Category: Place

Frank Lloyd Wright in Japan

It was rainy, a good day to change plans and ride a bullet train for 230 miles to visit Meiji Mura, an architecture museum. After coffee in the lobby of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Tokyo Imperial Hotel, we explored many of the 60 buildings. We then rode a bullet back.

Temples 52 and 53

Explored on foot, helped by two trains. Shikoku 88 temples (52, 53), pilgrims, a castle, a museum designed by Tadao Ando all about a novel, a convenience store, pre-schoolers shouting “hello” and “konichiwa,” houses and gardens, kind people, rice fields ready for harvest, … .

Cycling across the Sea

Rented bicycles, cycled across Japan’s Inland Sea on part of the Shimanami Kaido trail. The trail provides spectacular views as it crosses huge bridges and small islands.

88 Temples

Pilgrims have been backpacking the Shikoku 88 for hundreds of years, visiting 88 temples on a 750 mile route around the island of Shikoku. We stored our backpacks in a locker at Matsuyama’s main train station then walked between a few temples.

Tadao Ando Gallery

Between flights at O’Hare, rode the L Downtown. Finally visited the Tadao Ando gallery at the Institute of Art. This peaceful place, with the 16 permanent pillars, was a refuge for some after 9/11. Next weekend we’ll sleep in a place designed by Ando on the island of Naoshima.

Japan 2019

Tomorrow we go to Japan. I’ve been visiting Japan annually for several years as a solo traveler. I’m grateful my recently post-work partner now has the time to travel with me. (1) We’ll fly into Matsuyama via Tokyo. We’ll explore southwestern Japan with the help of Japan Rail passes and hiking boots. Towards the end…… Continue reading Japan 2019