Mist and clouds shrouded the surrounding hills. Snow was gently falling. The wind was cold and biting. Still, when we visited, an extraordinary energy pervaded Okunoin, Japan’s largest cemetery and one of its most holy places. Continue reading “Okunoin Cemetery”
Koyasan – Getting Around By Bus
If you are visiting from Osaka for one or two days and buy the Koyasan – World Heritage Ticket (which I strongly recommend you do) bus travel within Koyasan for two days is included as part of that ticket. Continue reading “Koyasan – Getting Around By Bus”
Osaka To Koyasan – By Train And Cablecar
Armed with our Koyasan – World Heritage tickets we got to Namba Station (Osaka) in time to catch the 7.24am train for our day-trip to Koyasan. With one change at Hashimoto (km 40.1) we would, and being Japan we did, arrive at Gokurakubashi Station some 60km away on schedule just over an hour and a half later. Here we would transfer to the Koyasan Cablecar for the short ride up to Koyasan Station where we would then take a bus into the township. Continue reading “Osaka To Koyasan – By Train And Cablecar”
From Osaka to Koyasan – Which Ticket?
I was almost put off visiting Koyasan based on the fact that everything I read about getting there made the whole process seem very complicated, not least the hideously complicated looking map of Namba station in Osaka (see below) which I would have to visit twice – once to pick up tickets if I pre-booked online and again catch the train. Continue reading “From Osaka to Koyasan – Which Ticket?”
Koyasan – A Sacred Place In The Mountains
Koyasan or Mt Koyo was one of my favourite stops on my 2014 visit to Japan. Tucked away in the hills only 60kms south of Osaka I very nearly left it off our itinerary, being put off by what appeared to be a rather complex process for getting there. I am glad I wasn’t deterred as it was not that hard to get to and so, so much worth it when we did. Continue reading “Koyasan – A Sacred Place In The Mountains”
Adelaide Botanic Garden
There are three Botanic Gardens in the Adelaide area:
The Adelaide Botanic Garden
Mount Lofty Botanic Garden, and
Wittunga Botanic Garden.
The now 125 acres Adelaide Botanic Garden which opened to the public in 1857, at the Eastern end of North Terrace, is the most accessible of the three. That doesn’t mean you should only go there. They are all very different and each very much worth a visit (separate reviews on the others). Continue reading “Adelaide Botanic Garden”
War Horse Memorial
While we are all very familiar with war memorials which remember, or act as a memorial to, people who took part in and/or died in wars one occasionally finds one to animals, most commonly horses. Continue reading “War Horse Memorial”
Light Horse Memorial
The Light Horse Memorial is dedicated to South Australian Light Horsemen who paid the supreme sacrifice in World War I, specifically in three theatres of war – Egypt, Palestine and Gallipoli. Continue reading “Light Horse Memorial”
Ayers House
In 1840, not long after the founding of the State of South Australia, Henry Ayers arrived from England intent on making his fortune in the new colony. Continue reading “Ayers House”
Scots Church
This neo-Gothic church, tucked in between ever-rising buildings on the intersection of Pulteney Street and North Terrace, is Adelaide’s second oldest church (Holy Trinity Anglican Church being the oldest). Continue reading “Scots Church”
The Rambling Wombat 