I’d walked through Narita-san Park two decades back, but all I remembered from that time was a frozen pond. Although it hadn’t been snowing, it was an icy January 1stday. Continue reading Narita-san Park
Tag Archives: Japan
A memory from two decades ago
Although I took no photos, I still remember walking along a narrow street in Narita where crowds made it impossible to tread at more than a snail’s pace. I was unaware of the importance of January 1st in Japan until I reached the temple and saw the crowds gathered before a monk. Continue reading A memory from two decades ago
Shinjuku’s neon night
I first visited Shinjuku’s Kabukicho district in the day time and noticed the seedy side. Countless massage parlours and huge billboards of women in suggestive poses lined narrow lanes where men lingered outside waiting to lure customers. Continue reading Shinjuku’s neon night
A cloudy view
I reached Kawaguchiko Station in the hope of viewing Mt Fuji. Who doesn’t want to see Japan’s most famous mountain? On my final full day in Japan I knew my chances weren’t great. The sky was cloudy, and as I drew nearer, rain dampened the sidewalks. But this was my last chance. Continue reading A cloudy view
Yokohama’s skyline
Yokohama was a network of modern skyscrapers along the Bay of Tokyo. I took a waterfront hike to Rinko Park passing nearly as many cranes operating on building sites as completed structures. Continue reading Yokohama’s skyline
The home of Nissan
Only a half hour train ride away from downtown Tokyo was Yokohama. It was a huge change from being in the midst of tourists, and as I left the train station and headed towards a park I’d earmarked, I stumbled upon my first eye catching sight. Continue reading The home of Nissan
Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens
These Endo-period gardens weren’t just about the artistic arrangement of plants and lakes that covered the site, there was history attached. With signage both in Japanese and English I read that once an elaborate Chinese sign marked the entrance to the gardens, but it was destroyed by bombs in 1945. Continue reading Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens
Hike to Kushiro Park
Kushiro Park, located on Burnaby Mountain, was established to commemorate Kushiro in Japan and its sister city, Burnaby. Continue reading Hike to Kushiro Park