On Friday, I left magical Japan after three weeks there with my sister, Laura. I’ve written a lot about Japan during previous visits, and this trip was re-visiting a lot of what I loved. https://kimmie53.com/category/japan/ So I decided to write a single post with a few captioned photos. Like a lazy writer writing for lazy readers. Good for everyone.
We started our journey in Tokyo. Laura is in front of the gate at the beloved shrine called Senso-ji in the neighborhood of Asakusa. We were there during the New Year’s holiday, when locals visit temples and shrines, so everyone in Tokyo seemed to be at Senso-ji.
Laura and I agree that the best part of our visit to Japan was our time with our family in Tokyo. My nephew, Scott, and his Japanese wife, Miho, live alternating school years in Tokyo with their three children. Those kids were so loving and so much fun.
A lot of tienda gates in Tokyo are painted with wonderful depictions of Japanese culture.
Tokyo is the largest city in the world but it somehow retains corners of peace like this one.
Next stop Kyoto, where we visited temples, markets and artisan workshops. This is Fushimi Inari with its 10,000 torii gates that climb way up the mountain. We went the whole way to the top, exhausting but worth it! for more about Kyoto https://kimmie53.com/2015/02/22/less-is-more-and-more-is-more/
There is always a celebration at Japanese temples. This was the Ebisu festival, celebrating one of the seven lucky gods.
I loved watching these young women at the Ebisu festival arranging ornaments on bamboo boughs. The temples in Japan always have goodies you can buy.
In Kyoto, we attended a tea ceremony. It takes about an hour to get to your first sip of tea, so the ritual is about a lot more than drinking. It is even important to hold the cup in a certain way and to enter the room with a specific orientation. For more more about Kyoto https://kimmie53.com/2015/02/23/the-sound-of-two-hands-clapping/#more-3478
After Kyoto, we visited the art islands of the Seto Inland Sea. This is one of the famous sculptures by Yayoi Kusama, which invites physical interaction. We rode bikes to the museums and installations on two of the islands. If you go to Japan, this is definitely a highlight!
On the art island of Teshima, this incredible underground installation invites you to immerse yourself in the most subtle sounds and sights. You’ll have to take my word for it (or someone else’s) because photos aren’t permitted and it’s impossible for me to accurately describe. For more about the art islands, https://kimmie53.com/2019/05/23/the-art-islands-of-japans-seto-inland-sea/#more-12387
One of my favorite moments in Japan was meeting these two who had just opened a cake and tea cafe on the island of Teshima. The whole island was shut down that day except for the art and this cafe. We loved taking a break here with this couple who said they’d take care of us if we missed the last ferry back to our hotel.
We headed further west on the coast to Onomichi, one of my favorite places in Japan. It’s funky, industrial, artsy and incredibly beautiful. We took a ferry to an island and biked to art intallations and a special temple.
Onomichi has a wonderful temple hike through the hills. We visited several and took the ropeline to the top of the mountain.
Next we went to Matsuyama, where we did a short pilgrimage to three more Henro Temples on the island of Shikoku. Number 49 was super funky! I did 12 of the the 88 in 2019. Now I have only 73 to go! For more about this famous Japanese pilgrimage https://kimmie53.com/2019/06/03/my-12-henro-temples-only-76-to-go/#more-12544
I loved the signs on the pilgrimage path through Matsuyama. We went to temples 49, 50 and 51. When you arrive, there is a ritual of bowing and clapping and ringing a bell and more things. Then you get a beautiful stamp in your Henro book.
More cute on the temple path
On to Hiroshima, which, to an outsider at least, is a city that actively promotes peace. This is the eternal flame honoring those who perished from the atomic bomb in 1945. The city also has an impressive peace museum and many memorials in its Peace Park. For more about Hiroshima, https://kimmie53.com/2015/02/26/hiroshima-and-miyajima-mon-amour/#more-3583
The bar in our Hiroshima hotel called that a margarita!
The island of Miyajima near Hiroshima feels like an expression of so much of Japan in one small place. The way Japan honors nature and its ancestors and the gods and eating oysters!
The main shrine on Miyajima is a work of art and seems be floating on the sea during high tide.
The buddhas at Japanese temples –of which there are always many — are almost always dressed in hats or aprons. We found one at Miyajima’s Daisho-in that was wearing a sombrero!
A lot (all?) of Japanese shrines artfully stack these artfully-designed lugs of sake. It’s not clear who is drinking it.
Back in Tokyo on our way out, we got to see our family once more. We miss them already.
A great way to start your journey! The pics are marvelous as usual and I like the links you included- they brought back some of my best vicarious memories of your past trips. There is so much eye candy in Japan. And mind candy.
Of course I’m very jealous you got to hang with Scott and Miho and the kids. Ahhh,… those kids!!!
I’m glad you and Laura are in such great shape because you sure covered a lot of ground and had some memorable experiences.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful travelogue again. It had me reliving many of my favorite locales, especially biking out of Onomichi into the Seto Sea and remembering so many special moments. I loved seeing the sombrero on the head of one of the buddhas—haha
Plus to get a shot of Fushimi Inari with just your sis is remarkable—pays to go in the off season.
Me, I’m heading back to Japan in April for a pickleball tour for 9 days, then a 4 day guided trek on the Nakasendo post town trail and back to Kyoto plus my beloved island of Yakushima, part of the time with my friend and professional guide Hiroko. I think we are both true Japanese aficionadas!
I’m also heading to Bhutan/Laos next Oct-Nov. Am joining an expensive tour in Bhutan called Women’s Quest and will do Laos solo. I THINK you’ve already been there?
Hi Karen, you were the one who told me about Setoda and the Hill of Hope and the Shiminamo! One of my favorite places ever. Someday I’m going to do the Nakasando. It sounds wonderful. I haven’t been to Laos or Bhutan but they are on my list. Let me know what you think of them .
Thank you Kim for posting this absolutely wonderful photo journal. I have wanted to visit Japan ever since seeing ‘Lost in Translation’ many, many years ago and then hearing about it from you, Wendy and Christine after your many visits. Finally, I am going to go there in 2026 – Insallah – and these photos have made me want to go even more! 2025 is the year of weddings and Peru but next stop Japan ❤️
Camino Milagro 
A great way to start your journey! The pics are marvelous as usual and I like the links you included- they brought back some of my best vicarious memories of your past trips. There is so much eye candy in Japan. And mind candy.
Of course I’m very jealous you got to hang with Scott and Miho and the kids. Ahhh,… those kids!!!
I’m glad you and Laura are in such great shape because you sure covered a lot of ground and had some memorable experiences.
Keep on writing!
Arigato as always Vic. Yes, the kids were so much fun.
Kim,
Thanks for sharing this wonderful travelogue again. It had me reliving many of my favorite locales, especially biking out of Onomichi into the Seto Sea and remembering so many special moments. I loved seeing the sombrero on the head of one of the buddhas—haha
Plus to get a shot of Fushimi Inari with just your sis is remarkable—pays to go in the off season.
Me, I’m heading back to Japan in April for a pickleball tour for 9 days, then a 4 day guided trek on the Nakasendo post town trail and back to Kyoto plus my beloved island of Yakushima, part of the time with my friend and professional guide Hiroko. I think we are both true Japanese aficionadas!
I’m also heading to Bhutan/Laos next Oct-Nov. Am joining an expensive tour in Bhutan called Women’s Quest and will do Laos solo. I THINK you’ve already been there?
Peace and love,
Karen Hester karen@hesternet.net 510-654-6346 whatsapp +15106546346
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Hi Karen, you were the one who told me about Setoda and the Hill of Hope and the Shiminamo! One of my favorite places ever. Someday I’m going to do the Nakasando. It sounds wonderful. I haven’t been to Laos or Bhutan but they are on my list. Let me know what you think of them .
Thank you Kim for posting this absolutely wonderful photo journal. I have wanted to visit Japan ever since seeing ‘Lost in Translation’ many, many years ago and then hearing about it from you, Wendy and Christine after your many visits. Finally, I am going to go there in 2026 – Insallah – and these photos have made me want to go even more! 2025 is the year of weddings and Peru but next stop Japan ❤️
Oh yes you will love it. And Peru!
What a wonderful trip and family! Thanks for sharing. Japan was a mystery to me. With your introduction, it’s less so. Cheers!
Hi Carolina, Thanks for your note! Japan is still mysterious to me!
A fascinating country and culture. So wonderful to spend time with your family there 🙂
Yes, it was really special!