Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, and more than thousand deer strolling freely in the park: Nara Park took my breath away.Founded in 710 A.D., over time 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 the centuries...
My trip to Japan was the fulfillment of a dream and I wanted it to take place in Spring when nature awakens and the Sakura flowers - the cherry blossoms - are in full bloom.It's more than a wonderful natural show, though, for in Japan the Sakura season and Hanami - the tradition to enjoy admiring...
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...
Destroyed by the atomic bomb in 1945, Hiroshima Castle was rebuilt thirteen years later. Although part of it was reconstructed using concrete, some structures close to the main gate have been restored using wood, like in the past, and traditional building methods. As a result, Hiroshima Castle still holds a charm reminding of the city's old splendor and...
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...
In 2014 I decided to slow down and travel less. I felt tired, wished to work on other projects and most of all I wanted to focus on quality more than quantity. That meant travel slowly, taking more time to explore smaller areas, discover beautiful places not far from home, having time to take better...
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...
