Perhaps the most controversial place in Japan is Yasukuni Shrine, located in the heart of Tokyo. It certainly didn’t start out that way – after the end of the Boshin War, a civil war between forces loyal to the shogunate and the emperor in 1868-69, the emperor Continue reading “Site 154: Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine”
Zojoji Temple is located in the heart of Tokyo, not far from Tokyo Tower, one of the more iconic symbols of Tokyo. I have been meaning to go here for some time as I knew this had a mausoleum in which six Shoguns were buried. However, I almost didn’t make it Continue reading “Site 155: Tokyo’s Zōjō-ji Temple”
Every generation it seems, lives through some life- or world-changing events in their lifetime, whether it be wars, assassinations, shootings, trials and resignations, hijackings, or terrorist attacks. For me, so far they’ve been the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, Continue reading “Site 153: Fukushima Exclusion Zone”
3/11. It may not be as famous as 9/11, but at least here in Japan, it’s a day that will never be forgotten. The triple disaster of the Great East Japan Earthquake, the tsunami that followed, and the explosion at the Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant are all events that Continue reading “Site 152: Ishinomaki”
Nagoya is not on most tourists’ itineraries when visiting Japan, and usually for good reason. It lies in the middle of a flat plain, is the hub of big manufacturing in the country, and was very heavily bombed during the war, which destroyed a lot of old buildings. Continue reading “Site 151: Nagoya’s Heiwa Koen Cemetery”
Having just visited my 150th cemetery/memorial site in just over 3 years, I thought it might be interesting to look at the overall numbers of where I’ve been and what I’ve seen. Just sorting through the numbers have given me a few surprises – I didn’t realise Continue reading “Cemetery Roundup 2015-2018”
Here we are – 150 sites explored since I started this blog just over 3 years ago. 100 kind of came and went while I was travelling, and I wasn’t sure where I would be for the next (kind of) big milestone, but a work obligation led me to Himeji. Himeji is not Continue reading “Site 150: Himeji’s Nagoyama Cemetery”
Japan has had a long, complicated history with the foreign visitors that have come to its shores, both past and present. It’s not just differences in language, dress, and every day habits, death is an issue as well. One of the first things Commodore Perry had to arrange Continue reading “Site 149: Kobe’s Foreign Municipal Cemetery”
Shitennōji Temple is one of the oldest temples in Japan (593 CE) and the first state one. Prince Shotoku, who supported the introduction of Buddhism in Japan, is the one that founded this temple. It’s been destroyed by fire several times since it was built, but it has always been faithfully Continue reading “Site 124: Osaka’s Shitennōji Temple & Cemetery”
Most people are not aware that one of the largest burial tombs in the world is right here in Japan, in the southern part of Osaka. These kofun are scattered throughout Japan. Although they are referred to as keyhole tombs, they do come in a variety of other shapes, from Continue reading “Site 123: Osaka’s Mozu Kofungun”
Japan is no stranger to disaster: earthquakes, typhoons, volcanic eruptions, plagues, flooding, and landslides have been a part of this island-nation’s landscape since the beginning. Even now, recent disasters as of June-August 2018 including the flooding and landslides in Continue reading “Japan’s Day(s) of the Dead: Celebrating O-bon”
Japan is an old country, and it’s capital has moved a few times. Of course now it’s currently in Tokyo, but before that was Kyoto, and before that was Nara. The establishment of the Heijō Palace palace in Nara in 538 is what is considered the beginning of the Asuka period Continue reading “Site 122: The Burial Mounds of Nara”
If you know of any cemetery in Japan, it’s probably this one. Okunoin often features on the top 10 or 20 best/most beautiful cemeteries in the world to visit, and it definitely deserves a place on those lists. I first came here on New Years Eve 2001 with some friends, as they ring Continue reading “Site 121: Koyasan’s Okunoin Cemetery”
Ever notice that when you live close to a place, you kind of take it for granted? I guess you could say that’s the story of my life. I live in Kyoto but I rarely go out to explore what this city has to offer, something I’m sure most people understand – it’s hard to be a tourist in Continue reading “Site 120: Bishamondo Temple Cemetery”
Ah, hanami season. The cherry blossoms are in bloom, and so are the tourists. It’s Kyoto after all. I love living here, it has so many wonderful places to visit, but…during certain times of the year, namely March and April, and all of November, this can be a difficult place to get Continue reading “Site 119: Kyoto’s Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple”
stone and dust 