Sensoji Temple, AKA Asakusa Kannon Temple, is Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple, said to have been built in the 7th century. The temple is located in the Asakusa district, an old market town in Tokyo that is thronged with people visiting the temple and shopping at the huge number of restaurants and souvenir stores that line the streets and the avenue leading up to the temple.
JapanVisitor's own David takes you on a tour of Sensoji Temple and the surrounding Kaminarimon district in this YouTube video. Enjoy!
JapanFilms has festivals, breakdancers, rappers, tropical fish, music, Shinto rites, Buddhist priests, giant organs, men in loinclothes, sumo wrestlers, yabusame, taiko, bagpipes, raves and lots and lots of trains.
I visited Shimane prefecture recently. Shimane is in the west of Japan, towards the south-western end of the main island, Honshu, and faces the Japan Sea. Shimane is Japan’s second least populated prefecture.
Shimane prefecture is very picturesque, and is the ideal place to escape the bustle of the big city and unwind – driving through the rolling countryside, or relaxing in one of the many hot springs, or onsen, that dot the region.
I also visited the Aquas Shimane Aquarium (Shimane Kenritsu Shimane Kaiyokan) in Hamada City. The Aquas Shimane Aquarium is a modern, extensive marine life attraction opened in 2000. It features over 10,000 fish and mammals covering over 400 species.
The Aquas Shimane Aquarium occupies Iwami Seaside Park, facing the Japan Sea. Iwami Seaside Park is a camping and leisure area that stretches along 5.5 kilometers of mainly white sanded coastline. It has cabins for rent, an autocamp, and the basic facilities for the independent traveler. The Aquarium and the Aquas Land amusement area are its main tourist facilities.
The Aquarium is barrier free, and multiple entry on the same day is possible. It is 1,500 for adults, and 500 yen for juniors up to and including high school age. There is a 50% discount for the disabled.
Access by car is from the Hamada interchange on the Hamada Expressway, driving eastwards for 5km. From the Hiroshima interchange it takes about 90 minutes. By train, it is 10 minutes walk from JR Hashi Station. By bus, it is 15 minutes from JR Hamada station.
The Shimane Aquarium is open 9am – 5pm every day except Tuesday. (Open till 6pm between July 20 and August 31. Open every day between April 29 and May 5.) When Tuesday is a holiday it opens on Tuesday, and closes Wednesday.
