Trip to Japan: 7 Places for Seekers of Ancient Japanese Culture

Tourism is becoming easier and travel is becoming more difficult. Today, discovering a temple where the Ainu practice animistic rituals can be as difficult as reaching a village of the Ainu through the snowy forests of Hokkaido in the early 20th century. If we are looking for an authentic experience and a glance at a museum display case is not enough, we are facing a real challenge. That is why we have prepared this guide for you before a trip to Japan. All trips organized by Planet Escape are the answers to your specific questions and if the following hidden corners Japan If you are interested, we will weave them into an original program of a trip tailored to you. Here are our suggestions for a journey through authentic Japan.

All the colors of Japan

Tokyo, Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Koya San, Osaka
The unique culture of this place has always fascinated Westerners. The Land of the Rising Sun, where the rites of different religions overlap, has no equivalent anywhere in the world. Modern technology and ancient customs exist here simultaneously. Add to that the amazing, well-kept nature - all this is a must-see when going on holiday to Japan.

Nikko – the power of the shogun

Nikko, located in the mountains, attracted ascetics and hermits, and pilgrims and loners followed in their footsteps. The refreshing coolness of the mountain lake and the riot of colors on the vast meadows were appreciated by the elites of old Tokyo, and Nikko became a popular summer resort in the Edo period. When the shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu founded a mausoleum for his ancestor here – the founder of the shogunate – the trip to Nikko took on additional significance. The shogun held real power over the country and paying homage to his ancestors was welcomed for political reasons, and was also intended to ensure the durability of this family's rule.

The most important temple complex in Nikko, Tosho-Gu, was worked on by 15 craftsmen. Its scale is still impressive today, and in the 80th century it clearly demonstrated the power of its founder: 55 buildings were erected on an area of ​​23 square kilometers, including XNUMX main pavilions! Even the stables, decorated with a bas-relief of three wise monkeys as an illustration of the Confucian principle of "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" and refraining from evil, have become a part of history and popular culture. This maxim in classical Japanese resembles the word "monkey", hence the association in the sculptor's mind. It was this representation that permeated the culture of the entire region, with time spreading ever wider. In the Western world, the proverb has taken on a different meaning and is interpreted as feigning ignorance by people who want to avoid responsibility, and in mafia circles it even means a conspiracy of silence.

Nikko is associated with three monkeys – although not exactly the ones caught in the snow

To reflect the atmosphere of the shogunate era in Nikko, an interactive amusement park from the Edo period, the era of the shogunate from the 17th century, was opened. The guides/employees here walk around in clothes from that period and imitate the behavior of representatives of a given social class - courtiers, craftsmen, merchants. Visitors can also dress up in period clothing! The employees treat visitors depending on their social status, which they can recognize from their clothing. A samurai guide will treat a servant differently, a merchant differently, and a person from the shogun's entourage differently. You can change clothes and experience the hierarchy and power of the social systems of the Edo period first-hand.

Nikko - Shinto shrine

In the 20th century, ambassadors and diplomats came to Nikko for their holidays. Over the years, the landscape assets of the area have changed little, but have become more accessible, and today, during your holidays in the Senjogahara meadows, you will meet Japanese people catching butterflies and hunting insects, as collecting cockchafers and crickets is a popular hobby in this country. Nikko attracts Japanese people seeking respite among nature and ancient traditions.

Kanazawa -ninja temple

Like any ruler, the shogun feared armed resistance and forbade the construction of fortifications and defensive structures. Castles were forbidden, but temples were allowed, which opened up the field for resourceful feudal lords. One of these, Myoryuji in Kanazawa, is famous as a place suitable for ninja. Invisible, hidden warriors would have a field day here: numerous deceptive defense systems, trapdoors, hidden passages in the walls and man-sized hiding places encourage sneaking, looking for hiding places and convenient places to attack – or defend. The so-called “nightingale floor” made a sound when pressed as soon as someone slipped into the room and set foot on it. The temple was thus a hidden stronghold or outpost and a clever way to circumvent the law. Thanks to the hidden tunnels, in the event of an attack, the defenders could alert the lord of the castle a few hundred meters away. This entire fascinating internal labyrinth system can only be viewed in a group with a Japanese guide and it is worth booking this tour in advance… During Japan tours with Planet Escape we will organize a place for you in this small group.

Kanazawa - Higashi Chaya District

Matsumoto: City of Art from Woodcuts to Pop Art

A more modern place is Matsumoto, which has an extraordinary history and equally interesting inhabitants. They have shown their strength and commitment several times, for example when in the 19th century they saved the only wooden castle in Japan from demolition. Recognized by the authorities in Tokyo as a relic of a previous era, it did not fit the vision of a modern city, and the residents made sure that the black "Raven Castle" that had been the seat of 23 generations of administrators could continue to serve their community. A hundred years later, when frogs disappeared from the local Metoba River, the residents considered it not only proof of environmental pollution but also a bad omen and did everything to make the amphibians return. They cleaned up the area, changed water regulations and built the Kaeru Daimyojin frog temple, hoping for the return of amphibians and protective Shinto spirits. In the 70s, such religious and ritual arguments appealed to the Japanese more than nature conservation, and the frogs reappeared and became the city's mascot, emblem and recognizable symbol, reproduced on souvenirs from holidays in Japan.

Raven Castle in Matsumoto

Like the decorations with cute frogs, geometric motifs and circles referring to the work of Yaoi Kusama are striking in Matsumoto. This artist, born 90 years ago in Matsumoto, has the status of an icon, a star of world pop art and op art. When she lived in New York, she moved in the same circles as Andy Warhol, and her 1968 performance, when she married a same-sex couple, went down in the history of avant-garde art and social history as one of the first such events in the world. In 2008, one of her works was sold for $5,1 million, breaking the record for a work by a living artist. Today, Yaoi Kusama lives in a nursing home in Tokyo, has not been active in public for many years, and is better known in the world than in Japan.

There are many indications that the people of Matsumoto have always been fond of art. In the 300th century, a wealthy merchant, Sakai, collected ukiyo-e woodcuts for his own pleasure, depicting popular culture of the time, i.e. scenes from entertainment districts, theatre posters, images of actors and actresses, various courtesans, illustrations of well-known stories. At that time, these Japanese prints were treated like modern leaflets. Today, they are desired by collectors from all over the world. Over 100 years later, Sakai's descendants have amassed one of the largest private art collections in the world and have made available in Matsumoto a collection of over 000 prints. Works on paper are sensitive to light, so the exhibition is often changed - for lovers of Japan, it is a good excuse to come back here.

Himeji Castle – a treasure for the Japanese in the past and present

The black castle in Matsumoto is famous as the "Crow Castle" and in contrast to it, the seat of the feudal lords in Himeji is called the "White Heron Castle". The white building impresses with its harmonious exterior, in the landscape it looks light and dignified, hence the association with the heron. In literature, its beauty was praised as worthy even of the model ruler Hikaru Genji, the hero of the national poem "The Tale of Genji".

The castle consists of over 80 buildings, countless levels, gates, passages and alleys, all connected by narrow, steep stairs. The fortress was built for defensive purposes and is famous for one of the most difficult labyrinths defending the passage from the feudal seat to the main gate. The most spectacular element is the towers. Interestingly, there are no rooms there, because it is quite tight and hot at the top. The towers were only a final hideout, and the family ruling the castle was supposed to move there during a siege. The castle was designed to withstand a long siege. However, it was never attacked, as if its fame alone deterred potential attackers.

Himeji - White Heron Castle

Today, the White Heron Castle attracts tourists from Japan who are looking for the atmosphere of old times. Similar to the ninja temple in Kanzawa, the tour takes place in groups with a Japanese guide, and during the Japan tour with Planet Escape we can reserve a place for you in such a group. The stronghold is considered a treasure and treated with due respect. Scientists use historical techniques and means for reconstruction and renovation – for example, mortar was prepared from the ashes of burnt shells, just like in the 300th century. The effect of their work delights us as much as it did the travelers from XNUMX years ago.

Nara – the time of women and the message conveyed by the deer

Being in Kyoto During a trip around Japan, it is also worth visiting the country's first permanent capital. Nara served as the capital in the years 710–794, and this era is distinguished in the history of Japan as the "Nara period". It was a time of women, because out of the 7 rulers of that time, 4 were women - something unprecedented. However, not all Japanese women of that time had a real influence on their lives, as you can see in the Hokkeji temple. It was founded in 745 as a model place where pious women were to wait for death or enlightenment during prayers and contemplation. A characteristic trinket from Hokkeji is an amulet in the shape of a spotted dog, made of papier-mâché. The first dogs were supposedly made by Princess Komyo, and since then they have been molded and sold here as amulets for women, favorable in all matters important to them, not only family or home.

Nara – the capital of Japanese queens

The proximity of the imperial court attracted merchants from Korean, Chin i India, who brought with them different customs, as well as religion. Buddhism was then treated as the faith of wealthy Chinese and practicing it facilitated social advancement, and religion served as a tool to strengthen power. The ruler had divine origins only according to the Shinto religion, which is why Emperor Shomu declared himself the "Guardian of the Three Treasures" of Buddhism: Buddha, doctrine, and community. The growing influence of the Buddhist clergy prompted his successors to move the capital away from the monasteries, to today's Kyoto.

South Korea – the Asian Tiger

Seoul, Jeju, Buddhist Monastery, Busan
A journey through South Korea – an adventure in the ever-developing, stunning Seoul, on the beautiful, landscape-diverse Jeju Island, in Busan, full of extraordinary attractions and all kinds of entertainment, and a night in the privacy of a Buddhist temple! We invite you on a trip to South Korea – a fascinating country, whose customs and culture have survived almost untouched, the landscapes enchant with incomparable beauty, and the cities are a challenge for all the senses.

Today, Nara is a pilgrimage and tourist city. Ise with the imperial treasure is nearby, which you can read about below. In addition to people, the streets of Nara are also roamed by shika deer, considered messengers of the gods in Shinto. For centuries, killing a temple deer was punishable by death. Now they are mascots, and you can even buy wafers to feed the deer in vending machines.

Nara – Shika Deer

Ise – the most sacred insignia of power

 According to the Shinto religion, there are an infinite number of guardian spirits, kami, but only a few sacred objects. According to legend, the first emperor received three special regalia, and one of them is kept in Ise, the most important Shinto shrine in the country. During a trip to Japan, it is worth visiting the shrine near Nara to find yourself in the very heart of this religion. The imperial sword is in Nagoya, the jewel is in the treasury in the palace in Tokyo, and a bronze mirror is hidden in Ise. To us, Europeans, mirrors are associated with vanity, while in ancient Japan they symbolized truth, because a mirror shows only that which exists and is visible.

The mirror given by the gods is closely guarded. There are no photos or descriptions of it, no one knows what it looks like – whether it is really octagonal, as the historical name would have it. Only a priest, who must come from the imperial family, has access to the sacred place. Currently, conspiracy theories are multiplying that this Japanese relic does not really exist. However, there is certainly a belief and tradition that makes the Japanese guard this treasure – and this place. Every 20 years, the temples are dismantled and rebuilt during the shikinen sengusai ceremony, in accordance with the idea of ​​birth, death and the transformation of life, so that each generation can leave something of themselves in the sacred place. The last, 62nd reconstruction of the shrines took place in 2013.

On a trip around Japan, you can also stop by the "married rocks" rising near Ise. A straw rope weighing over a ton stretches between two outcrops emerging from the sea. It symbolizes the boundaries between the human and divine worlds, and according to legend, the pair of rocks are two deities: male and female, the creators of the world.

Nagasaki – Catholics as a Persecuted Religious Minority

Just as the emperor had abandoned Nara in the eighth century to curb the influence of Buddhism, so in the seventeenth century the influence of Catholic missionaries was curbed in Nagasaki, with the difference that the missionaries had to leave Japan or die. While Portugal, Holland, and England vied with each other on the world’s seas to divide up influence, European ships sailed into Japan through the port of Nagasaki. They brought goods for trade, weapons, customs—and religion. The Japanese authorities initially viewed the missionary activity as any other novelty, but it soon became clear that the belief in one God undermined the emperor’s divine origins and opened the door to disobedience, rebellion, and rebellion. The Portuguese were thrown out of Japan, the Dutch trading station was moved to the artificial island of Dejima near the port, and no other Europeans were allowed to disembark. To show the locals what awaited the followers of the new religion, 26 missionaries were captured and tortured, and then transported around the country. The missionaries were declared saints by the Catholic Church, and their horrific fate inspired not only European baroque painters but also Martin Scorsese, who portrayed them in the award-winning 2016 film Silence. Japanese Catholics returned to Shinto and Buddhism or went underground, for example, hiding figurines of the Virgin Mary in home altars. Legends still circulate that descendants of people who secretly cultivated Christian traditions still practice secret rituals from the 1945th century. Today, they resemble neither Shinto nor official Catholic doctrine; they are a "living relic" - if they exist not only in legends and rumors. Freedom of religion was introduced in Japan only after the changes in the mid-XNUMXth century, and then missionaries were able to return. One of them was Maximilian Kolbe, who founded the Franciscan monastery Mugenzai no Sono in Nagasaki, quite far from the city at that time, on a mountainside. Thanks to this location, the monastery survived when the atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki in XNUMX.

Nagasaki

Nagasaki is worth visiting as it is less popular than Hiroshima a place affected by the worst of the 13th century. The city centre was wiped off the face of the earth, but opulent summer houses survived in the area. There are still several XNUMXth-century residences here, from the times when the only foreigners in Japan were the Dutch, and the term "Dutch" meant everything Western. During a trip around Japan, it is worth seeing the house at Higashi Yamate XNUMX, which is open to visitors, where you can still feel the atmosphere of a representative European residence on the outskirts of the world at that time: most of the old furniture, transported from Europe by ships for many months, remained there. For the Japanese, it is an attraction and a true breath of old times, when making the sign of the cross or any other religious gesture was punishable by torture, confiscation of property and removal of the name from family history, and only a few Japanese could know a Western language or go to Europe as diplomats and spies, when Europe was exotic and inaccessible because it was forbidden.

If you visit Nagasaki during your trip around Japan, it is also worth visiting the abandoned island of Gunkanjima, located about 20 kilometers from the port, which you can read about in another article on our blog – A holiday with a thrill – a trail of the most interesting abandoned places in the world. Nagasaki seems distant and inaccessible, but it has advantages that you will not find in popular places. For Japanese Catholics, it is a place of pilgrimage, like Częstochowa, Lourdes or the Mexican sanctuary of Guadalupe.

Paris Syndrome in Japan: How to Defend Against It?

When Japanese tourists started traveling around Europe, many of them ended up in hospitals complaining of heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and anxiety. They dreamed of romantic views of the Eiffel Tower and the delights of the Louvre, but they mostly met other tourists, seafood didn't taste any better than in Tokyo restaurants, and ordering was much more difficult... The phenomenon of disappointment with a tourist spot - precisely because of its "tourist" nature - has been observed since the 80s, until in 2004 a Japanese doctor working in Paris, Hiroyuki Ota, called it the "Paris syndrome". Paradoxically, today these emotions affect not the Japanese, but tourists traveling to Japan. Could it be that the Japanese have also overtaken the West in terms of feelings and were the first to experience something that has long remained foreign to Europeans and Americans? Nobody wants to visit tourists. Fortunately, there is a way to travel to the Land of the Rising Sun feel a positive dizziness and accelerated heartbeat at the sight of the Raven Castle, at the sound of the nightingale floor in the ninja temple or among the Japanese worshipping the eternal shinto relics. In less popular places, real treasures await, and at Planet Escape we know how to organize transport and a trip to each of the nooks full of impressions. Thanks to this, your trip to Japan will be unforgettable - and unique.