日本の経験 The Japan Experience
Japan is a country of contrasts:Modern technology yet ancient
traditions, Millions of people yet very little violence, Extremely clean
cities yet no trash cans...
Presented by Kimiko KanoApril 29, 2010
20 hours later… We’re finally there! Some First Impressions:
High-Tech Toilets
Unique vending machines
Where we went: 2 weeks, 4 cities
Honshu, Japan’s largest island
Distance from Tokyo to Hiroshima: ~ 420 milesJapan has 6,852 islands, 426 are inhabitedThe area of Japan is ~144,000 sq mi, slightly smaller than CaliforniaHowever, California’s population is ~37 mil, Japan’s is ~128 mil
Shinkansen trains run at speeds up to 160 mph
Japan’s Main Religions: Shinto and Buddhism
Shinto: Worship of ancestors and natureBuddhism: Spiritual solace and daily guidanceMost Japanese will have a Shinto Wedding and a Buddhist Funeral
Shinto Shrine
Buddhist Temple
Water trough
Entrance gate
Buddhist Statue
Torii gate
Tokyo Shrines and Temples
Sumiyoshi Shrine on Tsukuda-jima Island
Zojoji Temple, Hanamatsuri festival
Atago Shrine, Steps of Success
Tsukiji Fish Market The largest fish and seafood market in the world
The auction price world record was a fish that sold for 2 million yen (~$174,000 ). It was a Bluefin tuna weighing 445 lb. The fish shown here is only 1/10th that size.
Fuji TV Headquarters
Tokyo Big Sight
Odaiba: An artificial island with futuristic architecture
Tokyo Big SightTokyo Big Sight
Fuji TV HeadquartersStatue of Liberty
replica
Tokyo Big Sight
377 ft Ferris wheel
Takayama Festival:One of the best festivals in Japan
There is both a spring and fall festival and each has a different set of floats. This festival triples the population of Takayama, normally around 95,000.
Hida Folk Village
Gassho-zukuri:Hands held in prayer
This village of traditional thatched houses demonstrates the lifestyle of rural people in medieval Japan
Sitting room turns into bedroom
Onsen – hot bath
Drinking tea in my yukata
Takayama RyokanA traditional Japanese inn featuring tatami floors, sliding paper doors, and sleeping on a futon
Dining area
Remove your shoes at the door
Delicious kaiseki mealsMeals consisting of many small dishes and featuring seasonal and regional specialties
Peace Memorial Park
Cenotaph – contains all victims’ names
A-bomb dome (Gembaku Domu)
Children’s Peace Monument
Heian Shrine
This is was built in 1895 to celebrate the 1100th anniversary of Kyoto. Their gardens are famous for their display of sakura (cherry blossoms).
SanjusangendoThe Temple of 1001 statues of the 1000 armed KannonAlso houses the statues of 28 guardians of Buddhism
Kiyomizu-dera
Drinking these waters gives you health, wealth, or wisdom
This temple is known for the amazing views from its veranda that juts out from the hillside
Nijo Castle:Featuring art from the Kano School of Art… relatives perhaps?
Built in 1603 as the official residence of first Tokugawa shogun. Has nightingale floors and hidden chambers for bodyguards.
Nara: The first permanent capital of Japan from 710 - 785
Like Miyajima, Nara also is the home of many deer, but they are a little more aggressive.
Todaiji Temple:The largest wooden building in the world
Pindola Bharadvaja, Buddhist disciple, master of occult powers
This Daibutsu (Great Buddha) is the largest bronze Buddha ever cast at 16 m high
Figuring out what to order…It was confusing at times, but we managed
It helped when there were pictures!