Nikkō
November 6, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C
The shrines and temples of Nikkō are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Futarasan Shrine and Tōshō-gū are both Shinto shrines and Rinnō-ji is a Buddhist temple. The surrounding cedar forestRead more
Kanmangafuchi Abyss
November 6, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
An ethereal volcanic valley lined with Buddhist Jizo statues (guardian of children and the souls of the dead) dressed in their red capes. In 1902, a flood damaged most of the statues. Since then, theRead more
Nasu Shikanoyu Onsen and Sessho-Seki
November 7, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C
Rumor has it that Shikanoyu dates back to the 7th century when a hunter wounded a shika deer and followed it through mountains, eventually finding it resting at this hot spring, having been healed byRead more
Tsutsuji Suspension Bridge, Nasu Ropeway
November 7, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 6 °C
Lake Chūzenji
November 8, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C
Lake Chūzenji was formed by an eruption of Mount Nankai about 20,000 years ago and is the center of a beautiful scene in Nikkō National Park.
Photos: Chūzenji Lake Observation Deck, HangetsuyamaRead more
Omachi
November 8, 2022 in Japan ⋅ 🌙 2 °C
Togakushi Shrine/Giant Cedars
November 9, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 6 °C
The pathway to the upper shrine is lined with towering Japanese redwoods (Cryptomeria) planted in the 17th century. Apparently some may be as much as 900 years old.
Kusatsu Hot Spring
November 9, 2022 in Japan ⋅ 🌙 5 °C
Kusatsu Onsen is a centuries-old hot spring resort town with the most flowing water of any hot springs in Japan. The yubatake hot spring field (pictured) is the heart of the town and shows the processRead more
Chureito Pagoda
November 10, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
Pagoda built in 1958 (completed in 1962) to enshrine those from Fujiyoshida who died in wars over the past 90 years. With Mount Fuji in the background, this is one of the most well known views ofRead more
Lake Ashi
November 11, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
Hakone Shrine was founded in the 8th century on Mount Koma/Komagatame, which is one of the peaks and central cones of Mount Hakone (a complex volcano). At some point, the shrine was moved to LakeRead more
Owakudani
November 12, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C
Volcanic mountainside with craters, fumaroles, and sulfur vents. Eggs are commonly boiled in hot springs, but only here at Owakudani do they turn black. The eggs are sent back and forth by a miniatureRead more
Genbe River (Mishima)
November 13, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
An incredible river walk stretches through the city of Mishima. Concrete stepping stones and boardwalks place you right at the water’s edge—and then some. Along the way is a rich diversity ofRead more
Ikadaba Wasabi Fields
November 13, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
Traditional wasabi cultivation in Shizuoka is a recognized Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System. Here, wasabi is grown sustainably by the “tatamiishi” method that features a piles ofRead more
Kawazu Seven Waterfalls
November 13, 2022 in Japan ⋅ 🌧 17 °C
A great day exploring some part of the Izu Peninsula. While walking the Seven Waterfalls trail, we stumbled upon a hidden restaurant in the forest called Higurashi (which was basically justRead more
Dragon’s Back
November 14, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C
Deciduous trees planted along mountain ridges creates a stunning illusion of a dragon rising up as the leaves change color in the fall. Unfortunately, the light was bad for landscape photography, plusRead more
Nara Park
November 14, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
Nara Park is home to a little over 1,000 sika deer. Since Takemikazuchi, one of the gods enshrined at Kasuga-taisha, first visited while riding a white deer, all of these “Nara deer” areRead more
Philosopher’s Path
November 15, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
Tetsugaku no michi, or the “Philosopher’s Walk,” is a winding path along a section of the Lake Biwa Canal that is lined with cherry trees—so just imagine it in the spring! Dating back to theRead more
Gioji, Arashiyama
November 16, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
Kimono Forest, Arashiyama Station
November 16, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
Extra thanks to Anastasha for patiently waiting for multiple trains to come through so I could take pictures of them, even though I didn’t end up using those pictures.
The first shot is the truestRead more
Fushimi Inari
November 18, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
Roppongi Hills: Tokyo City View
November 19, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C
Last full day in Tokyo consisted of some morning donuts (Snowman Pikachu at Misdo!) before walking around Shinjuku. Unfortunately, our temple-gardens-of-choice for carp feeding were closed, so,Read more


































































































