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Tag Archives: Japan
Silence, Japanese gardens and peacocks.
I love Saturday mornings. Quoting freely from Stephen King, they have an air of unexpressed potential, something close to the first day of the summer school holidays: the working week is just gone and all that unfolds ahead is two … Continue reading
Posted in Europe, London, UK
Tagged Britain, Chiswick, England, Fukushima, Fukushima garden, Holland House, Holland park, Japan, Japanese Garden, Kyoto garden, London, Orangery, Park, Peacock, Shepherd's Bush, UK
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As the sun sets over the capital.
Unless you are a diehard fan of “Lost in Translation” – and, let’s be clear, I am not – there are a few reasons to visit Shinjuku. Skyscrapers can be found in strangest shapes in Odaiba or Shimbashi; neon lights … Continue reading
Before I move on: fragments of Kyoto.
New Year’s Eve, at the office, is a quiet one. For a starter, only half of the people who usually crowd the open space actually bothers to turn up, giving the place a library-like atmosphere which, personally, I like a … Continue reading
Posted in Asia, Japan, Odd ones out, Random memories
Tagged Asia, Autumn, Buddha, Chion, Fall, Japan, Kyoto, Maple leaf, Nanzen, Nanzen-ji Temple, Pagoda, Pavilion, Shintō, Shoren, Tenryu
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A door on a side street.
Kyoto is a grid-like maze, bewildering at first but easy to navigate once one gets his bearings. This means, in other words, sticking to the network of larger roads, those major arteries that, by bisecting each other, channel traffic and people from … Continue reading
The sacred and the profane, or an afternoon at Fushimi Inari Taisha.
The Japanese approach to religion sounds odd and unfamiliar to those, like yours truly, grown up in the shadow of the clear-cut divisions operated by monotheistic cults. Folks, over here in the archipelago, can be Shinto, and Buddhist, at the same … Continue reading
Posted in All things food, Asia, Japan, Kyoto
Tagged Asia, Buddhism, Dango, Eels, Faith, Fox, Fushimi Inari, Gion, Inari, Japan, Kyoto, Okonomiyaki, Shintō, Street food, Takoyaki, Torii, Yakitori
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People of Kyoto.
I feel like I’m somehow developing my photographic skills, probably more through chance or happy coincidence than by actual will. Kyoto offered some great – at least in my opinion – chances for people photo taking, and I’m quite happy … Continue reading
Posted in Asia, Japan, Kyoto
Tagged Asia, Gion, Japan, Kinkaku-ji, Kyoto, Nanzen-ji, Nihon, Photography, Shoren-in, Street photography
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Haneda Airport.
Our flight arrived at 07:30, and our connection was delayed until 11.30. Normally this would’ve entailed heated conversations, stress and accusations, but this was Japan. A bow, a sincere apology, a quick service recovery and we were on our way, … Continue reading
Postcards from Tokyo
“…we’ll wait a little for a signal to turn green before entering Earl’s Court station, apologies for the inconvenience” the voice on the tannoy said to a chorus of groans, moans and a choreography of rolling eyes. Framed in a … Continue reading
Posted in Asia, Japan, Random memories, Tokyo
Tagged Asia, Japan, Megalopolis, Nostalgia, Postcards, Tokyo
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An ode to Kyoto part 3. Faith.
Almost exactly five years ago a friend and a younger, happier and more idealistic version of myself visited Japan, spending 10 days in Kyoto. I have since come back twice to the archipelago, but never to Kyoto. These are my … Continue reading
Posted in Asia, Japan, Kyoto, Overlooked locations, Random memories
Tagged Asia, Buddhism, Fushimi Inari, Japan, Kyoto, Religion, Shintō, Temple
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