Travel for Life

In the previous article, I have introduced the  satoyama  in Japan: Satoyama — Where People Live in Harmony with Nature in Japan Traditionally, Japanese people regard the concept of "human beings are part of nature" deeply—so deep that they even bring nature closer to their daily lives. In this article, I will cover the concept of 庭屋一如（ていおくいちにょ) with which Japanese people design their buildings such that garden (庭) and house (屋) are merged into one world (or bring the outdoors inside). Away from the Nature In modern days, city dwellers live or work comfortably within their own confines (e.g., apartments or offices), but very far away from the Nature.  Sometimes kids living in the city never know how their food items are grown or look like in the farms. In [2], host Peter Barakan said that it took them one-hour train ride from Tokyo to their location for filming satoyama. Besides distance, there are other deterring factors that prevent us from fully enjoy the Nature. ...

Video 1. Satoyama (里山) :  Japan's Secret WaterGarden (YouTube link ) Satoyama (里山) in Japanese means a rural landscape (e.g., woodlands, rice paddies, [2] or even people's backyard [3] ) where people work and live alongside the natural world.   In the above video, host Peter Barakan says the word Satoyama (里山) is pretty much like the word Countryside  in English—where the human society intersects with the nature. Or, as Professor Kevin Short in the film also describes: Satoyama is the landscape in which the culture and wildlife of the people overlaps with the natural habitats of the ecosystem.  It is the natural landscape that people in Japan had built up over the millennia (over 2 or 3 thousand years) and locals understand the need to live in harmony with the nature and not to exploit it.  Because people use the land in a sustainable manner , it also supports a  rich biodiversity . To recap, the most important aspect of satoyama is people l...

In this article, I will cover how to ride a bus in central Kyoto and nearby areas (e.g., Ohara and Arashiyama ).  First, you may want to download this  route map  (in Japanese) provided by www.kyotobus.jp. From 岩倉実相院 to 大原 Here is a case study—how to ride a bus from 岩倉実相院 to 大原 by  route map .  Click below map to enlarge. There is no direct bus route from 岩倉実相院 (at left center of the map) to 大原 (at top right of the map).  In this case, you need to take bus 21 or 23 (green line) to 花園橋 (at bottom center of the map) and then transfer to bus 16-19 (red lines) or bus 96 (green line) to 大原. Notice that from 岩倉実相院 to 花園橋, there is another bus stop named 花園町 which differs from 花園橋 only by the third character of name.  Don't get off at 花園町 as the mistake that I have made.  Finally, to take bus 16-19, you also need to walk across the street.  So, if you cannot find the connecting bus stop after you get off the first bus, check...

Koyasan  (高野山), a popular pilgrimage destination for centuries, has been connected to the outside world by a network of pilgrimage trails. While most visitors enter the mountain by cable car nowadays, many of the pilgrimage trails still remain in use. Koyasan Travel—Temple Lodging (Shukubo; YouTube link ) Part of the pilgrimage trails, the Fudozaka Trail (不動坂; click the map to enlarge), leads to Koyasan from Gokurakubashi Station, the lower station of the Koyasan Cablecar. The steep, paved trail is 2.5 kilometers long and takes about an hour to ascend and less time to descend. The trail ends at the Nyonindo temple (女人堂). [1] On 11/27/2016, I have decided to descend from Fudozaka Trail instead of riding the cable car.  I was the only person on the trail at beginning.  However, in the middle of the trail, another young blonde girl passed me by swiftly with a big smile on her face.  I was really surprised to see another soul on that rainy day.  Althoug...

The green space around Nara Park (奈良公園) is essentially a big Deer Theme Park where wild deer(s) roam freely on the fields. Nara's Giant Buddha: T ōdai-ji 東 大寺  (YouTube  link ) On 12/05/2016, I have visited Nara ⭐⭐(奈良).  In the whole day,  I've stopped by the following points of interest: Yoshiki-en Garden (吉城園 / よしきえん)  Tōdai-ji (東大寺) Nigatsudo Hall (二月堂) Nara Park (奈良公園) Kasuga-taisha (春日大社) Sarusawa-ike Pond (猿沢池) In this article, I'll share some photos of deer(s) taken on that day. Deer Encounters Deer(s) can be found in many places in Nara (奈良).  On that day, I have started from Kintetsu-Nara Station 近鉄奈良駅 and walked eastwards. On the way, I have stopped by Kofukuji (興福寺), Todaiji (東大寺), Nara Park (奈良公園) and Kasuga-taisha (春日大社).  Below photos are shown in the same order. Near Kofukuji (興福寺) Tōdai-ji  South Gate (東大寺南大門) Near Sourin (復元東大寺七重の塔相輪) Nara Park Kasuga-taisha (春日大社) Near 飛火野 Sa...

Visiting  Tofukuji  Temple (東福寺) in Kyoto for Its Autumn Colors (YouTube link ) On 11/30/2016, I have visited  Tofukuji  Temple | (東福寺) in southeastern  Kyoto . Along with  Daitokuji  ( 大徳寺 ),  Shokokuji  ( 相国寺 ),  Kenninji  ( 建仁寺 ),  Tenryuji  ( 天龍寺 ) and  Myoshinji  ( 妙心寺 ),  Tofukuji  is one of the most important Zen Buddhist temples in  Kyoto . [2,3] Tofukuji Temple is located on the eastern side of Kyoto between Kujo dori (九条) and Jujo dori (七条). The Tofukuji Station of Japan Rail as well as the Keihan Electric Railway are the closest rail stations to the temple. Travel Itinerary On the day of my visit, I have taken Keihan Electric Railway and arrived at Tofukuji Station. Walking towards Tofukuji Temple is a bit tricky. However, you can follow maps shown on the street sides and eventually will be guided by people dressed in uniform providing directions along the path. Because its loc...

On November 28, 2016, I embarked on a journey to the  Philosopher's Path , a picturesque stroll nestled in Kyoto's northern Higashiyama district. The path, winding alongside the serene waters of a canal, offered a tranquil escape from the city's bustling streets. En route, I encountered  Ginkakuji Temple , also known as the Silver Pavilion (銀閣寺), its graceful silhouette shimmering against the autumn sky. Further along,  Eikando Temple   (永観堂) unveiled its captivating gardens, ablaze with vibrant hues. The Philosopher's Path (哲学の道)  Despite my anticipation of witnessing the peak autumn foliage, I discovered that my visit coincided with the waning stages of the splendor. The leaves, once a mesmerizing tapestry of reds, oranges, and yellows, had begun their descent, leaving behind a more subdued palette. Along the way, I stumbled upon charming cafes, inviting restaurants, and unique boutiques, each beckoning me to uncover their hidden treasures.  Besides vis...