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When visiting shrines and temples in Japan you will often see various kinds of Talismans (omamori), a ‘must get’ for many Japanese people.
Omamori, (the word itself means “to protect,”) is a Japanese amulet dedicated to Shinto and Buddhist gods. There are various kinds of Omamoris, each one bought for a specific purpose.
Usually covered in traditional Japanese kimono cloth, inside is either a piece of cardboard, or paper with a prayer printed on it.
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It is a question we often get asked. “How do I access the internet while I am in Japan?” or “Will my mobile phone work?”
Well, it is not actually as easy as you may think. This may be a blessing for some people; those who want to get away from email and Facebook and all those status updates.
But for those of you who really want to connect to the outside world, we thought we’d share our experiences.
Japan does have one of the best broadband networks in the world. Even in the smallest village you can often now get 100mb/s broadband service, thanks to super-fast fibre-optic or cable internet.
Japan also has until recently led the way in internet on the mobile/cellphone, although this lead is being quickly eroded by the booming smart phone market in other countries. For the visitor, however, it is slightly complicated; the fact is that connecting can be complicated. The main problem is that due to most people having internet-enabled phones, there is not much of a need for internet cafes.
Said to be Japan’s oldest road, the Yamanobe-no-michi (literally ‘path beside the mountains’) is a trail skirting the hills along the eastern edge of the Nara plain. Within easy reach of Nara or Kyoto, the trail leads through small farming communities, agricultural land where rice, vegetables and strawberries are grown, past temples, and ancient burial mounds.
Historically, the large plain where Nara is situated, is very significant, being the site of the first of Japan’s permanent capitals such as Asuka and Nara itself.
Many of the sites along the Yamamobe-no-michi are associated with
the kojiki, 古事記, “Record of Ancient Matters”, which cover the events (or myths) of the founding of Japan. Written down in the 8th century, the kojiki form the basis for much of the native Shinto religion and are connected with the Imperial Family.
Frommers have mentioned our Nakasendo Trail tour as one of their recommended spring walking trips.
Walking Tours That Put a Spring In Your Step
It is the end of our snow country tour and we are back in Tokyo with our son, Evan. We have had a wonderful trip overall. The weather has not been as cold as expected, but there was plenty of snow in Kushiro and also Shirakawa-go.
We did a lot of walking in Kyoto with Yuhko Takagi. She was a wonderful guide and took great care of us. We walked a lot in Kyoto, but the weather was fine except for some light rain. The cooking class was a great experience and I would recommend it to others. Mariko was a great teacher and we made some wonderful food– somen noodle soup, dashi soup base, japanese omelet. cucumber salad, and rice with vegetables. Yummy! Read the rest of this entry »
We are pleased to announce the winners of our 2009 photo competition!
First prize goes to Paul Rainsberry from Canada, with this shot of schoolchildren.
Runners up were P.J. Heller from the USA and Lynne Carter from the UK.
To see the winning photos click here.
Our 2010 competition is now underway, and open to any photos taken on one of our tours.
Asuka was the first capital of Japan during the very earliest part of Japan’s recorded history. It preceeded both Nara and Kyoto, and ended a period during when the seat of government was changed each year. 
Nachi, in Wakayama, is famous in Japan for its 133 metre high waterfall, and Nachi Grand Shrine. On the south-east coast of Wakayama Prefecture, in the Kii Peninsula, this whole area is steeped in myth and legend. Nachi is part of the Grand shrines of Kumano UNESCO-registered World Heritage site, and one of the Three Grand Shrines of Kumano, which deify the three mountains of Kumano. Now worshipped as part of esoteric Buddhism, the religious significance goes back to the pre-Buddhist period in Japan, when shintoism was the only religion. The difference between the two religions has become somewhat blurred. You may see pilgrims, dressed in white, making their way to Nachi- it is at the eastern end of the Nakahechi, of the ancient pilgrimage routes known as the Kumano kodo. If you are not arriving on foot, then the train from Osaka to Nachi is the logical alternative. The journey itself is dramatic; the train hugs the coast and you see the open Pacific as it laps at the rugged coastline and small villages. At Nachi, a bus takes you up the small road for 30 minutes to the shrine and the waterfall. In July, the famous Nachi Fire festival is held. 50kg torches made of pine branches are held and set on fire. The fire is meant to purify the mikoshi, portable shrines, that are carried by men up the stairs leading to the Nachi shrine itself. In the past, yamabushi, mountain ascetics, would come the waterfalls to undergo penance. They would immerse themselves in the icy water in winter, in an ordeal known as taki-gyo. Read the rest of this entry »
Takachiho in Miyazaki Prefecture. Takachiho is associated in Japan with the creation myths that are connected with the Japanese Imperial Family. According to these legends, the Imperial Family traces its roots back to the first recorded Emperor, Jimmu, who was born in Miyazaki, and set out on a voyage which eventually took him to Asuka near present-day Nara, where his burial mound now stands. For many Japanese, Miyazaki is the cradle of their civilisation, and you can find many sites throughout this part of eastern Kyushu that are associated with the myths. There seems to be some truth behind the legend of Jimmu’s voyage from Miyazaki, but Takachiho’s part is perhaps more difficult to prove. According to the Kojiki chronicles, Jimmu’s great-grandfather was the god Ninigi-no-mikoto, himself grandson of the sun goddess Amaterasu-no-Omikami. Amaterasu is associated with Takachiho Gorge, in the famous Cave legend, where she went off to sulk in a cave after a prank by her brother. Being the sun-goddess, as she entered the cave the world was plunged into darkness. In order to tempt her out again and bring light back, another goddess named Uzume did a dance for the other gods outside the cave entrance. The curious Amaterasu peeped out and the cave door was shut quickly behind her.
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