Topic 5 Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto

Today, I'll introduce one of the most popular city in the world Kyoto. In 1993, Japanese government has recommended registering Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto to World Heritage Commitee and the following year, it was registered as a world heritage site. Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto is composed by 17 places of shrines, temples and castle, so wide area has been registered as Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto in the world heritage site. Each registered shrines, temples and castle are famous, especially "Kiyomizu-dera Temple," "Ginkaku-ji Temple," "Kinkaku-ji Temple," "Byodo-in Temple" and "Nijo-jo Castle" are popular in many tourists. Kyoto is not only tourists from abroad, there is also popular in Japanese tourists and school trips. So, all year round tourists will visit the Kyoto. Because Kyoto is also attractive the cityscape and buildings not registered as a world heritage site, so there is not feel bored tourists. Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine is a typical example, it's one of the most famous shrines in Japan. It has some specialties,  such as sparrow's yakitori (grilled chicken), omokaruishi (you can use this stone to try your lack). I think most famous specialty is the Senbon Torii (a thousand trii) even out of those. It's a magical and mysterious space. I think you have to go there when you visited Kyoto.
This URL is useful website that describes the Kyoto attractions. Please check it out. http://kyoto.travel/en

Kinkaku-ji Temple

http://matome.naver.jp/odai/2142279158118056801/2142279352520200803

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

http://matome.naver.jp/odai/2141570079497512401

Nijo-jo Castle

http://mery.jp/41175

Ginkaku-ji Temple



http://matome.naver.jp/odai/2138759705487526401/2138768397425716703



Byodo-in Temple

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wk4_2fy-1eg

 Fushimi Inari Taisha Temple

http://inari.jp/

http://matome.naver.jp/odai/2143832317463482201

Topic 4 Himeji Castle

 Today, I'll introduce a beautiful Japanese castle "Himeji Castle." Sometimes, it is called "Shirasagi Castle," because it's similar in appearance to a white egret that has spread its wings. (Shirasagi is "White egret" in Japanese.) In 1993, Himeji Castle was recognized as the first world heritage site in Japan along with "Horyuji in Nara."

Spring



Summer

Fall



Winter

These photos refer to http://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/topic/photobank/_18123/_18124.html

How to enjoy Himeji Castle

There is a perfect app to enjoy the Himeji Castle. The app is called "Himeji Castle great discovery app." If you download this app to your smartphone or tablet, you can check detailed information as well as videos, photos, and some explanatory comments. Himeji Castle is a tourist attraction that each has a history and stories, so you will not get bored. Let's enjoy and see all of the Himeji Castle using its this app!
Admission Fee
Adult (18 years old-) 1000yen
Children                     300yen
Surrender time
9:00-16:00 (for gate closing 17:00)
in the summer (April 27-August 31)
9:00-17:00 (for gate closing 18:00)

Topic 3 Shrines and Temples of Nikko

Hi. Today, I'll introduce a Japanese traditional shrines and temples in Nikko. Nikko is a city that exisit in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. You can go to the Nikko from Tokyo Station about two hours by bullet train. Shrines and Temples of Nikko is recognized as world heritage site in 1996, it mainly composed primarily of Nikko Toshogu, Nikko Hutara-san-jinja Shrines and Nikko Rinno-ji Temples. I think especially Nikko Toshougu is the famous site, so I'll write about Nikko Toshougu. If you like Japanese culture you've heard or seen Sanzaru (Three Monkeys) and Nemurineko (Sleeping Cat). Three Monkeys have each gesture. it means "See No Evil, Speak No Eviil, Hear No Evil", They're famous sculptures in Toushogu. But Sanzaru is the one of the eight panels of carvings of monkeys running around the building, depicting the lives of ordinary people.

http://www.hello-kanko.com/gallery/gallery1/%E6%97%A5%E5%85%89%E6%9D%B1%E7%85%A7%E5%AE%AE%E4%B8%89%E3%81%96%E3%82%8B/

Nemurineko is a cat dozing in sunlight, sunlight means nikko in Japanese, so it's double meaning.

http://nikkonazo.seesaa.net/upload/detail/image/DSC_0208-thumbnail2.jpg.html

Here URL is Shrines and Temples of Nikko's guide, please check it out, and it's an Nikko navi. I think it help your happy trip in Nikko.

Topic 2 Hiroshima peace memorial (Genbaku Dome)

Hi. Today I'll introduce a Japanese cultual and historical world heritage. It's a very important heritage for the world. The heritage name is Genbaku Dome. It's the only negative legacy that exists in Japan. In 1945 August 6, Genbaku Dome were damaged by the atomic bomb that was dropped by the American bombers during the Second World War. Altough most of the surrounding buildings were destroyed, the skeleton of Genbaku Dome is only skeleton remained even though  it received a shock wave from right above. This negative legacy also reminds us of the mistakes that humankind must not repeat, so in 1996, it was recognized as a world heritage site (nagative legacy). There is a Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum in the immediate vicinity of the Genbaku Dome. It has documents related to the Second World War and there are many exhibitions there. When I was a junior high school student, I visited there for peace learning on a school trip. I think many Japanese students visit Genbaku Dome in school, so anyone can learn about it.

from http://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/www/dome/contents/1005000000024/index.html

The URL above is Genbaku Dome's official website. If you are interested in it, you should see the website.

This official site has a very useful system. It's "Hiroshima Navigator". If you use Hiroshima Navigator, you can search various things such as Hiroshima specialties, stations and look up places on map. I recommend using Hiroshima Navigator, and have a nice trip.

Topic 1 Mt.Fuji-a sacred place and source of artistic inspiration

Hi. In this blog, I'll introduce some of the World Heritage Sites of Japan and some photos related to World Heritages of Japan. So today, I 'll introduce Mt. Fuji. It's Japan's highest peak with an altitude of 3,776 meters. I think Mt. Fuji is one of the most famous and popular mountains in the world. In 2013, Mt. Fuji was registered as a World Heritage Site for it's signicant cultural heritage. But why was Mt. Fuji was registered as a World Heritage Site for it's cultural heritage? Because Mt. Fuji is drawn by many famous artists as a symbol of Japanese culture.

http://www.geocities.jp/zdh/fuji36.htm

This painting is especially famous.It's one of the "Thirty-six  Views of Mount Fuji,"painted by Katsushika Hokusai. Mt. Fuji is also been drawn by Van Gogh, Monet and Utagawa Hiroshige. Mt. Fuji has became a cultural symbol because it was painted by many famous artists. 
 If you want to climb Mt. Fuji, you must choose the cource. Mt. Fuji has four courses, and you will need to choose a course that suits you. So I'll introduce the characteristics of four courses. The first course is called the Yoshida route. It's the most popular course for mountain climbers, because the Yoshida route makes it easy to set to the trainhead and there are many facilities compared to other courses. It's good for beginners. The second course is the Subashiri route. This course has a forest zone spread at high altitude, and it has a lot of shady trees. We can rest in the shade of a tree, but we must be careful not to get lost in the forest zone. The third course is called the Gotemba route. The feature of this course is the amazing scenery. It's a very hard course, so it's for advanced climbers. The last course is the Fujinomiya route. This course is the shortest course to the summit, but there many rocks on a steep slope, so I think it's not recommended for beginners.

When you climb Mt. Fuji, you should prepare there.
・climbing shoes
・rainwear
・an outfit for cold weather
・cap
・easy to eat rich food (like a chocolate)
・water
・plastic waste bag (you must bring back the trash)
・small money for using toillet (some 100yen coin)
・some money for staying at hotel

Various appearance of Mt. Fuji
We can see avarious appearance of Mt. Fuji from this official site. Please check it out right now.
http://www.yamanashi-kankou.jp/kokuritsukoen/jp/movie/index.html

If you go to Mt. Fuji from Tokyo Station
If you want to go to Mt. Fuji from Tokyo station, you should get on the Tokaido Shinkansen Kodama and you get off at Shin-Fuji Station. Then you should get on the bus to Mt. Fuji from Shin-Fuji Station. That way, Mt. Fuji will be in front of your eyes. Have a nice trip.