Two Shintō shrines on Awaji Island are associated with the creation myth of Japan (国生み神話) in the earliest chronicles Kojiki and Nihon Shoki. At Onokoro Island Shrine (自凝島神社), visitors are encouraged to perform rituals to sacred stones for good fortune. The sekirei stone (鶺鴒石) is for couples, with a white and red cord, and I was surprised that my wife grasped my hand and prayed as we held the cords.
We also went to Izanagi Shrine (伊弉諾神宮), dedicated to the two founding gods or pillars (二神、又は二柱) of the archipelago. Worshippers believe that the founding gods dwell in the 900-year-old husband-and-wife camphor tree (夫婦楠). We have seen a similar tree at Ōmiwa Jinja in Nara (大神神社) where two trees merged into one at the base. We also noticed a connection to the Onokoro Island Shrine at the Izanagi Shrine, a small sekirei monument to married couples (夫婦鶺鴒像), and both sites included a bird motif.
Going to Japan as a couple? Then you might want to avoid the following locations that urban legends say spell doom for your union. Here are the top tourist attractions in Japan you DON'T wanna visit (or maybe you do - hey, your relationship is your business).
Some Japanese service staff say they're struggling to cope with visitors who don't make any effort to find linguistic common ground. More below on tourists who insist on speaking their mother tongue (and how not to be That Guy).
Japan is experiencing a huge influx of tourists. As a result, some stores and restaurants are struggling with how to handle customers who don’t speak Japanese. Learn why one restaurant owner took out his frustration on social media – and had to close his store shortly after.
ICYMI: Japan's top travel destinations are receiving international attention. One travel site says the numbers don’t lie: Tokyo is now the world’s top trending destination. Find out why people are coming here - and how to avoid the crowds.
Ein paar hübsche Laternen säumen die Brücke die zur #Kiyosu Burg in #Nagoya/ #Japan führen.
Entschuldigt die passable Qualität, da ich das Bild von meinem alten FB-Profil geklaut habe.
Japan's Immigration Services Agency recently released inconclusive data showing 10% of permanent residents had not paid their taxes or social insurance premiums. However, The agency’s survey only examined 1,825 of the country's approximately 890,000 permanent residents.
Japan’s public hotspots often leave something to be desired. The good news is that there are plenty of affordable ways to stay connected – including pocket wifi hotspots. Here’s why they’re so convenient – and how to get one for your trip to Japan.
How do you solve the problem of a rapidly aging population? Japan's government has a novel answer: change what "elderly" means. PM Kishida's government is reportedly considering a proposal to raise the definition of old age from 65 to 70. Read more below.