My dear friends and fellow bloggers, I am back! And I have certainly missed you all!
Last month I took some much needed time away from work and went to Japan for a visit. This was my third time in the country. I traveled extensively in the Kansai region, checking out autumn foliage as the season progressed.
Below is a quick recap of my trip.
We began our journey in Hiroshima, paying tribute to the Peace Memorial in the morning, visiting the saketown of Sanjo in the afternoon.
Next day we hopped on a bus to Sandankyo Gorge, breathing fresh mountain air and admiring its countless waterfalls.
A visit to Hiroshima is not complete without a day trip to the island of Miyajima.
and its emblematic floating Torii.
Leaving Hiroshima behind, we traveled to Okayama.
Korakuen is one of the top three gardens in Japan and we were fortunate to see it glowing after dark.
With Okayama as our base, we made day trips to the canal town of Kurashiki,
and the rural-island-turned-contemporary-art-mecca Naoshima.
On our way to Osaka, we visited the UNESCO World Heritage Himeji Castle.
Hint: Its exterior is more impressive than its interior. A visit to the garden is a MUST!
Osaka is known as Japan’s Kitchen.
Needless to say, our stomachs did not suffer.
After we had enough of city life, we headed south to Mt. Koya,
where we stayed at a Buddhist temple overnight. It was both a cold (temperature-wise) and exhilarating experience!
Further south, the beach town of Shirahama, was our gateway to Kumano Kodo
An ancient pilgrimage route across the Kii Peninsula linking three grand shrines, namely Kumano Hongū Taisha
Kumano Hayatama Taisha
and Kumano Nachi Taisha
where the colour was at its best
along Japan’s tallest waterfall.
To be continued…
Wonderful! I visited some of the places you were as well. Great pictures. The monks at Mt. Koya! Japan is a most interesting country.
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Thank you Peter!
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Absolutely wonderful in every way! I want to go there!
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Superb! Someday I hope I will get there! 😀
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Simply gorgeous! The photos, the location, the scenery….just all of it! Welcome back 🙂
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Sounds like you packed a lot in! Love the autumnal colours 🙂 I agree that the exterior of Japanese castles is often far more impressive than the interior – but always interesting to have a look inside at least one!
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Thanks Rosie!
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Superb photos and I loved every one – especially the one of the monks, that is really something. I was in Japan 18 months ago but didn’t get to Osaka, that’s still to be enjoyed when I next get to Japan. Meantime, thank you for these remembrances.
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Thank you Maris. There’s always something for the next trip 😉
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Beautiful photos, especially the shot of the beach took my breath away.
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Thanks Dippy-Dotty Girl 🙂
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Good to have you back. Beautiful photos.
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Looks like a grand journey! How long did you take to do the trip, because it sure looks like it packed in quite a bit!
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It’s about a little over three weeks. With the excellent transportation system in Japan, all is possible.
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Hmmm… we focus on a particular spot each time – for about a week. Normally we do a road trip after taking the bullet train there. Like Wakayama, where then can get to Koya, Shirahama peninsula etc… but that’s also because we will never find 3 weeks due to work schedule. But its good to know that it can work out well!
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The photo with the Monks is amazing. Great shots!
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Thank you!
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stunning photos; I loved Japan but never made it to where you went, so thanks for the tour.
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You are very welcome Sue!
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Japan looks like a great country to visit! 🇯🇵 Really looking forward to going there. I love the picture you have of the 3 umbrellas ☔️ What’s the one thing we definitely should do in Japan?
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Thanks so much Zac. Of course there are many things you should do in Japan depends on your preference. I would say one thing you don’t want to miss if the nature element of Japan and how they are integrated into their daily lives. Take cherry blossom or foliage for instance, the Japanese will appreciate/experience those to the fullest. Have fun travel!
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I’ve heard the cherry blossom festival is a real thing to see – id love to visit one day. Have fun also!
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Thanks for sharing this!
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Great pix and great tour!
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Thanks John!
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What a breath of fresh air! You must really have a natural affinity for Japan to visit it 3 times. Japan is so seasonally distinct, as you’ve clearly shown us in your brilliant hues. I love the night shot of Korakuen, the art installation at Naoshima and even the monks, with their colourful attire, herald a sense of autumnal peace. Thank you for this post, and welcome back. 🙂
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Thank you so much Jolene for stopping by and for your kind word. I love Japan and will be back there soon. Hopefully 🙂
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Stunning captures! What an adventure!!
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Thank you Donna!
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Lovely shots. I’ve never been to Japan (except the airport), and have thought the countryside might be beautiful.
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Thank you Dave!
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These are amazing! I’m going to have to show these pictures to my husband to persuade him to go to Japan – he’s not as keen on visiting Asian countries as I am and I just want him to realize how gorgeous and fulfilling it would be.
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Good luck Liesl 🙂 Let me know if you have any questions.
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Stunning photos!! I’ve always wanted to visit Japan, now I want to go even more!
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Thanks M.B. I hope you get to go to Japan. You will love it there.
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A postcard quality trip with the photos. Japan is so amazing!
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It is. Thanks Christina!
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Beautiful!
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Wonderful! The colors are fabulous! I remember you talking about how you miss the fall colors when you were comparing living on the west vs east coast. Love your photos!
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There are some amazing images in this post…..enjoyed it so much, especially the pumpkin (?) on the dock. Unexpected and lovely
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Amazing and stunning photos!!! ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
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That’s a great post and make me feel to go back so much 😦 I lived in Joetsu,Niigata prefecture years ago and looking at those pics make me want to pack my suitcase and move back
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These photos are amazing! X
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Love the colour of golden leaf! Have been to Japan during cherry blossom, would love to visit this beautiful country again during autumn!
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I cant wait to be there, unfortunately we wont be for the momiji season but still,its going to be a great experience,our first time, and actually I am so looking forward to stuff my face in Osaka and go explore the cemetery in Koyasan 🙂 can’t wait to see your next post. Cheers!
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Beautiful photos! So Japan it is for me next fall!
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I love these photos!
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Then it is decided I am going to Japan this summer!!! 🙂
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Congratulations! I hope you will like Japan 🙂
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Beautiful………. I would love to visit……
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I want to see Himeji castle soooo much. *sigh* guess that means I have to go back to Japan hehe
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Amazing pictures !!!
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These shots are breathtaking and absolutely amazing. I can’t wait to go next year. But these photos have got me more excited
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These photos are amazing! Now I need to travel to all these places myself!
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Wow! Stunning photos! Have been to Japan twice, but not to Hiroshima and that area yet. It’s now on my list 🙂
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Amazing pictures. I’m going to visit japan this summer. It Will be a naturalistic trip which Will lead me far away from usual touristic landmarks. I’ll go hiking in kiso valley and trekking at kumano kodo pilgrimage route!
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Have a fun summer!
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