Japan stands out as a country with a highly developed indigenous belief system, particularly among other Asian nations. Uniquely rooted in the Shinto faith known as “Shintō,” Japan is characterized by the establishment of shrines based on this belief. Unlike other countries densely populated by Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, or Islam, Japan houses its distinctive Shinto faith. Shinto, represented by the ...
Japan, particularly among other Asian nations, boasts a well-developed indigenous belief system. Uniquely founded on the Shinto faith called “Shintō,” the country erects shrines to deities. Japanese shrines are often symbolized by torii gates, with the iconic red torii gate serving as a representative symbol of Japan. Shrines in Japan enshrine various deities, including historical figures who have left a ...
Japan, especially among other Asian countries, has a well-developed indigenous belief system. Uniquely, shrines are established based on the Shinto faith, represented by distinctive red torii gates. Shinto shrines, often recognized by their torii gates, serve as iconic symbols of Japan. Shrines in Japan enshrine various deities, including historical figures who have left a significant mark on history. There are ...
The area known as “Yanesen” in northern Tokyo, encompassing Yanaka, Nezu, and Sendagi, is a name coined by combining these three neighborhoods. While located in the heart of Tokyo, this area preserves the city’s historical ambiance. When one imagines Tokyo, it often brings to mind a modern urban landscape dominated by towering buildings, but Yanesen stands somewhat apart from this ...
In Japan, you can find cemeteries even in urban areas. Unlike in Korea, where cemeteries are mainly located in mountains or on the outskirts of cities, this reflects a somewhat contrasting cultural aspect. When I first traveled to Japan, I didn’t even realize places like these were cemeteries and found myself looking around curiously. Given the unique landscape not commonly ...
In Tokyo, Japan, you can find hotels with unique concepts, and one such place chosen for accommodation during this Tokyo trip is the “Henn na Hotel” or “Weird Hotel.” Initially centered around Tokyo, it has now expanded to various locations worldwide, including Myeongdong in South Korea. The term “Henn na” in Japanese translates to “weird” in English, giving the hotel ...
Japan, often nicknamed the ‘Republic of Railways,’ boasts a diverse array of railway stations. Unlike in South Korea, where railways are privatized, Japan has a complex network of lines operated by various companies. While South Korea’s subways and trains are generally considered safer, there’s an advantage to some older Japanese train stations—they often allow for swift movement to the train ...
In the heart of Tokyo, you can encounter a building that you might not expect to find in Japan. This is Nikolai Cathedral, a Russian Orthodox cathedral. Officially named ‘Tokyo Resurrection Cathedral,’ it is known as ‘Nikolai Cathedral’ due to its association with St. Nikolai, an apostle-like figure who visited Japan to spread Orthodoxy. “The Russian Orthodox Church has a ...
In the heart of Tokyo, there’s a place known as ‘Kanda Jinbocho,’ often referred to as a used bookstore or antiquarian bookshop street. You can find bookstores of various sizes here, known for primarily dealing with used books, hence its name. Some establishments also sell extremely old publications, adding another layer to its character as an antiquarian bookshop street. “Exploring ...
Not far from Tokyo Station in the heart of Tokyo, you can discover the antiquarian bookshops on a street known as ‘Kanda Jinbocho.’ This street has a unique atmosphere, dealing exclusively with old books rather than modern publications. If likened to places in South Korea, it resembles the antique bookstores along Cheonggyecheon in Seoul or the book alley in Busan’s ...
On the first night of this Tokyo trip, I stayed at a capsule hotel called ‘9h Nine Hours Takebashi.’ Although I had heard about capsule hotels in Tokyo, this was my first experience, and I decided to try it out during the first night of the trip. The location was close to Tokyo Station, making it convenient, but there were ...
For the first night of this Tokyo trip, I chose a ‘capsule hotel,’ a type of accommodation I’ve heard about but never experienced. Intrigued to try it out, I decided to spend the first night in a capsule hotel. In Tokyo, there are several capsule hotels to choose from, and I opted for ‘9h Nine Hours Takebashi’ for a particular ...