Emperor enthronement day Oct.22, 2019 turned out to be a special national holiday.
October. 22nd has became a memorable day for me. I was in Kyoto, being an assistant guide at Tofukuji Temple with 13 American guests on...
Nara YAMATO
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Spiritual land of Japan
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Akiko
- Sep 25, 2019
A full day YAMATO tour with Caitilin.
A full-day tour in YAMATO, Nara with Caitilin from Australia. 🌲 She finished her Yoga retreat in Hokkaido and came down all the way to...
Akiko
- Aug 31, 2019
About my tours on a monthly magazine「 ならら（NARARA)」
Monthly magazines, "Narara" issue August, 2019 Special feature: "Regeneration" -water of life- I wrote a short report about my Yamato...
Akiko
- Apr 30, 2019
Heisei era last day!
I just want to share some beautiful photos of the cherry blossoms I took this April. Today is the last day of "Heisei" (平成）era. The...
Akiko
- Nov 24, 2018
Airbnb
I have started to be a host of tours (experiences) in Nara, YAMATO, through Airbnb. https://www.airbnb.jp/experiences/206999 I am an...
Akiko
- Oct 26, 2018
Kofukuji Temple's Central Golden Hall The Grand Consecration and Devotion
Kofukuji Temple was founded at the time of the relocation of the capital to Nara in 710, and marked the 1300 -year anniversary in the...
Akiko
- Sep 23, 2018
Todaiji Temple, a best stage for love and peace through art.
One early autumn night of 8th of September, Todaiji Temple was re-opened at 6PM for the lucky 2,000 people chosen by a drawing for a...
Akiko
- Aug 17, 2018
TOKA-E 2018
Kasugano enchi (春日野園地） Kofukuji-temple, Five-story Pagoda （興福寺・五重塔） Sarusawa pond (猿沢池） in front of the Nara prefectural government...
Akiko
- Jun 16, 2018
Zen --the life of Zen master Dogen
"Zen (禅） - The Life Of Zen Master Dogen (道元" OMG, I found the full movie on Youtube...! (click the above title to see) I saw this movie...
Akiko
- May 29, 2018
Recent ZEN 禅 boom is from abroad?!
Last year and this year's April, I had an honor to tour guide about 30 people from Upaya Zen Center to Kasuga Grand Shrine in Nara....
Akiko
- May 28, 2018
ZEN gardens & temples in KYOTO, first comprehensive guide book!
I was happy to be invited to a book launch of this new book, "Zen Gardens and Temples of Kyoto" written by John Dougill (TUTTLE) The...
Akiko
- Mar 27, 2018
"Shuni-e" ceremony brings spring to Nara
(picture from Wikipedia "shun-e (修二会）") Nigatsudo Hall（二月堂) or the Second Month Temple stands on the hillside of the Todaiji Temple's...
Akiko
- Feb 13, 2018
Photos during the tours
Here are some photos taken during the tours in Nara and Kyoto. Some photos are from 2016, as I made this website in April 2017. I...
Akiko
- Feb 3, 2018
"空海ーKU-KAI ー": a new movie 2018
On February 24, 2018, a new movie titled "空海ーKU-KAIー”will be released in Japan. KUKAI (618-907) is one of the popular and famous monk...
Akiko
- Jan 14, 2018
"MISOGI", the first step to going back to your true Self
Waterfall of priest KUYA（空也の滝） Can you imagine yourself standing under this waterfall ----(in winter)? Such a training actually take...
Akiko
- Oct 12, 2017
Nara's products 1: Ink stick (sumi 墨）
Ink stick (sumi) and brush manufacturing businesses is a time-honored industry in Nara since Nara period ( 8th century ). As an ancient...
Akiko
- Oct 5, 2017
We should have broader perspectives.
(image from internet) I have noticed, these days, there are people who grew up among the Christian families and environment, but...
Akiko
- Sep 22, 2017
The Heart sutra (3) in English
I found a new English version of the Heart Sutra translated by Hideo Levy (リービ英雄) , an America-born author in Japanese. I first knew...
Akiko
- Sep 22, 2017
The Heart Sutra (2) Sutra copying
Today, many temples offer experience of “Sutra copying” experience, and some old temples, such as Yakushi-ji Temple in Nara encourage...
Akiko
- Sep 22, 2017
The Heart Sutra (Hannya shingyo般若心経)
The Heart Sutra is by far the most popular and well known Sutra in Japanese Buddhism regardless of the sects. Its Sanskrit title,...