June 2021 – Susan Spann, Adventure, Mystery, and Mountains

The Gardens of Tō-ji (Part 2 of 3)

Susan Spann Blog June 30, 2021June 27, 2021Japan, Japanese temples, Kyoto, sakura, To-ji, Toji Temple

Tō-ji sits a few blocks south of Kyoto Station, near the former entrance to the ancient capital. In addition to its remarkable history and architecture, this 8th century temple is home to a lovely garden, with graveled walking trails that lead across the grounds and around an expansive pond.

Visiting Tō-ji: a Temple Tied to Kyoto’s Ancient Past (Part 1 of 3)

Susan Spann Blog June 28, 2021June 27, 2021Buddhist temples, food, Japan, Japanese culture, Kyoto, To-ji, Toji

In 794, Kyoto (then renamed Heian-kyo) became the capital of Japan. At that time, the official entrance to the city was in the south (the direction visitors came when approaching from the former capital of Nara). A pair of guardian temples stood on either side of the entrance, at the start of an enormous, broad, flat road that led from the official city entrance all the way to the Imperial Palace in the northern part of the city.

Jogasaki Coast Nature Study Course Hike (Part 2 of 2)

Susan Spann Uncategorized June 14, 2021June 26, 2021hiking in Japan, Izu Geopark, Izu Peninsula, Jogasaki

(Click to see Part 1 of this two-part virtual hike.) I love the Jogasaki Nature Study Course, both for its beauty and for its easy accessibility from Tokyo. When I’ve gone, it was also significantly less crowded than the Picnical Course, which is a significant point in its favor. After leaving the “hidden cove” (pictured above, and where I left off at the end of Part 1) I headed back to the trail, which followed the shore, alternating between the open coast and the forest that grows almost to the edges of the cliffs. Statues of Jizō, like the one

Hiking the Jogasaki Coast: Nature Study Course (Part 1 of 2)

Susan Spann Hikes June 14, 2021June 14, 2021hiking in Japan, Izu Geopark, Izu Peninsula, Jogasaki, Jogasaki Coast, Jogasaki Kaigan, Shizuoka Prefecture

South of Cape Kadowaki, the Jogasaki Picnical Hiking Course becomes the Jogasaki Nature Study Course. There’s no significant difference in the nature of the trail itself–the Nature Study Course is longer, and has a few more posted signs describing the natural features of the Jogasaki Coast, but aside from the extra length, the Nature Study Course isn’t really any more difficult than the Picnical. The first time I hiked Jogasaki, hiked both courses in a single afternoon–and I did the same this May, so this virtual hike picks up where the Picnical left off–just south of Cape Kadowaki. I’m splitting

Hiking the Jogasaki Coast: Picnical Course

Susan Spann Blog June 1, 2021June 1, 2021hiking, hiking in Japan, Izu, Jogasaki, Jogasaki Coast, Jogasaki Kaigan, Picnical Course

The Izu Peninsula juts into the Pacific Ocean south of Tokyo. The northeast portion of the peninsula is called the Jogasaki Coast (城ヶ崎海岸 – Jogasaki Kaigan), and it’s home to a pair of excellent hiking courses that run through portions of the Izu Peninsula Geopark. It’s a great hike at any time of year, but particularly in the summer, when the coastal breeze helps mitigate the heat and humidity.