When in Japan
Japan, a beautiful country with countless sights to see and things to do. At at the heart of Tokyo you will notice yourself trying to keep up with the fast paced crowds in busy streets and public transits. The cultural etiquette is sure to surprise anyone, as you find yourself being greeted by staff and politely excused everywhere.
Harajuku Street is Japan's centre of fashion and shopping filled with patrons, students and tourists. At certain times of the day and week, people dressed in styled clothing with vibrant and dark colours, eccentric and trendy fashions can be found throughout the street.
Above image: Harajuku Street, Tokyo
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| | Sanjo Dori, Kyoto | |
Most of my days were spent in Kyoto during the student exchange trip. It was the main reason I was in Japan. And within two weeks of study, I explored a few places. July is the most humid month in the summer time, and some days were a struggle to leave the air conditioned apartment I lived in.
I attended Ritsumeikan University that was thankfully a single bus trip from my accommodation. It was possibly the biggest university campus I've ever been in.
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| | Nijo Castle, Kyoto | |
Here you will find a beautiful landscape with gardens and the Nijo Castle; that was historically built as the Kyoto residence of the Tokugawa Shoguns in the Edo period. There is, however, a fee upon entry.
You can enter the castle (with the restriction from taking photos inside) and explore the many rooms with authentic sliding doors, walls decorated with painting, and wood carvings.
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| | Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto | |
One of many of the shrines in Kyoto, Inari Shrine is prominent for its thousands of Tori Gates that date back to 711 A.D, and have been standing since. Each gate is well preserved and trails up towards the mountain. It take a little over an hour to reach the top.
As you make your way to the main entrance, you will find food stalls, numerous shrines and shops with souvenirs. I left having purchased a few charms a souvenirs for friends back at home.
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| | Gion Festival, Kyoto | |
In the month of August, Japan celebrates the Gion Matsuri Festival, and on July 17 is the Yamaboko Junko, the float parade. This festival was made to celebrate to appease the gods around the time of an epidemic in the year 869.
Hundreds of people come to this event to view this spectacular sight as people dressed in colourful robes walk down the main streets, closing off roads, diverting traffic and buses off route.
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| | Nara Deer Park | |
Located in Nara is the deer park where you will find doe and stags grazing in a heard. They are very friendly and have adapted to people, however you do get some who will bite and attempt to headbutt you.
Biscuits specifically for the deer can be bought and feed to these animals, and they will approach you at the sight of food (just like most animals do).
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| | Nijo Castle, Kyoto | |
My overall trip ended with sitting on my luggage to press down on the all the souvenirs and products I've bought. And I look through an album filled with photos of people and landscapes I've come across.
The few things I know I will miss is modesty and humbleness in the society of Japan, and of course the exquisite and authentic foods you can find at an affordable price.
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