Witnessing Autumn’s Embrace in Janpan’s Sendai4

At Jozenji-dori, rows of magnificent maple trees with branches extending to each other transform into golden canopies at the kiss of autumn. From afar, the ground is covered with the same sprinkling of gold. It is a popular landscape in Sendai, the heart of Miyagi prefecture, whose nickname City of Trees become more sound as the fall season arrives. The breath-taking foliage becomes more remarkable as backdrops of the city’s most prominent landscapes.

Zuihōden, tucked inside the heart of the metro, vibrantly contrasts the earthy colours with its elaborate gold and red motif. It is the mausoleum of the city’s founder, Date Masamune, a powerful daimyo nicknamed as the “One-Eyed Dragon.” There are vast legends about this man, but the city never forgot its roots. Despite seeing the original mausoleum crumble during World War II, Sendai rebuilt the ornate homage in 1979, complete with its elaborate furnishings one that bears semblance to Tokugawa’s own Nikko Sendai, without a doubt, bears an unwavering spirit one seen by the world after the March 11, 2011 earthquake. Months after the tragedy, the city raised itself up with resilience, and now regains its standing as one of the most loved cities in Japan, with faint traces of its past struggles.

WITNESSING AUTUMN’S EMBRACE IN JAPAN’S SENDAI

As the gateway of the Tohoku region, Sendai possesses noteworthy trails that explore the nature draped landscape. Matsushima is just under an hour away from the city and is known for the hundreds of forested islands that dot Matsushima Bay, showcasing the beauty of the autumn colours all across. Yamadera is a heart-stopping view of a grand temple perched on a steep mountainside, adorned with trees that seem to veil it from view. Sanriku coast, once hit by the 2011 tsunami, never lost its dramatic splendour as the Pacific waters lap against its 300 kilometres of coastline hiding countless bays, cliffs and coves. There is magic in Sendai. Here, the urban skyline beautifully harmonises with the surrounding foliage, as if the trees are expected to bloom as lushly as their economy. The temples are respectfully preserved, still exuding their former glory, and castles are less imposing, more inviting to their guests, foreign and locals alike.

Aside from exploring shrines, take a weekend jaunt at the fox village. Or, visit its collection of cute pets at an owl cafe. Dive into local dishes: imoni is popular in autumn, a blend of taro and meat soup eaten heartily with friends. Then, revel in a spread of zunda, a sweet delicacy made of green soybeans, usually turned into mochi. In October, the mesmerizing Michinoku Yosakoi Festival beckons a crowd of traditional dancers, performing in the streets. In December, Jozenji becomes a holiday haven for lovers, being lit with festoons of light.

Remember that happiness is a way of travel - not a destination Roy M.Boodman

KYOTO

GION KYOTO

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GEISHA DISTRICT

Centuries ago, this area east of the Kamo River was nothing but a rest stop for the pilgrims on their way to Gion Shrine (modern day Yasaka Shrine). Today the Gion district of Kyoto is known for its charming, historic atmosphere and strong ties to the world of traditional Japanese arts, making a visit to this area one of the best things to do in Kyoto.

From the incomparable architecture of Hanami Lane to the bustling boutiques of Shijo Dori; from the calm serenity of Yasaka shrine and Kenninji Temple to the high-spirited celebration of Gion Festival; delve into Kyoto’s rich history by exploring 9 of our favorite destinations in Gion.

Shirakawa

Sometimes the best way to explore a city is to just dive in head-first; no plan, no itinerary, just feet on the pavement, eyes open wide and propelled by an unquenchable curiosity. A wander through the Shirakawa area (see map) is a location for this style of exploration and discovery, and it’s ideally located within the Gion district. This historic street runs parallel to Shijo Dori (another great strolling spot, see below), along with the Shirakawa Canal. Shirakawa’s roads are flanked by tall willow trees sagging under the weight of their own leaves and dotted with fancy traditional dining establishments, this is Kyoto at its most picturesque.

A beautiful place to visit if you’re looking for a meal or tea with a view, most of the establishments here look out onto the canal, which is equally as stunning by night as it is by day. Sometimes it can feel almost impossible to avoid the tourist crowds in Kyoto, but thankfully the area of Shirakawa is slightly off the beaten track and much quieter than most main shopping and dining strips.

Hanami Lane

The entertainment district of Kyoto known as Gion has long been associated with geisha (or geiko, as they are known in Kyoto) and traditional Japanese arts. Hanami Lane (hanamikoji, see map) contains some of the most beautiful traditional architecture in the district. This lane stretches north and south, intersecting Kyoto’s central Shijo Dori which leads to Yasaka Shrine. Hanamikoji’s southern end is a flagstone path lined with well-preserved historic teahouses. Gion district owes much of its historic charms to the many antique machiya which line the streets. Machiya are wooden townhouses built for city life, with the front of the home usually sectioned off for use as a shopfront. They’re often long, narrow and built up to three stories high, possibly to evade the land taxes of the day which taxed the width of a building and not the length. These days, many machiya have been converted into art galleries, antique shops, art sellers, kimono stores and other shops selling traditional crafts. You can also find many of the Best Places to Buy Ceramics in Kyoto in this area.

JAPAN’S BEST CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVALS FOR 2021

Cherry blossom season, also known as the sakura or hanami flower-watching season, brings life and magic to Japan each spring. Admiring the flowers’ fleeting beauty is a practice that dates back over a thousand years. The small, delicate pink sakura and ume plum blossoms flower at different times throughout the season. The massive bloom starts in the far south, in Okinawa, and slowly works its way up to northern Japan in late May. It’s possible to follow the Japan’s Cherry Blossom festivals all the way up the coast, but be prepared to take your time and explore all the things to do in Japan along the way, because bloom and festival dates will vary depending how warm the year has been.

Hanami festivals are embraced and celebrated in so many different ways, but most involve eating (often home-cooked meals) and drinking out in the parks. Blossom viewing areas are the perfect places for people to enjoy the transitory season together, usually accompanied by performances, stalls, and activities. Wander into any convenience store in March or April and you’re sure to find pink and flower-themed goods, from coffees to sandwiches.