Japan Photo Guide

Still considering going to Japan for the 2012 cherry blossom season?  There are still a few places available for Japan Photo Guide’s 2012 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan!  The deadline, February 11th, 2012, is coming up quickly and there are special discounts by booking your guided tour of Japan before the end of January!  Need more information?  Here is some info and links to help you make your decision about going to Japan this spring!

Kawasaki is about a 20 minute train ride from Tokyo Station and is between Tokyo and Yokohama. I was only there for about half a day, but to be honest, I wasn’t too impressed. I guess to be fair though, half a day really isn’t enough for anything except for a first impression. Kawasaki has a population of over 1 million, but to me it feels like it is smaller. Kawasaki is not as trendy as some places in Tokyo, it still has its share of “Tokyoesque” architecture, shopping centers and so on.

If you are just visiting Japan for a limited amount of time, Kawasaki should probably not make your shortlist of places to see in Tokyo/Japan, but if you are living in Japan, there are two reasons why you might wanna check out Kawasaki: Kawasaki Daishi and something that is probably not safe for work, Kanamara Matsuri (The Steel Phallus Festival 金まら祭り).

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I already wrote about Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo, but when I went last time, the wholesale part was closed and I only took photos in the consumer market. Unfortunately, from April 2008 the market has apparently restricted tourist access during the peak hours and for the Tuna auctions and only allow tourist in certain areas, so I went in March to get some photos…By the way, I have heard that they have not been too strict so far, anyone recently go? If you have been since April 1st, please leave a comment about your experience…

After going, I understand why they want to stop tourist from coming as no matter how hard I tried, I always felt I was in the way. I went with a friend of mine and he probably saved my life a couple times because the workers drive this mini reverse forklift things around and don’t seem like they would stop if you were in the way… Especially since they might not always be paying attention!


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I have already brought you chocoman and the run of the mill nikuman, now I present to you their Italian cousin, pizzaman! I love pizza and I live these doughy balls of goodness, so… See more photos and read the rest of this entry »

Since I was across the street at Chidorigafuchi, I decided I might as well stop by the controversial Yasukuni Shrine. Why is it controversial? In a nutshell, this is a shrine dedicated to all those who died protecting Japan during times of war and according to the Official Yasukini Shrine Homepage:

Currently, more than 2,466,000 divinities are enshrined here at Yasukuni Shrine. These are souls of men who made ultimate sacrifice for their nation since 1853 during national crises such as the Boshin War, the Seinan War, the Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese wars, World War I, the Manchurian Incident, the China Incident and the Greater East Asian War (World War II). These people, regardless of their rank or social standing, are considered to be completely equal and worshiped as venerable divinities of Yasukuni.

So again, why all this controversy? See more photos and read the rest of this entry »

Takachiho is in Miyazaki Prefecure in Kyushu, Japan. There isn’t too much to do, but there is a lot of nature. Getting there isn’t exactly easy. If you can drive in Japan, I recommend renting a car but if you can’t check out the Japan Reference site for directions. There are a few places sightseeing spots, but the one worth checking out is Takachiho-kyo Gorge.

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The Kyoto Imperial Palace, or Kyoto Gosho, is the former residence of Japan’s Imperial Family. Even though the family moved out more than 300 years ago, to visit here you have to make reservations and go through an (easy) online application process.

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Sanjusangendo, also known as Rengeo-in, is located in eastern Kyoto. The main attraction are the 1001 statues of the goddess of mercy, Kannon. It was originally built way back in 1164. These statues are inside the main hall, which at over 100 meters long is Japan’s longest wooden building.

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