人力車

More than a hundred years ago, the jinrikisha was a popular form of transportation in Japan. Now it is more of a tourist attraction than anything else. Shortly before this one was parked on the side of this famous street (in front of Kodaiji) in Kyoto, it was transporting a couple of tourists dressed as Maiko or Geisha or Geiko.

Posted on May 23rd, 2013 under Japan. Tags: cherry blossoms, jinrikisha, kyoto, sakura, 桜. Comments Off on 人力車 or jinrikisha or rickshaw

Shingen-ko Festival (信玄公祭り)

Today’s photo comes from Kofu (甲府市) in Yamanashi Prefecture (山梨県). I’m thinking about paying Kofu another visit this August. The Takeda Shingen Festival won’t be happening at that time, but I still love the place.

Posted on May 22nd, 2013 under Japan. Tags: festivals, kofu, matsuri. Comments Off on Storming the shrine

The Higashiyama Walking Course (東山遊歩道) in Takayama, Japan

One good thing about visiting Takayama during rainy season is you can do things like the popular Higashiyama Walking Course through Temple Town (寺町) without any crowds.

I’m hoping for an unseasonably dry rainy season in Japan this summer as I will be there for a few days of it a month from now.

Posted on May 21st, 2013 under Japan. Tags: buddhist, rain, takayama, temples. Comments Off on The Higashiyama Walking Course (東山遊歩道)

しょうゆソフトクリーム in 飛騨高山

Walking the streets of Takayama during rainy season can be charming.

This wasn’t the first time I saw strange ice cream flavors in Japan.

Posted on May 20th, 2013 under Japan. Tags: jinrikisha, signs, takayama. Comments Off on Soy Sauce Ice Cream (しょうゆソフトクリーム)

Shirakawago Gasshozukuri flower

Posted on May 14th, 2013 under Japan. Tags: flowers, shirakawago. Comments Off on Morning dew in Shirakawago