Japan

We went for a stroll along the Aomori bay at dusk. As the sun gradually sunk into the Japan Sea, we were treated to a magical sunset. There is nothing more enchanting or enticing as Mother Nature. So just stop whatever you are doing. Leave the desk, couch or whatever and go out, and witness the golden moments that are passing you by.

We step back in time to the Jōmon period at the Sannai-Maruyama Ruins. The ruins in the southwest of Aomori is the largest ruins of a Jōmon-period village in Japan. Most of the excavated items have been reburied for preservation, but a few excavation sites and artifacts are on display along with reconstructed dwellings, giving us a sense of the daily life of ancient times.

We went down to Miyako to witness the uniquely-shaped islands of Jodogahama Beach. The stunning landscape of jagged white rocks protrusions as well as the beautiful coastline make it a photographers delight.

Designated as one of the three most beautiful scenic sites of Japan, Matshushima is dotted by as many as 260 islands scattered throughout the picturesque Bay. We take a cruise through these pine-covered islands that have left poets smitten across the ages.

Jozenji-dori is the soul of Sendai, the city of trees. Zelkova trees line the boulevard on both sides for about 700 meters, running east to west through the heart of the city. We were double lucky to be there at the time of the Tanabata festival when the entire road leading to Jozenji-dori was filled with colorful Tanabata decorations.

We take a hike along the Goshiki-numa trail in Bandai-Asahi National Park, that runs along five mysterious ponds each with its own tinge of blue water. These ponds were created by the lava from the eruption of Mt. Bandai in 1888, where one can witness the volcanic minerals dissolving in the water, imparting each pond with its own shade of color ranging from green to whitish blue.

We take a walk to the Tsuruga Castle in Aizu Wakamatsu, a city where the influences of samurai remain strong even today. The five storied impregnable fortress and castle tower that stands today is a replica reconstructed in 1965, based on photographs and historical documents of the preceding Kurokawa Castle, built in 1384.

We took a bus all the way from Naha to Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. The aquarium goes up to four floors, with tanks containing deep sea creatures, coral and tropical fish. The main Kuroshio Sea Tank holds an enormous 7,500 cubic metres of water, stretching from the first floor all the way to the second floor of the aquarium.

Shuri Castle served as the center of politics, foreign affairs and culture of the Ryukyu Kingdom since the 14th century, until Okinawa became a Japanese prefecture in 1879. The World Heritage Site with its brilliant colors and stylish Ryukyu architecture is strikingly different from any castle I have witnessed in all of Japan.