DESTINATIONS ASIA | JAPAN
experts ASK THE
David Convery, DialAFlight “Climbing the steps up Yamadera was my favourite part of the trip. It
was really spiritual and the views were amazing. The people in Japan were welcoming, even in places I thought would not be tourist-friendly. It was my
first visit to Japan and it truly is a unique country, unlike anywhere else in Asia. I will certainly recommend Japan to my family, friends and customers.”
Scotland before opening up his two distilleries in Japan. Tours are free and take visitors around the distillery, with a short tasting at the end (English audio guide available).
TRY YOUR LUCK I’m looking at a small target on the side of the cliff, five stones, or undama, in hand, each one representing a fortune I have chosen – love, destiny and income among them. The idea is to take aim and throw each stone over the river, and if it lands in the tiny wishing hole in the cliff face, that fortune is said to be granted. I take a run-up, put all my strength behind it, and the flying stone shatters against the rocks. What happens to your fortune if the stone breaks up? “Nothing,” our guide says, to my relief, as the river carries away the shards of my supposed good luck. We all took great delight in giving it a good go, as do many other visitors to Geibikei
CLOCKWISE FROM RIGHT: Japanese food at Chikusenso; Hiraizumi; Geibikei Gorge PICTURES: Shoko Takayasu; Shutterstock; Natalie Marsh
Zoe Bligh, JTB
“These parts of Japan are the places to see if you like exploring off the beaten track. My favourite place on the tour would have to be Yamagata, a very scenic prefecture. One site that surprised me most was Mount Zaō, because one moment you would be driving through clear surroundings, and then all of a sudden you were surrounded by snow.”
BOOK IT
JTB offers a 13-night tour of the Tōhoku region, including stops in Iwate and Miyagi, from £2,000 per person for two sharing, including international flights, accommodation and a 14-day rail pass.
japanspecialist.co.uk
66 23 MAY 2019
travelweekly.co.uk
Gorge in the Iwate prefecture. It’s a stunning site of natural
beauty, and visitors can enjoy a 90-minute return boat ride down the river. Boat trips take place year-round and, to add to the atmosphere, our boatman even sang a traditional song as we drifted past the beautiful scenery. As the song translates, Geibikei Gorge is a “wonderful sight, unrivalled elsewhere”. Japan is a spiritual country
where Buddhism and Shintoism exist harmoniously side by side, with many people believing in both. The two religions boast hundreds of temples and shrines all across the country, often in beautiful natural locations.
One that is well-known is
Unesco World Heritage Site Hiraizumi, in the Iwate prefecture, which incorporates five temples and gardens that are significant to Buddhism. Chūson-ji temple, for example, boasts striking architecture
and a hall covered in gold, with breathtakingly intricate designs, while neighbouring Motsu-ji temple is surrounded by beautiful gardens. All of Hiraizumi’s sites are just a few miles apart, making it easy for guests to visit more than one in the same day. Farther south, Yamadera in
the Yamagata prefecture is a spiritual site built high into the side of a mountain, dating all the way back to the ninth century. From the entrance it’s 1,000 steps to the top, and while that may seem like a daunting climb, the reward of the unparalleled views when you get there is well worth the effort. If you’re looking for an authentic Japanese experience, the Tōhoku region has it all, from bustling cities and beautiful mountains to fresh cuisine and peaceful onsen. It’s not surprising that the Miyagi prefecture calls itself the Land of Contrasts – it’s all there waiting to be explored.
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