Gifu castle sits on a hill overlooking Gifu Park, a 15 minute bus ride from Gifu Station.
Read moreMonth: May 2017
A Visit to Ryuanji (Osaka, Japan)
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
Read moreA Visit to One of Japan’s Most Spectacular Waterfalls
Minō Park, North of Osaka, is home to one of Japan’s most spectacular waterfalls – the 33-meter (99′) Minō Falls: The falls are the park’s most famous attraction, though it’s also known as one of the best places in the Kansai Region for viewing colorful autumn foliage (momijigari). Even the manhole covers in the park demonstrate the area’s pride in its autumn leaves: Visitors reach the falls by hiking a paved 4km trail from the park entrance. The path terminates at the falls, and takes about 45-60 minutes to walk, depending on walking speed and physical fitness. (The walk is paved the entire
Read moreNinja News!
The national reviews for Betrayal at Iga have started coming in, and they’re great! Publisher’s Weekly says: ““Spann keeps getting better, as shown by her fifth novel set in 16th-century Japan, a taut closed-circle mystery with perilous consequences…. Fans of classic whodunits will be pleased.” The novel releases July 11 in paperback and ebook formats, and I’ve scheduled the first Sacramento-area signings: – On July 14, I’ll be reading and signing at Face in a Book in El Dorado Hills from 6:30 until 8pm – On July 22, I’ll be signing from 1pm-2pm at Barnes & Noble Birdcage Center in Citrus Heights
Read moreA Visit to Minoo Park (Osaka, Japan), Part 1
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).
Read moreUsing Coin Lockers in Japan
Coin lockers are a fantastic way to store suitcases and other belongings while touring or day-tripping in Japan.
Read moreFor Love of Manneken Waffles
Japanese rail and subway stations sell some of the best snack food anywhere. Case in point: Mannekin Waffles.
Read moreTo the Summit of Fushimi Inari Shrine
The walk to the summit of Inariyama (Mount Inari) takes between 45 minutes and 2 hours, depending on your personal fitness, pace, and whether or not you choose to stop for lunch or tea along the way.
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