11 Days in Chūgoku & Kyushu – Day 07 – Kurashiki – Bikan Historical Quarter

The most important spot in Kurashiki is the Bikan Historical Quarter, which surrounds the first stretch of the Kurashiki River. The district was once an important location for the transportation of goods, and today is a popular place for visitors

Read More 11 Days in Chūgoku & Kyushu – Day 07 – Kurashiki – Bikan Historical Quarter

11 Days in Chūgoku & Kyushu – Day 07 – Kurashiki – Shinkei-en

Kurashiki is located in Okayama Prefecture, and is a short 11 minute train ride away from Okayama Station. The centerpiece of Kurashiki is the canal area that dates back to the Edo Period of the 16th century when Okayama served

Read More 11 Days in Chūgoku & Kyushu – Day 07 – Kurashiki – Shinkei-en

11 Days in Chūgoku & Kyushu – Day 07 – Okayama – Okayama Castle

Besides Korakuen, the other of the two most popular places to visit in the city is Okayama Castle. The two places are very near each other as they sit on opposite sides of the Asahi River, and you can also

Read More 11 Days in Chūgoku & Kyushu – Day 07 – Okayama – Okayama Castle

11 Days in Chūgoku & Kyushu – Day 07 – Okayama – Korakuen

My planned itinerary before actual departure was to spend one day in Okayama, and another in Kurashiki. For the former, the places I’d be checking out would include the Korakuen Garden, Okayama Castle, Yumeji Art Museum, Ishizekicho, and Tenmaya Mall.

Read More 11 Days in Chūgoku & Kyushu – Day 07 – Okayama – Korakuen

11 Days in Chūgoku & Kyushu – Day 06 – Itsukushima

It was well that I placed the Mt. Misen ascent and descent as the first activity of my trip to Itsukushima. It started drizzling from noon time, and though it wasn’t full-blown rain, it would have made the trail that

Read More 11 Days in Chūgoku & Kyushu – Day 06 – Itsukushima

11 Days in Chūgoku & Kyushu – Day 06 – Itsukushima – Daishoin Trail

This is my first experience in mountain trekking, with an easy mountain to boot. And I’m only descending! There are three trails that go up and down Mt. Misen, each with different lengths and things to see along the way.

Read More 11 Days in Chūgoku & Kyushu – Day 06 – Itsukushima – Daishoin Trail

11 Days in Chūgoku & Kyushu – Day 06 – Itsukushima – Mt. Misen Summit

The Ropeway to go up Mt. Misen on Miyajima Island actually consists of two lines: the Momijidani Line, which is a gondola lift system with a ten-minute ride up. The connecting line is the Shishiiwa Line that uses an aerial

Read More 11 Days in Chūgoku & Kyushu – Day 06 – Itsukushima – Mt. Misen Summit

11 Days in Chūgoku & Kyushu – Day 06 – Itsukushima – Momijidani Park

In my past trips, I routinely made it a matter of personal discipline to go through, select and process the pictures I take, and write posts commenting on my itinerary experiences each day. A sort of real-time account if you

Read More 11 Days in Chūgoku & Kyushu – Day 06 – Itsukushima – Momijidani Park

11 Days in Chūgoku & Kyushu – Days 03 to 05 – Tokuyama

The work event that was the centerpiece of this trip supposedly takes place in Tokuyama — except that as far as official location names are concerned, there’s no such city called Tokuyama. The area is actually called Shūnan City, and

Read More 11 Days in Chūgoku & Kyushu – Days 03 to 05 – Tokuyama

11 Days in Chūgoku & Kyushu – Day 02 – Fukuoka – Sunset at Fukuoka Tower

The walking tour finished at the Hakata Traditional Craft Museum, after which I made my way back to Canal City for lunch @ Ichiran Ramen — on Miwako’s recommendation in fact. I’ve not heard of this ramen chain before this.

Read More 11 Days in Chūgoku & Kyushu – Day 02 – Fukuoka – Sunset at Fukuoka Tower

11 Days in Chūgoku & Kyushu – Day 02 – Fukuoka – Walking Tour – Kushida Shrine – Hakata Traditional Craft Center

Very close to the Hakata Machiya Folk Museum is Kushida Shrine. And again, I got lucky as there was a newly married couple at the shrine who’d apparently just finished their rites, and were having their pictures taken. The tour

Read More 11 Days in Chūgoku & Kyushu – Day 02 – Fukuoka – Walking Tour – Kushida Shrine – Hakata Traditional Craft Center

11 Days in Chūgoku & Kyushu – Day 02 – Fukuoka – Walking Tour – Tōchō-ji – Hakata Machiya Folk Museum

Next stop was Tōchō-ji (temple), which boasts a 10.8m tall statue of Buddha, and a walking path beneath the statue that depicts the various parts of the afterlife according to the religion. Photos couldn’t be taken in the interior, so

Read More 11 Days in Chūgoku & Kyushu – Day 02 – Fukuoka – Walking Tour – Tōchō-ji – Hakata Machiya Folk Museum