Japan | romainesmith

Japan in 100 pictures or less

I have visited Japan twice; once on a biking tour of Tsushima Island, and the second time I went on an excursion to climb Mt. Fuji. I have found Japanese culture and history to be interesting, but bear in mind that it is considerably more expensive to live/visit here than most locations.

Fuji-san I joined a group of travelers climbing up to the top of Mt. Fuji in the middle of the night, so that we could be standing at the summit at dawn.It was rather cold at the top, even though it was the summer.	Fuji-san It is quite an experience standing on top of a large mountain, and looking down on the clouds.	Fuji-san The decent down Fuji only took about one third the time that the ascent did.
Tokyo - Book & Bed The Tokyo Book & Bed is a hostel that has a couple thousand books in their main lobby. Approximately 25% of these books are in English, while the rest are in Japanese. The title selection is heavily slanted to artsy topics, so if you enjoy reading these topics, hanging out here could be a blast.	Tokyo - Koishikawa Korakuen Garden Deep in the heart of the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, I stumbled upon this still and peaceful garden.	Tokyo - Koishikawa Korakuen Garden The landscape at this garden is meticulously maintained by the staff.
Tokyo - Sengaku-ji The front gate to a plain-looking temple. This location was a historical site, as it was the location where 47 ronin had gathered after exacting revenge for their former master.	Tokyo - Sengaku-ji This statue commemorates Oishi, the leader of the 47 Ronin.	Tokyo - Toshugu Shrine In the back corner of a large tourist complex is found a beautiful, gold- covered shine. This temple was built in 1617 as the tomb for Tokugawa Ieyasu, the man who helped conquer all of Japan and stabilized the country. This shrine was completed during the reign of his son, Hidetada. The artwork around the site includes many brightly-painted wood carvings.
Tokyo - Toshugu Shrine I found this place by accident as I was wondering around. I was actually trying to go to a different tourist attraction, but it was closed.	Tokyo - Toshogu Shrine Admission into the Toshugu Shrine is only $13 USD, which is a lot cheaper than other places that you can visit here in Tokyo.	Tsushima Island Tsushima Island is littered in hills
Tsushima Island	Tsushima Island - Watazumi Shrine	Tsushima Island - Watazumi Shrine
Tsushima Island	Tsushima Island On my last day on Tsushima Island, I actually encountered a resident who could speak English. He took me into his home, where the paper walls were supported by various wood carvings.	Tsushima Island

Romaine Smith

Fuji-san

I joined a group of travelers climbing up to the top of Mt. Fuji in the middle of the night, so that we could be standing at the summit at dawn.It was rather cold at the top, even though it was the summer.

Fuji-san

It is quite an experience standing on top of a large mountain, and looking down on the clouds.

Fuji-san

The decent down Fuji only took about one third the time that the ascent did.

Tokyo - Book & Bed

The Tokyo Book & Bed is a hostel that has a couple thousand books in their main lobby. Approximately 25% of these books are in English, while the rest are in Japanese. The title selection is heavily slanted to artsy topics, so if you enjoy reading these topics, hanging out here could be a blast.

Tokyo - Koishikawa Korakuen Garden

Deep in the heart of the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, I stumbled upon this still and peaceful garden.

Tokyo - Koishikawa Korakuen Garden

The landscape at this garden is meticulously maintained by the staff.

Tokyo - Sengaku-ji

The front gate to a plain-looking temple. This location was a historical site, as it was the location where 47 ronin had gathered after exacting revenge for their former master.

Tokyo - Sengaku-ji

This statue commemorates Oishi, the leader of the 47 Ronin.

Tokyo - Toshugu Shrine

Tokyo - Toshugu Shrine

I found this place by accident as I was wondering around. I was actually trying to go to a different tourist attraction, but it was closed.

Tokyo - Toshogu Shrine

Admission into the Toshugu Shrine is only $13 USD, which is a lot cheaper than other places that you can visit here in Tokyo.

Tsushima Island

Tsushima Island is littered in hills

Tsushima Island

Tsushima Island - Watazumi Shrine

Tsushima Island - Watazumi Shrine

Tsushima Island

Tsushima Island

On my last day on Tsushima Island, I actually encountered a resident who could speak English. He took me into his home, where the paper walls were supported by various wood carvings.

Tsushima Island