Tori Path in Kyoto, Japan—The Entrance to Fumishi Inari Temple

Kyoto is a prefecture in Japan where you can see temples, shrines, and historical buildings. Most of their shrines are constructed as tributes to their gods or leaders. Japan is a country that produces rice. The Japanese eat rice everyday. Because of this, thousands of their shrines are dedicated to Inari, the Rice God of Shinto. However, one shrine for Inari stands out among the rest, the Fumishi Inari Shrine in Kyoto because of its Tori Path.

Before you arrive at the shrine, you have to pass through a path made up of thousands of Tori gates. You will usually see a Tori Gate in Shinto shrines. This gate is made up of two vertical poles on either side topped by a horizontal pole called kasagi. Just below the top horizontal pole is another horizontal pole that they call nuki. The usual colour of Tori is vermillion.

In the Fumishi Inari Temple, the thousands of Tori gates lined up one after the other make up the Tori Path. And the path is long. You do not have any other option but to walk on the path for 2 hours, longer if you will stop to take pictures. You should wear something comfortable to make the walk easier and you should be physically fit before you decide to go there. After all, a two-hour trek is not an easy thing to do.

The fire red orange colour of the Tori gates is a great contrast against the lush green backdrop of the forest that surrounds the shrine. This is an experience that can only be seen in Japan.

Most structures have elaborate and complex designs on the outside, but this is not the case with Sanjusangendo Temple. Outside the temple, you will a very simple and modest deign, as if it is just an ordinary wooden structure. But what makes it a main attraction in Japan that makes people from different countries visit is the interior part or the Sanjusangendo Hall.

This austere and simple structure was built a long time ago in 1164 by Goshirakawa, the then emperor of Japan. However, the building has to be reconstructed in 1266 after the original one was completely destroyed by fire. What you can see today is the building that has been reconstructed in 1266.

This is the longest building in Japan that is made of wood, with a length of 394 feet or120 miles. The outside is not so impressive, except for the length. But when you go inside, your eyes should be ready with what you will see. The Sanjusangendo Hall houses 1,001 statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy in Buddhism.

The focal point s the main statue of Kannon, that stands at 6 feet in height. In Buddhism, Kannon has 1000 arms and 11 faces. Her statue in Sanjusangendo Hall is considered as a National Treasure. The Kannon statues are masterpieces of a well-known sculptor in Japan, Tankei.

The other Kannon statues are life-sized, smaller than the major Kannon statue, and they have 40 arms each. It was said that each arm can save 25 different worlds. It was also believed that the goddess of mercy can transform into a total of 33 different shapes, and the architects of the temple based the number of hall’s pillars on this number, which means the temple also has 33 pillars.

Whether you are a Buddhist or not, you will still be amazed by the rows and rows of Kannon statues inside the longest wooden structure in Japan.

Japan is a country known for its high technology and fashion. It also known for its well-preserved historical and religious structures built hundreds of years ago. Not only that but this country also has some great natural sights to visit. One town in particular, Nikko, Japan, is the gateway of the famous Nikko National Park and awe-inspiring shrines and temples. If you want to see waterfalls, mausoleums, temples, shrines, the old Imperial house, mountains, a lake, and a marshland, a botanical garden, and many more, you should visit the town of Nikko.

In the central town, you will see the world famous Toshogu Shrine, an elaborately decorated complex that houses several buildings for Shinto and Buddhist followers. This shrine is actually a mausoleum where Tokugawa Ieyasu’s tomb is kept. Ieyasu was the founder of the famous Tokugawa shogunate. Aside from its historical buildings, you will also see a vast expanse of trees because this shrine is situated in an amazing forest.

If you walk farther for about half an hour or if you ride a bus for 10 minutes, you will see another mausoleum. It looks very similar to the Toshogu shrine, though this one is more modest. This is the mausoleum of Ieyasu’s grandson, Iemitsu. The name of the shrine is Taiyunbyo and you can also enjoy looking at a lavishly decorated structure.

There is another structure in the central town of Nikke which is called Rinnoji Temple. This temple is an important part of the history of Nikko because it was built by the Buddhist monk named Shodo Shonin who first brought Buddhism to the town of Nikko thousands of years ago. It is very near the Toshogu Shrine, which makes it easy for tourists to visit both.

If you like to see nature, you should visit Okunikko, the National Park in Nikko, where you can see one of the most famous and amazing waterfalls in Japan. Mount Nantai is also located in this area. At the foot of this mountain, you will see a very large and clear lake. The view is breathtaking, as if you are in paradise.

Japan is famous for its cuisine. Their foods have a distinct taste in addition to being healthy for those who consume them. Did you know that Japanese have the longest life span in the whole world? It is because of the food they eat. For instance, they are known for eating raw dishes such as sushi and sashimi. And you cannot make these delicious raw fish dishes if you do not have a fresh supply of fish.

In Japan’s case, they do not have any problem with fish supply because the country is an island country, surrounded by water on all sides. They have an abundance of quality fish. When in Japan, visit their fish markets, and when you do, you should go to Tsukiji Fish Market. Here are some of the tips you ought to know if you are planning to visit the world’s biggest fish market.

• Even though the place is open for tourists to see the products and the auctions, the place is still a market, a business place where people earn money. You should be smart enough not to intervene or distract ingoing sales transactions.

• They have the famous tuna auction everyday, but you can only witness the thrill and anticipation of the participants between 5:00 am to 6:15 am. You have to wake up early if you do not want to miss the exciting auction. They have made this policy after several frictions between the tourist and the marketers. You should always behave yourself and know your place as a tourist and spectator of the event. And please do not use your flash camera.

• You will see different kinds of fish there—tuna, salmon, and other local Japanese fish. Now you know where they get their ingredients when they prepare delectable and mouth-watering sushi!

The Ise Shrine located in the Mie prefecture of Japan is an enchanting Shinto shrine built in the honor of the goddess Amaterasu-omikami. Also called as the Jingu, its complex is composed of two main shrines namely the Naiku and Geku which are surrounded by hundreds of other Shinto temples. Naiku or the Inner Shrine can be found in the south of middle Ise City, in a town called Uji-tachi. Primarily, this is the temple that is dedicated to the worshipping of Amaterasu-omikami because Geku or the Outer Shrine is built in honor of Toyouke no omikami, the goddess of industry and agriculture. There are other 123 shrines in the city with 91 belonging to Naiku and 32 to Geku.

Naiku is a very valuable place not only for the people living in the city of Ise but for all the citizens of Japan because of a national treasure it holds upon its shrine walls. The Naiku is the home of the Sacred Mirror making the shrine as one of the most important and sacred sites in the whole of Japan. The official guardian of the Ise shrine is also very important because the post of the High Priest or Priestess can only be filled by someone coming from the Imperial Family. The first Priestess said to have watched over the temple was princess Okunihime-miko, during the Asuka period of ancient Japan.

The architectural style used in the Ise shrine, Shinmeizukuri, is unique and is not allowed to be mimicked by any other temple in any part of Japan. The shrines are rebuilt every 20 years as a ritual to make them constantly ancient yet new at the same time. The current shrines are last built on 1993 and are the 61st iteration at present. The next schedule of the rebuilding will be on 2013.

Known as the Seto Sea, the Inland Sea of Japan is the body of water which separates the three main islands of the country, Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku. Not only does it serve as an international waterway that connects the Sea of Japan to the Pacific Ocean, it is a valuable sea transport to industrial parts in the Kansai region because of its connection to Osaka Bay. The waterway runs from east to west in about 450 km and has a width of 15 to 55 km from south to north. An approximate of 3,000 islands can be found here separated by the eastern, central, and western parts.

The Inland sea is a rich well of biodiversity with more than 500 marine species inhabiting its waters. Just some of the popular faunas are the ayu, the finless porpoise, horseshoe crabs, and even great white sharks. When it comes to industry, the Inland sea is considered as a very productive section in modern Japan. The primary industries surrounding its waters are from the cities of Kurashiki, Fukuyama, Ube, and Kobe. Tourism helps the area because of the mixture of the sea’s refreshing mix with Japan’s climate and picturesque landscape.

The coastal area of the sea, in particular, is one very popular choice for tourists whenever they visit Japan because of the unique beauty of its waters. The length of the coastal area named Setonaikai National Park, considered as one of the oldest parks in the country. The Itsukushima Shrine also found in the area of Inland sea is a member of UNESCO’s list of Heritage Sites around the world. More famous tourist centers are Kyoto and Tokyo with their appealing metropolitan structures and Shodoshima, also known as the “island of olives”.

If you think the statue of Liberty is big, you will be amazed at how big the Ushiku Daibutsu is. It is located in Ibaraki prefecture in Japan. The name means “Great Buddha in Ushiku.” There are other big Buddha statues in Japan but this one is probably the biggest one made of bronze. And maybe not just in Japan but in the whole world. It stands at 394 feet from the base to the top of the head. It is bronze plated and is located outdoors. People also call it Ushiku Arcadia.

If you think you will just stare at the statue and not do anything else, you are wrong because this gigantic estate has rooms inside. It has four floors and you can go to each floor using an elevator. One of them is full of windows, which serves as an observation deck.

Even before entering the structure, you will be amazed at the beautiful scenery of flowers, plants, and a clear pond full of different kinds of fish.

When you enter the first floor there is a big cauldron of incense, and on that spot, a single shaft of light shines form above, providing a tranquil setting.

The second floor is more of a room that they built as a study. The third floor is filled with 3000 small Buddha statues.

And finally, the fourth floor is the observation deck where you can see the view outside through the several widows.

After Ushiku Daibutsu, you will surely feel relaxed experiencing the beauty, peace, and serenity in one place.

One very important place for the Japanese is the Imperial Palace, Japan, which serves as the main residence of the Emperor of Japan and his family. Located in Chiyoda, Tokyo, the palace is like a park-like residence. The palace grounds including with the gardens, covers an area of 7.41 square kilometers. The current imperial palace covers the past retrenchments of the Edo castle where the citadels of Honmaru, Nishinomaru, Sannomaru, Ninomaru, and the Fukiage Gardens once existed. The Nishinomaru area is also used for some imperial court happenings while the imperial residence of the emperor and empress is found in the Fukiage gardens.

Some parks found in the Imperial Palace grounds are open to the public. One of these is the Kitanamaru Park which is the former Edo castle’s enceinte and is located to the north part of the palace’s perimeter. Outer gardens of the imperial palace in the south are also open to tourists where the bronze statue of Prince Kitashirakawa Yoshihisa can be seen. The present imperial palace is now constructed having interconnected modern structures after it was damaged by fire during World War II. The palace was reconstructed on 1968 with steel-framed concrete designed in a modernist way but still prepped with classic architectural accents unique to the Japanese like the large hipped roofs and beams.

Basically, the Kyuden of Imperial Palace, Japan is used as a receiving place for state guests and also as an official holding area for state ceremonies of official functions. The Pine chamber or the Matsu-no-Ma is the throne room wherein the emperor together with the prime minister and other ambassadors usually has their meetings. Other remarkable buildings in the Imperial Palace are the east Garden, the Tokagakudo music hall, the Ninomaru Garden where the trees symbolizing each of the prefecture in Japan can be found, and the Suwa no chaya which is a teahouse for the Imperial family.

If you want to know more about the culture and history of Japan, you should go to Tokyo National Museum or TNM. You will be awed at the number of artworks and artefacts that are preserved and displayed in this museum. To date, it has about 110,000 different objects and 87 of these are considered as Japan’s National Treasures.

This is very accessible because it is just located in Tokyo, specifically in Ueno Park in Taito. Although the museum mostly collects Japanese-related objects, they also have some collections of Asian arts and artefacts.

The museum has five exhibition buildings—the Honkan, Toyokan, Hyokeikan, Heiseikan, and Horyu-ji Homotsukan.

Honkan, or the Japanese Gallery, houses Japan’s artworks from 10,000 B.C. up to the latter years of the 1800s. You will see here different arts related to traditional Japanese culture and customs such as Samurai, the art of tea ceremony, Buddhism, and Kabuki and Noh.

The second gallery, Toyokan, is an Asian gallery. It has different art works from different Asian countries, which includes China, Southeast Asia, Korea, Middle East, and India, and Egypt.

The third gallery, Hyokeikan, this is open for temporary exhibitions and other kinds of events. It is dedicated to the late Emperor Taisho, and it showcases the Western influence in architecture in Meiji era.

Heiseikan, the fourth gallery, traces Japan’s archaeological history using artefacts. It is also open for special exhibitions. It includes a collection of pottery, stone tools, helmets and armours, and so on that date back as early as 10,000 B.C.

And last but not the least, the Horyu-ji Homostukan, the fifth gallery houses the Horyu-ji treasures given to the Imperial family. IN total, there are 319 treasures inside this gallery. You can also view all these collections of treasures on the second floor using a computer. You can also eat if at the restaurant located on the ground floor of this building.

Yakushi-ji Temple—One of the Greatest Temples of Nara, Japan

If you go to Japan, you should not just visit Tokyo Disneyland or its famous shopping center. You should also visit the numerous temples and shrines located in the Kansai area, specifically in Nara and Kyoto, the oldest cities and former capitals of Japan.

In Nara, you will find seven of the greatest temples and shrines in Japan that are included in UNESCO’s list of “Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara.” One of these is the Yakushiji Temple.

This temple used by the Hosso School, one faction of Japanese Buddhism. It is a very popular temple not just in Japan but for many of those who visit frequently.

The temple is dedicated to Yakushi Nyorai, the Medicine Buddha who was originally from China and he was the one who named the temple.

You can visit several other halls or buildings inside the Yakushiji Temple because it is a multifaceted. You can go to the main hall or Kondo, the lecture hall or Kodo, the East Hall or Toindo, and the East and West Pagodas. The pagodas are important aspects of a Buddhist temples.

In the Main Hall, you will see the Yakushi Triad statues. These are the statues of Yakushi Nyorai, Nikko, and Gakko. Nikko and Gakko are the Bosatsus of the Sun and the Moon, respectively. Originally, these statues were covered in gold but because of a fire accident that happened in the temple, the statues now were blackened.

You can also see the masterpieces of the temple inside the Higashisobo or the East Dormitories. Several artworks related to the temple have been placed in Higashisobo. This is where you can buy souvenirs you can bring back home to your friends and family that show great aspects of the temples.