Culture Introducing Kumano–“The Land of the Gods” Alena Eckelmann Kumano is situated in the southeastern part of the Kii Peninsula in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. People have been worshiping rocks,..
Culture Mount Koya Alena Eckelmann Experience Japanese Esoteric Buddhism on a retreat to mountain temple complex Mt. Koya at Osaka’s doorsteps
Activities Tanabe’s Martial Traditions Alena Eckelmann Practitioners of aikido will have heard of Tanabe, the second biggest city in Wakayama Prefecture.
Culture Shonai Eigamura in Tsuruoka City Alena Eckelmann Hollywood in Japan at the Shonai Open-air Movie Set in Yamagata. Pretend to be a samurai for one day.
Culture Yamadera: The Temple in the Mountain Alena Eckelmann Yamadera - "temple in the mountain" - fully lives up to its name: famous haiku poet Basho penned a poem here in praise of the place...
Culture Exploring Yamagata the Basho Way Alena Eckelmann Matsuo Basho, an Edo Era Japanese haiku poet (1644-1694) undertook a five-month journey, mainly on foot, to the north of Japan.
Accommodation B & B Café Hongu Alena Eckelmann Across the road from the Hongu Grand Shrine, the modern B & B Café Hongu is a convenient choice for anyone who wants to stay o..
9 Activities River Pilgrimage along Kumano River Alena Eckelmann Riding down the fast currents of Kumano River in a traditional boat, just like the Kumano Kodo pilgrims in the old days