-
First time in Japan: a 3-week itinerary
A dream has come true. Earlier this year, I finally visited Japan, a country that I’ve been fascinated with since I can remember. The land of the rising sun, a land of contrasts, which complement rather than contradict each other. Old and new, geishas in kimonos, elderly chefs preparing sushi, and, tradition and cutting edge technology, tea ceremonies and bullet trains, ichigo ichie and ikigai, Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, the largest metropolis in the world and the Mount Fuji, gardens and cherry blossoms, Harajuku, Shinjuku and Shibuya. Add cuteness (see the ubiquitous maneki neko), delicious food, haiku poetry and the ever-so-popular literature to the mix, and you can see…
-
25 temples and shrines in Japan
During my recent trip to Japan, I visited a total of twenty-five temples and shrines. Religion in Japan is characterized by a harmonious blend of Shinto and Buddhism, the two main faiths practised throughout the country. Shinto, an indigenous belief system, focuses on kami (spirits) and rituals tied to nature and ancestors, while Buddhism, introduced from China and Korea, emphasizes spiritual enlightenment and the afterlife. Many Japanese people practice both religions simultaneously, participating in Shinto ceremonies for life events like births and weddings, and Buddhist rituals for funerals and memorials. Despite a low rate of formal religious affiliation, religious traditions remain deeply woven into Japanese culture and daily life. Every…