As promised in my last post I`m delivering some photos of Sapporo‘s Yuki Matsuri (Snow Festival). As the 1.9 million inhabited city of Sapporo is comparatively young, constructions of Sapporo village only began in 1866 – whereas settlements in Kyoto or Nara date back to the 6th and 7th century – it can’t attract tourist …
Category Archive: history
Oct 27 2012
Escape from the tsunami disaster area
Even though my next town Kamaishi has plenty of hotels which have already been restored, I’m still having a hard time finding a room. There is a huge steel plant in Kamaishi which is fully functional again. A major part of the city is located in a long, narrow valley which reaches far into the …
Oct 24 2012
Tsunami disaster area, Ishinomaki – Minamisanriku – Kesennuma
Even though a typhoon is approaching I reach my next host Henry nearby Ishinomaki, mainly dry. When trying to call him from a phone booth I almost splat a small frog sitting on the dial pad. I can’t believe my eyes. He was lucky. I almost dialed M for murder. But I have to admit …
Oct 09 2012
Mamamia Utsunomiya
The leg from Mt. Shirane to Nakanojo (52 km/32 miles) is almost a constant downhill track which is of course a lot of fun. I’m pausing in Utsonomiya for three days as I’d like to see the tomb in Nikko which is about 40 km away from my host in Utsunomiya. There is only one …
Sep 18 2012
Matsumoto Bon Bon
Another post from August which was overdue: Right in time for a special Festival once again. This time in Matsumoto. The Matsumoto bon bon festival which attracts up to 25.000 dancers every year. Everybody can participate on the dances on the streets. Football teams, volleyball, tennis or karate clubs… Or just come with a bunch …
Sep 14 2012
Nakasendo
I know, the last posts were a little long in the making. I guess I exaggerated it a little with the Torii Pass – the route which won the first vote. Because after passing the pass :) my right foot caused me some problems and swelling. I thought I’d have to abort the trip. Luckily …
Aug 23 2012
Nagoya
The heat won’t stop. Once again I have to cycle for a whole day at 36°C. It’s one of those days on which one can drink six litres of liquid by going only once to the toilet. As if the heat wouldn’t already be enough it gets even hotter at a certain spot of my …
Aug 14 2012
Kyoto and the Gion Matsuri festival
I got to Kyoto right in time. The famous Gion Matsuri festival peaked on 17th of July. Enjoy the video and some photos of Kyoto! Special thanks to: Tomoko Masukawa (Japan), Ebrahim Shahmirzadi (Iran), Hubertus Neidhart from Webspace Provider Network for excellent web page hosting services; Lilith Pendzich
Aug 08 2012
Nagaokakyo & Yamazaki Distillery in Hibiki
My dear old school friend Andreas Off, who has lived and worked in Japan for the past six years, recently moved to the city of Nagaokakyo, which is located between Osaka and Kyoto. Andreas hosted me for one weekend, and of course he already had a full program planned for us. First off, he informed …
Jul 25 2012
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