The Buddhist Stone Carvings in Isahaya are the sorts of places that only comes around once in a while and when it does you should grab it with both hands and hold on tight! It is one of those places that takes you hours to find but the end product is more than worth the effort put in to find it.
The Stone Carvings are interesting to say the least. I heard through a friend that there was this isolated place up in the mountainside of Isahaya that had literally hundred of Buddhist carvings. Quite a long drive and numerous wrong turns and the occasional asking of directions to the confused local on why a foreigner who isn't Buddhist would be searching for this place.
Finally I arrived at the entrance to the ravine and found the 'Gohyaku Rakan', known as the 500 Buddhist disciples which have been embedded in a rock face. They are relief carvings in the rocks to commemorate the 487 victims of the 1699 flood of Isahaya. The number of carvings are impossible to count in there entirety we just have to trust that there are 500 in total. The shapes, sizes and faces, features and style are all different and it is worthwhile to look carefully at each carving and identify each intricate and special individual feature.
An amazing site well worth a look or 2 or 3 or even 500! One could spend a good couple of hours here or even an afternoon looking at all the delicate and amazing details that has been carved into the rock wall. How many hours of pain staking effort it took to finish the job is beyond imagination, I just want to say thankyou to whoever completed this amazing works!
Have a look the Nagasaki Buddhist Stone Carvings on a map!
Please click on the pictures below to enlarge:
Even fat ugly ones are cute
Many shapes and sizes
Too many to count!
Fine detail
500 in all
Monday, September 26, 2011
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Shofukuji Temple: Nagasaki City
Shofukuji Temple has the distinction of being the first Zen temple constructed in Nagasaki. It was established in 1677 by Tesshin from the Obaku sect of Zen Buddhism. It is surrounded by tree cover and resides in a quiet and dignified location within Nagasaki City. It is accessible on foot and is located within the cities CBD so makes it an great location to do a walking tour with other attractions nearby. Although the temple buildings cannot be entered, visitors can walk through Shofukuji's attractive temple grounds and observe the buildings from outside.
Before Zen's introduction to Japan, Buddhism had already had a long history in Japan dating back to the 5th century. The new teachings of Zen, promoted meditation and discipline as the means to enlightenment and became very popular with the samurai class, which was exerting political power through the shogunate government based in Kamakura.
Today the temple still stands, survived the Atomic explosion relatively undamaged and has a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere about it. There are a lot of steps to negate but this is one of the thrills of walking around the location to look and investigate each and every building on display. The building have a lot of intricate details that can only be observed up close and personal so i recommend visitors come and take their time walking around the area.
Well worth a visit and a leisurely stroll around the outer grounds.
Come and check out Shofukuji Temple on a map!
Click on the pictures below to enlarge:
A secondary Building
Before Zen's introduction to Japan, Buddhism had already had a long history in Japan dating back to the 5th century. The new teachings of Zen, promoted meditation and discipline as the means to enlightenment and became very popular with the samurai class, which was exerting political power through the shogunate government based in Kamakura.
Today the temple still stands, survived the Atomic explosion relatively undamaged and has a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere about it. There are a lot of steps to negate but this is one of the thrills of walking around the location to look and investigate each and every building on display. The building have a lot of intricate details that can only be observed up close and personal so i recommend visitors come and take their time walking around the area.
Well worth a visit and a leisurely stroll around the outer grounds.
Come and check out Shofukuji Temple on a map!
Click on the pictures below to enlarge:
A secondary Building
- A National Monument
- Lots of stairs
- The main gates
- Interesting retainer wall
- Interesting retainer wall
- The main gates
- Lots of stairs
Friday, September 16, 2011
Isahaya Spectacle Bridge: Isahaya, Nagasaki Prefecture
The Spectacle Bridge in Isahaya is a double arch stone bridge spanning a pond at Isahaya Park, which is one of the main sightseeing places of the area. The bridge is twice the size of the famous Spectacles Bridge in Nagasaki City and has many temples and shrines as well as walking trails that you could easily spend 1 or 2 hours here soaking up the ambiance.
The bridge was originally built over the Honmyo River in 1839. However, after the flood of 1957, it was relocated to the park. Every year on the anniversary of the flood, the city of Isahaya has a festival at the original location of the bridge. It was designated as an Important Cultural Asset in 1958.
Comparing the 2 famous bridges, it is evident that the Isahaya bridge dwarfs its Nagasaki City cousin. The shape, the construction and the architecture is just amazing. Worth a tour, a nice leisurely walk around the park to enjoy its beauty! I like to visit this location first in my Private Nagasaki and Shimabara Peninsular full day tours as it is a beautiful location and sets the tone for what a great day we have in store for us to come. Everyone agrees that places such as the Isahaya Spectacle Bridge Nagasaki are very rare these days and just to see and observe the unique views and construction quality are worth every penny, in my opinion.
Check out Isahaya Spectacles Bridge in Isahaya on the map below:
Please click on the pictures below of the Isahaya Spectacles Bridge Nagasaki to enlarge:
Have a look at the videos of Isahaya Spectacle Bridge Nagasaki below:
The bridge was originally built over the Honmyo River in 1839. However, after the flood of 1957, it was relocated to the park. Every year on the anniversary of the flood, the city of Isahaya has a festival at the original location of the bridge. It was designated as an Important Cultural Asset in 1958.
Comparing the 2 famous bridges, it is evident that the Isahaya bridge dwarfs its Nagasaki City cousin. The shape, the construction and the architecture is just amazing. Worth a tour, a nice leisurely walk around the park to enjoy its beauty! I like to visit this location first in my Private Nagasaki and Shimabara Peninsular full day tours as it is a beautiful location and sets the tone for what a great day we have in store for us to come. Everyone agrees that places such as the Isahaya Spectacle Bridge Nagasaki are very rare these days and just to see and observe the unique views and construction quality are worth every penny, in my opinion.
Check out Isahaya Spectacles Bridge in Isahaya on the map below:
Please click on the pictures below of the Isahaya Spectacles Bridge Nagasaki to enlarge:
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| Group shot |
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Amazing shape and style
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| Reflections like a spectacle |
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| From the top of the bridge |
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| Beautiful in November |
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| Pretty spot |
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| Colorful in Spring |
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| It`s all about the reflections |
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| Nice strolling location |
Have a look at the videos of Isahaya Spectacle Bridge Nagasaki below:
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Tsubami Geopark: Nagasaki Prefecture
Tsubami Geopark in Nagasaki is a very interesting place to visit and anyone interested in history, nature and anthropology would sell their family car to check out what there is to offer from a scientific perspective. Other normal people like you and me wouldn't mind just to use this site as a quick drop off to take a toilet break or to stretch your legs, get some fresh air and generally just have a look at what the place has to offer. Yours truly did just that, all of the above actually and enjoyed himself whilst doing it as well!
Tsubami Geopark Nagasaki is situated in the middle part of the Kuchinotsu Group Stratum which developed about 1.5 million years ago and is distributed over the Tsubami shore. Kyushu at that time was part of a continent and the animals of a continental system. These animals such as elephants and deer lived around the Shimabara Peninsula. Their remains were found on the shore of a cove and lake within this stratum. These are called the Tsubami vertebrate fossil group and can be observed along the west side of the Peninisular between Kazusa and Minamikushiyama.
It's a great place to roam about and get a feel of the area and what the place used to look like and be like all those many years ago when the animals roamed free and the planet in its most natural state. Check it out if you have a chance as said previously, some people would sell the family car to come here.
Check out the Tsubami Geopark Nagasaki on a map!
Click on the photos below to enlarge:
Tsubami Geopark Nagasaki is situated in the middle part of the Kuchinotsu Group Stratum which developed about 1.5 million years ago and is distributed over the Tsubami shore. Kyushu at that time was part of a continent and the animals of a continental system. These animals such as elephants and deer lived around the Shimabara Peninsula. Their remains were found on the shore of a cove and lake within this stratum. These are called the Tsubami vertebrate fossil group and can be observed along the west side of the Peninisular between Kazusa and Minamikushiyama.
It's a great place to roam about and get a feel of the area and what the place used to look like and be like all those many years ago when the animals roamed free and the planet in its most natural state. Check it out if you have a chance as said previously, some people would sell the family car to come here.
Check out the Tsubami Geopark Nagasaki on a map!
Click on the photos below to enlarge:
Rock walls full of fossil deposits
Remnants of the fossils found at the shoreline
Swirling waters where the Tachibana Bay meets the Ariake Sea
Fauna fossil assemblage
Check out the videos of Tsubami Geopark Nagasaki below:
Check out the videos of Tsubami Geopark Nagasaki below:
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Volcano Damaged Houses: Shimabara City Nagasaki Prefecture
The Damaged Houses were a direct result of the Unzen volcano explosion and there has been several major eruptions in its history. The volcano erupted most recently from 1990 to 1995, sending pyroclastic flows (superheated clouds of volcanic gas and ash) down toward the towns below. While most people were safely evacuated, 43 journalists, scientists and their taxi drivers were killed. The eruptions also destroyed buildings on the outskirts of Shimabara City.
Much of the volcano's destruction was due to large mudflows of volcanic ash, which flowed down the mountainside burying several homes and buildings that lay in their path. These houses are preserved in their original state and protected under a dome. It is a surreal feeling if not quite eery sight to see these houses in their present state whereby once they were part of a thriving community with food smell wafting from the kitchens and sounds of children running around outside. However it is important to know and respect the natural disasters that lay waiting for us
The Damaged Houses are a great way to see and feel the destructive forces of nature in play without being in its direct path.
Have a look at the Volcano Damaged Houses on the map below:
Click on the photos to enlarge:
Much of the volcano's destruction was due to large mudflows of volcanic ash, which flowed down the mountainside burying several homes and buildings that lay in their path. These houses are preserved in their original state and protected under a dome. It is a surreal feeling if not quite eery sight to see these houses in their present state whereby once they were part of a thriving community with food smell wafting from the kitchens and sounds of children running around outside. However it is important to know and respect the natural disasters that lay waiting for us
The Damaged Houses are a great way to see and feel the destructive forces of nature in play without being in its direct path.
Have a look at the Volcano Damaged Houses on the map below:
Click on the photos to enlarge:
- Please click on the video below to see more about the Volcano Damaged Houses
Lots of info in English
Unbelievable scenes
Preserved forever as is
Completely covered in ash
Great message
Taking a wander
Solar hot water from yesteryear
Complete destruction
Destroyed beyond repair
Always an interesting photo stop
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Nagasaki and Fukuoka Tiered Rice Fields
The Nagasaki and Fukuoka Tiered Rice Fields are without a doubt some of the most pleasant and attractive scenery's within all of Japan. They will take your breath away as they are the life and blood of the Japanese people and even today society still revolves around this staple of their diet, RICE!
The month long rains have ceased from the resulting rainy season, the newly planted Rice Fields are bathed in sunlight, fueled by the pure mountain water and the necessary nutrients. The rice seedlings are growing slowly day by day and yours truly can't get enough of the gorgeous scenery that is evident everywhere in rural Nagasaki. You can literally see the rice stalks increasing in height and volume almost daily and every week their is a considerable change in its shape and size. Nature working in tandem with the environment to provide us with a plentiful bounty.
Rice is the staple diet of this island and mountainous country. Therefore it is necessary to grow the National staple in every nook and cranny that is available in order to feed the 130 million populace. And when i mean every nook and cranny i am not joking, the one thing about the Japanese is that for hundreds and thousands of years they have had to be ingenious about their efficiency and effectiveness to survive as a result of many physical, natural and environmental limitations. As a result images of Nagasaki Rice Tiered Fields are a common sight which is great for scenery lovers such as myself.
The month long rains have ceased from the resulting rainy season, the newly planted Rice Fields are bathed in sunlight, fueled by the pure mountain water and the necessary nutrients. The rice seedlings are growing slowly day by day and yours truly can't get enough of the gorgeous scenery that is evident everywhere in rural Nagasaki. You can literally see the rice stalks increasing in height and volume almost daily and every week their is a considerable change in its shape and size. Nature working in tandem with the environment to provide us with a plentiful bounty.
Rice is the staple diet of this island and mountainous country. Therefore it is necessary to grow the National staple in every nook and cranny that is available in order to feed the 130 million populace. And when i mean every nook and cranny i am not joking, the one thing about the Japanese is that for hundreds and thousands of years they have had to be ingenious about their efficiency and effectiveness to survive as a result of many physical, natural and environmental limitations. As a result images of Nagasaki Rice Tiered Fields are a common sight which is great for scenery lovers such as myself.
Take a look at the video below to see what the Nagasaki and Fukuoka Tiered Rice Fields looks like:
Restored Camphor Trees: Nagasaki City
The Camphor Trees are an amazing and worthwhile location to check out whilst you are in Nagasaki City. The Camphor Trees have a trunk circumference of eight and six meters respectively are among the largest camphor trees in the city. Both trees were broken at the upper portion on the trunk as a result of the 1945 atomic bombing and thus are now only about 10 meters in height. However the branches have flourished to form a huge canopy measuring 40 meters east to west and 25 meters north to south. Although stripped of leaves and almost killed by the atomic bombing, the trees eventually budded and regained their vitality.
Today they are a reminder that the human spirit (nature) has the ability to heal and regain its previous condition and in many cases become a better or stronger person in the process. It is this hope and spirit that will help us all when in need and guide us when necessary. A visit to the Camphor Trees will turn a bad day in a good one and a terrible mood into a happy one. I sometimes come here to refresh the mind and the soul and can't help but be moved by what these tress had to go through to survive!
Another one of those inspirational stories that need to be seen to be believed! An absolute must visit for anyone who wants to see, feel and breathe a good heart felt story of survival. It just shows us that we should never give up and have hope for the future.
Check out these Camphor Trees on the map below:
Click on the pics below to enlarge:
Click on the videos below to see the Nagasaki Camphor Trees in their present state today:
Today they are a reminder that the human spirit (nature) has the ability to heal and regain its previous condition and in many cases become a better or stronger person in the process. It is this hope and spirit that will help us all when in need and guide us when necessary. A visit to the Camphor Trees will turn a bad day in a good one and a terrible mood into a happy one. I sometimes come here to refresh the mind and the soul and can't help but be moved by what these tress had to go through to survive!
Another one of those inspirational stories that need to be seen to be believed! An absolute must visit for anyone who wants to see, feel and breathe a good heart felt story of survival. It just shows us that we should never give up and have hope for the future.
Check out these Camphor Trees on the map below:
Click on the pics below to enlarge:
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| Shrine entrance |
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| Alive and thriving |
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| Background info |
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| Worth a look |
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| Superb message for all |
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| Survival at its most remarkable |
Click on the videos below to see the Nagasaki Camphor Trees in their present state today:
Monday, July 11, 2011
Atomic Bomb Museum: Nagasaki City
The Atomic Bomb Museum in Nagasaki is located in the park above the epicenter. It's exhibits show the overwhelming destruction caused by the bombing while also telling us the importance of world peace and the removal of weapons to protect the Earth from something like this ever happening again!
It is a very sobering place and definitely not for the faint hearted as the stories, exhibits and pictures are extremely graphic. There hasn't been a time when I haven't seen someone crying out loud and or emotionally uncontrollable. This museum definitely isn't every one's cup of tea. However, it is important to remember history and not to forget about the past as this is the way we don't make the same mistakes of the past. So, in that sense the museum can be a great place to come together and never let this happen again for the benefit of mankind.
There isn't a lot of English posted but that might not be a bad thing as the graphic details definitely provides more than enough information to process at any given time. Recommend that people really think about their desired objectives in what they want to achieve whilst in Nagasaki and this will basically provide the impetus of whether or not a Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum visit is warranted! I always give our Private Nagasaki Tour customers this choice to make for themselves.
Check out the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum on a map:
Click on the photos below to enlarge:
Here is a video taken from the roof of the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and shows the Peace Park below:
It is a very sobering place and definitely not for the faint hearted as the stories, exhibits and pictures are extremely graphic. There hasn't been a time when I haven't seen someone crying out loud and or emotionally uncontrollable. This museum definitely isn't every one's cup of tea. However, it is important to remember history and not to forget about the past as this is the way we don't make the same mistakes of the past. So, in that sense the museum can be a great place to come together and never let this happen again for the benefit of mankind.
There isn't a lot of English posted but that might not be a bad thing as the graphic details definitely provides more than enough information to process at any given time. Recommend that people really think about their desired objectives in what they want to achieve whilst in Nagasaki and this will basically provide the impetus of whether or not a Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum visit is warranted! I always give our Private Nagasaki Tour customers this choice to make for themselves.
Check out the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum on a map:
Click on the photos below to enlarge:
Student messages of Peace
Light display
Location of the blast
Melted clock
Amazing displays
Outer building
The walk down to the past
Lots of messages
Plenty of visitors
The entrance
Here is a video taken from the roof of the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and shows the Peace Park below:
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Buddhist Temple Carvings: Isahaya, Nagasaki Prefecture
Buddhist Temple Carvings in Nagasaki is a special place and I found this one up in the mountainous areas around Isahaya. This beautiful grotto has Buddhist Jizou sculptures, rock carvings of Bodhisattva's, waterfalls, fresh spring water, a Somen restaurant ( in summer only) and a temple. A various times of the year you may see devotees standing under the waterfall, men in loincloths and women in white smocks with hands clasped in prayer praying for peace, health and prosperity. I am sure I could do this in the middle of summer, in fact I would pay for this experience but to do it in the middle of winter in the freezing water, there is no way you give give me enough money to compensate for the misery and hardship!
My first visit was during the rainy season so the water was flowing down the mountain freely. I can tell you it is some of the clearest, cleanest and most delicious spring water I have ever tasted in my life. The peacefulness is also something else I can't describe. An amazing place with a certain magical aura about it! Another one of those places that you need to see to be believed and I will absolutely be returning at other times of the year to get a real sense of the environment and its impact on the amazing nature throughout the different seasons.
The rock carvings are also very impressive and gathering by its size and the location (perched up on a side of a hill) I am sure the artist who produced these stone carving obviously took a long time to complete the task at hand.
Come and check out the Buddhist Temple Carvings on a map.
Click on the pictures below to enlarge:
Spectacular Images
Rock Carvings
Sacred place
The Goddess
Check out this Buddhist Temple Carvings on the videos below:
My first visit was during the rainy season so the water was flowing down the mountain freely. I can tell you it is some of the clearest, cleanest and most delicious spring water I have ever tasted in my life. The peacefulness is also something else I can't describe. An amazing place with a certain magical aura about it! Another one of those places that you need to see to be believed and I will absolutely be returning at other times of the year to get a real sense of the environment and its impact on the amazing nature throughout the different seasons.
The rock carvings are also very impressive and gathering by its size and the location (perched up on a side of a hill) I am sure the artist who produced these stone carving obviously took a long time to complete the task at hand.
Come and check out the Buddhist Temple Carvings on a map.
Click on the pictures below to enlarge:
Spectacular Images
Rock Carvings
Sacred place
The Goddess
Check out this Buddhist Temple Carvings on the videos below:
Buddha Entering Nirvana: Shimabara City, Nagasaki Prefecture
The Buddha Entering Nirvana at the Kotoji Temple in Shimabara City was a place that I had heard about many times over but was of yet unable to find its true location. Tucked away in a sleepy neighborhood location it is basically in the most unlikely area to find such a massive and powerful statue such as a Buddha. To view the impressive and spectacular reclining Buddha as it is entering the state of Nirvana is awe inspiring and moving and really works to the core of one spirituality.
The statue measures 8.6m long and 2.2 m high and is a sparkling silver colour in appearance. It was built in 1957 to honor Itakura Shigemasa, who commanded the Tokugawa Government forces against the rebels during the Shimabara Rebellion. The statue is the longest reclining Buddha in Nagasaki and it lies within my backyard which I call the Shimabara Peninsular, incredible!!
To see the statue up close in its peaceful form was a real eye opener for me, especially since i am not Buddhist and don't know very much about the history of Buddhism. After about 20 or 30 minutes the impact of the statue become more evident as one can achieve a level of inner peace in a non meditation way. Well worth a visit and totally one of those surprise packets that one doesn't expect to find everyday of the week. I am sure you will need at least 30 minutes here at this spectacular location as it has that wow factor that everyone wants to feel.
Buddha Entering Nirvana comes highly recommended.
Please check out the Buddha entering Nirvana here on a map!
Please click on the photos below to enlarge:
Peaceful
Posing
Totally relaxed
Head shot
Sleeping beauty
Please click on the video below to see the Nagasaki Buddha Entering Nirvana:
The statue measures 8.6m long and 2.2 m high and is a sparkling silver colour in appearance. It was built in 1957 to honor Itakura Shigemasa, who commanded the Tokugawa Government forces against the rebels during the Shimabara Rebellion. The statue is the longest reclining Buddha in Nagasaki and it lies within my backyard which I call the Shimabara Peninsular, incredible!!
To see the statue up close in its peaceful form was a real eye opener for me, especially since i am not Buddhist and don't know very much about the history of Buddhism. After about 20 or 30 minutes the impact of the statue become more evident as one can achieve a level of inner peace in a non meditation way. Well worth a visit and totally one of those surprise packets that one doesn't expect to find everyday of the week. I am sure you will need at least 30 minutes here at this spectacular location as it has that wow factor that everyone wants to feel.
Buddha Entering Nirvana comes highly recommended.
Please check out the Buddha entering Nirvana here on a map!
Please click on the photos below to enlarge:
Peaceful
Posing
Totally relaxed
Head shot
Sleeping beauty
Please click on the video below to see the Nagasaki Buddha Entering Nirvana:
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