The Todai-Ji Temple complex is considered to be the top tourism attraction in Nara. There is much to see here, and the complex is large, including some uphill walks to fascinating shrines and temples. You begin at the Nandai-mon gate, which leads to the main temple area. Encased in huge chicken-wire boxes are two wooden […]
Read the rest of this entry »Archive for the 'Japan' Category
“Big girl” brothel busted in Tokyo: WoWasis asks why?
We needed to put “big girl” in quotes (rather than putting “big girl brothel” in the title), because word has come from Tokyo that the Makkasu Bodi (Max Body) brothel-to-go has been busted by Japanese police. The business catered to gentlemen that like their women big, or “like explosive boobs and asses,” said a police […]
Read the rest of this entry »WoWasis’ visits Kyoto’s amazing Sanjusangen-Do temple
We here at WoWasis have seen a lot of Buddhist structures, but we weren’t prepared for what we saw at Kyoto’s amazing Sanjusangen-Do temple. Here is a hall, rebuilt in 1266, replete with 1001 statues of the 100-armed Buddhist goddess of mercy, Kannon. The statues are laid out in a grid consisting of 500 statues […]
Read the rest of this entry »WoWasis’ Top 6 picks in Takayama, Japan
Takayama is a small jewel of a city located to the north of Kyoto, and makes a refreshing two day stop. It’s unrushed, and a terrific walking town. To get here, you’ll probably take the train from Nagoya. If you do, get a window seat, as the scenery around the Hida river is at times […]
Read the rest of this entry »Japan’s bullet train-air fare wars a bad portent to California’s high speed rail success?
Although California voters recently approved a high speed rail system from San Francisco to Los Angeles, it appears to be slowly unhinging as a result of mounting labor costs as well as the inability to predict how many people will actually use the system. Japan, who produced the first national bullet train system (Shinkansen) is […]
Read the rest of this entry »WoWasis visits the beautiful Isui-en Garden in Nara, Japan
On your day walk through the old Japanese capital city of Nara, it’s easy to miss one of Japan’s most outstanding gardens. It’s a must-see, though, and it will take you less than an hour to complete the magnificent walking loop. Located to the west of Todaiji Temple’s Nandaimon Gate, the Isui-en Garden sits astride […]
Read the rest of this entry »WoWasis visits the Yatai Kaikan Float Museum in Takayama, Japan
No visit to Takayama, Japan, would be complete without a visit to the Takayama Matsuri Yatai Kaikan Float Exhibition Hall. The floats are massive wooden two or three-wheeled structures, brought out twice a year for the Takayama Matsuri (festival). Four of these floats are always on a rotating visit to the museum, where you can […]
Read the rest of this entry »Fastest way from Narita Airport to Tokyo: Narita Express train N’EX and Suica card
Here at WoWasis, we like to get out of airports and into the city as quickly and inexpensively as we can, and Narita Airport has a solution that’s pretty much seamless. You simply take Japan Rail (JR-East’s) fast N’EX train (Narita Express) from either terminal at the airport, and you’ll get off at either the […]
Read the rest of this entry »WoWasis visits the Hida Folk Village (Hida No Sato) in Takayama, Japan
The hillside and lake-situated Hida Folk Village historical park in the city of Takayama, Japan, isn’t to be missed, and is worth a visit if you’re anywhere close to Takayama. Opened in 1971, the site consists of more than thirty buildings from the Hida area, moved here to preserve them from destruction. Architectural styles include […]
Read the rest of this entry »Not optimized for westerners: an afternoon wasted in Kibune, Kyoto, Japan
The tiny mountain village of Kibune, a half-hour north of Kyoto, Japan, sounds great in the guidebooks. It sits next to a mountain stream, and people eat at restaurants that consist of platforms nestled next to the steam. The traditional dish is cold noodles dipped in a local sauce. Sounds wonderful and idyllic, doesn’t it? […]
Read the rest of this entry »
