Land of the Rising Sun
Japanese currency - Narita Airport
The land of the rising sun, Japan also has heated toilet seats (a real treat in the middle of winter), a public park with over one thousand wild roaming deer, a world-renowned fish market, incredible temples, and endless shrines.
For 13 days, my husband and I walked over 100 miles and traveled by plane, train, Shinkansen, cable car, uber, and cab. We even hitch-hiked.
We explored more than ten of Japan's most popular prefectures and visited more temples and shrines than we could count. Our visit to Japan was an experience we checked off the top of our bucket list.
Of the nearly 3,000+ photos I snapped, I hope you enjoy the following selection as an ode to the my deep gratitude for Japan and the Japanese culture.
Flag of Japan - Emperor's Palace - Chiyoda
Senso-ji Temple - Asakusa
Great Buddha - Kōtoku-in Temple - Kamakura
Prayer Flags - Kamakura
The "Omikuji" Fortune - Bad Luck Fortunes - Kamakura
Unexpected - Flowers - Kamakura
Weekday Crowd - Tsukiji Fish Market
Seafood Ninja - Tsukiji Fish Market
Tuna Steak Skewer - Street Vendor - Tsukiji Fish Market
Tuna Steak Skewer - Tsukiji Fish Market
Conveyer Belt Sushi & Instant Green Tea - Sushi Zanmai - Tsukiji Fish Market
Stacked Plates - Sushi Zanmai - Tsukiji Fish Market
After Lunch Smiles - Tsukiji Fish Market
Sunrise - Lake Yamanakako
Hitch-Hiking to Lake Kawaguchiko
Mt Fuji - Lake Kawaguchiko
Mt Fuji 4th Station Sunset - Mt Fuji
Our Ryokan - Mt Fuji
Matcha Pastry - Japan's Tea Capital - Uji
Our First Cup of Matcha in Uji - Terashimaya Yahei Shoten - Uji
Over 900 Years of Service - Terashimaya Yahei Shoten Tea Shop - Uji
Cormorant Fishing Boats - Uji
Trees of Japan - Uji
Prepared for Rain - Uji
Lovers of Nature - Uji
City Lights - Uji
Quite Cafe - ABC Cafe - Uji
Bookshelf Details - ABC Cafe - Uji
Coffee in the Tea Capital - ABC Cafe - Uji
Tea Processing - Nishiki Market
Shop Keeper - Fushimi Inari
Calculation - Fushimi Inari
Ten Thousand Torii Gates - Fushimi Inari Shrine
Hidden Entrance to an Unexpected Place - Fushimi Inari
The Un-walked Pathway - Fushimi Inari
Hidden Behind a Tattered House - Seemingly Untouched Mossy Shrine
Messanger Foxes - Seemingly Untouched Mossy Shrine
Poised Deer - Nara Deer Park
Yoshikien Moss Garden - Nara
Yoshikien Moss Garden - Nara
Yoshikien Moss Garden - Nara
Side Ally - Kasuga Taisha Shrine - Nara
Lantern Row - Kasuga Taisha Shrine - Nara
Buddha Statue - Todai-Ji Temple - Nara
Scribes in Our Keepsake Notebook - Nara
Deer Park Inn - Nara Deer Park
Deer Food - Nara Deer Park
Our Offspring - Nara Deer Park
Fooling Around - Nara Deer Park
Hungry Animals - Nara Deer Park
Hot Potatoes - Nara Street Food
Sweet Potatoes - Nara Street Food
Our Munch - Nara Street Food
Street Art - Himeji
House on a Hill - Himeji Castle
Waterfall - Nunobiki Falls - Kobe
Cable Car - On the way to Koyasan
Mt Koya Sunset - Last Sunset of 2016 - Koyasan
A Sureal Sunset - Last Sunset of 2016 - Mt. Koya - Koyasan
Final Setting Sun - Koyasan
Daimon, The Grand Gateway - Koyasan
Daimon, The Grand Gateway - When the Lights Come On - Koyasan
The Color of Japan - Miyukitsuki Station
Our New Years Eve Find - Hole in the Wall - Hashimoto
Our Chief - New Years Eve Dinner - Hashimoto
Japanese Pickles - New Years Eve - Hasimoto
Sake - New Years Eve - Hashimoto
The Saigon River - Vietnam