Japan Photo Guide

Miyajima is considered to be one of the 3 most scenic places in Japan, and in my opinion, of the famous 3, Miyajima is the best place for a photographer. To be fair it is also the most diverse having everything from Itsukushima Shrine (the tori gate that is floating in the ocean) to it’s own mountain… with monkeys that live on the top. Who doesn’t like monkeys? I mean really?

Also it should be noted that deer walk around the island like they own the place. I went during cherry blossom season and it was really beautiful, but Miyajima is worth going to at anytime of the year. Also I was surprised that sometimes the floating tori gate, isn’t floating. All the famous photos you see of it are when the tide is in, but when the tide goes out you can walk up right next to (or search for clams like some people do).

Miyajima is about 20 minutes to one hour away from Hiroshima by boat–depending on which boat and from where you leave. Be sure to check ferry schedules going both ways before you go, if you miss the last ferry there are not too many places to stay (they can also be a little expensive) and during peak travel season you may end up without a place to stay!For more access information see the Japan-guide.com.

Also here is the official site of Miyajima.

Kinkakuji, or the Golden Pavilion, is a Zen Temple that is covered in real gold and was originally the residence of the retired shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. The Golden Pavilion is beautiful throughout the year, especially when the fall leaves are changing colors. Along with the actual Golden Pavilion, the surrounding grounds are quite picturesque. The GP is located on the west side of Kyoto, close to Ryoanji. The best way to get there is either by taxi or bus 101 or 205.

Ginkakuji is located on the east side of Kyoto and right off the Philosopher’s Path. Ginkajuji was built for the Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa and designed after Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) and was suppose to be covered in Silver, but when Yoshimasa died, the plans for this were set in stone. The temple grounds are pretty nice and worth checking out. From the hill you get a nice view.

For more information, please see the Japan-guide.com.

Ryoanji Temple is most famous for it’s Zen rock garden (below), which is the most famous in all of Japan. The rock garden consists of, yes you guessed it, rocks (and a little moss). The rocks of various sizes are arranged in a certain way and small rocks (more like pebbles) are raked to create a Zen design.

Ryoanji is most famous for the rock garden, but the temple grounds are much more picturesque, especially around the lake. Also of the 4 times I have been there has been construction work on or close to the rock garden which obviously is not a plus. Ryoanji is located in northwestern Kyoto and close to Kinkakuji and Ninnanji.

For more access information please see Japan-Guide.com or the Official Ryoanji website.

Kiyomizudera, which means healing water temple, is on the south eastern side of Kyoto. It is perhaps the most famous temple in Kyoto (which means there is always a crowd) and when the weather is nice, there is a great view of Kyoto. There are many spots that make for interesting photos here. If possible, of course cherry blossom or fall are the best time’s to visit, especially if you can go at night when Kiyomizudera is lit up.

Below is the view from Kyomizudera at night.

For access information, please see The Japan-Guide.com

Kokedera (Moss Garden) in Kyoto is home to 22 different kinds of moss. Basically it is a garden where moss is covering most of the ground. It is believed to be the first designed garden with moss in Japan. I went during the fall and the autumn leaves were especially beautiful situated against the mostly green moss garden. I have been told that summer, during the rainy season, is a nice time to visit as the sunlight does wonders to the beads of water on the moss…that is of course, assuming it is not raining while you visit.

Of course like most places in Japan, fall is also a lovely time to go. The admission fee is a little steep (3000 yen and you NEED a reservation which should be made as early as possible due to the high demand of visitors) and while I thought it was worth it, I think I will not go again. That being said, I would be lying if I told you that I think you will be disappointed if you go, because it is a very beautiful and relaxing place.

Finding contact and access information has been a little hard on the internet for some reason, but I will post more information when I have it. In the meantime here are some telephone numbers (maybe they can speak English).

615.8286 (from Japan)

81(0)75.391.3631 (from outside of Japan)

Flowers and plants delivery – order flowers & plants online with Proflowers, your online florist. The flowers are fresher than local florists and last longer

A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a specific site (such as a forest, mountain range, lake, desert, building, complex, or city) that has been nominated–and confirmed–for inclusion on the list maintained by the international World Heritage Programme administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.

The programme aims to catalogue, name, and preserve sites of outstanding cultural or natural importance to the common heritage of humankind. Under certain conditions, listed sites can obtain funds from the World Heritage Fund. The programme was founded with the Convention Concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage, which was adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO on 16 November 1972. Since then, 182 state parties (countries) have ratified the convention.

As of 2005, a total of 812 sites are listed: 628 cultural, 160 natural, and 24 mixed properties, in 137 state parties. UNESCO references each World Heritage Site with a unique identification number; but new inscriptions often include previous sites now listed as part of larger descriptions. As a result, the numbering system currently ends above 1100, even though there are fewer on the actual list.

Each World Heritage Site is the property of the country on whose territory the site is located, but it is considered in the interest of the international community to preserve each site for future generations of humankind. The protection and conservation of these sites are a concern of all the World Heritage countries.

Please see the Wikipedia for more information or see the Japan-Guide.com for a complete list of sites in Japan.

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