Kamakura Daibutsu

The giant Buddha statue of Kotoku-in temple draws millions of visitors every year to Kamakura, a town already full of beautiful and ancient temples. The statue was cast over 750 years ago and has survived (more or less) many disasters including several lightning strike fires, earthquakes and even a tsunami in 1498. It is over…

川越 Kawagoe (Saitama)

The city of Kawagoe is barely half an hour from central Tokyo by express train, but it feels like you have traveled back in time when you arrive there. While Tokyo experienced fires and bombings that destroyed many of its ancient buildings, Kawagoe was spared from bombing during WW2 and before that, made some decisions that helped…

南禅寺 Nanzenji (Kyoto)

Nanzenji is one of Kyoto’s most beautiful temples, in the foothills on the eastern side of the city. However, one can’t help but notice the large brick structure that cuts through the temple grounds. The structure is an aqueduct built to carry water and goods to the people of the neighboring Shiga prefecture. Though the…