The Wedded Rocks, also known as Meoto Iwa in Japanese, are a pair of natural rock formations located off the coast of Futami in Ise City, Mie Prefecture, Japan. The rocks are considered sacred in the Shinto religion and are one of the most famous and popular spiritual landmarks in Japan. The larger rock, which …
Just like packing light, sometimes writing lightly can be more effective form of communication. My last few blogs have been short and sweet, but no less important than the travel advice I have presented since day 108. Hard to believe that there are only 39 days left. Today’s post is simple as well: There is …
A famous story that has been remade into several movies, this version wasreleased days before the attack on Pearl Harbor, December 1, 1941. A piece of imperial propaganda, that survived the disasterous war.
I’ve written before about adapting to the local schedule of the place to which you travel. This can be a challenging aspect of travel. Especially if you are like me and enjoy the quietest time of day by waking up early throughout the week. Although it may make travel slightly more complicated, waking up early …
One of the best ways to enjoy a visit to a new place and have a local experience is by attending a sporting event. I’ve done this all over the world and often made local friends and had great experiences. It can be tricky to match up dates, but there is almost always some level …
One of the most fun challenges of travel abroad is the different languages that you encounter. For every country I travel to, I do some language study – if nothing else – so I have the ability to order food and exchange greetings in the local language. Nothing will help you to see the world …
With limited time left before traveling, it is time to start thinking about possible itinerary decisions. It is impossible to see everything, and each different option must be considered. Take a look at these two sample itineraries, one generic “24 hours in Kyoto” and one with some places I’d like to see. Morning (8:00 AM …
Koyasan will be the second stop after arrival in Osaka. I am looking forward to seeing rural Japan and what historical communities looked like. Koyasan is a town located in the Koya Plateau in the Wakayama Prefecture of Japan. It is known for being the center of Shingon Buddhism, an esoteric sect of Buddhism that …
On the first day, I will travel from Osaka to Koyasan. Here are the directions that I found online. Although there are other ways of getting there and specific train schedules will dictate when I leave. Rather than step three, I might also begin my hiking and walk the Choishi Michi. “Choishi Michi” is the …
From Kenko’s Essays in Idleness: “You can decide to do something today, but before you manage it some unexpected and urgent business will arise to overwhelm your plan for the day, or the person you are waiting for is unable to come, or someone unexpected arrives, or something you were relying on turns out differently, …