We took a trip to Hiroshima; it seemed somewhat appropriate in these gloomy times. The Atomic Bomb Dome and the Peace Memorial Park have been designated a World Heritage Site. This dome, the Genbaku Dome, was the only standing building in this area after the Atomic bomb explosion. On the site of the Peace Park there is also a museum that contains personal belongings of the victims, photographs and other artefacts from the bombing. For many reasons, we chose not…
I love the build up to the Sakura period. People emerge to seek early blossom – plum blossom starts in late January and then there are the early cherry blossom varieties, Kanzakura, Kawazuzakura, Kanhizakura and many more (and no, I don’t see the differences) until we reach the main flowering period. In 2022, this is between mid March to early May, depending on the location in Japan. There are sites offering information on predicted dates in all areas of Japan,…
23.34 on Wednesday and we were violently shaken awake. The building was swaying backwards & forwards and our choice to live on 21st floor looked questionable. Geoff remained sat up in bed (thinking he said) whilst I walked around the apartment (investigating I said) but the reality is we were not earthquake ready. Neither of us got dressed or moved to the door … but we have agreed that we need a plan. Walking down the corridor to the lounge…
Our exploration mojo has returned … 3 days later we off again, but this time in a hired car. So much of Japan to see! Jogashimo is an island off the Miura Peninsula , just over 80km from Tokyo making it an ideal day out. We were able to easily walk around the island with views of the sea all around us. It is well known for double headed narcissi, but they were at their end of their season, a…
It was the Emperor’s Birthday on Weds 23rd February … another of Japan’s public holidays. Thanks Emp! Via train, buses and much walking we took ourselves off to explore around Ito. Although known as a hot spring town, we only had a quick walk around …. and disappointingly, the red carpet and reception wasn’t for us …. ….. before we caught a bus to Mount Omuro, an extinct volcano. I’m not sure what I expected of an an extinct volcano,…
I thought I’d better write about this now … quickly before Spring has properly sprung. The Japanese use traditional techniques for protecting plants over winter months. Ropes attached to tall bamboo poles create a cover to prevent branches of the trees breaking from the weight of snow. This is shimoyoke, braided straw covers, to protect plants from warmer climates from frost. Komomaki is a traditional method of eradicating pests in trees; pests gather in the warm straw which is then…
Who knew there was such a thing … ? Each plant has it’s own straw cover for protection; but they require a careful schedule of pruning and nipping of buds so they are grown only buy experienced and dedicated gardeners. We went to see the Winter Peony Garden in Ueno, next to the Toshogu Shrine. As well as the plants there were so many pots of fresh peonies around … and a peony inspired ladies toilet sign! Ueno Park A…
Refections Not my reflections but those in large plate windows on a sunny New Years Day Saying Sorry One apologising for an elevator under repair, and the other one in a ladies restroom. Winter ready It was a Dome-y sort of day Parking Isn’t it fascinating that someone has thought it was worthwhile putting in this infrastructure for just two parking bays! Snowing in Tokyo Wow … this is the first time I have seen snow in Tokyo! I know…
This is a big event in Japan. The Japanese send New Year’s cards (nengajo) – to friends, family and colleagues with greetings specific to the different groups of people and often have a picture of the new zodiac animal. I did post a few but they were flimsy postcards so I fear they might not arrive in a recognisable state .. if at all. New Year’s Eve is a family time, traditionally gathered around the TV watching the most dire…
This has to be my favourite Boxing Day walk. Ever! Fushimi Inari Shrine The ultimate torii gate experience with thousands of vermillion gates over a meandering network of paths leading up to and around Mount Inari. This is the most important shrine dedicated to the Shinto god of rice with foxes as messengers. The walk takes over 2 hours and we completed it with seasonal snowflakes blowing around us. I love torii gates so much that I decided to invest…