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The Spirit of Zen and Tea Culture at Kotoin Temple, Kyoto

Temples are one of the most recognizable and ubiquitous sites in Japan, but did you know that big temple complexes have smaller sub-temples?  Just as you’d guess, a sub-temple is a smaller temple on a larger temple ground. In fact,…

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Celebrate Love at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, Kamakura; Learn the Japanese Traditional Wedding Ceremony

February brings some of the most fun holidays to celebrate to the world: Setsubun in Japan, the Lunar New Year in China, Presidents Day, and of course Valentine’s Day. What better way to celebrate your love for Japan than to…

Read MoreCelebrate Love at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, Kamakura; Learn the Japanese Traditional Wedding Ceremony

The Dream to Preserve Old World Asia: Nezu Museum, Tokyo.

The Meiji Restoration Period of Japan (1868 – 1912) was the first major step away from the tradition and culture of Old World Japan. Japan had achieved tremendous accomplishments at the price of several crippling drawbacks. Embracing their Western contemporaries,…

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Temple-ception in Tofukuji, Kyoto. Beautiful and Iconic of Old World Japan.

When you set foot in the Land of the Rising Sun, you’ll notice the ubiquity of temples. Temples, temples, temples everywhere; from the heart of Urban Tokyo to the depths of Kyushu’s jungles, from the rustic country side to the…

Read MoreTemple-ception in Tofukuji, Kyoto. Beautiful and Iconic of Old World Japan.

Japan’s Most Controversial Zen Temple, Ryoan-ji of Kyoto.

You’re probably wondering what could be so controversial about a Zen temple, just like I was. The UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ryoan-ji Temple (Temple of the Peaceful Dragon) is home to one of the most famous “Karesansui,” or Zen rock…

Read MoreJapan’s Most Controversial Zen Temple, Ryoan-ji of Kyoto.