2 November 2009

Hello..

Its been 2,500km travelled in our super little car, through a lot of valleys, mountains, rainy days and sunshine. I feel totally reinvigorated about Japan. Tokyo, or any city for that matter, can be tiring, day after day, noise, noise and noise, visually and auditorially (is it a word?)...so we took off...to see the greener pastures we know lie on the west of Japan.....the real heart of Japan for me, is here, in the country and the mountains and the sea.
You can see beautifully designed shops, houses and restaurants and ryokan (traditional Japanese guest house) everywhere, surrounded by space and any passing locals who are happy to acknowledge you, good morning or good evening, very, very lovely....
....lots of tea in Shizuoka and passing typhoon number 20, without the rain we would not have seen the beautiful mists hanging over the ranges....
...interiors and exteriors to keep me breathless.....and my memory card full to the brim....
....conversations overlooking spacious rice fields with people so unassuming and warm makes me feel so humble....
....visits to TWO of the most powerful shrines in Japan, this one in Tsuwano.....
...entrances to special places.....
....waterfalls and red leaves to be enjoyed by passing tourists...

...jizo keeping warm for the coming winter, this one has red lipstick!....
..the other powerful shrine...in Izumo, all 10 gods are in Izumo in October, they return to this shrine, it is an auspicious month to be in town....lucky us....
...and my most favourite place, the open ocean (with a bit of cement, it's Japan after all...).....an amazing journey not only to see new and beautiful things, but spend time with my lovely and wonderful family and share these days in a place that will always be the most special place for us outside of Oz. We will leave this place but never really leave. Japan has that kind of power.

1 comment:

Di said...

These are beautiful photos - if I ever visit Japan again (which I would love to do) I definitely want to see more of the countryside!