Where is Ohara?

The small rural community of Ohara is located about one hour north of Kyoto. It is a perfect travel destination to go on retreat if you want to escape the hustle of the bigger cities and experience traditional Japanese culture. Ohara has two hot spring ryokans (traditional inns) which pump mineral water to the surface from a depth of more than 1km. Angela Pearse stayed at Oharanosato, and gave the outdoor bath a go.

“Traditional bathing in Japan is different from what I’m used to. The washing part takes place inside at the taps so I won’t be wallowing in my own (and others) grime. It makes good sense but crouching naked on a low stool, while sluicing myself with warm water from a bucket, culturally goes against the grain. I keep one eye warily on the door in case anyone comes in and my hands poised, ready to cover myself faster than a samurai wheeling his sword.

Once I’m all clean I head outdoors to soak in the hot water, and I mean hot water. The Japanese generally consider anything below 45C for sissies. I’m worried about being boiled alive as I gingerly submerge my body into a pool of scalding mineral water, but the vista of brooding mountain range and darkened forest distracts from my tingling nerve ends. Overhead, tiny silver spheres sprinkle across a jet-black sky, while nearby bamboo rustles mysteriously with the cool night breeze and, to add to the atmosphere, a lone frog croaks from a rice-paddy. I’m in my element, though up until now I’ve never communed this closely with nature while having a bath”.

Lonely Planet’s Japan (Country Guide)

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One Great Reason to Visit Ohara

One great reason to visit this travel destination is to stay at Oharanosato where you can sleep Japanese style, eat traditional food and bathe in one of the outdoor mineral pools (men and women do have separate pools!).

Ohara, Japan

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Official Town Site

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Where is Kyoto?

A guest post provided by New Zealand travel writer, Angela Pearse.

Kyoto is situated in central Japan and is around two and half hours by shinkasen (bullet train) from Tokyo. It was formerly the imperial capital but is still a major Japanese city, home to 1.5 million people, and where many traditional aspects of Japanese culture are still intact. It is said it is “impossible to know the real Japan without knowing Kyoto”.

It is true that no visit to Kyoto is complete without visiting one of the 2,000 Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. During my too short stay in Kyoto last year I visited three of the most popular: Tenryu-ji Temple, with its cool, peaceful avenues of bamboo; Kiyomizu-dera Temple, with its amazing hill-top views of Kyoto and Fushimi Inari Shrine, with its stunning trail of red and black torii gates. But the sheer choice was overwhelming. Next time I would take a guided temple tour, by bus or on foot, to fully appreciate Kyoto’s historical roots, or hire a bike, which was an option when visiting Tenryu-ji temple.

On the day I arrived in Kyoto I strolled round the Imperial Palace gardens. It was a lazy, hazy Sunday afternoon and many families were chatting, snoozing on the grass or playing with their children. A couple of my strongest memories are of a man stretched full-length on a bench snoring away peacefully, and a hyperactive corgi splashing crazily in one of the rock pools.

Although I had just missed the cherry blossom season, this would be another reason I would return to Kyoto. Maruyama Park is the most popular park for cherry blossom viewing but Kyoto contains many advantageous spots, such as the Philosopher’s Trail, Kamogama River and Hirano Shrine, to view the gorgeous pink blossoms. At Maruyama Park and Hirano Shrine in the evenings, the trees are lit up.

Major festivals in Kyoto to time a visit with, include the Aoi Matsuri or “Hollyhock Festival” on the 15 May, the Gion Matsuri, a traditional festival celebrating life, on 17 July and the Gozan Okuribi, lighting of fires on mountains to guide the spirits home, on 16 August.

Be thrilled with your digital photos when travelling to amazing travel destinations that offer so much to be photographed. This light-weight paper back Digital Photography book is a must for all keen photographers not wanting to waste great photo opportunities.

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One Great Reason to Visit Kyoto

One great reason to visit Kyoto is to is to wander through 10,000 torii (shrine gates) in the quiet woods at Fushimi Inari Shrine at dusk.

Kyoto

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Wikipedia

Kyoto – Official Town Site

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Where is Luang Prabang?

Luang Prabang is nestled in a slim valley by the Mekong and Khan rivers. It exudes tranquility and has been a mountain kingdom for more than a thousand years. The entire city was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site during 1995 for the beautiful and historic blending of the traditional architecture with the European colonial authorities of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Together with the historical sites of Haw Kham the former royal palace, Vat Xieng Toung Monastery, there are many natural and traditional delights. The Mekong River for starters, the famous Buddha caves of Pak Ou, the nearby Kuang Si Falls and the holy hill of Phou Si.

The traditional Alms ceremony involves the monks collecting alms of rice each morning from kneeling villagers, and tourists eager to take part and witness an amazing tradition.

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One Great Reason to Visit Luang Prabang

One great reason to visit is to see the monks collecting alms from townspeople at dawn!

Luang Prabang

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Where is Krabi?

Krabi is a small, coastal fishing and market town situated on the west coast of Thailand and south of the capital Bangkok. It’s located at the mouth of the Krabi River and is the principal port for the outlying islands. A longtail boat or kayak can be hired to explore the Krabi River. Travelling through the mangroves, intriguing cave systems can be viewed. Many contain amazing crystalline formations, stalagmites and stalactites.

The area is most defined by the limestone cliffs, tall islands jutting from the pristine waters and beautiful beaches. Offshore is the well known Phi Phi islands and Koh Lanta. Whilst Krabi is the provincial capital, nearby Ao Nang Beach is the tourist capital.

Krabi has a number of temples open to visitors. Krabi is made up of both Muslims and Buddhists. The ‘Wat Tham Seua’, or Tiger Cave Temple is the most well known and set in a lush forest. The temple is in fact a famous meditation centre. Visiting any of the temples it is important to show your respect by acknowledging the dress and code of conduct.

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One Great Reason to Visit Krabi

One great reason to visit Krabi is for the relaxing Thai experience that the town and nearby islands offer.

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