Near the mountains in Suzuka, Mie Prefecture, lie two sites of quite different flower power. The Tsubaki Shrine (椿大神社), whose name means camellia shrine, is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan, while the Suzuka Forest Park (鈴鹿森園) is a explosion of glorious pink blossoms every March as 200 weeping plum trees herald spring’s […]
Tag Archives: Japan
March
10
Silvered by snow – Kenrokuen, Kanazawa.
posted by Claire Usmar
There’s just something magically timeless about a traditional Japanese garden blanketed in heavy snow. With the new shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo commencing services this weekend, this garden will be just 2.5hrs from Toyko!
March
03
Abandoned railway – Takedao, near Kobe & Osaka
posted by Claire Usmar
Train buffs and hikers alike can follow the old abandoned JR Fukuchiyama line for six kilometres through the Mukogawa Gorge (武庫川渓谷) in the mountains between Osaka and Kobe for a nostalgic adventure into Japan’s industrial past. The trail runs between Takedao (武田尾) and Namaze (生瀬) Stations on the new JR Fukuchiyama Line which runs from […]
February
17
Sake and Shrines – Fushimi, Kyoto
posted by Claire Usmar
In the southern Kyoto suburb of Fushimi, sake breweries stand alongside the world famous Fushimi Inari Taisha, the head Inari Shinto Shrine in Japan. This shrine was made famous globally after featuring as a location in the movie Memoirs of a Geisha.
February
12
Takayama – A glimpse into Edo Japan high in the Alps.
posted by Claire Usmar
Seven years after my first visit, Takayama is just as cold as I remember. The heart of this mountain town is the preserved merchant houses of the old town dating back to the Edo Period (1603-1868). Today, these streets are filled wit sake breweries, local artisan shops and food stalls.
February
04
Noto Peninsula – Sea of Japan
posted by Claire Usmar
Typical Sea of Japan scenery around the south-west side of the Noto Peninsular at a place called Ganmon (巌門) in Ishikawa Prefecture. Ganmon features in a woodblock print by the master artisan Ando Hiroshige. I can’t wait to explore more of the peninsular on my bicylce once the weather warms up!
January
27
A White New Year
posted by Claire Usmar
The towns along the Sea of Japan around Fukui and Kanazawa welcomed in 2015 with more than enough fresh snow. Happy Year of the Sheep everyone! Look forward to plenty more posts this year on Inaka Biking now that I’m back on deck with a new laptop after my faithful Sony Vaio Z decided to […]
December
09
Japan’s best garden by night – Kenrokuen, Kanazawa.
posted by Claire Usmar
Photo Gallery:
November
11
Shirakawago – Japan’s ‘hidden’ mountain villages
posted by Claire Usmar
Cut off from the world for centuries by formidable mountain ranges and harsh winters, the tiny villages of Shirakawago and Gokayama have managed to hang on to their traditional way of life into the 21st century. Today, these villages are the only places in all of Japan where the traditional ‘gassho style’ farm houses still […]
September
02
Abandoned?
posted by Claire Usmar
A seemingly abandoned temple in rurual Ishikawa Prefecture. Though there is a caretaker attached to the Shinto shrine next door, it is quite some time since this vast complex was a functioning temple. Everything, including the purpose-built hotel on the grounds, stands empty and oddly silent.
August
27
Hiatus over – Rainy Kanazawa
posted by Claire Usmar
Apologies for going silent for two months. There’s been a lot happening – namely wrapping up my time in Mie Prefecture to head elsewhere in Japan for more adventures. So stay tuned! Now it’s back to work for me, sharing my travels in Japan with you. Here are some shots from a recent rainy day […]
June
27
Vintage Car Rally, Japan.
posted by Claire Usmar
A vintage car rally of yesteryear came to Tsu recently. La Festa Primavera was a three-day rally from Nagoya to Kyoto that attracted many stunning vintage cars from Japan and overseas. For more details, check the offical event page here:
June
25
Cherry blossom avenue, Shinhidaka, Hokkaido.
posted by Claire Usmar
The spot in Hokkaido to best appreciate the cherry blossoms must certainly be the Nijukken Cherry Tree Avenue (二十間道路桜並木) in Shinhidaka, about three hours by car from Sapporo. Set in the heart of Japan’s version of Kentucky, you can admire the blossoms surrouned by the season’s new thoroughbred foals. Shinhidaka is thoroughbred breeding central for Japan […]
inaka biking 