Nishimura, the lifelong pickpocket in Fumitori Nakamura’s novel The Thief (2009, ISBN 978-1-47210-695-7) is the embodiment of nihilism, to such an extent that his name appears fewer than ten times in the book. He loves no one and compulsively plies his trade in return for the small amount of joy it gives him. The one […]
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Tourist complaints increase in Japan as Nikko’s historic sites are renovated
Japan is undergoing renovations of major historical buildings all over the country, but in the eyes of many visitors, it’s most apparent and frustrating in the city of Nikko, two hours north of Tokyo. Shrines and Temples of Nikko is a UNESCO World Heritage site consisting of two Shinto shrines and one Buddhist temple (Futarasan […]
Read the rest of this entry »WoWasis tours Tokyo by bicycle
To us here at WoWasis, it first the concept of seeing a lot of one of the world’s largest cities by bicycle in one day sounded absurd. Tokyo isn’t laid out on a grid pattern, so following a map and doing on your own is problematic, especially considering the constant traffic. But doing it alongside […]
Read the rest of this entry »WoWasis visits Sho-ren-in temple in Kyoto, Japan
Blink, and you’ll miss it. But you shouldn’t. On the famed “temple walk” through the southern Higashiyama district in Kyoto, you’ll pass by and see a lot of temples and shrines. If you’re like us here at WoWasis, you’ll yearn for a few minutes of peace and quiet away from the crowds, and Sho-ren-in Temple […]
Read the rest of this entry »WoWasis visits Sumiya, a historical restaurant and entertainment architectural museum in Kyoto, Japan
Sumiya is a wonderful, ancient traditional restaurant and entertainment venue, originally built in 1641, that’s now a museum of sorts, primarily involved in the architectural preservation of the building and interior. It’s considered to be the finest example of Edo-period ageya (restaurant and entertainment venue) architecture in urban Japan. Here is where lavish meals were […]
Read the rest of this entry »WoWasis visits Nijo Castle in Kyoto, Japan
Nijo Castle is an important UNESCO World heritage site in Kyoto, although the appellation is losing some of its luster, since that body seems to be giving out that honor like candy these days. Nevertheless, the castle is well worth seeing, and easy to get to, located in central Kyoto. Important aspects of the castle […]
Read the rest of this entry »WoWasis visits the Ninna-ji Temple in Kyoto, Japan
The Ninna-ji Temple was founded in 888 ACE. Also known as the Old Imperal Palace, Ninna-ji is the headquarters of the Omuro School of the Shingon sect of Buddhism.The Omuro School of Flower Arrangement is also housed in the temple. The temple complex is striking, with a number of architecturally arresting buildings, including an imposing […]
Read the rest of this entry »WoWasis’ visits Kyoto’s Tofuku-ji Hojo “Hasso” Garden
Tofuku-ji Temple with its well-known garden is southeast of Kyoto’s center, and is well worth the visit, both for its renowned garden, but also for the fact that there are relatively few visitors here, and the serenity can be welcome after braving crowds at Kyoto’s better known sites. It’s also close to the Fumisjhi Inari […]
Read the rest of this entry »WoWasis’ visits Kyoto’s amazing golden Kinkaku-ji Pavilion
Although it’s full of visitors and can get crowded, there’s no doubt as to the beauty of the scene of Kyoto’s golden Kinkaku-ji Pavilion overlooking the lake. It’s one of the finest views in Japan. Originally built in 1397 ACE, the temple was burned in 1950 by an obsessed monk, so what you’re seeing today […]
Read the rest of this entry »WoWasis visits the Kohfukuji Treasure Hall in Nara, Japan
These days, Japan is restoring seemingly dozens of historical shrines and temples. The process included shrouding the building in a huge, unsightly shed for periods of up to five years. While we here at WoWasis applaud the process in general, it wreaks havoc on visitors that were hoping to see an important shrine or temple, […]
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