Memories and hints of a travelling IT professional.
In Merano, Italy the river Passiro runs into river Adige and at its river bank there is a beautiful Christmas market every year. This section of the town is lighted with thousands of lights and you can get mulled wine, sausages and different crafted products. Continue reading “Christmas market at the Passirio”
The Passo del Brennero as an important gateway through the alps and separates Austria from Italy. Many cars take this way each summer and it is also the route for the railway connecting München to Bolzano by crossing Austria. It belongs to the eastern alps and the Brennero itself is 1370 meters high. Continue reading “Brennero”
Nijō-jō is a former castle of the shōgun in Kyōto, Japan. It dates back to 1601 and was the away home in Kyōto – as the official seat of the shōgun was in Edo (today’s Tōkyō) by that time. Continue reading “Nijō-jō”
The castle of Ōsaka, Japan is a fortification built in 1583. Today only the walls around this place are original – the building itself has been rebuilt in the beginning of the 20th century CE. It is one of the most famous castles in Japan. Continue reading “Ōsaka-jō”
Visiting the city of Nara from Kyōto, Japan is an easy short trip by regional train – and it is really worth it. There are lots of important temples (including the largest Buddha statue) and a situation I’ve never seen before: deer living within the city center. Continue reading “Deer at the city”
The Kasuga-Taisha is a Shintō shrine in Nara, Japan and is a UNESCO world heritage site. It is located close to the two holy mountains Kasugayama and Mikasayama. The shrine is said to be built in 768. Continue reading “Kasuga-Taisha”
Japanese children learn to not talk to any stranger. This seems to be deeply engraved into Japanese culture and gives you the feeling of not being a foreigner, as nobody ever takes notice of you – even if you’re the only gaijin on the whole subway train. But it also doesn’t help you feel at home if nobody communicates with you. Continue reading “I’m from Jamaica”
An important Buddhist temple in Nara, Japan is Nigatsu-dō; the hall of the second month. It is located at the foot of the Wakakusa mountain in the east of the hall of the great Buddha. It was founded in the year 752 by a monk. Continue reading “Nigatsu-dō”
The Heian-jingū is a Shintō shrine in Kyōto, Japan. It was opened in 1895 to commemorate the foundation of the city 1100 years ago. In 1940 the remains of the last Tennō who reigned in the city was brought into the shrine. The torii at the entrance is the second largest in Japan, following the Yasukuni-jinja in Tōkyō. Continue reading “Heian-jingū”
The Tōdai-ji is an important Buddhist temple in Nara, Japan. It houses the biggest Buddha statue (daibutsu) with a height of 15 meters and a weight of 452 tons. The temple dates back to the year 745 and was last rebuilt in 1708. Continue reading “Tōdai-ji”