Totally in contrast to the surrounding concrete jungle, Kurashiki’s historic center is a rare piece of old Japan that still exists. The quarter features narrow, flagstone streets, and white-walled traditional houses lined along a delightful canal. Occasionally, a punt floats past propelled by an elderly local, giving us a glimpse into Japanese daily life centuries ago.
Continue reading Kurashiki: The Town of Old StorehousesTag Archives: Chugoku
Hiroshima: The Hope of A Nuclear-Free World
To most people, Hiroshima recalls an ill-fated city where hundreds of thousands of people died as the result of the world’s first atomic bomb. But if you look at the city today, you won’t believe that this place was once ground zero. Within seven decades, Hiroshima has re-born into a modern, peaceful city where people around the world came to wish for a future without nuclear weapons.
Continue reading Hiroshima: The Hope of A Nuclear-Free World
Miyajima: On the Island of the Sea Goddesses
Considered the home of the goddesses of the sea, Miyajima has been treated as a sacred site since ancient times. The island is widely known for its gigantic torii that seem to rise from the seabed, as well as a grand shrine floating over the waves. In both cases, human craftsmanship has been skillfully integrated with the sea, reflecting harmony between Mother Nature and the human.
Continue reading Miyajima: On the Island of the Sea Goddesses