JapanImages

I lived for nearly four years in Japan, from 1988 to 1992. These are just some of my favourite photos, I'm not really a very good photographer but Japan is an extremely photogenic place. I spent my time in Japan studying the language, working and scuba diving and walking in my spare time. At that stage birding was a minor interest (as opposed to marine biology) but since then I've made return trips to do a bit of birding here and there. Anyway, even if you're planning to bird during your visit these pics may give you an idea of what makes the place tick...

	Japan has a great tradition of storytelling and hence a plethora of mythical creatures. This is one of my favourites - the Kappa. The Kappa is said to be amphibious but needs to have the vessel you can see on his head full of water if he is to survive on land. You may know of Sandy from the great television show "Monkey". This is an ancient saga from China known in Japan as Songoku. Sandy is in fact a Kappa. So the Kappa originated in China and eventually came to Japan a few hundred years ago.
This is a photo I took many years ago at the Sanja Matsuri or festival that occurs annually in downtown Tokyo, otherwise known as Asukusa. This is my favourite place in Tokyo (arguably the most exciting city in the world). Asukusa is considered a bit downmarket and working class by many Tokyoites but it is the true heart of Tokyo. People born here are known as "Edoko" which means children of Edo, Edo being the name that Tokyo was known by a couple of hundred years ago before the town became the capitol. At the Sanja Matsuri, mikoshi or portable shrines are paraded through the streets by local people in traditional dress!
	North of Tokyo is the ancient town of Nikko. The town is very popular with the Japanese and tourists alike for its superb temples dating from the 7th century and magnificent forests. The area was chosen by Tokugawa Ieyasu for his mausoleum in the 1600's and the Chinese-influenced architecture of the temples that were built by his family are a testament to his wealth and power.
Oshogatsu or the New Year is considered to be a very important event, in the it is the most important holiday and many rituals and customs are associated with it. Amongst these are the Shinto-influenced decorations that adorn many houses. This one has many important components - the paper, rope, lemon, seaweed and rice all are important in Shinto belief, which has a strong connection with nature. This decoration should bring good luck for the household over the coming year.
	These magnificent ancient cedar or sugi trees line the path to a Shinto shrine.The word Shinto is composed of two characters, the first (Shin) means god and the second (To) means road or path. In other words "the way of the Gods". All natural forms are said to have their own god and the Sugi is no exception. The trees are decorated with rope and paper which have special significance in the Shinto belief.
Japan has taken the gourmet tradition to extremes. Food is a national obsession and easily the most popular topic of discussion. My palate came of age in Japan! On the banks of the Tamagawa river a yatai or food stall was selling dango (grilled rice balls in the background) and grilled freshwater fish. They were both out of this world...
	Another vital substance in Japanese culture - osake. It is known in Japan as Nihonshu, which literally means Japanese alcohol. The art of producing good osake is as refined as the art of producing good wine. Dating back to the 3rd Century, osake is steeped in history and very much a part of Shinto tradition, often being used in important ceremonies. These are casks of different types of sake, a common sight outside shrines throughout Japan.