AUTUMN IN JAPAN | MT. FUJI | KAWAGOE SAITAMA | FUJIYOSHIDA | CHUREITO PA...

I always wanted to travel alone, never did I know that my first ever solo travel adventure would be travelling miles away from my country, the Philippines. Japan have always had a special place in my heart. This is my first international country to visit. Amazing people, rich in history and culture. I was a bit nervous embarking this journey because the last time I was in Japan, I could hardly managed to find my way home. And the thought of me travelling alone on this foreign land is kind of scary and exciting at the same time. I know everything will be fine, as long as I have my Wi-Fi with me, I can speak basic Japanese and I have someone in Tokyo to call on to when I need help. 

During this trip. I’ve learned a lot of things. I have learned to trust myself in navigating unfamiliar places. I have learned to embrace the uncertainly of every decision I made, which leads me to more amazing finds and great places that never in my wildest dream, I imagined I would be in.

Japan made me realized that I am meant to be a SOLO TRAVELLER. Traveling alone is a gift. (THANKS GOD!) You will be presented with daily opportunities to learn and grow, and you will become closer to yourself as a result. No matter where you go and what you do, travelling solo will change you.

The Meiji Shrine

I went to visit another Tokyo’s most famous Shinto shrine, The Meiji Jingu in Shibuya. Aside from being known as a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken, this place is also known as one of the best instagrammable place in Tokyo and one of the busiest sites in Tokyo for tourists, so I suggest you come here early to avoid the massive crowd of people coming to the shrine.

Another special sight inside the spacious grounds of Meiji Jingu that caught my eyes while walking my way in, are the rows upon rows of decorative sake barrels (Sake is a Japanese alcoholic drink made of fermented rice, koji often translated as rice malt or yeast made from rice and water.) lining the walkway on the way to the temple. As what I overhead from one of the tour guide, this empty sake barrels were donated by sake brewers from all over japan and offered to the shrine deities at Meiji Jingu every year.

Another important note that I would like to share while visiting this site is that NO TRIPOD is ALLOWED INSIDE the Shrine. I don’t why! I was getting ready setting up my tripod when suddenly some guys wearing white and violet skirt looking pants approach me and gently told me, that using tripod is not allowed inside the vicinity. Selfie stick is okay. So, the whole time I was inside the shrine I was asking for favors to some tourist and locals to take my photos.

ADMISSION IS FREE

Other related blog post: 

• The Kanda Used Book Festival in Jimbocho
• Keisei Skyliner
• Instagrammable spot in Shibuya Tokyo 
• Sensoji Temple in Asakusa at Night 
• Kawagoe The Little Edo Town in the Modern day Japan
• The Travelling Hopia
• Arakurayama Sengen Park 
• Nezu Shrine in Tokyo Bunkyo Ward
• The Meiji Shrine
• Mount Fuji

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Nezu Shrine in Tokyo Bunkyo Ward

When we think of Kyoto, the first thing that pops in-mind is the Torii gates of the famous Fushimi Inari Shrine. Torii is a traditional Japanese gate most commonly found at the entrance of or within a Shrinto Shrine. And since Kyoto is miles away from Tokyo, the chance of seeing a Torii gates like the one in Kyoto is impossible, especially if you’re staying in Tokyo alone. 

But worry no more, I found out that we don’t need to travel all the way to Kyoto just to see the famous Torii gates because right at the heart of Tokyo, there is a shrine called Nezu Shrine that features the vibrant red path of Torii gates like the one in Kyoto. 

Although the Torii gates at Nezu is smaller in size than in Kyoto but who cares, if your agenda is to simply snap some insta photo looking like you’re in Kyoto. And so far this Shrine is not known to many tourist, yet, so its less crowded. 

Nezu (Jinja) Shrine is located in Tokyo's Bunkyo ward near Ueno Park. Regarding as one of Japan's oldest shrines, and certainly one of the most photogenic places of worship in Tokyo. 

Nezu Shrine is set in lush greenery, with ponds of carp, pathways that are tunnels of small shrine arches, and elegant, beautifully colored, wooden structures that reflect Japanese culture in all its age and beauty.

Nezu Shrine is the home of the Bunkyo Azalea Festival, which happens every April and is named after Tokyo's Bunkyo ward where Nezu Shrine is located. 

Admission is fee at Nezu Shrine, so you might what to keep this lovely place in your itinerary Minasan, on you future visit to Tokyo. This culturally-significant site is located minutes by foot from Nezu Station on the Chiyoda Line and Todaimae Station on the Namboku Line.

Other related blog post: 

• The Kanda Used Book Festival in Jimbocho
• Keisei Skyliner
• Instagrammable spot in Shibuya Tokyo 
• Sensoji Temple in Asakusa at Night 
• Kawagoe The Little Edo Town in the Modern day Japan
• The Travelling Hopia
• Arakurayama Sengen Park 
• Nezu Shrine in Tokyo Bunkyo Ward
• The Meiji Shrine
• Mount Fuji

Before you go: please share this blog on Facebook, RT on Twitter. Follow me on Facebook, at The Travelling Hopia. Subscribe to receive email updates. Thank you for your support!

Sensoji Temple in Asakusa at Night

Sensoji Temple in Asakusa is Tokyo's oldest Buddhist Temple, and one of it's most significant. It is one of the best sightseeing spots in Tokyo where most of first time travelers to Tokyo visit. Unfortunately not on my case, this isn't on my itinerary because I was here last year September 10 to 25, 2017.

But itinerary changed when I was checking on places to visit close to my hostel at night, Sensoji pops-up, 20 mins walk from my hostel. I was still contemplating if I should go or not because the thought that I was here before is stopping me. Until hostel staff told me that this place offers different view at night, so the lazy me went and voilaaaa! I was blown away by its beauty.

Sensoji Temple is stunningly beautiful at night with the lights on, the temples are glowing.😍 I know these photos cannot make justice on how incredibly pretty Sensoji at night. But you guy's have to check this out either it's your first time or not. 

I swear you won't get disappointed. Less people at night because most shops in Nakamise-dori were already closed. Nakamise-dori is one of Tokyo's district, a shopping street providing tourist visiting Sensoji Temple a variety of local delicacies, modern and traditional stuff and souvenirs proudly made in Japan. The temple is approached via Nakamise dori so expect the crowd when your visiting this temple in a broad day light.

I would not mind coming back in here on my next Tokyo trip, because really its beautiful at night and Sensoji offers a relaxing feeling for me while sitting in a bench under a tree while having my quite moment.

Here are some of my pics visiting Sensoji in the morning. And let me know which is best, coming here at night or when the sun is out. Domo Arigatou Minasan.

One interesting to see around Asakusa particulary at the entrance of Sensoji temple are these men carrying the Rickshaw (literally means jinrikisha a "man powered vehicle"). Asakusa can be explored by foot, but if you want to experiece this ancient mode of transportaion in Japan then feel free to do it here. A 30 minute tour for two persons costs around 9000 yen. Price may change without prior notice.

Even at night the Tokyo Sky Stree is still visible at Sensoji Temple both are pretty for me.

Relaxing area with cool mist for exhausted visitors like moi.

The Pagoda

Randomly pointing old tree inside the vicinity of Sensoji

HOW TO GET HERE:

Access: Asakusa Station (Tokyo Metro), 5 minutes on foot

Asakusa Station (Tobu Railway), 5 minutes on foot

Asakusa Station (Toei Subway), 5 minutes on foot

Asakusa Station (Tsukuba Express), 5 minutes on foot

ADMISSION IS FEE 

Operating Hours: 24 hours Open Daily

Other related blog post: 

• The Kanda Used Book Festival in Jimbocho
• Keisei Skyliner
• Instagrammable spot in Shibuya Tokyo 
• Sensoji Temple in Asakusa at Night 
• Kawagoe The Little Edo Town in the Modern day Japan
• The Travelling Hopia
• Arakurayama Sengen Park 
• Nezu Shrine in Tokyo Bunkyo Ward
• The Meiji Shrine
• Mount Fuji

Before you go: please share this blog on Facebook, RT on Twitter. Follow me on Facebook, at The Travelling Hopia. Subscribe to receive email updates. Thank you for your support!

The Kanda Used Book Festival in Jimbocho

As soon as I settled in my hostel. I had to go straight to check out The Kanda Used Book Festival in the Jimbocho district of Kanda—renowned town of used and antique books. So happy to be here, saw this street on the pages of my Maruguto A2 book.

Lucky to be here just in time for the Book festival, wherein bookshelves are placed on the sidewalks of the area’s main street (Yasukuni Dori), creating a long corridor of books that faces the local bookstores.

Mangga fans friends would surely love this place. Finally got my set of Karuta cards here at yung playing cards nila in Japanese with very kawaii drawings.😍❤ 

If you are a book geek you must include a visit on this district while visiting Japan. You will surely love this place

Other related blog post: 

• The Kanda Used Book Festival in Jimbocho
• Keisei Skyliner
• Instagrammable spot in Shibuya Tokyo 
• Sensoji Temple in Asakusa at Night 
• Kawagoe The Little Edo Town in the Modern day Japan
• The Travelling Hopia
• Arakurayama Sengen Park 
• Nezu Shrine in Tokyo Bunkyo Ward
• The Meiji Shrine
• Mount Fuji

Before you go: please share this blog on Facebook, RT on Twitter. Follow me on Facebook, at The Travelling Hopia. Subscribe to receive email updates. Thank you for your support!