If going around the rest of Western Honshu from Osaka, the random places I would choose will be a mix of the off the beaten track and semi-visited places: Matsue, Mount Koya Temples, Himeji, Kurashiki and lastly Hiroshima.
because I've imagined religious chanting at dawn, bald monks and wooden temples, incest wafting into the air, towering cypress trees, all in the midst of an early morning mist.
The top of Mt. Koya is home to more than 115 Shingon Buddhist temples, some 50 of these temples offer accommodations, so the yen I have for observing temple life in Japan could be satisfied here.
The main reason is the most beautiful 400 year old castle, the best in Japan's military architecture. It is said to be pick most of the time if you were only to see one castle in Japan.
Its described to be as one of the most picturesque towns in Japan. In the heart of its city, you have a willow-bordered canal, and the area is filled with old buildings and ryokans (perfect for shutterbugs).
Its also known throughout Japan for its art museums.
Hiroshima, because I only stood on its station and wanted to explore this town, whose name, along with Nagasaki, always makes me stop and pause for a while when I remember the catastrophic fate of its residents a long time ago.
Why Mount Koya (World Heritage Site).
ReplyDeletebecause I've imagined religious chanting at dawn, bald monks and wooden temples, incest wafting into the air, towering cypress trees, all in the midst of an early morning mist.
The top of Mt. Koya is home to more than 115 Shingon Buddhist temples, some 50 of these temples offer accommodations, so the yen I have for observing temple life in Japan could be satisfied here.
Why Himeji?
ReplyDeleteThe main reason is the most beautiful 400 year old castle, the best in Japan's military architecture. It is said to be pick most of the time if you were only to see one castle in Japan.
Why Kurashiki (Market Town or Warehouse Village)?
ReplyDeleteIts described to be as one of the most picturesque towns in Japan. In the heart of its city, you have a willow-bordered canal, and the area is filled with old buildings and ryokans (perfect for shutterbugs).
Its also known throughout Japan for its art museums.
Why Matsue - coz its not frequently visited by tourists.
ReplyDeleteTwo outstanding museums: Tiffany glass, while the other shows off contemporary Jap art in a wondrous garden setting (hmm...I can imagine it).
Hiroshima, because I only stood on its station and wanted to explore this town, whose name, along with Nagasaki, always makes me stop and pause for a while when I remember the catastrophic fate of its residents a long time ago.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to any of these. Magaganda siguro lahat yan.
ReplyDeleteearly research indicates these are good picks if one goes around the Western Honshu area.....
ReplyDelete(pagdating sa Pinas, wala na..kumakain na lang ng toothpick)
maybe its a throwback to my looking at films featuring Shaolin monks, but there's a certain happiness looking at them...
ReplyDeletegarden, garden, garden! *sucker for gardens, its obvious*
ReplyDeleteactually it now reminds of some Chinese town pictures I've seen...but I think this may be cleaner *wink*
ReplyDeleteSounds good!!! you will travel alone?
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your trip Cat.
ReplyDeleteno idea at this point coz ako lang yata ang may clear na ticket :-)
ReplyDeletethanks Chito...nag-sta-start lang muna ako ng paunti-unti para ready na mental mindset (at saka yung purse strings ay medyo tightened na rin *ehem*)
ReplyDeletecat when is your trip again? my australian trip got cancelled by our client kaya di ako tuloy im itching for a trip outside pag iisipan ko na rin
ReplyDeleteNov 2 - 16....sabi ni Ms. G baka makasama sya..pero 1 week lang daw sya yata...
ReplyDeletehala, tara na...