Japan Travel Mate » Tokyo

1000 Armed Golden Kannon Statue – Japan Photo of the Month (January 2012)

JTM — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:35:04 +0000

With 11 heads to understand the cries of suffering, and 1000 eyes to see it all and 1000 hands to relieve it all, the 1000 armed Senju Kannon (千手觀音) is one of Japan’s favourite forms of Kannon. Seen its golden covered glory at the Tokyo National Museum earlier this month – the Senju Kannon is this month’s Japan photo of the month.

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.

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Japrish – train commuter etiquette at Harajuku JR station

JTM — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 11:52:30 +0000

The 9th photo in the Japrish photo compilation (my own version of Engrish) is the second from what could be called a “train commuter’s etiquette” poster we found at Harajuku JR station in Tokyo.

Oh the pain... Don't look!

Just like the smokers ettiquette Japrish poster from Harajuku JR station, it’s not that the English in this poster is wrong (that’s not always the point of Japrish), it’s how they are giving advice which is the funny thing. In Australia, you would just see a big bold sign “Do not run towards the closing doors of the train”.

Take a look at the rest of the Japrish posts (see related articles below), and join us on Twitter or Facebook, or get new post email alerts by email or RSS. Not even half the poster has been revealed, so check back soon to see the rest!

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Pictures of Japan – 10 photos

JTM — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 08:15:23 +0000

This is a photo post full of pictures of Japan. These 10 pictures of Japan tell a story of the country, as it is seen by the typical tourist of Japan on their visit to Japan.

Samurai picture from Tokyo, Japan

Katana (sword) wielding samurai are one of the most famous icons of Japan. With such a rich and long history, samurai have been depicted in art, television, anime (cartoons), manga (comics) and movies including a few Hollywood blockbusters.

State of the samurai warrior Kusunoki Masashige in the East Garden outside Tokyo's Imperial Palace.

I took this photo during a holiday to Tokyo. The photo has been published in the Japan Times Online.

Geisha & Maiko

Unique to Japan with their white faces, extravagant hair and expensive kimono, the tradition of Geisha and Maiko survives to this day. Most famously they are shown in paintings from Japan dating back hundreds of years.

The face of traditional Japan is still alive today.

Photo credit: Michael Chandler via Flickr.

Temples and shrines in Japan

Temples and shrines go hand in hand in Japan. Rarely will you find a temple which does not have a shrine, conversely there are many small shrines littered around the country.

Todaiji Temple in Nara, Kansai, Japan (near Osaka).

This picture was taken during a trip to Nara, just near Osaka. Todaiji temple is famous for roaming deer and the world’s largest bronze statue of the Buddha Vairocana. Temples are always an impressive scene and there are many different types.

Castles

Part of Japan’s history comprises eras of fierce battle between rulers of various areas. As a result, almost every region, town or city of Japan has a local castle. Some are poised atop mountains, others surrounded by moats and large walls. A visit to any castle is a must during a visit to Japan.

Okayama castle, painted in black, it is known as the Crow Castle.

This picture was taken in Okayama, Japan. Unique with black paint, Okayama castle is usually lit at night and can be seen from various places around the city.

The Big City

Japan has the 10th largest population of any country in the world, with about 128 million people. Tokyo alone has more people in one city than Australia does in its whole country.

Tokyo, truly a city that never sleeps.

This picture of Shibuya, Tokyo is from Dan Chui via Flickr. An amazing HDR photo, Shibuya’s famous and massive pedestrian crossing can be seen in the right bottom corner.

Mt Fuji

Perpetually capped with snow, on a fine day Mt Fuji can be seen from Tokyo Tower. Shown in perhaps the most famous piece of art to come out of Japan The Great Wave off Kanagawa, Mt Fuji is reveared by the Japanese people.

Typically in Japanese, mountains are named ‘Mountain Name’ yama, for example Sanage yama (in Aichi, near where I live). However Mt Fuji is called Fuji san in Japanese, san is appended to peoples names, which shows the close relationship people have with Mt Fuji.

Mt Fuji at night.

This brilliant photo of Mt Fuji at night is provided with thanks to (c) Tomo Yun

Cherry Blossoms (Sakura)

Arguably the most famous flower or plant of Japan, and known all over the world is the cherry blossom (sakura in Japanese). Blooming for only a few weeks everywhere, just about every Japanese person will annually attend a cherry blossom festival or spend a day picnicking and viewing cherry blossoms (ohanami in Japanese).

A glimpse of the cherry blossom flower in spring.

This picture of cherry blossoms in Japan was taken during my visit to Okayama castle. Take a look at the articles in the Cherry Blossoms category for more pictures and info.

Bullet Trains (Shinkansen)

There are two photos for this one, for a few reasons: I think shinkansen are awesome; Japan is the pioneer and leader in high-speed trains, the latest bullet train (the E5 Hayabusa) travels at over 300km/h; the E6 (which is red so must be slightly faster!) has already been built and will be in operation in a few years; approval from the Japanese government has been given to JR (Japan Railway) to build a Maglev train between Tokyo and Osaka, it will travel at over 500km/h in an almost straight line!

A wallpaper of the E5 Hayabusa shinkasen from JR East.

An advertising poster for the new bullet train.

Both images are from JR East.

Go to Why go to Japan? Reason #2: Technology to see HD video of the new bullet train.

Japanese People

And last, but of course not least, is the Japanese people themselves. There are many stereotypes of Japanese people; the cosplay style, crazily dressed teen-to-twenty-something in Harajuku; the salary man squashed and asleep on the train; the old man and woman with hunched backs pulling their shopping trolley; ninjas… When you visit Japan you quickly realise that the Japanese hold onto a virtue, and that is general courtesy towards everyone.

Waiting for a train to pass in Tokyo.

This photos was taken by Lee Chapman at Tokyo Times. Personally I am a big fan of the way he captures Japanese people in his pictures.

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Japrish – smokers etiquette at Harajuku JR station

JTM — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 09:56:54 +0000

The 8th photo in the Japrish photo compilation (my own version of Engrish) is from what could be called a “train commuter/smoker’s etiquette” poster. This is part of a poster (more shots of it to come later) which we spotted at Harajuku JR station in Tokyo.

This is just a part of a larger poster... stay tuned to japantravelmate.com to see the rest...

It’s not that the English in this poster is bad (that’s not always the point of Japrish), just that the way they go about explaining what to do and not to do is hilarious. Cigarettes are very cheap in Japan, but they are also quite low in nicotine. Smoking is allowed in most places, such as restaurants and cafes.

Take a look at the rest of the Japrish posts below, and join us on Twitter or Facebook, or get new post email alerts by email or RSS. There will be more from this Harajuku poster very soon!

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Samurai statue in Tokyo Imperial Palace Gardens

JTM — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 00:33:44 +0000

This statue is the great samurai, Kusunoki Masashige. The photo is taken in the East Garden outside Tokyo’s Imperial Palace.

This photo of the samurai Kusunoki Masashige statue was taken by me 2 years ago, and is my submission for the Japan Times Online Weekend Scene photo gallery.

The statue can be seen in the gardens surrounding Tokyo’s Imperial Palace. Kusunoki Masashige was a great samurai warrior who fought for Japan’s Emperor in the early 14 century. He is depicted riding horseback on a rearing horse, likely in tribute to his leadership of one of many great samurai battles he fought for Japan’s Emperor.

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Why travel to Japan? Top 10 reasons to go and visit

JTM — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 07:53:32 +0000

10 reasons to visit Japan…

I am from Australia and recently travelled to Japan for a holiday. In terms of traditions, we borrow from elsewhere, in terms of historical architecture there is nothing older than 250 years. Travelling to Japan was a chance to visit a country that is most steeped in tradition and culture of their own country – deeply proud and very generous people. It is a challenge and a massive reward holidaying here. So much so that I am now planning on returning to live.

There are so many reasons to visit Japan. Here are my top ten reasons why you should travel to Japan.

1. City, night lights and shopping.

Major shopping hub at Shibuya in Tokyo, near Shibuya 109.

The first of my top 10 reasons to visit Japan is really hard to justify on camera. But the shopping here is something very different, Shibuya 109 is a mutli-storey shopping centre just for teenage girs. And Akihabara in Tokyo is know solely for its electronics and games.

2. Festivals.

Sakura (Japanese Cherry Blossom) during the spring festival in Osaka.

Although in this list of 10 reasons to visit Japan I include only one example of a festival, Japan has many and they are very unique. From the snow and ice festivals in Sapporo in the north and more ancient/traditional festivals with priests and shrines, Japan loves the celebrations!

For more information see Wikipedia’s article on Japanese festivals.

UPDATE: New post ‘Japanese cherry blossom – photos and info‘.

3. Robots, gadgets and all things tech.

Sony AIBO, robot dogs at Roboworld in Fukuoka

Western style Japanese toilet with myriad of controls. Known in Japan as the Washlet (ウォシュレット Woshuretto)."

If you visit Japan, you will encounter one of these toilets. They really should be all over the world! Very hygienic, although it took a few times to get used to the water jets…

4. Castles, temples and shrines.

Okayama-jo, black and gold castle called 'Crow Castle' or 'U-jo'.

5. Efficient transport and the shinkansen (bullet train).

JR Central's Hikari Shinkansen.

Riding on Japan’s bullet train was actually at the top of my mates 10 reasons to visit Japan. Riding along at 300km/h or more, it feels more like air travel than rail travel.

At the opposite end of the speed scale, bicycles have right of way on the roads in Japan.

6. Japanese food and drink (especially Yebisu beer).

Yebisu beer and takoyaki (octopus in battered balls).

7. Manga and anime.

Just a small part of a multi-level book store in Okayama

8. Astro boy.

Statue of Astro Boy (named Atom in Japanese) outside Kyoto train station.

9. Architecture.

ACROS Fukuoka - the green side.

10. Origami, ancient traditions and art.

A tiny origami crane sitting on the bar of a nightclub in Fukuoka

This post marks the beginning of a series of posts, about my trip to Japan. I went to Japan for a holiday for about 1 month. Almost daily I would go to an internet cafe to find something to do – being in a non-English speaking country meant things to do were hard to find on the internet. My site ‘Japan Travel Mate’ aims to provide information on what to do and how to do it when you are in Japan.

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