Category Archives: Travel

Traveling Japan: New Year’s Festival at Yasaka Shrine

Posted on October 5, 2015 by tinabot

If you watch a lot of anime, you may have noticed that festivals are a big deal in Japanese culture and story telling. Just like there’s usually a onsen hot spa episode, a beach episode, or a class field trip … Continue reading →

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Traveling Japan: Shinbashi Dori in Gion

Posted on September 28, 2015 by tinabot

From various sources, I read that Shinbashi Dori has been called the most beautiful street in Asia. After reading that, I couldn’t possibly pass up the opportunity to hunt this street of beauty down and check it out. So, with … Continue reading →

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Traveling Japan: Kyoto’s Ninen Zaka & Sannen Zaka

Posted on September 21, 2015 by tinabot

While researching places to go in Kyoto, I have to admit, I was trying to live my Rurouni Kenshin years and wanted to see “old Kyoto” where ever it may still exist, while temples and gardens are key destinations in … Continue reading →

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Traveling Japan: Kiyomizudera

Posted on September 14, 2015 by tinabot

除夜の鐘｜Joya no Kane #kyoto #kiyomizudera #japan #temple #清水寺#京都#日本#寺 A photo posted by 音羽山 清水寺｜Kiyomizu-dera (@feel_kiyomizudera) on Dec 31, 2014 at 9:32am PST The image above is of Kiyomizudera buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan, the night I was there. Except I … Continue reading →

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Traveling Japan: Kyoto’s Heian Shrine

Posted on September 7, 2015 by tinabot

The Heian Shrine is one of those major stops in Kyoto. It’s one of the main shinto shrines in the country, and its torii is one of the largest in all of Japan. It’s a symbol of revival for Kyoto … Continue reading →

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Traveling Japan: Arashiyama’s Okochi-Sanso Villa

Posted on August 31, 2015 by tinabot

The Okochi-Sanso Villa in Arashiyama used to be the home of a famous actor named Denjiro Okochi. As I was researching the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest destination, I saw mention of this, read a little about it, saw some beautiful pictures … Continue reading →

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Traveling Japan: Arashiyama’s Tenryu-ji Temple

Posted on August 24, 2015 by tinabot

We had come to this area primarily for the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, but we found so much more than we had expected. One of the things about the city of Kyoto is that there’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site around … Continue reading →

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Traveling Japan: Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

Posted on August 17, 2015 by tinabot

The Arashiyama area is a “touristy” location, which makes it sound like one of those ugly tourist traps flooded with souvenir shops vomiting cheap goods onto sidewalks. Not so. It does have souvenir tourist shops, but a lot of the … Continue reading →

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Traveling Japan: Miyajima

Posted on August 10, 2015 by tinabot

The island of Itsukushima and the Itsukushima Shrine on the island are popularly known as Miyajima. I had no idea this place existed until one of my traveling companions requested to go there on one of our day trips. Staying … Continue reading →

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Traveling Japan: August 6th, 70th Anniversary of Hiroshima Bombing

Posted on August 6, 2015 by tinabot

I thought it appropriate to post about my trip to Hiroshima, Japan on the actual 70th year anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima by the United States in World War II, August 6, 1945. Taking a day trip down … Continue reading →

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Traveling Japan: Fushimi Inari Shrine

Posted on August 3, 2015 by tinabot

The Fushimi Inari shrine is meant for grain, wine, rice, and general prosperity. It’s most recognizable for its thousands of torii of all sizes, purchased by individuals, organizations, or companies for luck. The amazing result of such a tradition is … Continue reading →

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Traveling Japan: Kaiseki

Posted on July 27, 2015 by tinabot

I’ve got no patience for food preparation. For me, when it comes to cooking, the simpler, the better. I’m not a picky eater either, and though I enjoy delicious food, I wouldn’t really call myself a foodie. So when I … Continue reading →

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