Nabana no sato's winter illuminations
With its tunnels and its light fields, the magic of Nabana no sato will operate as soon as you step in. Hypnotised by its array of colors and its wide enlightened areas, we are engulfed in a parallel world. Nagashima attraction park being quite close by car or bus, it is possible to spend the day in roller-coasters, and then go to Nabana no Sato in the evening to enjoy the illuminations. The plus : The parc also includes an onsen offering a very pleasant path under the trees between two outside pools. Forget the common excuse « I forgot my swimsuit » and take on thermal bath after your walk among the illuminations (1'500 ¥ from 3pm, 1’000¥ after 7pm). When : In the evening from around the end of October to the end of March (there are no illuminations outside of this period, but the park is full of flowers in the spring). Price : 2’100¥ (includes a voucher of 1’000¥ useable in the park's shops) Where : Nabana no sato, Nagashima, Mie prefecture Access : Car, bus, train from Nagoya (Kintetsu stop Nagashima then bus). About one hour away from Nagoya. Lien : http://www.nagashima-onsen.co.jp/resort/download.html/ |
Nara - Because we love deers and big bouddhas
This cannot be overlooked for a
first visit to Japan: Nara is a place that you will never tire of
visiting again and again. With its giant Buddha, its parks and its never
ending deers, the city has an aura that keeps attracting visitors.
Inside the Tôdai-ji shrine, you might be amazed at the huge line of
people queuing and waiting their turn to try to wriggle through a hole
in a huge wooden pillar. This hole, dug to the size of the giant bronze
Bouddha's nostril, is way too small for most of us to go through. But
the Buddhist legend says that the ones who will be able to go through
the nostril of this imposing statue will achieve Enlightenment. Firemen
are by the way called all year round to help people who remain stuck in
the pillar...
Advice : Deers being always looking for something to grab and eat, you'd better hide your lunch properly. You can however buy some special cookies called « senbe » on the spot, in case you wish to feed them. Access : About 40 minutes from Kyôto by train |
Momijis in Kyôto
Vermilion reds, frenzied yellows and subtle oranges blended with glimmering greens are awaiting you in Kyôto shrines in autumn.
The positive point : Your little camera will reveal all its potential to capture the pretty colors of the trees The negative point : The shrines are often really crowded at this time of the year When to go : Generally from the end of November to the beginning of December Where : Kiyomizudera for its majesty and the Tôfukuji for its bridge through the trees. But any shrine with maple-trees will do it. |
Photos taken in several shrines in Arashiyama
|
Fujikyû Highland attraction park
A relaxing place but above all a
thrilling one, this amusement park gathers many word records in terms of
rides : the highest one (79m), the quickest acceleration (reach 172km/h
in 2 secondes) or the steepest fall (121° angle)… etc. Many other
activities, without being part of the world records book, are still
impressive: such as the scary haunted house in the form of an abandoned
hospital… You're still hesitating ? Know that with good weather,
Mount-Fuji is visible from the top of the Fujiyama ride !
Prix : 5’200¥ (adult); 4’700¥ (under 18); 3’800¥ (under 11)
Tickets are also available for 1’400¥ for people who wish to enter the park without riding any attractions (or a few). Où : 5-6-1 Shin-Nishihara. Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi Prefecture 403-0017 Japan Access : Bus and train from Tôkyô (details in the link below) Lien : http://www.fujiq.jp/en/ |
Miyajima
The world famous orange sacred door and the sanctuary of Itsukushima, both with their feet in water, attract a great deal of people looking forward to see them with their own eyes. However, it would a pity to do the return trip without taking the time to discover the rest of the island which is full of surprises. Many walks are possible and the charming Daisho-in shrine built on the flank of the mountain are waiting for you. The cultural + : On the first floor of one of the buildings in the harbour, you can make your own traditional rice serving spoon (printing motives on it with a hot iron). The anecdote : Itsukushima shrine, being characteristically a religious construction on the water, has a partnership with the French Mont-Saint-Michel. Advice : The island is subject to tide so the Itsukushima sanctuary might have its feet in mud instead of water when you go there. It's better to check the tide timetable to avoid disappointment. Where : Accessible by train and ship from Hiroshima (Line 2, Hiroden Miyajima-guchi stop) Link : http://visit-miyajima-japan.com/fr/culture-et-patrimoine/patrimoine-spirituel-temples-et-sanctuaires/sanctuaire-itsukushima.html |
The city of food sample - Gujô
|
You all know these realistic
plastic sample dishes displayed in the windows of most Japanese
restaurants... And you may have wondered: where do they come from? Don't
wonder anymore, the little city of Gujô mastered that art. With all
this food looking more realistic than life, you will be in for some
surprises. You will be able to get one of those appetizing objects and
surprise your friends with this false ice cream that fell on the floor
or those tasty looking plastic sushis...
The positive point : It's also possible to take part in some workshops to create your own true-false dish (tempura, ice cream, etc) in some establishments. Advice : You can complete your day by visiting the little castle of Gujô Hachiman on top of a high hill over the valley (accessible by car). Where : Gujô, Gifu prefecture. Accessible by bus from Nagoya. |
Kiyomizudera shrine - Kyôto
By climbing a few steps from the
great wooden terrace of the shrine, you will come accross a special rock
during your visit. Surrounded with a little cord with some
inscriptions, you will see its twin a few meters away. The legend says
that the one who manages to make his or her way from one rock to the
other will be able to find his soul mate. Only one problem : you need to
reach it with your eyes closed through the tourist crowd...
The positive point : It's also possible to rent a real kimono in several shops of the district. Just the time to walk through the streets or even visit the Kiyomizudera shrine itself and make some traditional pictures (be careful, giggles are likely to occur). Where : East of Kyôto, Higashiyama district Lien : http://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/lang/01.html |
Yakushima
With its thousands-year-old trees
and its monumental waterfalls, Yakushima island will appeal to people
who feel closer to nature than to animated cities. Many walking tours
are available for the most adventurous travellers. The island offers a
wildlife of small deers and macaques that are quite tame and easy to
spot, as well as wonderful beaches without many visitors. The end of May
to the beginning of August is also propitious to sea turtles who come
to lay on the island's beaches : escorted by a guide, and with some
luck, it might be possible for you to observe baby turtles hatching out
in the sand and running to the ocean.
Advice : For the less ramblers ones, it's possible to make a tour of the island by car (rent available on the spot) through the unique route available. However, it's quite narrow and it can be difficult to cross other cars coming from the other side...
|
The wonders of Yakushima
|
Once Upon Japan est mis à disposition selon les termes de la licence Creative Commons Attribution - Pas d'Utilisation Commerciale - Pas de Modification 4.0 International.