Hofu Tenmangu Shrine
Hofu Tenmangu is an impressive shrine that sits atop a hill in Hofu, Yamaguchi. It was the first in Japan to be dedicated to Tenjin,…
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The Mohri Residence and Garden
In the middle of Yamaguchi’s southern coastline lies Hofu. The city is one of the prefecture’s most populous and was once home to the lords…
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Exploring Kikko Park
When my colleague heard I would be visiting Iwakuni, she urged me to try the ice cream. There’s hundreds to choose from, she explained, including…
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Iwakuni Castle and Ropeway
On the other side of Kintaikyo lies Kikko Park, the grounds of the former residence of the Iwakuni domain lords. The park is home to…
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A Walk Across Kintaikyo
In the west of Yamaguchi prefecture, bordering Hiroshima, is the historical city of Iwakuni. It’s most famous for its arched bridge, which is one of…
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Motonosumi Inari Shrine
In case you missed it, I’m back in Japan. And one of the best things about it is getting to catch up with old friends.…
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In Pictures: The Art Aquarium
Bubble Eye. Pom Pom. Telescope. These are just three of the 25 varieties of goldfish, or kingyo [金魚], that are distributed in Japan today. The ornamental…
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Exploring Wartime Remains on Japan’s Rabbit Island
If any island served as inspiration for ABC’s LOST (a.k.a the best television series of all time) it was surely Ōkunoshima. Featuring a golf course, pylons, old…
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The Sacred, Starving Deer of Miyajima
“…so please do not feed the deer,” the announcement played over a loudspeaker as soon as I walked out of the terminal. Wait – what!?…
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Hiroshima’s Peace Park in Black and White
I spent most of my visit to Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park sitting on a bench. This was partly due to the fact that I was supercalifragilisticexpialidociously hungover from the…