26 Mar 2012: Tokyo Tocho travel tip
I was writing in 2010 that after visiting Tokyo for 4 years in a row, strolling through Nishi-Shinjuku was one of my favorite ... »
63 comments 25 Mar 2012: Yume-Kyobashi Castle Road and a travel tip
There are many areas in Japan where you can experience the traditional Japan, streets "conserved" to look like in the old times. But ... »
46 comments 24 Mar 2012: The story of Yogodo Hall
The story says that in 628, on March 18, two men fishing in the Sumida river caught in their net a statue of Bodhisattva Kannon, the ... »
43 comments 23 Mar 2012: Japanese mascots - Hiko-nyan, Hikone Castle's samurai cat
Cats are very popular in Japan... and obviously, the cat mascots are also very popular. Meet Hiko-nyan, the Hikone Castle's mascot, ... »
72 comments 22 Mar 2012: Japanese traditions - Mikoshi parade
Traveling through Japan, you may encounter, especially around Shinto shrines, large groups of people gathered around teams carrying ... »
83 comments 21 Mar 2012: Rainy day at Kan'ei-ji
The Kan'ei-ji Temple from Ueno, Tokyo, was established in 1625, during the Kan-ei Era, hence its name. At its peak, with more than ... »
52 comments 20 Mar 2012: Colors of Shinjuku
To me, Tokyo is a city that gives a feeling of optimism... it makes me cheerful and eager to explore. And since I returned to Tokyo ... »
68 comments 19 Mar 2012: Tokyo Architecture - Fune no Kagakukan, the ship shaped building
When you're going towards Odaiba, crossing the Rainbow Bridge, on the right side you will see, beyond the Fuji TV building, a large ... »
63 comments 18 Mar 2012: Yakatabune parking at Yanagibashi
Close to Ryōgokubashi, the bridge crossing the Sumida River near the Edo-Tokyo Museum and the Ryōgoku Kokugikan sumo ... »
59 comments 17 Mar 2012: Thousand origami cranes at Fushimi Inari Taisha
In Japan, the crane is an important symbol of longevity and there is a folkloric belief that the crane lives 1000 years. That was ... »
61 comments 16 Mar 2012: Tokyo Bay Area night view
One of my recurrent objectives during the summer trips to Tokyo was to take night photos in the Tokyo Bay Area. I searched for and I ... »
82 comments 15 Mar 2012: Ichimatsu, Japanese dolls of gratitude
There are many Japanese traditional dolls, made from all kind of materials and with different degrees of stylization, but only a few ... »
81 comments 14 Mar 2012: Japanese Seismic Design, Chiba Port Tower
The population of the Chiba Prefecture reached 5 millions in 1983 and, to celebrate this event, the Chiba Port Tower was inaugurated ... »
54 comments 13 Mar 2012: Daruma dolls and a travel tip
I wrote before about Daruma dolls, the good luck charms representing, in a very stylized form, Bodhidharma, the legendary founder of ... »
62 comments 12 Mar 2012: Shukkeien, Japanese garden panorama
The Shukkeien Garden from Hiroshima is one of the most beautiful circular-tour Japanese gardens I have visited. In the middle of the ... »
77 comments 11 Mar 2012: Tokyo Memorial Hall, memorial to the earthquake victims
Today we commemorate one year since the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, the most powerful earthquake in the history of Japan. ... »
82 comments 10 Mar 2012: Shopping arcades in Osaka
When I'm in Japan, I don't want to "waste" any moment, not even during bad weather. So, the shopping arcades are always a choice ... »
52 comments 09 Mar 2012: Quiet summer night at Senso-ji Temple
The Senso-ji Temple from Asakusa was the first temple I visited in Japan and I enjoyed it so much that it remained my favorite ... »
83 comments 08 Mar 2012: Japanese spiritual architecture, rare wheel repository at Naritasan
Ever wondered how the important documents are stored in a Japanese Buddhist temple? There is often a dedicated building, with ... »
83 comments 07 Mar 2012: Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate
The Tōdai-ji Temple from Nara was established in 728 and, like many other Japanese temples, suffered a lot of changes during ... »
74 comments 06 Mar 2012: Mekura-ishi, the Blind stone
Many shrines in Japan are dedicated to gods of love, marriage and matchmaking. But some of them, besides the usual ema and omamori, ... »
42 comments 05 Mar 2012: Matsumoto Castle's red bridge panorama
Matsumoto Castle, the main attraction of Matsumoto city, is a hirajiro - a castle built on flatland. Unlike the Japanese castles ... »
74 comments 04 Mar 2012: Japanese architecture - Shizuoka Press and Broadcasting Center
At the end of the 1950s, a group of young Japanese architects founded the architectural movement called Metabolism. The name of the ... »
57 comments 03 Mar 2012: Hina Matsuri Dolls and a travel tip
Today in Japan takes place one of my favorite celebrations, Hina Matsuri - the Doll Festival. Today, the families with young ... »
87 comments 02 Mar 2012: Beautiful Inari Shrine in Matsumoto
One of the most important shrines from Matsumoto, the Jorinji Shrine, is located just 5 minutes walking distance from the JR ... »
62 comments 01 Mar 2012: The daily Japan photo is returning - Okayama Castle before the storm
Dear friends, Today, after a hiatus of more than two weeks, I'm restarting the daily Japan photo series and I'm returning to my ... »
229 comments 13 Feb 2012: Japanese architecture, Osaka Broadcasting Station, History Museum and a travel tip
If you like modern architecture, one of the most interesting cities to visit in Japan is Osaka. I already presented a few very ... »
59 comments 12 Feb 2012: Popular Japanese food, salt grilled Ayu
If you're browsing the stalls (yatai) from a Japanese festival (matsuri) and feel the appetizing smell of grilled fish, chances are ... »
49 comments 11 Feb 2012: A Shrine that protects... Information Technology
Located on a small hill near Akihabara, Kanda Myojin is one of the oldest shrines in Tokyo, being originally established in 720. It ... »
71 comments 10 Feb 2012: Harumi Passenger Ship Terminal Night View
Tokyo is one of largest ports in Pacific and it is well known for its multiple cargo and container terminals, but the Port of Tokyo ... »
39 comments 09 Feb 2012: Japanese Customs and Traditions - Chinowa, the ring of purification
If you visited Shinto shrines during summer or winter, you probably noticed these large straw circles, about 2 meters diameter, ... »
57 comments 08 Feb 2012: Osaka Castle glamorous gold decorations and a travel tip
The Osaka Castle is one of the most glamorous Japanese castles, built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi as a symbol of its power and richness. ... »
74 comments 07 Feb 2012: Traditional Japanese fire lookout tower
Throughout the history of Japan, the fires were among the main threats: not only because the traditional Japanese houses were built ... »
51 comments 06 Feb 2012: Japanese superlatives, Totekiko, the smallest Japanese Zen rock garden
Generally, the Japanese Zen gardens are small, covering just dozens of square meters. The reason is that the viewer must be able to ... »
90 comments 05 Feb 2012: Cute Jizo Gashapon Machine
Gashapon (or gachapon) is a brand, owned by the famous company Bandai, referring to capsule toys, but also to the capsule vending ... »
45 comments 04 Feb 2012: Japanese spiritual architecture, Prince Shotoku Hall
Prince Shōtoku is known in the history of Japan as the father of Japanese Buddhism. He established the Shitennoji Temple from ... »
66 comments 03 Feb 2012: Mamemaki, the bean throwing festival, in a Tokyo Metro mosaic
In Japan, Setsubun is the day before risshun, the beginning of spring in the Japanese lunar calendar. In this day (February 3rd in ... »
70 comments 02 Feb 2012: Yokohama Cosmo Clock 21 blue color night view
One of my favorite subjects for long exposure night time photography is the Ferris wheel. While the wheel is moving, the colors are ... »
86 comments 01 Feb 2012: Itsukushima Shrine Torii at low tide
The Itsukushima Shrine's Otorii (Grand Gate) from the Miyajima Island is probably the most famous torii from Japan. It is so famous ... »
62 comments 31 Jan 2012: Reflections in the rain at Umeda Sky Building
I have to confess that until now I planned all my trips to Japan to avoid the rainy seasons. However, from time to time I still got ... »
51 comments 30 Jan 2012: The eucalyptus that survived the atomic bomb
I learned a long time ago about the survivor trees from Hiroshima (called hibaku jumoku in Japanese), the trees that survived the ... »
77 comments 29 Jan 2012: Roboroborobo
The Roppongi Hills Mori Tower observatory is one of the must see places in Tokyo, the view is magnificent in every season and during ... »
57 comments 28 Jan 2012: Old Japanese Stories, the legend of Fushimi Inari Taisha
The Japanese traditional culture is extremely rich in stories and legends passed from generation to generation. When you visit the ... »
71 comments 27 Jan 2012: Zojo-ji and Tokyo Tower dusk view
Zojo-ji Temple, one of the most important temples from Tokyo, was established in 1393, but it was moved to its present location only ... »
80 comments 26 Jan 2012: A shard of paradise in Ueno
It would be wrong for me to recommend for the first time visitors in Japan some unknown temple or shrine, located far from the main ... »
77 comments 25 Jan 2012: Nagoya Castle, birds-eye view and a travel tip
Built at the orders of shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, the Nagoya Castle was located in a strategic place, to stop the attacks coming from ... »
46 comments 24 Jan 2012: Yurakucho, a wide-angle street view and a bit of history
Located between Ginza and Hibiya, Yūrakuchō is one of the oldest neighborhoods of Tokyo. A little known fact is that ... »
61 comments 23 Jan 2012: Japanese garden landscape - lantern and teahouse in Hikone Genkyu-en
The Hikone castle was finished in 1622 and 55 years later, Ii Naooki, the fourth lord of Hikone, built near the castle the Genkyu-en ... »
72 comments 22 Jan 2012: Hello Kitty Hato Bus and a travel tip
As you probably noticed, I always plan my own trips, with maps, events, attractions, transportation, accommodation, etc. So, I don't ... »
78 comments 21 Jan 2012: Japanese crowd on Nakamise-dori
Nakamise-dori, the 250 meters long street in front of the Senso-ji complex from Asakusa, Tokyo, is one of the oldest commercial ... »
62 comments 20 Jan 2012: Romantic evenings in Kyoto
There are so many places to spend an evening in Kyoto... Most tourists choose to go to Gion, the famous geisha district, especially ... »
56 comments 19 Jan 2012: Japanese traditions - Lion Dance, Shishi-mai
During the first days of the year in Japan, in the traditional areas or at Shinto shrines, you can witness one of the oldest ... »
58 comments 18 Jan 2012: Original colored three-storied pagoda at Naritasan Temple
Originally, the Japanese pagodas evolved from the Indian stupas, having the same role, to enshrine symbolic relics of Buddha. In the ... »
65 comments 17 Jan 2012: Remembering the Great Hanshin earthquake
17 years ago, a powerful earthquake stroke the city of Kobe and its surroundings. It was at the time the most powerful earthquake to ... »
50 comments 16 Jan 2012: Takadanobaba, a perfect view from my window
The story of Takadanobaba starts in 1636, when the shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu built in Totsuka, Shinjuku, a place for horse racing, a ... »
51 comments 15 Jan 2012: Senbei, traditional Japanese rice crackers
I don't eat many sweets when I'm traveling in Japan (except for the matcha ice-cream), but I always want to have something to ... »
57 comments 14 Jan 2012: The Shrine from the old Red District
Strolling on the Shichi-Fukujin route from Asakusa, I found a small architectural jewel, a shrine dedicated to Benzaiten.The ... »
60 comments 13 Jan 2012: New Yamanote line station
Probably the most famous line of the JR East railway company, the Yamanote line - Yamanote-sen ... »
37 comments 12 Jan 2012: The Samurai frogs from Matsumoto
The main attraction in Matsumoto is obviously the Matsumoto castle, but the city has a lot more to offer to the discerning ... »
77 comments 11 Jan 2012: Japanese traditions - Dondo Yaki 2012
A lot of Japanese customs and traditions at the beginning of the year! Around the middle of January, a festival of fire takes ... »
48 comments 10 Jan 2012: Perfect view of Mount Fuji from Chuo line
One of the advantages of traveling by train in Japan is that sometimes you can be delighted by amazingly beautiful views. On the ... »
85 comments 09 Jan 2012: The Owl Police Box
I wrote before about kōban, the typical Japanese police stations and their sometimes unusual architecture. Some of them are ... »
54 comments 08 Jan 2012: Matsumoto, the Crow Castle
Located in the Nagano Prefecture, the Matsumoto Castle is one of the four Japanese castles designated as National Treasure of Japan, ... »
68 comments 07 Jan 2012: Immersion in Japan's history, Boso no Mura Open Air Museum
I believe that if you want to understand the people of a country, first you need to know their history and then you need to see how ... »
67 comments 06 Jan 2012: Today's event, Dezome-shiki - New Year's Firemen Parade
In many countries the firefighters are among the most trusted and respected organizations. All the more so in Japan, where in the ... »
31 comments 05 Jan 2012: The Great Pagoda of Peace
The Narita-san Shinshō-ji Temple from Narita is one of the most famous temples in the Kantō region and features a great ... »
59 comments 04 Jan 2012: Akasaka White Sacas Winter Illuminations
Akasaka Sacas 「赤坂サカス」 is a commercial and recreational complex built in 2008 in ... »
42 comments 03 Jan 2012: Omotesando Winter Illumination
In 1920, in the Shibuya town was built Meiji Jingu, a magnificent shrine dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his ... »
54 comments 02 Jan 2012: Tokyo Sky Tree Night Lighting on New Year's Eve
Spending the New Year's night in Asakusa, Tokyo, I had the chance to admire the Tokyo Sky Tree's night lighting design. Of course, I ... »
66 comments 01 Jan 2012: Hatsumode, the first visit to a shrine or temple
If you visit one of the famous shrines or temples of Japan during the New Year's night, you will notice something very unusual for a ... »
45 comments 31 Dec 2011: On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven
In the Japanese tradition, during the New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck are traveling in their ship Takarabune (meaning ... »
65 comments 30 Dec 2011: New Year's Japanese good luck charm, Hamaya
Generally, the good luck charms in Japan are sold throughout the year, but there are a few notable exceptions. Hamaya, the ... »
63 comments 29 Dec 2011: Traditional Japanese New Year decorations, Kadomatsu and a travel tip
Between Christmas and January 7th, on both sides of the entrance doors you will notice in Japan kadomatsu ... »
62 comments 28 Dec 2011: Renewing the good luck - Omamori replacing at Meiji Jingu
If you visit Japanese shrines or temples at the beginning of the year, you will notice places equipped with large boxes where ... »
39 comments 27 Dec 2011: Traditional Japanese New Year Decoration, Kagami mochi
Kagami mochi 「鏡餅」 is a special traditional Japanese decoration for the New Year, usually displayed ... »
67 comments 26 Dec 2011: Traditional Japanese New Year decorations, Shimekazari
Immediately after December 25, the Christmas decorations are replaced with the New Year decorations... The New Year is the most ... »
65 comments 25 Dec 2011: Swarovski Crystal Omotesando Christmas Tree
Even if the Christmas is not a Japanese holiday, Japan managed for several years now to hold a record on the... most expensive ... »
35 comments 24 Dec 2011: Tokyo Christmas Trees
Many Christmas trees are displayed these days in Japan, on the streets and in the shopping malls. Few Japanese are decorating ... »
65 comments 23 Dec 2011: A Night View for Tokyo Tower's Anniversary
After the economic boom during 1950s, Japan needed a symbol of its economic power. So, 53 years ago in December 23 1958, the Tokyo ... »
58 comments 22 Dec 2011: Rakes for Good Luck and a travel tip
There are many traditional good luck charms in Japan and some of them are sold especially at the end of the year, in order to have ... »
64 comments 21 Dec 2011: Japanese Lottery (Takarakuji)
The Japanese Lottery appeared long time ago, around the year 1600 and was established in today's form after the WWII, when the ... »
43 comments 20 Dec 2011: Tokyo Christmas Illuminations, Galaxy Dome plus a travel tip
Here's a new photo from the Tokyo Christmas Illuminations series, taken at Tokyo Dome City. This is the Galaxy Dome, a hemispheric ... »
54 comments 19 Dec 2011: Japanese traditions - changing the old Shimenawa
If you visited or looked at pictures with Shinto shrines, you probably noticed places marked with a twisted rope - a shimenawa ... »
49 comments 18 Dec 2011: Second tallest building in Japan, Rinku Gate Tower Building
Many people know what is the tallest building in Japan (Yokohama Landmark Tower, 295.8 meters) or the tallest building in Tokyo ... »
37 comments 17 Dec 2011: 5173 Wonderful Sculptures at Toshogu Shrine
There are exactly 5173 sculptures at the Toshogu Shrine from Nikko, a truly impressive number. Half of them are inaccessible inside ... »
38 comments 16 Dec 2011: Yokohama Skyline at Night
Many cities in Japan have beautiful skylines, but you can rarely enjoy a vantage point over the skyscrapers like in Minato Mirai 21, ... »
65 comments 15 Dec 2011: Senso-ji Hagoita Fair and a travel tip
In the old times, the Japanese kids were having fun during the New Year by playing traditional games like karuta (card game), ... »
65 comments 14 Dec 2011: Best of Japanese vending machines, Bvlgari Perfume vending machine
The first modern vending machine, with coins, appeared in London around 1880, selling post cards. 8 years later, Koshichi Tawaraya ... »
81 comments 13 Dec 2011: Tokyo Old-and-New, Yurakucho Station
In Japan many department stores are built adjacent to important train stations - they are often large, modern and well designed but ... »
38 comments 12 Dec 2011: Where to travel in Japan, Takasaki and new JR Pass travel tips
Many people asked me where to travel in Japan, besides the usual, well known Kyoto, Tokyo or Nara destinations... One recommendation ... »
74 comments
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"A friend calculated that since I started working on this website, I lived in Japan approx. 8% of my life. Is this much or little? If you ask my family and friends, it’s a lot. I agree that it’s a lot more than a normal traveler spends in a foreign country… but if you ask me, this is just the beginning.
I want to share with you my travels through Japan and my readings about this wonderful culture, to see Japan through my eyes, from the temples and shrines to the cities and people of Japan, from places filled with history and spirituality, to the the modern Japan with skyscrapers and pop culture."
Muza-chan's Gate to Japan includes:
» Travel notes on visiting Japan, travel reviews, sightseeing, tourist attractions, historical and cultural facts, travel photos, travel tips
» A series of daily Japan photos, covering Japan places (Tokyo, Yokohama, Kamakura, Nikko...), traditional and modern Japanese culture, lifestyle, architecture, people, interesting facts
» Japan's most famous customs and traditions with photos, videos, stories, background and historical information plus some travel tips
» Daily selections of Japanese music (J-Pop, J-Rock, traditional music, enka and more...)
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