Category: Travel

Myōryū-ji (妙立寺) commonly known as Ninja-dera (“Ninja Temple”) is a Buddhist temple located in the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan . Although not actually associated with the ninja , the temple earned its nickname due to its many somewhat misleading defenses. Originally established in 1583 as a small prayer hall by the samurai lord Maeda… Read more

The Toshogu Shrine complex in Nikko , Japan , is famous for its architectural and sculptural beauty, most notably the Three Wise Monkeys and the ” Sleeping Cat “. These are two of the so-called Three Sculptures of Nikkō . The final sculpture is the least known of these, commonly known as ” Sōzō-no-Zō ”… Read more

You’ve probably heard the proverb “see no evil” or some variation of it. But few know the origin of this phrase or proverb and the fact why it is also associated with monkeys. This “see no evil” phrase is thought to date back to ancient times specifically during China’s Warring States Period , when Confucius… Read more

Gion Matsuri (祇園祭), the Yasaka Shrine festival in Kyoto, is the most famous festival in Japan taking place throughout the month of July . There are many different events, but the grand float procession ( Yamaboko Junko ) on July 17 is the star show at the Festival. In the Matsuri people usually wear Yukata… Read more

Inside the beautiful Tōdai-ji Temple in Nara, Japan, there are a myriad of wonders including the world’s largest bronze Buddha statue where the most memorable feature is the Buddha’s nose, more specifically: his nostrils. The Todaiji Temple in Nara, Japan A small square hole at the base of one of the temple’s large wooden pillars,… Read more