Ryoanji Zen Garden - Kyoto

"What is the sound of one hand clapping?"

Kyoto Parasols

Of course no onna in Japan, on a hot summer's day, would be without her parasol!

Edo Period Streets in Kyoto

When walking around some of the streets in Kyoto, you are transported back in time to when the samurai roamed, living by the code of bushido or 'Way of the Warrior' which granted them many freedoms but also required a lot of discipline. However, for a normal peasant life was potentially very dangerous, for if you brushed a samurai's sword or katana, even by accident, he could kill you without reprimand. A samurai's sword was said to also be his soul, and many spent much time polishing both.

Around Kiyomizu

The area surrounding Kiyomizu Dera is beautiful. There is a dense forest, colourful plants and also pristine water which you can drink directly from the fountain.

Kyoto - Kiyomizu Dera

This is one of the most famous temples in Kyoto - it's the one on stilts.

Kyoto - The Old Japan I was Looking For...

Having been in Japan for about 3-4 months now, I've visited some very beautiful places but still had an itch to scratch with regards to finding somewhere that I felt represented the 'old' Japan that I was imagining. Things such as Zen gardens, temples, tea houses which help facilitate the attainment of satori or enlightenment! Well, if not enlightenment, then at least a nice place to enjoy the aesthetics and ambience. If you are careful to look, you can find a taste of this in Kyoto.

Matsumoto From the Back.

Same castle, but on the other side and it includes some of the surrounding gardens.

Matsumoto Castle From Bridge

Pretty much a similar photo as the first one, but from the perspective of the bridge.

Matsumoto Castle

After having visited Nagano, we went to Matsumoto which has a very distinctive castle. Most Japanese castles tend to be white but Matsumoto is black and represents an excellent opportunity for a nice pic.

Bessho Onsen Cafe

When we were in Bessho we went to this little kissaten or cafe and it has a lovely view over part of the valley. The lady who runs it is very welcoming and speaks good English, I also tried to practice my limited Japanese with her.

Bessho Onsen

This is beautiful little place that is famed for the quality of its onsen which are natural hot springs usually in mountainous areas. Bessho has a real charm and is worth a visit.

Japanese Roofs in Nagano

Six Pigeons and a Buddha

Could be a good title for a film? Maybe not...

Nagano

Nagano is smallish but welcoming city in the mountains. Famous for hosting the 1998 Winter Olympics.

More Zenkoji Temple

In the temple, to the right of the altar, we descended a staircase to a pitch-black tunnel which is supposed to symbolise death and rebirth. While navigating the twisting tunnel we were told to hold out our arm along the right-hand wall trying to feel for something heavy, moveable and metallic... it is said to be the key to salvation! We found it eventually, but only after becoming a little nervous because it was scary trying to find our way in complete darkness. It was a relief to see light again and we all felt suitably reborn!

Zenkoji Temple

Despite the name, this is not a Zen Temple but welcomes many different kinds of Buddhist sects - it is one of the most inclusive temples in Japan. This picture shows a couple of children disturbing the pigeons in front of the temple - in the background is where people leave messages of goodwill and wishes for health, happiness, love etc.

Nagano - Zenkoji Temple

We went to Nagano city last week and visted the Zenkoji Temple.

From Korea With Love

This map, which hangs in Dorasan Station, shows the potential plan for a train that would run from Pusan through Russia to Europe, if re-unification occurs. You can get a stamp in your passport that entitles you to a free ticket from Dorasan Station, in South Korea, to Kaeson in the North. I got one in my passport so it would be great if I could go back one day and get my free ticket!

Railroad to Unite Korea

In 2002, George Dubya Bush visited Korea and made a speech about the hope for re-unification. He signed a railway sleeper and wrote 'May this railroad unite Korean families'.

Dorasan Train Station

This is South Korea's northernmost train station, the last one before the DMZ. It might only seem like any normal train station but you have to pass through military checkpoints before you can get here, also our bus driver had to weave through anti-tank defensive barriers.

Freedom Is Not Free

Freedom Bridge

This bridge crosses the Imjin River between North and South Korea.

Taegukgi - Brotherhood

I found this memorial, at the War Memorial Museum in Seoul, a very powerful image. It represents two brothers - the supportive one is, supposedly, the South and the stumbling brother is the North. It rings true currently, because South Korea has recently sent 500,000 tonnes of rice to the North and there are plans to supply electricity also. Many families are separated by the divide and many don't know if their relatives are still alive.

A divided Korea

It's still difficult to accept that Korea is a divided country, and in the light of the current Six-Nation party talks in Beijing it is sobering to visit the DMZ (De-Militarised Zone) - this is a 4 mile wide no go area, that has separated the country since 1953, after the Armistice Aggreement at the end of the Korean War.

Hyangwonjeong Pagoda

This sweet little pagoda is right at the south of the palace and was restored after being destroyed in the Korean War. I like the way the pagoda reflects in the way, as if it's growing from underneath the lilies. Click to enlarge.

Geungjeongjeon Through Trees

This is the same palace, but the picture is taken from further in the grounds. It's easy to see how big an influence China was on both Korea and Japan. Click to see enlarged picture.

Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul

We visited this ancient palace in Seoul and saw the guards wearing traditional Korean military uniforms. It is situated slap bang in the centre, in amongst all the skyscrapers which makes the clash of old and new all the more interesting.

Back from Seoul!

Hello, we're back from a week away in Seoul, Korea and I'll be sorting through some pics and posting them up soon :)

Panorama from Inuyama Castle

This is my attempt at stitching together many shots to create a panoramic pic, you can kinda see what I'm trying to do... sort of :)

Inuyama - home of the oldest existing castle in Japan!

Inuyama - translates as 'dog mountain'! Nice.

Seki - where we live and work!

Here are some pics of Seki-shi, Gifu-ken - Japan!

More Takayama Pics!

These are some more pics from Takayama, as you have probably guessed - I have been quite taken by this place!

Takayama pics

Here are some pics of a lovely city in the mountains of Japan, in the Tokai region, called Takayama.

We're here!

Hello sideways chimneys - how's it going?

Here's a little update... we're now in Japan, we've started teaching in Seki and we've moved into our apartment. Things are going well so far.

Gem and I had our first Japanese lesson last Friday, so hopefully we can pick some up to help us get by a little better. So far we've been depending on our Lonely Plant Phrasebook!

I hope to start a martial art soon, maybe karate - the style is Go Ju Ryu, which I think is quite a tough style so maybe I should work on my fitness before I begin. Hopefully I won't die! If I do, if you want any of my stuff, pop round my Mum's and first come first served.

Ta - arigato gozaimasu :)

P.S. Pics to follow.