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History and travel records


Viewing the Autumn Leaves in Yabakei and Visiting Usa ~NOV,2025~
Yabakei is the general name for the gorge that unfolds in the upper and middle reaches of the Yamakuni River, and is a scenic spot with many different faces, created by the erosion of the large amount of pyroclastic flow deposits (welded tuff) from a major eruption that occurred one million years ago. This time, we visited the famous Hitome Hakkei, where countless stone pillars standing like grave markers and gaps in the cliffs are covered with trees of various colors. Rai Sa
Nov 22, 20255 min read


Stroll around Ryogoku ~November 2025~
I have only ever been to Ryogoku to watch sumo, but I decided to take a walk around the quiet Ryogoku area on a weekday when there was no sumo tournament. As November approaches, NHK's taiga drama series is reaching its final stretch. The protagonist of "Berabou," Tsutaya Juzaburo, is in his twilight years, and the story will depict Edo after the fall of Matsudaira Sadanobu. The script and cast are excellent, but what's particularly noteworthy right now is the comedian Kukki
Nov 12, 20255 min read


Saihaku Travel Diary @ Yonago ~OCT,2025~
Mt. Daisen has been quiet since it last erupted over 20,000 years ago and is now classified as a dormant volcano. It is a famous mountain that can be seen from anywhere in western Tottori Prefecture, but the mountain's body has a complex shape due to collapses caused by eruptions and lava domes from underground, and it looks completely different depending on the angle from which you view it. Looking up from Masumizu Plateau, it looks like twin mountains. From the top of Yonag
Nov 1, 20257 min read


Autumn Yamatoji (Yamanobe-no-michi this year) ~OCT,2025~
The Yamanobe Road is said to be the oldest official road in Japan, and runs along the mountain edge on the southeastern edge of the Nara Basin. The reason it is on a slightly elevated area is that much of the Nara Basin was wetland and swampland during the Kofun period, and going back even further, it was a lake during the Jomon period. The ancient tombs and shrines along the road tell the story of this area being the birthplace of the Yamato nation, and it's fun to walk alon
Oct 17, 20256 min read


Unkei Buddha of the Hokuen-do Hall of Kofuku-ji Temple (Special Exhibition at Tokyo National Museum) -OCT, 2025-
Kofuku-ji Temple was originally the family temple of the Fujiwara clan, and was a large temple complex that took over 100 years to build...
Oct 8, 20254 min read


The hometown of Kiso Yoshinaka ~SEP,2025~
Two valleys (Kiso Valley and Ina Valley) run vertically through southern Nagano Prefecture, with the Kiso River flowing to the west and...
Oct 1, 20256 min read


Kita Kamakura Walk ~SEP,2025~
While living in Tokyo, one tends to think that Kamakura is close and one can go there anytime, but I decided to take a leisurely walk...
Sep 27, 20257 min read


What is Tagajo ~SEP,2025~
Taga Castle was built in the early Nara period (the first year of the Jinki era, 724) as an administrative center and a military garrison...
Sep 18, 20256 min read


Fushimi Excursion ~ SEP, 2025 ~
Fushimi is the lowest point in the Kyoto Basin, located at the confluence of the Katsura River, which flows through Kyoto City, the Kamo...
Sep 13, 20257 min read


Sengen Shrine: From Lake Kawaguchi to Gotemba ~ SEP, 2025 ~
Asama is an archaic word meaning volcano, originally called "Asama" and then "Sengen" from the Middle Ages onwards, and coupled with the...
Sep 3, 20255 min read


Azumino and Chikuni Kaido ~ AUG, 2025 ~
The road heading south from Itoigawa to Hakuba and Omachi is known as the "Salt Road," and salt and seafood have been transported there...
Aug 30, 20255 min read


The Wa(mainland Japan)people's control of the Ezo in Matsumae ~AUG, 2025~
The Matsumae clan, the only feudal lord in Ezo (Hokkaido) under the feudal domain system, originally called themselves the Kakizaki clan,...
Aug 10, 20255 min read


Ancient History of Etchu (Keyhole Tombs and Manyo Village) ~AUG, 2025~
The ancient Echigo Province capital was located in Fushiki, Takaoka City, in the western part of Toyama Prefecture. Nearby is the...
Aug 4, 20255 min read


Shonai, where Basho walked ~JUL, 2025~
Last time, I traveled around Tohoku, following in Basho's footsteps, on what I called "the shortcut to the depths," ten years ago. While...
Jul 26, 20257 min read


Pilgrimage to Ise ~JUL,2025~
Although I say I like Japanese history, I have never actually visited Ise Grand Shrine, and I felt a little inferior. I have visited many...
Jul 12, 20256 min read


Running through ancient times: Yoshinogari and Saga ~ JUL,2025 ~
I was worried about the rainy season weather while arranging tickets and accommodation for Saga, but before I knew it, the dry rainy...
Jul 5, 20257 min read
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