Reminiscing About Japan: Top Places to Visit…
“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
Japan: Toshogu Shrine, Nikko
Japan: Tokyo Imperial Palace
Japan: Asakusa Kannon Temple, Tokyo
Japan: Lucky Charms at Temple in Kyoto
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?
Japan: Hakone by land and sea...
Japan: Hakone landscape view from a Cable car...
Japan: Tokyo Tower from the bottom looking up
Japan: Tokyo Tower from the top looking down
Japan: Friendly deer at Nara Park
Japan: Deer at Nara Park
Japan: Nandaimon - Todai ji Hall trip in Nara
Japan: Mount Fuji... later
Japan: 5th Station at Mount Fuji
Japan: Sōrin - Part of Todai ji Hall trip in Nara
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
Japan: Statue of warrior horseman Kusunoki Masashige in Imperial palace park
Japan: Partial view Kitanomaru Park, Tokyo
Japan: Robot Soldier at Ghibli Museum, Mitaka
Japan: Gammangafuchi Abyss, Nikko
Japan: Daitokuji Temple in Kita ku?
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..!
Japan: Golden Temple Kinkaku ji, Kyoto
Japan: Lucky charms at Temple in Kyoto
Japan: Sanjusangendo Hall in Kyoto
Japan: Taxi in Kyoto
Japan: Shinkansen - Bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto
Japan: View from the Tower...
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.” 😉
Could fate be on your side for an exotic vacation? Head to JustLuxe [“Trips of a Lifetime”] to enter.
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
There’s so much more I’d like to explore in the world. I haven’t seen enough of Europe, yet. I have to say that Asia is toward the bottom of the list, but I will get there someday.
Beautiful post!
Yes, it would be wonderful to visit all the places we wish, imagine, or have plans for… so many countries, not enough time! 🙂
Wow! Those pictures are amazing! I’d love to visit Japan someday. When I taught, my class did an exchange with a class who attended a Japanese school, and it was wonderful to learn more about their culture.
If you still teach, EF International has an arrangement that allows teachers to go for free with their student group… Would be wonderful to see the world with a group of eager students. Thanks for stopping by Will visit you shortly. 🙂
E
I love it! We just moved to Japan in late August so I am excited to visit some of these places and some I already have. Three years for an amazing adventure!
Good for you… Do take advantage of your time and visit as many sites as possible. What I enjoyed about our visit was that all of these places are very family friendly. Enjoy your time abroad! Will visit your blog shorty. 🙂
Thanks!
E
Japan is on my list of go to places for a visit and your pictures confirm it.
I love the idea of visiting these ancient sites and feeling the power of years of worship.
The people at the 5th station look eager to begin their climb up the mountain.
Did you get a chance to climb up Mount Fuji. Great!
I love the landscape and I know my pictures didn’t do the sites justice… A wonderful memory all around. 🙂
Cheers,
E
I almost forgot your question. The day we went to Mount Fuji, it was foggy and the guides recommended that we not climb up. There were groups of experienced mountain climbers who had gathered that day and I took the picture of them as they were getting ready to start their climb. It was a nice sunny day for the trip but it got very foggy as we got closer to Mount Fuji. I enjoyed the visit very much. 🙂
Wow … you cannot believe how jealous I am right now 🙂 I would love to see Japan one day – as would I love to see like every other country in the world!
Hi Varotica… Thanks for stopping by.
I hear you. Don’t give up! You will find a way and get to see the world.
Plus, what I did not mention is that there is so much to see in these United States.
Every state has wonderful places to visit and things to do and see.
I visited your blog and have subscribed. Enjoyed my visit and reading your posts. 🙂
Happy Holidays!
E
I have always wanted to visit Japan. These photos capture the beauty so well , can’t wait to some day visit
Japan is such a beautiful country that has so much to offer – beautiful 4 seasons, lush natural views, lovely people, and so on. We lived in Japan for 4 years and it was a blissful time. Now that it is over I consider myself extremely lucky to be able to experience this country in my everyday life. Once you go to Japan, nothing feels better (At least for me) 😁
You are not alone. I miss it too.
My best friend recently came back from Japan and ever since then, I’ve been completely smitten with the idea of going there! Seeing your photos and reading your post has only cemented the fact that I NEED to go! 🙂
This would be a great list for me as I am traveling to Kyoto Osaka Hiroshima and Nara end of this year. I would love to ride on the Japanese taxi as I heard the door will auto closed by itself once the customer get up.
Japan has been one of the best countries I have ever been to. Loved the people and there are so many sights. I would struggle to make a list like this. Too many options!
I would love to visit Japan one day, it is such a fascinating country with so many different things to see, from the majestic technological Tokyo to be peaceful countryside of the Southern Islands.
I’ve visited Japan 3 times in the winter for snowboarding and it’s been absolutely magical. You’ve now inspired me to visit during the summer months. Thanks for sharing this stunning article and photos!
Oh my goodness, this place looks beautiful! Although I’ve never been to Japan before myself, I would love to make my way over in the near future. Thanks for sharing all of this! 🙂
Looking at your beautiful travel photos it is very difficult for me to concentrate on work. Feel like hitting the road again.
You have such beautiful photos from your summer trip to Japan! I went to Sri Lanka this summer and it was such a great trip! I love the good weather and the warmth of summer.