Japan’s Sacred Mountains & Beyond

25th March 2015 to 8th April 2015

Photographs Courtesy of:Dale Holmes, Jan Hutton, Irene Irvine, Jenny Mac

Tokyo Skytree

Nakamise – Asakusa Tokyo

Hozomon Gate leading to Asakusa Kannon Temple Tokyo

Local Identities – Asakusa Kannon Temple Tokyo

“Cup of Tea Balconies “– Kappabashi – Tokyo

Sake Offerings at Meiji Shrine – Tokyo

Wedding at Meiji Shrine - Tokyo

Takeshita-dori (Tokyo’s answer to Carnaby Street)

Ameyoko Markets – Ueno Station – Tokyo

Matsumae Ryokan - Nara

Slippers Anyone? Matsumae Ryokan - Nara

Breakfast is served at Matsumae Ryokan Nara

Sweet Potato Vendor – Nara Park

UNESCO World Heritage Todaiji Temple - Nara

Daibutsu (Great Buddha) - Nara

OH DEER !! - Nara

Cable-car to Koyasan

Entrance to Eko-In Temple in Koyasan

“Ready for bed?” Eko-In Temple Koyasan

Fire Ceremony Eko-In Temple Koyasan

Okunoin (Cemetery) Koyasan

Okunoin - Koyasan

Okunoin - Koyasan

Sacred Bridge – Okunoin – Koyasan

Okunoin - Koyasan

Okunoin - Koyasan

Banryutei (Japan’s largest rock garden) at Kongobuji Temple in Koyasan

Rice cookers which can cater for 2000+ peopleat Kongobuji Temple in Koyasan

Kamigoten Ryokan – Ryujin Onsen

Outdoor Onsen at Kamigoten Ryokan – Ryujin

“Dinner is served” – Kamigoten Ryokan – Ryujin Onsen

View from Takahara – Kumano Kodo

Lunch Box on the trail

Walking the Pilgrimage Trail – Kumano Kodo

View on the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail

Sign on the Kumano Kodo Trail

Tea growing along the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail

View of Kumano River from Pilgrimage Trail

Torii Gate at Oyunohara – Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail

Try your hand playing Taiko – Kumano Kodo

Jet Boat at Dorokyo Gorge – Kumano Kodo

Yata Garasu (3 legged crow) Symbol of Kumano

Nachi Waterfall – Kumano Kodo

Adjacent to Nachi Taisha Shrine – Kumano Kodo

Hongu Nachi Taisha Shrine – Kumano Kodo

Cherry Blossoms in full bloom adjacent to Nachi Taisha – Kumano Kodo

UNESCO World Heritage Yunomine Onsen – Kumano Kodo

UNESCO World Heritage Yunomine Onsen

Kumano Hongu Taisha

Kumano Hayatama Taisha

Kumano Hayatama Taisha

Oyunohara – Kumano Kodo

Daimonzaka – Kumano Kodo

Local Lad – Katsuura – Kumano Kodo

“Turtle” Ferry Boat from Kii-Katsuura to Hotel Urashima – Kumano Kodo

Local Fish Markets at Katsuura – Kumano Kodo

1000 Tatami Mat Rocks – Katsuura to Tanabe – Kumano Kodo

Hashigui-Iwa Rocks – enroute to Tanabe – Kumano Kodo

Foot Spa at Shirahama

“Where is my bicycle” – Tanabe Station

On the bank of the Kamo River - Kyoto

Tea Pot Lane – Kiyomizu – Kyoto

Kiyomizu Temple - Kyoto

Cherry Blossoms - Kyoto

Entrance to Nijo Castle - Kyoto

Cherry Blossoms in full bloom – Garden of Nijo Castle – Kyoto

500+ year old tree – Kinkakuji Temple – Kyoto

Kinkakuji Temple - Kyoto

Artisan at work at Nishijin Textiles - Kyoto

Artisan at Nishijin Textiles – Kyoto

Modelling Kimono – Nishijin Textiles – Kyoto

Bamboo Groves at Arashiyama - Kyoto

Ryoanji - Raked sand garden with Zen influence – Kyoto

Avenue of Torii Gates – Fushimi Inari - Kyoto

Guardian Fox – Fushimi Inari Shrine - Kyoto

Water trough - Kyoto

Wax food model displays - Kyoto

Nishiki Markets - Kyoto

Local Beauty - Kyoto