Akiko Murakami
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...
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Akiko Murakami
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 Murakami
Oct 25, 2018
New life for old towns through sustainable tourism: Alex Kerr at TEDxKyoto 2013
Alex Kerr is an American known as Japanologist. Recently, he is well known as an official advisor for the Japanese government on...
Akiko Murakami
Sep 27, 2018
Naomi Osaka, a new star of the world of tennis.
This is a historical moment that Naomi Osaka spoke to the press after winning the US Open on Sept. 9, 2018. This marked the first...
Akiko Murakami
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 Murakami
Sep 22, 2018
JOMON is booming in Japan!
What do you think of these unique artifacts, especially the one on the below? Some people say they look like non-earthly human.. All...
Akiko Murakami
Jul 26, 2018
Two days with Suzann
I had such a good time with Suzann from Quebec, Canada touring around Nara for 2 and half days. It started with a sudden Facebook...
Akiko Murakami
Jun 27, 2018
Nara deer (vol. 1)
Deer have been present on the Japanese archipelago since before man appeared. They are often mentioned in the Man-yo-syu Poems, the...
Akiko Murakami
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 Murakami
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 Murakami
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 Murakami
May 16, 2018
Very cute & informative website on Nara!
I've found one of the best online information source on Nara created by the local Nara company. So well made, and I was super impressed! ...
Akiko Murakami
Apr 30, 2018
TENPYO SAI festival is coming soon (May 3-5) in Nara
"TENPYO SAI " , a new annual spring festival in Nara to commemorate the Tenpyo era, or Nara period (8th century) when Nara was the...
Akiko Murakami
Apr 27, 2018
Kasuga grand Shrine and wisteria
Kasuga grand Shrine is located at the foot of Mt. Mikasa with a history of 1250 years. Walking around the Kasuga Shrine complex, along...
Akiko Murakami
Mar 28, 2018
How do we know SAKURA season?
Many foreign travelers express their wish to come back to Japan during SAKURA (桜）, or cherry blossom season．However, the blooming season...
Akiko Murakami
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 Murakami
Mar 18, 2018
UME, Japanese plum blossom is the sign of Spring
February is the coldest season in Japan, and yes it sometimes snows. This year, we had unexpectedly large amount of snow fall in many...
Akiko Murakami
Mar 15, 2018
A super international man in Nara period: Abe-no Nakamaro (阿倍仲麻呂）
The year 2017 was a historical year, 1300th anniversary year since Abe-no Nakamaro left Japan's capital city Nara, "Heijokyo" in 717. ...
Akiko Murakami
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 Murakami
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...
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