyoto.
Shinto shrines– Nara also has about three Shinto shrines. Shinto as a religion predates Buddhism, though Buddhism gradually appropriated or included some aspects of the Shinto religion. Shinto is indigenous to Japan and involves worship of the elements/spirits. One of the most elegant Shinto shrines is the one in Ise. The Ise jinju (shrine) is awe-inspiring in its simplicity. The architecture is wholly Japanese. The shrines are surrounded by lovely wooded areas. The outer shrine is located kilometers away from the inner shrine. Structures are mainly constructed out of wood. Shinto purportedly dates back to as far as 1000 BCE, the shrine at Ise however was built between third and fifth centuries AD.
The sun unlike in many world religions is represented as a goddess in the Shinto religion and it is this revered deity, the sun goddess Amaterasu who graces the Ise Jinju. The shrines are rebuilt every twenty years at costs running to millions of dollars we were told. Easily accessible from Nagoya, make a picnic day trip out of Ise leisurely taking in the gorgeous grounds, wandering from shrine to shrine.
Tea ceremony/ tea houses- Tea ceremony called chanoyu or sado in Japanese or ‘way of tea’ is a ritual involving preparation and presentation of powdered green tea. There are many different kinds of ceremonies. Ceremonies are also classified based on formal (chaji) and informal (chakai) situations. More formal tea ceremonies involve serving of large multi course meals and last a few hours. Thin tea is usually served at more informal ceremonies and both thick and thin powdered green tea is served on formal occasions. To experience a tea ceremony try En, a small teahouse in the Gion area of Kyoto. Tea ceremonies cost upwards of 1000 Yen per person.
Scenic train journeys– While bullet trains used to be synonymous with Japan, novelty wears off very quickly. More exciting are the scenic trains. Take the Nankai railway up the 800 meter high Mount Koya or Koya San. Tickets cost 1,600 Yen round trip and includes the final leg up by cable car to this quaint monastery town. The monastery has beautiful cemeteries and a hall of the ten thousand burning brass lanterns, two of which have apparently burned continuously for nine hundred years now from the time it was first lit. You can also try a simple temple stay here. But the train up by itself is worth every penny. Another equally stunning scenic train journey starts in Kyoto. Visit the onsen town of Kurama using the Eizan Railway (840 Yen two -way) or the JR line. The town also has many beautiful hiking trails of varying difficulty. Alternately, try the Sagano scenic train from Kyoto.
Feature image- Kinkaku-ji temple, Kyoto, Image courtesy- Pal Teravagimov / Shutterstock.com.
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