It's often overshadowed by Kyoto, but a day trip to Nara is a must if you want to see the best of Japan. My jaw dropped as I walked from temple to temple in Nara Park.Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, and more than thousand deer strolling freely in the park: Nara Park took my breath away.Founded in 710...
Would you take a random train in Japan? I did, and it was one of the most interesting experiences I had in this intriguing country.Why a random train journey, you might ask? And why in Japan? It's part of who I am. A sign of how for me the meaning of "travel" evolved over the...
It happened in Hiroshima. Prejudice is unreasonable and should be avoided, but truth is that as much as I try to overcome it, I still happen to be biased. When I visited Japan I did not have a precise itinerary. I know I wanted to see Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara and explore a few more places off the beaten track. Hiroshima...
If you’re planning a trip to Japan, chances are that you’ll take the opportunity to travel around and discover as much as possible of this captivating country. Japan boasts an extensive train network, but sorting out the different options can be tricky and I spent a lot of time going through the different options and find...
A sudden quietness fell on the Itsukushima Shrine, the highlight of Miyajima, together with the floating gate. I turned and saw the reason for this silent buzz. A couple was approaching, and we were witnessing a traditional Japanese wedding.The mixed couple - a beautiful Japanese bride and a nice guy who might be British or American...
Having decided to spend a month in Japan, I wanted to see more than the must-see Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, and I wished to experience a different taste of Japan. I like spontaneous travel and never plan much, but I usually do some research before leaving to get an idea of the places that are 'not-your-usual-itinerary'....
![Larterns at Kasuga Shrine [2]](https://wild-about-travel.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Larterns-at-Kasuga-Shrine-21.jpg)
Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, and more than thousand deer strolling freely in the park: amazing Nara took my breath away.[caption id="attachment_18173" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Todai-ji Temple Daibutsuden Hall[/caption]Founded in 710 A.D., Nara's development was strongly affected by influences from China and Korea and the city soon became the cradle of future Japanese culture and architecture.Unlikely many cities of Japan, ravaged across...
Wonder what was one my favourite activities in Tokyo? Chasing Tokyo style in the hipster areas of Japan's capital city.The best place to see the typical Tokyo style? Takeshita-dori on a Sunday There's no city for 'people watching' like Tokyo, and no place like Takeshita-dori and the area of Harajuku, in the Shibuya District. A tiny pedestrian street lined with...
Is there anything as evocative as a castle perched atop a hill?Imposing and graceful, Himeji Castle is likely the most famous castle in Japan and it’s easy to understand why. White walls and dark roofs, perfect proportions, the harmony between function - a military fortress - and aesthetic. Himeji Castle strikes the imagination and talks to...
If you're traveling to Japan and are passionate about art and architecture, you should add Naoshima Island to your itinerary.This unique isle will enthrall art lovers, especially the ones interested in modern art and contemporary architecture....
