Japanese Countryside Wanderings: A Solo Traveler's Serene Experience

Chihiro Art Museum Azumino: A Green Haven Where Art and Nature Intertwine

Golden Week Gridlock: How Hangzhou and Kyoto Are Unclogging Tourist Crowds

Urban traffic in Hangzhou and Kyoto is feeling the strain of double the usual pressure. One unique solution these cities are exploring involves pedestrian direction. In Hangzhou, signs instruct walkers to stay to the right, contrasting with Japan's typical left-hand walking. Similarly, Kyoto's Nishiki Market Tourism Promotion Association encourages left-side walking during Golden Week to ease congestion.

This approach highlights the challenge: while Japanese residents are accustomed to the left, tourists often default to the right. Suddenly changing direction can be confusing. However, during peak periods, it can be an effective measure to improve traffic flow. Ultimately, both Hangzhou and Kyoto grapple with managing the surge of visitors.

Hangzhou West Lake Broken Bridge welcomes the May Day tourist peak, recreating the lively scene before the epidemic

Beyond the Tourist Trail: Unveiling Japan's Rural Charm

Japan beckons with hidden gems beyond the bustling cities. I, for one, crave the tranquility of the countryside. So, instead of following the usual tourist path, I often find myself strolling along rural roads, soaking in the beauty of nature's embrace.

Take Takayama, for instance. There, I opted for a leisurely walk along the Higashiyama Teramachi (Higashiyama Promenade). This charming path offered a glimpse into the past with its antique temples, all while surrounded by breathtaking natural scenery.

My adventures extended further. A detour led me to the Chihiro Art Museum Azumino nestled amidst the countryside. While other tourists opted for cars, I enjoyed the solitude of the journey on foot. The majestic Japanese Alps unfolded along the way, their grandeur a constant companion. Finally reaching the museum, I found myself equally captivated by the beauty of the adjacent park.

This experience epitomizes the magic of venturing off the beaten path in Japan. Tranquility, stunning landscapes, and hidden treasures await those willing to explore beyond the usual sights.

Photo Gallery

Higashiyama Teramachi/Higashiyama Promenade

The road signs along the Higashiyama Promenade are clearly labeled

The majestic Japanese Alps rise majestically in the distance

Chihiro Art Museum Azumino

Throughout the journey, the majestic Japanese Alps provide a constant, breathtaking backdrop

The Chihiro Art Museum Azumino is a haven for art lovers, especially those with a fondness for children's illustration

Chihiro Iwasaki's Art: A Celebration of Childhood Wonder

Step into Totto-chan's World: Explore the Adventures of "The Little Girl at the Window" at Azumino Chihiro Park's Totto-chan Square

From Medici Residence to Museum: Unveiling the Treasures of the Riccardi Medici Palace

The Medici family, rising from humble bankers to powerful patrons, ruled Florence unofficially for centuries. Their wealth fueled the Renaissance, transforming the city into a cradle of artistic genius. Michelangelo, Da Vinci, and countless others flourished under their patronage. Today, Florence's museums and architecture stand as testaments to the Medicis' enduring influence, a reminder of this family that intertwined art, money, and power to shape history.

A captivating glimpse into this remarkable legacy can be found at the Riccardi Medici Palace. Once the residence of the Medici family, the palace now houses the offices of the Metropolitan City of Florence, but it also functions as a museum. Visitors can explore the grand halls, some adorned with stunning frescoes, and delve into the fascinating history of the Medicis and Florence itself.

Photo Gallery

The Mirror Gallery

• The "Gallery" is a richly decorated room overlooking the Medici Garden. Built in the 1680s, it's a prime example of Florentine Baroque style.
• The walls are a dazzling display of mirrors painted with cherubs, animals, and plants. These alternate with ornately carved and gilded cabinets.
• The ceiling fresco by the famous Neapolitan painter Luca Giordano completes the scene. His lively and dynamic painting shows the Medici family at their peak.

The Chapel

• The most important part of the palace might still be the chapel. Painted in 1459 by Benozzo Gozzoli, it features a scene of the Three Wise Men traveling to see Jesus.
• Interestingly, the painting includes important people from Florence at the time, including members of the Medici family. It's almost like a snapshot of a big meeting that happened in Florence in 1439!

Miscellaneous

The clay head was made in two pieces and glued together with colored glue.  Later, the glue and other materials were removed to reveal the original terracotta surface.  A modern pin now holds the head and neck together.

Graffioni in bronze, 5th-4th century. BC. (Unearthed Etruscan tombs reveal torch-holders with distinctive snake-head handles. These were believed to illuminate the path of the deceased soul towards the afterlife.)

Etruscan funerary lion with the inscription "This is the tomb of Nevza Arnth" (Tuscania, 1852)

Flabello in bronze—The metal sheet on this object is decorated with seed pods, mimicking the feathers of an ostrich feather fan (flabellum) used in everyday life. This beautiful and luxurious parade object  symbolizes the deceased's high social status.

These incense burners, traditionally used for holding scented substances, were made in Vetulonia workshops and became popular throughout Etruria (the region where this culture thrived) and even beyond.

This elaborate brooch, known as the Corsini Fibula, features ducks and lions. Tiny metal beads (granulation) add to its richness. It was likely one of the most valuable personal ornaments belonging to the tomb's owner.

Container vase / lids / two-handled cup

Vase decorated with animal frieze (early 6th century BC)