Japan: The Conclusion
Mt. Fuji, at 3776 meters, is a recognized landmark world-wide. There are very few places within Japan that you cannot see this awesome stratovolcano. It is the highest peak in Japan and, with Mt. Tate and Mt. Haku, make -up the Three Holy Mountains of Japan. Fuji last erupted in the early 1700s and was added to the World Heritage list and it is a special place of scenic beauty.
The photo below was taken on a trail, that our friends took my wife and I to, that climbed to the Fujinomiya Go-Gome, or, Fujinomiya 5th Station. The 5th station is at the 2693 meter mark. When you begin your ascent towards the summit, of Fuji, there are stations, mostly just bathrooms the higher you go, so bringing your own food and drink is highly recommended. Also, you have to pace your, “Waste management,” abilities as the hiking is steep, and the trails are wide enough for 2 people to walk side by side, but it’s one way up and one way down and there is no treeline. If you start at the very bottom, there is a bit of a treeline but it doesn’t last very long. So, you need to pace your intake on food and beverage so that you can get from station to station without soiling yourself or doing something that might be construed as shameful. If you’re at an age to where you’re not willing to go from ground to summit, to a point, you can drive up to, I believe, the 3rd station, and begin your climb to whatever height you wish.
This photo depicts the rare sun break that we encountered while hiking to the 5th station. For the most part, it was overcast/foggy and chilly. It can be a strenuous hike, at times, but the number, of retirement aged adults, was awesome. The Japanese fully believe, that a body in motion, stays in motion…,” exercise is needed, on so many levels, to help one lead a productive, healthy and active life.
If you’re planning a trip to Japan, and why, gosh, golly, gee and heck, wouldn’t you, a different way to have a Japanese experience would be to have a Rickshaw ride. Rickshaws became prevalent in the 1800s and, not just known for the wealthy to be carted around in, they were known more for being cheaper modes of transportation from horses and automobiles. You should research where you are, as rickshaws may not be available from certain cities/towns. Also, if you see a rickshaw stand, you can just walk-up and, most likely, get a 10 minute ride right then and there. Since 10 minutes really doesn’t cut it for a tour, you’ll want to determine how long you want the tour to last and then figure out a price for the duration. It is not, necessarily, a nominal fee. But, that being said, your, “Driver,” will give you a history lesson of where you are and will help take photographs of you in historically significant places within the tour. My wife and I did not participate as we enjoyed taking lesser known routes to places we wanted to see and to a great many of those we walked. If it were a little too far for a walk, then we took a bus. All these little ways and means to our getting around, for us, was a great additive to learn more about where we were, what there was to see and figuring out a way to get there. Riding a bus is a great, economical way to get around. Our love of walking has, once again, given us opportunities to see things that we would not, probably, have seen had we tried a different way, an easier way possibly, to get to a destination.
The last place I would like to discuss is a city called, Nara. The gate in the photo to the left, is one of the entrances into Nara City. Nara City was once the capital city of Japan from the years 710 to 794 and was the seat of the Emperor at the time. The capital then moved to Kyoto. There are many, many things to see while in Nara including, 20 Buddhist temples, 3 Shinto shrines, 2 National parks, 5 Art museums, 4 large Japanese gardens to walk through and Nara City itself.
If you’re in Nara, one structure that you must check-out is Todai-Jo, Buddhist Temple. It is also called the, Great Buddha Hall. I don’t often photograph people unless there is a purpose to do so. In this case, I wanted people in this shot to give you a perspective of just how immense this building is. And, it is the world’s largest wooden structure. From an architectural perspective, the inside of this hall is impressive. The way that is was constructed, the massive beams and the fact the it was opened in the year 752. Looking at the inside, the hand-made, ornate beams, all hand-cut and carved, you wonder how they pulled all that off back in that day. There is a history of this structure when you go inside and how it was formed.
This photo is of the main subject to the Great Buddha Hall. This statue is so big! It just adds to awe of everything about, and housed in, the Great Buddha Hall. There are 2 other statues within the Hall that are 100% wooden in their structure. This was a highlight for me personally for a variety of reasons. You must go and see the massiveness of this building and what stands inside.
One of the most popular things to experience, in Nara, is Nara City. There is a very large park, it takes about 4 hours or more to walk around and see everything that there is to see. 4 hours is actually going at quite a quick pace. But one item that will be consistent throughout would be the Nara deer. There is a legend of Kasuga Shrine that states the god Takemikazuchi arrived into Nara on a white deer to guard the newly built capital of Heijo-kyo. Every since that time, deer have been regarded as heavenly animals, protecting the city and the country. These deer roam the town and vendors have even set-up stands and carts that sell deer food that are either compressed pellets or thin disks, for a nominal fee, of course. Some of the older deer, male and female, have actually learned how to bow, for a reward of food.
This photo depicts just one of the many pathways you can follow in Nara City. As I mentioned above, there is a ton of stuff to see within Nara. There was no way to see it all in just one visit. The shrines and many temples alone would need a few days. I have such a strong desire to go back and see different areas and have different, meaningful experiences. I’m looking forward to delving farther into the history of Japan and how their current beliefs have unfolded from centuries before. The Land of the Rising Sun is full of mystique, wonders and beautiful places. There is a rabbit hole, that is Japan, and I’m ready to dive in! The history stems from some of the most brutal and violent periods in our world’s history. You really need to go, the experiences you will have will be like none other.
To expand upon my earlier comment, that Japan is the closest thing to Nirvana, deserves an explanation. There are century old philosophies and traditions that are so needed now, especially now, that are important and are critical to having a better existence. These, again, are my own opinions and should be considered in general terms. In Japanese culture, respect is crucial. Respect for everyone and everything. There are always exceptions to every rule, but in general, that is the level of thought. When we attempted to communicate, my wife more so than me, in Japanese we would tend to get something wrong. In one instance, we were attempting to ask a question of a shopkeeper about what she was selling in her store. Something got lost in the translation to the point where the shopkeeper began to laugh. But, due to the reasons that one, the shopkeeper figured out what we wanted to ask and, two, because we respected the shopkeeper enough to speak to them in her own language, and they, in return, respect us for trying, she helped us phrase the question properly. Then, the shopkeeper allowed us to re-ask the question properly, on our own, and then we were met with accolades and applause for getting it right. The shopkeeper, by the by, didn’t speak a lick of English. I could give you several more instances of experiences, similar to this one, that we had along our travels.
There is a sense of perfection in this country as well. In everything! From the construct of centuries old buildings, to gardening to most everything, substandard results will not be tolerated. The ingenuity of how things come together is next to none. They pour their heart and soul into whatever they create. We stopped by a shop, more like a kiosk, in a small mall like building, that produced cooking knives. The man, and who I believe was his son, hand made a cooking knife for us. It took about 30 minutes, from picking the correct blade, from how we described what type of utility for which we needed a knife, he sharpened the edge of the blade with such precision, he picked out just the right handle for the blade and after it was all pieced together, he hammered his stamp, in Japanese kanji, onto the blade. All the while, explaining to his son what he was doing and why he was doing it. This is one of many career paths, in Japan, that is handed down generation to generation. Some can prove that the pass down has taken place over centuries.
The cities are clean. Again, there is a pride that is strong. They will not allow their aura to be marred by litter, homelessness, or anything else that could bring shame. There is homelessness in Japan, more so in larger cities, but you don’t see it. There is not one person with a cardboard sign that you will see on any street corner or entrance or exit from a highway. The homeless themselves, with pride intact, live in places you would be hard pressed to notice. They may even work for under the table wages to ensure that they eat, but remain homeless. Begging is a bringer of shame. So it’s not done. I haven’t been all over Japan, by any stretch, but I can tell you that I saw no homeless camps, no begging and no homeless. I’ve been told they’re there, but not easily seen.
There is a strong vibe that most people in Japan care about everything. They are respectful of everyone and everything. Mindfulness is in full swing 24/7. I can sight you a sect of people that the Japanese frown on when they hit town. But I will not share. If you want to know what sect of people that would be, then go to Tokyo and go to the outdoor shopping markets, that sect will make their presence not only known, but felt. Folks will go out of their way to be helpful, they go out of their way to be mindful of virtually everything. They go out of their way to not bring shame upon themselves or their houses. I have a story about the Yakuza, the Japanese mafia, maintaining a level of respect and restructuring the thought process of a young man who was berating an elderly train passenger. There is a code that you just don’t break, you just don’t!
All of what you’ve just read, and thanks for sticking with it, the photos you’ve seen, and feelings that I can only have, for the reasons I have them, in making the statement that Japan, for all intent and purpose, is the closest thing I can find to Nirvana. We spent 3 weeks there and that is what I came away with from the experience. I didn’t want to leave. I yearn for the day when we go back and experience more of that feeling. Like any place, it has its flaws, it can be imperfect, but the respect they have there for other human beings is next to none. What a place to live…
Until next time…travel well!
