Discover Top Posts Tagged with #backpackingjapan

The Japan's best known Daibutsu dated in 8th century and i'm sure this Great Bronze Buddha would still be a masterpiece if created today. #japan #🇯🇵 #nhậtbản #🗾 #kansai #naraprefecture #naracity #todaijitemple #daibutsuden #buddhastatue #🙏🏼 #unescoworldheritage #traveling #backpackingjapan #seeingtheworld (at Todai-Ji, Nara Japan, Great Buhdda Temple)

#🙏#seeingtheworld #backpackingjapan #naracity #nhậtbản #🇯🇵#kansai #buddhastatue #unescoworldheritage #daibutsuden #🗾#traveling #todaijitemple #japan #naraprefecture

japan on a whim

i never thought i'd ever get the chance to step foot in the land of the rising sun. i sort of conceded already to the fact that the closest i got to it was having (really few) japanese friends and a cousin living there.

but God works in wondrous ways. and i thank Him for giving a sister with lots of "Nihon connection"!

in short - i tagged along. by the way - pictures in the next entries :)

#japan #travel #backpackingjapan

Day 13n14: Return to Kanazawa, Shamisen, Shamisen, Shamisen...Shamisen

I woke up the next morning to the most beautiful day yet in Japan! It reminded me of those perfect summer days in the Pacific Northwest riding the ferries around the San Juan Islands! I am so greatful to Sayo san for taking the time out of her schedule to show me around Sado Island! I will always remember the experience.

Leaving Ogi Port

Universal Ferry Activity! Throwing snacks to seagulls!

Unfortunately, because of the typhoon that struck Japan while I was on Sado Island I had to cancel my trip to Nagoya where Motofumi yamaguchi's fue concert was. I had a feeling that was going to be ok though. Deep down, I knew there was a greater purpose for me back in Kanazawa.

Such a beautiful day! In all, the trip from Sado Island to Kanazawa was 6 hours. I arrived in good time back to SHAQ Big House! When I got there his Dad was hanging out and offered to take me to a shamisen and koto store a couple blocks away...after eating some ramen.

I walked in the door and the place was filled with koto. There was also an Otsuzumi and a lone shamisen. Shaq's Dad left me with the store owner, none of them spoke any English by the way, and she let me play the koto, otsuzumi and shamisen. We actually talked for quite a bit and when I mean "talked," I mean I listened, nodded my head and said "soso" often. Surprisingly, I can understand a lot of what is being said to me except when a question is being asked. Then, I look like a deer in headlights. A bunch of this and that happened. She made some phone calls. And before I knew it, an older woman came in the store with a long case.

We went to another room beside the shop where there was a large open space fitted with tatami mats and a stage towards the back. She opened the case and before me was something that looked like a shamisen, only it was a little bit larger. TSUGARU SHAMISEN!!!! She took it out and began to play! OH the sound! She played for about ten minutes then offered to let me play...............I have no words for how awesome it was. It felt so right! If there is one thing I learned from this experience it is that I can wait to play tsugaru shamisen. I do not know of any teachers and I feel at this point in time it is very important to learn, not just play.

I went back with a shit-eating grin on my face and we ate more hotpot and had great conversation with a bunch of Europeans. One guy was from Holland but living in China. THAT was interesting. There is a lot of f'd up stuff going on in China that I will not divulge here.

So we celebrated in Chinese fashion!

Next morning I woke up and got this for ￥３８０。It's called Kissaten. Coffee, Toast and a hardboiled egg. It's the SHIT!

I made my way to the Higashi Chaya district of Kanazawa which is also known as the geisha district. I learned there are about 20 active geishas in Kanazawa. I also heard there was a shamisen store somewhere in the area.

What I sought after ended up being closed so I went to a beautiful Japanese garden called "Kenroku En" and a few museums.

I made my way back to the Shamisen store and met the owners wife who happened to speak very good English. On this trip I can count the number of people who speak English on two hands. I learned a great deal about shamisen and told her my story...blah blah blah. I may or may not have purchased a shamisen...