tourism – Susan Spann, Adventure, Mystery, and Mountains

The Joy of Japanese Cable Cars and Ropeways

Susan Spann Blog August 16, 2017November 8, 2017cable cars, do-it-yourself, Japan, ropeways, tourism, travel

Many Japanese mountains have ropeways (in the U.S., we call them gondolas) or cable cars that carry visitors part way to the summit. The distance between the upper cable car or ropeway station and the peak varies widely, so check the facts before you go. The Hakone carries visitors all the way across the top of Owakudani, a live volcano that provides the hot volcanic water for the onsen (hot spring baths) in the Hakone region: However, the ropeway in Gifu Park stops about 20 minutes’ uphill walk from Gifu Castle, and several portions of the hike require climbing stairs. That said, the ropeway also offers a spectacular view

A Visit to Ryuanji (Osaka, Japan)

Susan Spann Blog May 24, 2017November 8, 2017Buddhism, Japan, Mino Park, Osaka, ryuanji, temples, tourism, travel

Ryuanji is a Buddhist temple located in Minō Park, just north of Osaka. The temple itself lies about a 25 minute walk from the park entrance, on the path that leads to Minō Falls (one of Japan’s most beautiful waterfalls, and the reason many people visit Minō Park). Originally founded in 650 by an ascetic monk named En no Gyoja, Ryuanji is also the home to one of the oldest statues of Benzaiten (the goddess of music, fortune, and knowledge) in Japan. Although originally known as Minō-dera, the temple is now known as Ryuanji. It has been a functioning Buddhist temple continually since the

A Visit to Minoo Park (Osaka, Japan), Part 1

Susan Spann Blog May 15, 2017November 8, 2017Japan, Mino Park, Minoh, Minoo, momiji tempura, Osaka, tempura maple leaves, tourism, travel, yuzu

As it happens, the home of momiji tempura–Minō Park (also written Minoo or Minoh Park) lies just north of Osaka, about 30 minutes from the hotel I’d booked near Osaka Esaka Station. Better still, Minō Park is also known for its lovely autumn foliage, and home to one of the top-ten waterfalls in Japan (the eponymous Minō Falls).

Stepping Back in Time in Kyoto

Susan Spann Blog March 6, 2017November 8, 2017history, Japan, Kyoto, ninen-zaka, sannen-saka, tourism, travel

The mountains of Kyoto’s eastern Higashiyama ward are home to many famous Buddhist temples and Shintō shrines. They’re also home to Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka…

Magome: a Town From Japan’s Medieval Past

Susan Spann Blog January 23, 2017November 8, 2017history, Japan, Magome, Magome-juku, Nakasendo, tourism, visiting Magome

During my recent research trip to Japan I spent four days in Magome-juku, a preserved post town on the Nakasendo travel road that was once a popular northern travel route between Edo (now Tokyo) and Kyoto. Although not as famous as its southern counterpart, the Tōkaidō, the Nakasendo was the primary northern route for people and goods during the Edo period (1603-1868). The road had 69 stations, or post towns, where visitors could stop for the night (or for a meal). (I’ll blog more about Magomechaya in the days to come, but I recommend it highly for visitors wanting to spend a night in Magome or to