Made of wood with gold pigment, cut gold leaf and inlaid crystal eyes, this Kannon was made in the 14th century - and is considered young by Japanese standards.

The many hands hold objects such as: trident; wheel; mirror; bell; bow; arrow; lasso; lotus; grapes and more. For more information on the interesting folk lore, history and the rest of the Six Kannon take a look at the amazingly comprehensive catalog of the 100+ forms of kannon in Japan.

The Tokyo National Museum is a great place to visit – the largest museum in Japan containing some amazing relics, some dating back to 4000 BC. Entry is only 600 yen and it is very easy to access from JR train or metro subway. I had a great few hours at the museum… could have easily spent a few more hours there.

Related posts:

1. Great Buddha Hall in Nara – Japan Photo of the Month (June 2011)
2. Mountain Shrine and Garden Statue – Japan Photos of the Month (May 2011)
3. Atera Gorge in Nagano – Japan Photo of the Month (July 2011)

Gambling in Japan is mostly illegal, so punters travel to casinos in close-by Asian countries for gambling holidays. Almost all of the gambling that is legal in Japan is controlled by the government and raises revenue for the country. One of the only forms of gambling that isn’t controlled by the government is pachinko – they do however tax pachinko parlour owners.

Usually in the morning there is a line of people waiting to get in, but it's winter now so they're not out so early.

Since living in Japan I’ve met a few guys (mostly 30+ year old business men) who, having a bit of cash to spare, go on yearly trips to Las Vegas, Macau, Singapore as well as Australia.

While in many countries you can play online slots, which is taking off all over the world, there is no doubt that packinko parlours are hugely popular in Japan. In Australia, we call the pachinko equivalent “pokies” for poker machine – and their regulation is a hot political issue in Australia.

Apan is one of Japan's biggest pachinko parlour chains.

So if gambling in Japan is illegal, why is pachinko even allowed at all? Well, they use a simple and very obvious loop-hole… and I’m guessing that loop-hole comes down to the fact that the law says you can’t give money as the direct reward/prize for playing a game

This Apan Central Stage is typical of a pachinko parlour... ridiculous and shiny looking.

Some of the funniest examples of Japrish can be seen enticing English speakers into the parlours.

When playing pokies in Australia the cash is inserted directly into the machine. When betting on horses you pay for your bet with the bookie. When playing online casino games (like this site here) you use your credit card.

You don’t put any money into a pachinko machine. Instead, you buy these little balls that look like ball bearings. Think of it like buying tokens at TimeZone, allowing you to play the game.

With these balls you play the machine and try to win more balls. On many machines, this is the only point of difference you can find from a normal pokie (slot machine). There are so many different types of themed machines…

Pachinko Posters – Advertising Gambling in Japan

Pachinko poster for an Evangelion anime themed game.

More pachinko posters.

...and some more pachinko posters.

When you’ve finished playing, and hopefully after winning a stack of balls, you can exchange these balls for a huge range of things – from cigarettes to Armani bags. It’s just like taking those TimeZone tickets you won and exchanging them for prizes.

You can also exchange these balls (in a roundabout way) for cash. At the pachinko parlour the lucky punter exchanges pachinko balls for tokens. The tokens are then taken to a nearby, often dodgy looking booth that is dettached from the main pachinko parlour. These booths are actually “token buying businesses”. This is the loop-hole that makes the whole thing illegal – technically, you don’t get cash as a prize directly from the game.

So that’s how one of the most popular forms of gambling in Japan works.

Whilst walking around the city last weekend I passed more than a few parlours. All the photos above are of pachinko parlours I passed in just one day. Here’s a few more…

This one is just outside Nagoya - Maruhan is another popular chain.

Peace Spot - what a contradiction... inside it sounds like a rave full of screaming teenage girls and pinball machines.

This is a really small parlour a short walk from my house.

Yamanote 36 is another popular chain.

Yamanote 36 parlour from the side. They're typical of any gambling place... windowless.

Yet another chain - Mega World.

Maybe club means it's mimicing a nightclub...

Related posts:

1. Pachinko parlors and machines
2. Japrish – Pachinko ad poorly translated from Japanese to English
3. Pictures of Japan – Best of JTM Photos 51 to 100

This short video was taken during my visit in summer of 2011.

History of Kinkaku-ji

Kinkaku-ji was built in the Kamakura period (between 1185 – 1332) as an aristocrat’s country estate. In 1397 it was taken over by a retired shogun who transfored the temple into an elegant recreational villa. He had aspirations of becoming a dynastic figure, hence the gold leaf gilding.

A wide view of the temple and pond from the main photo spot.

Taken from the very edge of the main photo spot.

When the shogun, Yoshimitsu, died in 1422 it was converted into a Zen Buddhist Temple. After death, this shogun was awarded the name “Shari-den Kinkaku” (金 = kin/gold). That’s why today the temple is commonly refered to as Kinkaku-ji (or Golden Pavilion) and not its real name of Rokuonji Temple.

Design of the Golven Pavilion Temple

The temple has a very interesting design which is the inspiration for Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion Temple).

The brilliance of the temple in real life just can't be done just through photos, even HDR photos.

The first floor (ground floor) contains 2 statues and is built in the court noblemen’s residence style, reflecting an era of around 1000 years ago.

1st floor - you can just make out the statues inside.

The second floor (gilded in gold leaft) is designed in the samurai warriors house style and contains 2 statues.

2nd Floor.

The third floor (also gilded in gold leaf) is built in a Zen temple style. It also holds ashes, said to be those of Sakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism.

3rd Floor, including the Golden Phoenix on top.

On top of the temple is a golden figure of “ho-o” – a classical Chinese mythical phoenix bird.

Close-up of the golden 2nd and 3rd floors and the "ho-o" mythical bird.

The surprising thing about Kinkaku-ji, aside from the sheer brilliance of the temple itself which pictures cannot do justice, is the garden of the temple grounds.

The garden utilises the sight of a local mountain and specially selected rocks have been placed in the pond. There is also a lookout area along the path.

Anmintaku Pond in the temple grounds.

Somewhere along the strolling garden path.

Taken from the lookout area.

There are also various buildings such as halls and tea houses in the temple grounds. And of course, a souvenir shop to buy lucky charms and other standard stuff.

Hojo Building.

Visiting Kinkaku-ji

The grounds of Kinkaku-ji are relatively smalled when compared to other sites in Kyoto. Your visit would last around 45 minutes, with plenty of photo taking time and a liesurely stroll through the entire garden.

From Kyoto station it is a 15-20 minute bus ride to the entrance of the temple grounds. You’ll find signs in English at the station as well as a screen inside the bus telling you where you are and when the stop to Kinkaku-ji is coming up.

If you’re spending the day in Kyoto, be sure to grab the 500 yen all day bus pass. The buses run to all the major historical sites and areas and a one way trip usually costs 200 yen. There are vending machines for these passes at the bus stops in front of Kyoto station, if you have trouble finding them, go to the information center inside the station where the English speaking staff can help you.

Related posts:

1. Kyoto – things to do
2. Pictures of Japan – Best of JTM Photos 51 to 100
3. Japanese cherry blossom – photos and info

This month’s Japan Photo of the Month is a huge Torii gate at a Buddhist Shrine in Nagoya. This unpainted wooden torii fits perfectly with the natural surroundings of the park.

This torii must be at least 6 metres tall.

Torii mark the entrance to a sacred place, so it is customary to bow when walking through a torii into a shrine.

If you’d like to see it for yourself, head to Atsuta-jingu in Nagoya. Atsuta-jingu’s official visitor information page (in English) has all the details on how to get there.

Related posts:

1. Giant Supernatural Creature Mask – Japan Photo of the Month (November 2011)
2. Pictures of Japan – Best of JTM Photos 51 to 100
3. Narai-juku: Experience traditional Japan along the Nakasendo

#5 – iPhone/iPad app reliably recognises Kanji

http://japantravelmate.com/iphoneipad-app-reliably-recognises-kanji/

Published on May 27 and has had 2250 views since. Over 90% of this traffic comes from Google.

In 2011 I started learning kanji and couldn’t find much good information on how to reliably interpret kanji. After many conversations with long-term expats in Japan and a few iPhone session, I found out how to do it!

#4 – Why travel to Japan? Top 10 reasons to go and visit

http://japantravelmate.com/why-travel-to-japan-top-10-reasons-to-go/

An “evergreen” article from 2010 with 4050 views in 2011. Almost all of this traffic is a steady flow from Google.

This was the first article I ever published about travelling Japan and actually existed before JapanTravelMate.com ever did! I used to blog about my Japan travels on my personal blog, but the articles became very popular so I made the decision to make a dedicated Japan site.

#3 – Sushi train restaurants in Japan

http://japantravelmate.com/sushi-train-restaurants-in-japan/

Published June 6 and was viewed 4100 times in 2011. Three quarters of these views came over 2 days from a Japanese search engine portal.

I was always a fan of sushi train restaurants in Australia, but they were so huge, cheap and delicious and Japan I had to do a write up about them!

#2 – Why go to Japan?

http://japantravelmate.com/why-go-to-japan/

Published May 15 and had 4150 views in 2011. More than half of these views came over just 2 days when a Japanese news site that referenced this article.

Although I was happy with my original top 10 reasons to visit Japan post (#4 above), by now I had actually lived in Japan for a few months and a bit more concise and informative.

#1 – Is It Safe To Travel To Japan?

http://japantravelmate.com/is-it-safe-to-travel-to-japan/

May 3 – 6000+ views. Although most of the traffic comes from Google, in just 3 days more than 1000 views came from a Japanese news site where the article was featured.

This article was contribute by a guest author. So it just goes to prove that guest posting works! The contributor must have received a fair few clicks!

But I think this article should have gotten the top spot…

Reactions to disaster – 2011 Japan Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami… I wanted to do a different type of article to tell people that it is safe to come to Japan.

Published in June 2011 I asked a simple question to a few people living in Japan and posted their responses in this interview style article about their experience after the great earthquake and tsunami in Japan on March 11, 2011.

No related posts.

Audience’s Top 3

Here are the top 3 photos as decided by the views on each photo.

By far the most viewed of all the photos, this Toyota FJ Cruiser has golden custom artwork representing elements of Nagoya castle.

A local temple near my house in Toyota city, Aichi.

Kamo River in Kyoto during a sunrise walk.

Editor’s Top 3

The next 3 photos are my personal favourites. They either didn’t get the attention they deserved or it just reminds me of a great time I had during my travels in Japan.

Daigo-ji is a World Heritage Site and the oldest wooden structure in Kyoto. One of my favourite places in Kyoto.

A pile of mini-torii gates at Atsuda Jingu temple in Nagoya.

The gorge is near the Nakasendo, a historic route between old Kyoto and Edo (modern day Tokyo).

The only ways to stay up to date with the JTM Photo series is @JapanTravelMate on Twitter or my photos of Japan on Flickr.

Related posts:

1. Pictures of Japan – The best of JTM Photos 1 to 50
2. Pictures of Japan – 10 photos
3. Japanese cherry blossom – photos and info

These photos were taken in Toyota city on June 30th 2011, in the center of Toyota City. Damn, am I lazy, I’ve had this post as a draft for almost 6 months!

On a drive to Shizuoka last weekend, on the Tokodai Expressway (the main highway between Osaka and Tokyo) already has EV (Electronic Vehicle) charging points at most rest areas for the Prius Plug-In Hybrid.

Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid Photos

Just a standard looking Prius on the outside.

This is the charging station where two Prius Plug-in Hyrbid's are usually found. This is in the middle of the city, there is also one outside City Hall

I can't understand much of it, but you can guess from the picture how it all works. The text in the bubble on top of the cars says solar panel.

A fuel-bowser style stand where the electrical plug comes from. The screen shows various stats on energy usage.

The plug-in point is in front of the front passenger's side door.

Close-up of the charging point.

Related posts:

1. Pictures of Toyota Prius α (Alpha) spotted on the streets of Japan
2. Mountain Shrine and Garden Statue – Japan Photos of the Month (May 2011)
3. Children’s Day and Golden Week – Japan Photo of the Month (April 2011)

For the Japanese, the New Year, or shogatsu, is the most important time of year, with a large amount of tradition and ritual attached to its celebration. With this in mind we have put together a pocket guide to celebrating the New Year in Japan to help travellers understand the unique opportunities and challenges a trip to the country over this period can present.

Japanese New Year Philosophy

The Japanese see the ending of one year and the beginning of the next as representing the end of one era and commencement of another. In the Japanese philosophy the two periods are completely separate and, because of this, no loose ends should be carried over from one to the other. For this reason Japanese put great stock in finishing work and chores in advance of the celebration in order to allow themselves to start the new year afresh without any encumbrances from a time that has past. Japanese people see the New Year as a time to spend with friends and family, and also an important time in their religious calendar.

Japanese New Year Rituals

In Japan the New Year holiday runs from December 25 to January 3rd and many shops, businesses and tourist attractions will remain closed throughout this period. (Editor’s note: convenience stores, hotels and many department stores and restaurants will remain open, so you’re not going to go hungry!).

Buddhist monk at a temple in Kyoto. These guys get pretty busy around New Year.

In the run up to the New Year, people across Japan will be travelling back to their homes to be with their families, meaning that public transport can be busy and crowded. For this reason visitors heading for Japan over the new year period may wish to consider private car hire to ensure ease of movement and comfort for their party.

Most Japanese will take a trip to a temple in the first few days of January, with the biggest temples attracting large crowds and offering a real party atmosphere. Other traditional activities done with family include kite flying and card games. Cards are sent to mark the New Year.

Japanese New Year Parties

In Japan New Year parties take two forms: the bonenkai parties which are held at the end of the December in order to forget the year and the shinnenkai parties which come in January to celebrate the arrival of the New Year. These parties are formal occasions for acquaintances and colleagues and are usually held at establishments outside the home families hold their own parties in the home.

Japanese New Year Foods

There is a number of traditional foods, which are consumed in Japan over the shogatsu period. Before the night itself most people will eat a dish of buckwheat noodles called toshikoshi soba, which symbolise a long life, while festivities will usually include a sweet sake called otoso and sticky rice soup called ozoni.

This article was contributed by a guest author. The contribue an article, photo or travel, please contact Dean at Japan Travel Mate.

Related posts:

1. Kyoto – things to do
2. When to travel to Japan?
3. Why go to Japan?

Amazingly colourful, this is a temple for people to come and wish for success in love. Click the image for a larger version.

Originally I thought it was a mask used in kabuki (traditional Japanese play). However after some research, it is much more interesting than that!

The red-faced, long-nosed, as-tall-as-a-person sized mask is that of the Tengu.

Tengu are mythicaly creatures which over the centuries evolved from menacing demons to protective spirits. Tengu have a rich history deeply rooted in Chinese and Japanese religion. This one is wearing a small black cap (called a tokin) as they often mimic the appearance of priests.

This Tengu mask is most likely used in festivals or perhaps as a portable shrine.

You can read more about this interesting spirit at the Tengu Wikipedia page.

Related posts:

1. Giant Torii Gate at Shinto Buddhist Shrine in Nagoya – Japan Photo of the Month (December 2011)
2. Pink Lotus Flower in Japanese Buddhist Water Garden – Japan Photo of the Month (October 2011)
3. Great Buddha Hall in Nara – Japan Photo of the Month (June 2011)

Korakuen is in the heart of Okayama city along the Asahi River. You can see Okayama Castle from the garden.

Korakuen at night with Okayama Castle in the background. This was September's Photo of the Month on JapanTravelMate.com.

Every year in summer (during August but the date is set by the lunar calendar, so the actual date varies) is the Moon Viewing ceremony. Around this time the park is opened at night for a few weeks. You can simply stroll around the garden or bring a rug and relax with a beer and bento on the spacious lawns.

The view from the edge of the garden looking across one of the many streams and open lawns.

The spacious lawns is what makes Korakuen really unique. Especially at night, the garden paths lead you through amazing views with different places lit up by fire or specially placed lights.

They get pretty creative with the lights, pyramid lamps, flares, floodlights, floating candles and even lights submersed in the steams.

The view from any part of the garden at night is amazing. My camera doesn't do the view much justice, but you get the idea...

The garden has a history of about 325 years. Initially it took 13 years to build. For a long time the garden was exclusively for high ranking lords, although occasionallly the public were allowed in. Since 1884 it has been opened to the public.

One of the tea houses where the lords would entertain guests or simply relax and take in the view.

Each area and building in the garden served a different purpose at one time or another, for example, tea ceremony houses, halls, an archery range, shrine and stage areas to receive guests. The garden contains steams, ponds, a small man-made lake, a small hill (a lookout point of the garden) and bridges, native plants, rock gardens and even tea and rice fields, and much more.

Enyo-tei House was used to receive daimyo (feudal lords). This is one of the most prominent buildings in the garden, by the main entrance.

Entry is 400 yen for adults and you can buy a combined pass to get you inside Okayama Castle as well.

Korakuen is amazing in all seasons, take a look at the official English pamphlet (in English)?http://okayama-korakuen.jp/guide/index.html#pamphlet.

You can also check out the high-resolution photo of Korakuen and Okayama Castle, as well as a map of the exact location at the Japan Photo of the Month for September 2011 post.

Related posts:

1. Korakuen Garden and Okayama Castle – Japan Photo of the Month (September 2011)
2. Kurashiki – historic Japanese city in Okayama
3. Japanese cherry blossom – photos and info