Japan Photo Guide

Kasuga Taisha, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a famous Shinto shrine in Nara. The Kasuga Grand Shrine is most famous for the the stone and bronze lanterns (well into the thousands) that can be found all around the shrine. It is at the far end (northeast I think) of Nara Park but is worth the walk, which is probably about 20-25 minutes from Todaiji. According to The Yamasa Institute:

Kasuga Taisha Shrine is one of the most important Shinto shrines in Nara and is one of the “Three Great Shrines” of Japan. It was officialy established in 768 by the Fujiwara clan, but is believed to date from the beginning of the Nara period (710). The shrine is located at the western foot of Mt. Mikasa and Mt. Kasuga, sacred mountians from which the Shinto kami (gods) first descended. The powerful Fujiwara clan (one of the most powerful aristocratic families of the period) and the Imperial court worshipped here, making it very prosperous. Kasuga Taisha Shrine was unified with Kofukuji Temple in the later half of the Heian period (794-1185) with the emergance of the new theological philosophy of Kami-Buddha Fusion. The Shrine’s affiliation with Kofukuji lasted until the Meiji restoration (1868-1912) when the government established Shinto as the state religion and ordered the separation of Buddhism and Shintoism.

If I had to pick a time of the year to go, I would try to go when they have festivals and light the lanterns. See more photos and read the rest of this entry »

Before you know it, the fall season will be sweeping across Japan and the leaves will be turning brilliant shades of reds, oranges and yellows. Even though I love cherry blossom season, I think the fall is my favorite time of the year. Below is a chart for the average dates to best observe fall leaves in Japan.

Read more about fall in Japan and check out some of my favorite places to see the autumn foliage after the jump. See more photos and read the rest of this entry »

The first forecast for the 2008 Cherry Blossom season has been released!

If you can choose anytime of the year to come to Japan, cherry blossom season is the best time (also fall is a great time). During this time, the seasonal flowers can be seen all over Japan and make for great photos. The 2007 cherry blossom forecast will be released around late February or early March and can be seen at the site of the Japan Meteorology Agency.

When the winters are mild (like the winter of 2007 is) the cherry blossom trees tend to bloom a little earlier than normal. While the forecasts are usually pretty close, like the weather, when cherry blossoms bloom are still slightly unpredictable! Also, different factors such as how much sun a tree gets, play a large role as well.

See more photos and read the rest of this entry »

Covering about 525 acres, Nara Park is the largest municipal park in Japan and includes many of Nara‘s famous attractions, including Todaiji, Kokufuji, Kasuga Taisha, and oh yeah, about 1200 (sort of) wild deer. I recommend just wondering around Nara Park and finding your ow nice little spot, as there are plenty of them. Of course, the best time to go would be either during cherry blossom season or fall but anytime of the year is fairly nice.

A little information about the deer; for the most part the deer are really well behaved (some even seem to bow after or before you feed them–really I promise!) and pose no threat to you but there are some things to take caution about: See more photos and read the rest of this entry »

Tōdai-ji (東大寺), one of the many UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Nara, was built in 752 and is one of the most important Buddhist Temples in Japan, housing the largest statue of Buddha in Japan.  Despite being reconstructed in 1692 at 2/3 of Todaiji’s original size, it is the world’s largest wooden building.

To be honest, before going, I was not too excited about it, but once I was then I was taken in with the sheer size of the building and the Buddha inside, especially when taking into consideration how long ago this was built.  The statue of Buddha, also known as Daibutsu, is 14.98 meters (about 50 feet) tall and weighs about 500 metric tons (500,000 kg).

Todaiji is located in Nara Park is a place you can’t miss if you are visiting Nara.  For more information see the wikipedia.

Nara is in the Kansai Region of Japan and is about 30-40 minutes by train from Kyoto or Osaka. Nara, the old capital of Japan, is home to 8 of Japan’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 64 of the 200 and some odd buildings that are considered national treasures in Japan. Nara is also home to about 1200 or so deer that roam freely around Nara Koen (Nara Park). I have been to Kyoto more than 5 times but just recently went to Nara for the first time because I thought it would feel similar to Kyoto; however, it has a very different feel from it. Partly because there are deer running around everywhere and partly because it is less crowded (although the famous spots like Todaiji, do get very crowded at times), but there is something about Nara, that is somewhat hard to pinpoint, that makes it a magical place.

I highly recommend checking Nara out, especially in the fall. If you want, you could probably see most of Nara without staying overnight, but I recommend staying one night there just to make sure you can see everythign you want to see. Below are a few places that you will not want to miss:

• • Todaiji–Huge temple that holds Japan’s largest Buddha (top photo)
  • Nara Koen–Nara Park is where a lot of temples, shrines and 1200+ deer are
  • Horyuji–Oldest wooden building and structures in the world
  • Kokufuji
  • Kasuga Taisha–Fabulous Shinto Shrine and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Toshodaiji
  • Yakushiji

For more information see the official site of Nara or the Japan Guide.

Where to start…Well, let’s just say if you are a photographer in Japan and you do not go to Kyoto, you should really consider giving up photography. Seriously, Kyoto and the surrounding areas like Arashiyama and Nara are so spectacular that there is no excuse not to find a way to get to Kyoto. As of Spring of 2006 I have been to Kyoto 5 times, going atleast once ever season of the year. The two best times to go are, cherry blossom season and during the fall.

Kyoto is the old capital of Japan is said to have more than 1600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines. Also Kyoto’s district Gion, is the only place in Japan where you can regularly see real geisha or maiko (and no they are not prostitutes).

There are many famous places and most of which I will encourage you to go to, but sometimes it is a good idea to go off the beaten path and find your own little treasure in Kyoto.

Here are some of the famous places you should consider going:

• • Nanzenji (My personal favorite)
  • Kinkakuji (Golden Pavillion)
  • Ginkakuji (Silver Pavillion)
  • Ryoan-ji (Most famous rock garden of all of Japan)
  • Kiyomizudera (One of the most famous temples in Japan and a good view of Kyoto)
  • Tetsugaku no michi (Philosopher’s Path)
  • Kokedera (Moss Garden Temple–3000 yen and reservation required to enter!)
  • Ninnanji (A very diverse UNESCO World Heritage Site close to Ryoanji)
  • Fushimi Shrine (Shinto Shrine with thousands of tori gates)

Kyoto is about 2 hours by shinkansen from Tokyo and about 45 minutes by express train from Osaka. For more detailed access information please see Japan-Guide.com.

Here are some Links you may find useful about Kyoto:

• • Kyoto’s Visitor’s Guide–Online version of the monthly publication.
  • Kyoto Event Web Magazine–Provides information about festivals and events.
  • K’s Hostel–The best hostel in Kyoto.
  • Japan-Guide.com–A lot of really good information
  • Kyoto Prefecture Travel Guide–Official site of Kyoto Prefecture with travel information