This was my second time traveling to Japan. Our plan was going to be a combination of things I'd seen already, and many that I hadn't. We began the trip with a stay above the Shibuya crossing. It was amazing, and a non-stop source of entertainment. Nothing can prepare you for the view from a high-rise building in Tokyo. The city just goes on and on.
We travelled outside of Tokyo the first weekend for a festival that is held once every seven years. They cut trees, and transport the trunks from high up in the mountains down into the town to be raised outside the local temples. The draw for us was the part where they ride the trees down the mountainside. It was a long, drawn out process, but was fascinating to see. The food was good, the weather was perfect, and the crowd was friendly and enjoyable to be a part of.
Onbashira-sai is an elaborate festival that has taken place in Suwa City every six years for the last 1,200 years without fail. Local custom dictates that the four wooden poles surrounding this area's shrines must be replaced every six years.
This ancient ritual is held in two stages. The 1st stage is called Yamadashi, which means "Coming out of the Mountains". The 2nd stage occurs a month later when the poles are placed at the shrines.
During the Yamadashi Festival, 16 massive fir trees are felled by hand using special axes and saws. These trees have been carefully selected as they will become the new onbashira or "Honored Poles" that will stand guard at four different Shinto shrines.
Because the slope is too steep to carry the logs, local young men daringly clamor on and ride the logs down the side of a mountain, testing their faith and bravery. People have been killed attempting this feat in the past.
These humongous logs are hauled off the mountain by hand in a parade filled with color and spirit. Hundreds of local participants pull, push, pray, and chant in unison as they inch the onbashira down the mountain.
This year, more than half a million people gathered in Suwa City to be a part of this three-day event, setting a new record. We were lucky enough to arrive in time to catch the last day of the Yamadashi festival
Old traditions and contemporary trends coexist in perfect harmony here in Harajuku, a fashion capital of the world renowned for unique street fashion.
Yoyogi Park provides one of Tokyo’s largest open spaces. On the weekends, it is teeming with people gathering to socialize, sing, dance, and practice martial arts among myriads of other interesting activities. However, on this wet Monday morning, the park is quiet and serene.
Emperor Meiji commissioned the building of this tea garden complete with a man-made pond and seasonal floral gardens for the exclusive enjoyment of his loving Empress Shoken.
Meiji Jingu Shrine is located in Yoyogi Park.
The central sanctuary is where Meiji emperor is enshrined after his death in 1912.
Himeji Castle was something I had missed the first trip, and was set on seeing this time. The travel sites said it was currently under construction, so we were a little worried about how much we would be able to see. It turned out to work in our favor, and there was almost nobody there. We didn't have any lines, crowds, or anything to get in the way of exploring the beautiful castle and it's grounds. As a bonus, the cherry blossoms were in full bloom, and I think this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to see this castle in such a peaceful state.
Himeji Castle is the best preserved castle in all of Japan. Built in 1346 as a fortification, it was later converted into a castle in 1577. It's present day form dates back to 1610.
The castle is comprised of 5 towers situated on 3 different hills surrounded by two moats, one in the middle and one circling the outer wall.
The spiral design of this castle places the main complex at the center with other buildings forming concentric circles around it for added protection.
By the time we arrived, the renovation of the inner keep had just begun the day before, keeping the crowds away. We were able to roam the castle freely without ever having to stand in line.
Thu was determined to get a picture with her holding the umbrella walking up this path. We waited a loooong time for the perfect moment. Just as the path was cleared, WHOOOSH!, a great gust of wind blew from out of nowhere and flipped the umbrella inside out. So much for the perfect photo shoot. Exactly why the umbrella only cost $4.
With a nudge from a gentle breeze, soft pink petals flutter from the sky, dancing a
graceful spring ballet as they beckoned us into the magical world of sakura.
There seemed to be more workers picking fallen petals off patches of green moss or sweeping the dirt path in the garden than there were visitors.
Thu borrowed those broomsticks from workers in the garden. They were amused watching us make fools of ourselves. One even tried to throw cherry blossoms into the air for us.
Also known as the White Heron, Himeji Castle sits upon a hill like a bird ready for flight.
