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Rinnoji Temple
I have mixed feelings of Rinnoji Temple in Nikko. Yes, the temple made it as a World Heritage site. Yes, the temple is big. Yes, the temple has other locations within Nikko associated with it. Yes, the temple has a nice garden in its grounds. No, the temple does not allow you to take photos of it…
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Nikko’s Sacred Bridge (Shinkyo Bridge)
There’s a red bridge in Nikko that’s sacred. It’s so sacred that not everyone was allowed to cross it back in the old days. I initially thought it was reserved for nobility but online research revealed to me that only messengers from the Imperial Palace were allowed to cross it. Interesting. So, is this bridge worth a visit?
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Snaking around Shuri Castle
The first time I went to Shuri Castle, I was exhausted. While Yui Rail has a stop at Shuri Station, it’s not in front of Shuri Castle. You need to walk a bit from the stop. I thought I had it all figured out until I had to hike.
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Iwatayama Monkey Park
There is an attraction in Kyoto, not far from the famed bridge that people flock to. It’s somewhat touristy but not all that touristy, either. I say this because you have to actually walk quite a distance before you can get to Arashiyama’s Iwatayama Monkey Park. And once here, you’ll see that there are less tourists around compared to the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove or any other popular Kyoto destination.
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The Warmth of Okinawa
If it weren’t for Okinawa, my visit to Japan would have been a depressing one. Okinawa, while still a part of East Asia was different in that in general, the people were warm. When they smiled, it seemed genuine. While not everyone was all smiles, the majority of the people I encountered seemed friendly, open, less judgemental and welcoming. It was what I needed and wanted from a trip.