Travel with Michie

Meditating at a Zen temple

2009-12-22T20:00:00.000-08:00

Meditating at Komyozenji in Dazaifu, Fukuoka. Click here to read about this Zen Temple.

Riding an express train

2009-12-22T18:57:00.000-08:00

We used public transportation except 2 days in a chartered micro bus. Food and beverages (including beer) are available on long distance express trains.

We also use the Shinkansen(Bullet Train).

Miyajima

2009-12-22T18:54:00.000-08:00

Miyajima Tori Gate (53 feet high) in water, UNESCO World Heritage site. You can walk to the gate in low tide.

Tea ceremony

2009-12-22T18:50:00.000-08:00

Exclusive visit to a private residence for an informal tea ceremony mixing green powdered tea with hot water using a bamboo whisk.

Nishiki market, Kyoto

2009-12-22T18:15:00.000-08:00

Nishiki Market is a Kitchen of Kyoto. A long street of various goods; food, tea, knives, flowers, small restaurants etc. Click here.

150 year old inn

2009-12-22T18:02:00.000-08:00

Just below Mt. Aso active volcano, this 150 year old inn sits high on a nearby mountain. There are 7 outdoor hotspring bathing areas and 4 indoor. Mineral rich hot spring water cures many ailments. Bathing in Japan is not just for cleansing but for relaxation as well. Click here to learn more about hot spring bathing (Onsen).

Organic farm lunch, Kuju

2009-12-22T09:05:00.000-08:00

About 20 different varieties of organic food are served. Menu varies according to season.

Organic farm visit

2009-12-22T09:00:00.000-08:00

This road is so narrow that our micro bus couldn't turn around thus a short walk was the only way to get there. It felt good to walk after a huge wholesome organic lunch.

Giant wisteria

2009-12-22T08:50:00.000-08:00

Giant old wisteria vine at Karatsu Castle.

Pottery studio visit, Imari

2009-12-22T08:37:00.000-08:00

This is a 14th generation pottery studio. Their pots are made with clay dug on their own property.

Dinner at 150 year old inn

2009-12-22T08:35:00.000-08:00

Unique experience grilling your own fish, meat and veggies.

Visiting a reed artist

2009-12-22T08:29:00.000-08:00

Yoichi Nakamura, reed artist, showing us how to use a reed pen for drawing. He's one of the very few reed artists in Japan. He harvests reeds, dries them about a year and shaves them to make a pen for his artwork.

A rented micro bus

2009-12-20T17:44:00.000-08:00

We traveled to remote areas using this chartered micro bus for 2 full days.

Porcelain mosaic bridge, Imari

2009-12-20T13:13:00.000-08:00

Over 50 kiln chimneys can be seen in the small pottery village of Ookawachiyama - Imari. When Shoguns changed power, Nabeshima, a local war lord, kept his position and his life by siding with the new Tokugawa Shogun after being defeated by him. He moved the best potters from Arita to Imari and kept them prisoner in the gated community (steep mountains on 3 sides and only one gate). They produced and dedicated the best quality 17th Century porcelain to the Shogun.

Imari porcelain painting

2009-12-20T10:55:00.000-08:00

Artists are painting porcelain at a studio in Imari.

A Lady selling dried fish

2009-12-20T10:54:00.000-08:00

Morning Market (Asaichi) in Yobuko, a fishing town. With the growth of supermarkets in Japan these morning markets are disappearing.

Daikon radish garden

2009-12-20T10:45:00.000-08:00

This island fishing village specialty is to shred daikon radish then boil and dry to preserve. Shipped all over Japan.

Yakitori dinner, Fukuoka

2009-12-18T15:06:00.000-08:00

Eating yakitori at Nobunaga, a local Japanese grill, just a few minutes from the hotel. You pick your own choice of meats and veggies for grilling. Shochu is a great drink.

Hot Spring outdoor bathing

2009-12-16T12:01:00.000-08:00

One of seven outdoor onsen (hot spring baths) at a 150 year old inn. Bathing in Japan is not only for cleansing but also for relaxation. Bathing is optional.

Kiyomizu Temple, Kyoto

2009-12-14T18:35:00.000-08:00

This temple was built without using a single nail. Click here to learn more about this UNESCO heritage site.

Nijo Castle, Kyoto

2009-12-14T18:26:00.000-08:00

Nijo Castle, Kyoto. Unesco World Heritage site. In 1603 this is where the Tokugawa Shogun declared his sovereignty over Japan. The Tokugawa family Shogunate held power until the Modern Meiji era began in 1868. Unique squeaking "nightingale" floor.

Silver Pavilion, Kyoto

2009-12-14T18:20:00.000-08:00

Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion) garden is my second favorite garden in Kyoto. Sand sculptures are impressive. It is said that at night with a full moon shining on the sand, it's like a beautiful silver sea.

Saihoji Zen Temple, Kyoto

2009-12-14T18:10:00.000-08:00

Saihoji Zen Temple (Moss temple) in Kyoto. UNESCO World Heritage site. Over 120 varieties of moss in this exquisite garden. This is my favorite garden in Japan. Reservations can only be made using snail mail.

Saihoji Zen Temple, Kyoto

2009-12-14T18:06:00.000-08:00

Beautiful carpet of moss.

Maiko going to work, Kyoto

2009-12-14T15:51:00.000-08:00

Maiko is a Japanese word for dancing girl. A Maiko is an apprentice geisha. Their work begins from dusk.

Trying on Kimono

2009-12-12T16:59:00.000-08:00

Final stage to put a long Obi (sash) on Kimono.

Tea ceremony sweets

2009-12-12T16:58:00.000-08:00

You must have sweets (wagashi) before you have tea. The blend of sweetness with the bitterness of green tea creates beautiful harmony in your mouth.

Sushi

2009-12-12T16:30:00.000-08:00

Culinary art; sushi made of salmon, konbu (sea vegetable), wasabi and rice to resemble a persimmon.

Artful food

2009-12-12T16:21:00.000-08:00

Seafood salad is artfully presented. Japanese food is visually beautiful, "eat with your eyes".

Flower Arrangement

2009-12-12T16:20:00.000-08:00

Ikebana, Japanese flower arrangement.

Pottery studio visit

2009-12-10T18:26:00.000-08:00

Gyourenbo pottery studio. My potter friend, Ichiro, taught pottery in NY City and Philadelphia for a few years. He speaks English. We were lucky to visit on the day they were firing the Noborigama kiln. Non stop firing for 24 hours a day for several days ..... a time for celebration! Noborigama firing is done twice annually (spring and fall) at many studios.

Paper artist studio visit

2009-12-10T13:20:00.001-08:00

We took a bus to get to this paper artist's studio, Tetsuo Tange in Kurashiki. Handmade paper (washi) starts from pounding Kozo bark. Amazing process.

Visit to a calligrapher

2009-12-10T13:19:00.000-08:00

Matsuda Bokuden not only uses a brush for his calligraphy but uses hard paper for texture as well.

Weaving demonstration

2009-12-10T13:18:00.000-08:00

A special craft exhibit and demonstration at ACROS Cultural Center in Fukuoka.

Dinner at fishing village

2009-12-10T13:10:00.000-08:00

You'll learn the true meaning of "fresh" when you eat fish at Kakara Island. Paradise for seafood lovers.

Waiting for a train

2009-12-08T17:53:00.000-08:00

Trains in Japan are on time even at a small town station.

Kumamoto Castle

2009-12-08T17:46:00.000-08:00

Kumamoto Castle. "The Last Samurai" movie is based on actual historical events at this castle. Click here to learn about Satsuma rebellion.

Miyajima

2009-12-08T17:35:00.000-08:00

Itsukushima shrine in Miyajima at high tide.

Window food display

2009-12-08T17:11:00.000-08:00

Real looking food made of wax is displayed at many restaurants. You can simply decide what you want by seeing it rather than reading a menu. Fried oysters with sauce in an oyster shell, pickles, salad, rice and soup set for 1,500 yen. Miyajima area is well know for Oyster .

Nagasaki Peace Park

2009-12-06T10:46:00.000-08:00

Water fountain with Peace Statue in distance.

A girl in Kimono

2009-12-06T10:35:00.000-08:00

Dressed in Kimono, posing for her dad at Dazaifu Shrine in Fukuoka. A special festival is held on Nov. 15 for children age 3,5 and 7. Click here to learn more.