Tag Archives: top places in japan

“Then followed that beautiful season… Summer… Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Reminiscing About A Summer in Japan: Photos & Places to Visit

Toshogu Shrine, Nikko
Tokyo Imperial Palace and here
Asakusa Kannon Temple, Tokyo and here
Lucky Charms at Temple in Kyoto and here

I love the changing seasons we enjoy here on the east coast yet summer always seems to breeze in quickly and fade away before we have time to properly bid it adieu. When I read Mamakat’s prompt, I was a bit hesitant to revisit summer but then I thought, why not? Why not share some pictures from our family trip to Japan a couple of years ago.

We write about autumn in fall and winter in December and on… Why not mix it up and revisit a season we love and reminisce about it a bit. So what if it is freezing outside? A little day dreaming can be a good thing for our soul. Plus, we can begin to mentally prepare for 2011 and our next fabulous summer. Right?

Hakone
Tokyo Tower
Mount Fuji
Nara Park
Nandaimon – Todai ji Hall trip in Nara
5th Station at Mount Fuji
Sōrin – Todai ji Hall trip in Nara

This Week’s Prompts:
1.) A Christmas gift that was not well received.
2.) Describe yourself in five words. Choose one, and write a poem.
3.) It happened at daycare.
4.) Let’s rewind to summer and warm up! Share some favorite photos from a vacation you took.
5.) A fist fight.

If there is one thing you like about summer, what would it be? What do you look forward to doing in the summer? If you could walk with me down memory lane, where will we visit? I love visiting new places and learning about other cultures so travel, even short trips, gives me a lot of pleasure. Yes, I know we are about to embark on a few long months of winter weather on the East coast, but we can revisit some wonderful memories and add cheer to our cooling temperature.

Even as some of us escape to sunnier climes, an island or two, most of us will stay behind and brave the dropping temperatures… or go skiing to enjoy some of the benefits that cold weather and snow provide. I’m all for apres ski as summer/warm weather is my first preference. Before we go traipsing into the glorious sunrise or sunset of a summer day, remember to bundle up; it’s still cold season!

“No bought potpourri is so pleasant as that made from one’s own garden, for the petals of the flowers one has gathered at home hold the sunshine and memories of summer, and of past summers only the sunny days should be remembered.” – Eleanor Sinclair-Rhode

Kusunoki Masashige at Imperial Palace Park, Tokyo
Kitanamaru Park, Tokyo
Robot Soldier at Ghibli Museum, Mitaka
Gammangafuchi Abyss, Nikko
Daitokuji Temple in Kita-ku, Kyoto

Definitely, I love winter wear but there are more things I love about the summer time… especially traveling. I love to travel and I bet you do too… Japan is a great destination point and I would love to visit there and a lot of other countries in Asia again. When Mamakat’s prompt asked for photos from a vacation, I had to share some of the places my kids and I visited because Japan was an incredibly beautiful visual experience for us. We packed in a lot of tours during our time there and yet there were places we didn’t get to see like Hiroshima – God willing, I plan to visit again.

The people welcomed us and even at the ever so busy Shinjuku station/mall, everyone made an enormous effort to answer questions, give us directions and tips on others things to do and see. The tea ceremony in Kyoto was surreal and even though we were encouraged to take pictures, my camera went kaput… another reason to go back. Plus, I would love to see the cherry blossoms when they are in full bloom. I heard they are magnificent.

Japan is stunning and we had an amazing time in a truly beautiful country. The Japanese were kind and helpful; the food was fresh, the tours exquisite and the landscape stunning. Kick back, relax and if you see a picture with a misplaced tag, do tell me as it’s been a while… Join me below for some more photographic reminders of good ole summer time… Think Travel..!

Kinkaku ji, Kyoto
Lucky Charms at Temple in Kyoto and here
Sanjusangendo Hall in Kyoto and here
Taxi in Kyoto
Shinkansen – Bullet train from Tokyo
Tokyo Tower

Ahh, those languid summer days… I’m so grateful to live in an area with changing seasons as there is always something new and different to look forward to again, right? Did you take a trip you’d like to share? What do you look forward to doing next summer? Do you miss the summer warmth or are you a winter bunny? On the other hand, perhaps you feel as Anton Chekhov said that “People don’t notice whether it’s winter or summer when they’re happy.”

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Positive Motivation Tip: Explore the world; in seeking to understand others, we ultimately learn to understand ourselves…
Happy Holidays!

Elizabeth believes in positive kismet/fate and writes two bi-weekly blogs; Mirth and Motivation and Positive Kismet where she shares motivational, goodwill pieces and more. She is a mom to twins, a master trainer/educator, program developer & director, writer, healer, motivational speaker, real estate broker, and social media fan. She loves a good laugh, good food and an occasional jaunt to somewhere around the world.

PHOTO CREDITS
Japan tour photographs from my personal collection
Mount Fuji via Wikipedia

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank