St Augustin

The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.
Who lives sees much, who travels sees more.



Tuesday, April 12, 2011

A - Z Challenge - J is for Japan

Due to the devestating earthquake and tsunami, I couldn't go past Japan for my J challenge. I'm not showing any disaster photos. We've all seen enough of those. I'm showing the beautiful Japan known to the Japanese and visitors alike. Enjoy the trip with me.





Majestic Mt Fuji



Japanese Macaques or Snow Monkeys at Jigokudani hot spring in Nagano. How weird are they? Has anyone seen them?


A tea plantation at the foot of Mount Fuji west of Tokyo. Woo, all that green tea! Yum!


Neon signs in Shinjuku commercial center in Tokyo. Apparently it's a bit quieter these days.


Skyline of Nagasaki at night. Hard to believe it was once nearly annhilated.


The Matsumoto Castle during Cherry Blossom in Nagano


Japanese lantern and Maple tree in Kyoto park


Maple trees in Kyoto park. As someone said, the most beautiful poem can never beat a tree.


Calm Zen lake and bonsai trees in Tokyo garden.


Giant Buddha monument in Kamakura near Tokyo. I imagine a sad look of the face at the devestation that hit Japan recently.

All I can say is what a gorgeous country. Let's visit and help get their economy back on track. Go here to look at more of these wonderful pictures courtesy of Japan Vacations.

18 comments:

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Denise .. beautiful photos and thanks for sharing Japan's beauty .. despite their recent devastations.

Your comment about not being able to beat a good tree .. gosh that's a wonderful photo .. can quite see why here .. so much mystery, pleasure and creativity to see within this one shot.

Love your tours .. thanks - Hilary

Talli Roland said...

Beautiful photos. I love the monkeys! What a gorgeous country.

RosieC said...

Once again, great pictures. You're making me just want to get on a plane and go wherever it takes me! :)

Rosie
East for Green Eyes

Tiger85 said...

Wow these photos are just beautiful. Looking at them takes my breath away. =)

Poetry, Quotes and Book Reviews.

Susan Spann said...

Great photos - thanks for showing a beautiful side of Japan. There's so much to appreciate in Japanese culture!

Found you through the A to Z challenge - keep on track, I can't wait to see where you go from here!

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

I look at those beautiful pictures and wonder how and why Japan is so desperate at this moment.
You did a lovely blog and was a pleasure to look at.

Thanks for the visit and comment.
Yvonne.

Denise Covey said...

Well I've got around to most of you but Susan, your profile is not enabled so I can't visit you.

Denise<3

Bluestocking Mum said...

How beautiful those photos are.
It has been so terribly sad for the people in Japan. And now this ongoing instability with the way nature continues to rock the country.

Thank you for visiting my blog. It's good to make your acquaintance and I look forward to following your progress.

warm wishes
Debbie

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

fantastic pics. I especially like the monkeys ;)

DEZMOND said...

wow, that tea plantation is simply mesmerizing, I could stare at it all day long. And the gardens are also stunning.

Dawn Embers said...

Excellent pictures. I almost ended up going to Japan but it's probably a good thing I didn't. Hope to one day travel there.

Michelle in a shell said...

I'm all for signing up to take a trip! And it is beautiful. I had never been too interested in Japan up until relatively recently...but i do really want to go :/

Claire Goverts said...

Such beautiful pictures. Japan is one of the countries I would love to visit someday, probably in spring for the cherry blossoms.

Denise Covey said...

It is great to see such postitive comments about this beautiful country where the greater part is not affected by the terrible events.

Denise<3

Alison Pearce Stevens said...

Gorgeous photos! I absolutely LOVE Japanese maples. Thanks for featuring Japan in its glory.

Laura Eno said...

What gorgeous photos! I'd love to see a tea plantation like that.

Donea Lee said...

Just beautiful! I love the trees, and that field of green tree! *sigh* Lovely, gorgeous, stunning! Thanks for sharing ~ :)

Michael Di Gesu said...

So breathtaking.... They've managed to rebuild after WWII, they should be able to come back after their latest tragedy. As long as they can keep that nuclear plant from blowing. We'll all be in big trouble if that happens.