Japan
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Okinawa: Times of War
The island of Okinawa is an unbelievable draw to not only the citizens of Japan but also to people from across the globe. There’s plenty of appeal to this tropical little island; the beautiful nature, the abundant sea-life and the sweltering beaches. However, for me, this wasn’t the main draw. Okinawa happens to come with an incredibly rich and staggering history. Not just the ancient past with the ruins of former kingdoms and scattering of tombs, but a more recent, horrifying past. Those are the scars left behind from the relatively recent Second World War. The island played host to the bloodiest and most ferocious battles of the Pacific War. It…
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Okinawa – Time with the Humpback Whales
The devastating and extensive war history became an incredible appeal and undoubtedly a draw to the island of Okinawa. However, the worst horrors of humanity weren’t the only draw, so was the undeniable beauty and power of nature. Being a tropical island, it came with an appropriate level of nature. Not only on the island itself, but also the oceans that surrounded it. Within which are some of the most unique and extraordinary menageries of wildlife, some unique to the island. However, one seasonal visitor caught my attention above everything else: the extraordinary humpback whales. Bad Luck Unfortunately for me, my timing wasn’t the best when exploring the ocean…
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Okinawa: Todoroki Cave
For many people, is the perfect holiday destination. Warm weather, beautiful beaches, gorgeous turquoise oceans. For the Japanese its a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of a stressful working life and the ideal location for some well needed relaxation in a tropical haven. However, that isn’t the sole reason for me to come to this island paradise in the middle of the Pacific. The beauty of the natural world wasn’t the only factor; it was the horrific actions of man. Okinawa was the site of one of the biggest and possibly most significant battlegrounds during the Pacific War. The island stood as the last remaining obstacle before the…
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Hiroshima: The Horrors of Humanity
If I said the sole reason for me visiting this internationally known city wasn’t because of the events of 75 years ago, then I’d be lying. The city unfortunately achieved worldwide recognition due to the catastrophic events which completely annihilated the city and everyone within it. An event that forever ruined countless lives, both the ones lost and those lucky enough to survive the massacre. A stark reminder of the horrific devastation humanity can cause. That is what brought me to Hiroshima. Coming the Long Way Becoming comfortable with my surroundings in Kyoto was the sign that it was time to move on. There was much more to see…
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Nara: Walking Amongst the Deer
Sometimes it only takes one reason to visit a particular stop along the road. Something special, something worth diverting off the path, an opportunity too good to miss. An experience you know full well will be one of the greatest memories you will have during your time there. So what was this special phenomenon that brought me to the city of Nara? Simple; deer. Deer?! I hear you say. What in the almighty fuck is so special about a paranoid, jumpy, bolting-the-fuck-out-of-dodge, watch from 100 meter away deer? The 4-legged Bambis abundant throughout the world would not normally catch my attention, but this group of deer are different. These delicate…
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Kyoto: Free Living as a Hostel Worker
The ancient capital of Japan is home to numerous amount of national treasures, and without doubt its a city with its own unique take on Japanese culture and everyday life. These are the things I knew about the city before, and it was one of the reasons I decided to spend so much time there. But how? How could I stay somewhere for an extended amount of time without having to spend ridiculous amounts on a daily basis for the privilege? Easy, work in a hostel. Technically, it isn’t necessarily work, which Mr. Immigration would be happy to hear. It’s volunteering; working for no money. What you do get in…
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Kyoto: The Highlights
The ancient capital of Kyoto is the home to some of the finest examples of spellbinding attractions, being some of the most gorgeous and serene of any attraction in the country. Two of these stand above all else. Two attractions which are some of the most iconic images Japan has to offer, attracting people from throughout the world to walk amongst the sites unparalleled tranquillity. Those are the gorgeous sites of Fushimi-Inari and the Bamboo Groves of Arashiyama. During my stay in Kyoto I knew full well these would be the highlights of my time there. Whenever one of my hostel’s guests asked what do you recommend seeing? it would always…
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Kyoto: A Welshman’s Memoir of a Geisha
One very notable aspect of Japanese culture has to be it’s Geishas. Although they can be found throughout Japan, the roots of Geisha culture began right here in the city of Kyoto. This is where it began and where it holds strong to this day, remaining as the best place throughout Japan to be able to experience this extraordinary phenomenon. They’re role in society has changed along with the tides of history. Today they remain as a living embodiment of the fascinating Japanese cultural past. I was determined that I’d get to see one. Geisha Hunting Being in the birth-place of Geisha culture, it was the most appropriate location to…
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Christmas in a Temple (Part 2)
We pick up the story a few days into my new temple temple life. The Vital Task We volunteers only had one task relating to the temple itself, and a vital one it was. Without exception, it had to be done daily. One of us would have to ring the bell outside each day at precisely 6pm. In the past this was done for practical purposes for those in the village, much like the rings of a town clock. However in recent times it has become more symbolic and a spiritual routine. I was surprised us volunteers had such an important responsibility. The bell had to be struck at 6pm,…
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Christmas in a Temple (Part 1)
Months before I had arrived in Japan, I began the process of planning where I wanted to go and what exactly I wanted to do. The destinations practically chose themselves. However, there was one aspect of travelling that I was very keen on undertaking. It was something I had already tried years prior, and anticipated on taking full advantage of it this time round; volunteering. Preparation Last time I volunteered was almost 3 years ago on the Indonesian island of Java where I worked at two English schools. It really is the perfect answer to a long-term traveller. The enormous advantage is having a free place to stay and…
