Category: Temple

Festival, Shrine, TempleLeave a comment

New Year’s first visit in 2023, Tokyo

Khaaw

Happy New Year! New Year’s Day in Tokyo was a peaceful start to the year. After visiting my guardian shrine nearby, then I visited Meiji Jingu shrine and Asakusa Sensoji-temple, to see how many people have come back for New Year’s visits this year. Meiji Jingu in the early afternoon seemed to be a little shorter than it used be before COVID-19, but there were still long lines of people looking forward to the new year. Passing through the first torii made of brand-new cedar, which was rebuilt last July for the first time in about 100 years, and enter … Continue reading New Year’s first visit in 2023, Tokyo

Other tourist spot, TempleLeave a comment

Debut of Tokyo Volunteer Guides, Machinaka community tourist information

Khaaw

I joined to a member of Tokyo Volunteer Guides, Machinaka community tourist information, in Asakusa area yesterday. We supported tourists, including foreigners, who are in trouble for finding their routes to target spots or any other troubles. At the exit of the subway, people who don’t know the location of the nearby Kaminarimon, guidance on the subway route on the way home, etc. It was a short time, but it was a debut for me two and a half years after my registration. After finishing the guide work, I took a short stroll in the town of Asakusa. It makes … Continue reading Debut of Tokyo Volunteer Guides, Machinaka community tourist information

Park, TempleLeave a comment

Guide to Indian couple who visit Japan first time

Khaaw

Today, unfortunately, it rained all day, but I ghuided a couple from India to Tokyo. As requested from a lady who wanted to see a Japanese garden, so we first went to the Imperial Palace East Gardens to see the remains of Edo Castle and the Japanese garden, and then to Asakusa. I enjoyed sightseeing and shopping at Sensoji Temple. Continue reading Guide to Indian couple who visit Japan first time

Botanical garden, Park, TempleLeave a comment

Guide Debut for guests visiting Japan for the first time

Khaaw

I guided American guests who visit Japan first timee, and we visited the Imperial Palace, Asakusa, Senso-ji temple, and Shinjuku Gyoen, where the chrysanthemum exhibition is being held. With the lifeting up of COVID19 restrictions, I was nervous about what I wanted to say to the guests who were finally able to come, and I was worried about whether I would be able to explain it well. I am relieved that I was able to make my debut as a tourist guide thanks to friendly personality of guests and the beautiful autumn weather. Today’s beer is specially delicious. Continue reading Guide Debut for guests visiting Japan for the first time

Palace Castle, Shrine, TempleLeave a comment

The three most famous places in Tokyo, must-visit places

Khaaw

There are many interesting places to visit in Tokyo, but if you are the first time to visit to Tokyo, it is recommended visiting the Imperial Palace, Meiji shrine, and Asakusa, Sensoji-temple First, let’s visit the Imperial Palace, which is close to Tokyo Station, the center of Tokyo. The Imperial Palace has been the residence of emperors since the Emperor Meiji moved his residence from Kyoto in 1869 to here, used to be Edo castle of Tokugawa shogunnate, and is now the residence of the 126th Emperor Naruhito and his royal family. Let’s take a look at the main hall, … Continue reading The three most famous places in Tokyo, must-visit places

Festival, Shrine, TempleLeave a comment

The most exciting festival in Tokyo, Sanja Matsuri 2022 in ASAKUSA

Khaaw

The most exciting festivals in Tokyo, the Sanja Matsuri “Three Shrine Festival”, has revived for the first time in three years, although some parts scaled down, I’ve been there for three days. After two years of silence, the voice of the festival returns to Asakusa. The night before the first day the head priest of Asakusa Shrine performs a ritual to invite the spirits of the shrine in main building and transfer into the three main mikoshi, portable shrines. Rei-taisai, the most important Shinto ritual held in annually to express for having spent the year safely and pray for future … Continue reading The most exciting festival in Tokyo, Sanja Matsuri 2022 in ASAKUSA

garden, Shrine, TempleLeave a comment

Beautiful peony flowers in Ueno Tosho-gu

Khaaw

Ueno Park is famous for cherry blossom viewing, but after the cherry blossom season, now is time for tree peony and herbaceous peony. At peony garden in Tosho-gu, we can enjoy both peonies, late-blooming tree peony and early-blooming herbaceous peony right now. Ueno Tosho-gu, now in Ueno Park, used be in the vast precincts of Toeizan Kan’eiji Temple during the Edo period, when it was a Shinto and Buddhist syncretism. It was a place visited by many Edo people who was not able to visit Nikko Tosho-gu. This peony garden is located in precincts of Tosho-gu. Both tree peony and … Continue reading Beautiful peony flowers in Ueno Tosho-gu

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Thousands cherries in Mt. Yoshino, Mountain of Deities of cherries

Khaaw

Now. Mt. Yoshino, a famous place for cherry blossoms that has been respected and loved for more than 1300 years, is in full bloom. The cherry blossoms of Yoshino were worshiped more than 1300 years as a sacred tree since the founder of Shugendo, En no Gyoja, carved the main image, Zao Gongen, on the mountain cherry tree. Zaō Gongen (also spelled Zao) is one of the most important mountain deities of Japan’s syncretic Shugendō sects, a diverse tradition of mountain ascetic practices associated with Shintō beliefs. It is said that there are about 30,000 trees are planted in Yashino … Continue reading Thousands cherries in Mt. Yoshino, Mountain of Deities of cherries

Plant, TempleLeave a comment

Omuro-zakura in Ninna-ji temple

Khaaw

Ninna-ji Temple was founded by Emperor Uda in the 4th year of Ninna (888), and has been proud of its high prestige as a monzeki temple (a temple where the head priest is a member of the imperial family, mainly retired Emperor or Emperor Emeritus). Since the cherry blossoms were planted in the precincts during the temple reconstructed by rebuilding main buildings around 1646, it has become famous as Omuro cherry blossoms.  The age of Omuro cherry blossoms from that time would be exceed 360 years. The cherry trees in the temple propagated by cuttings from original trees. Most of … Continue reading Omuro-zakura in Ninna-ji temple

Plant, Temple1 Comment

Yamataka Jindai Zakura, The oldest cherry tree in Japan

Khaaw

Yamataka Jindai Zakura is estimated around 2,000 years old and the oldest cherry tree in Japan. The tree is growing in precincts of Jissoji Temple in Hokuto city, Yamanashi prefecture. This tree is recognized as one of the “Three Great Sakura Trees” of Japan, and was designated the country’s first-ever Natural Monument as a cherry tree. Since it was in the middle of the 16th century that Jissoji temple moved to this place, the Jindai cherry has been existed much longer times in here and been respected and loved by the people here. Jindai, or Kamiyo (different pronunciation from same … Continue reading Yamataka Jindai Zakura, The oldest cherry tree in Japan