Japan

A visit to the oldest Sensõ-ji temple in Tokyo

Sensō-ji is Tokyo’s oldest and most historically significant Buddhist temple, located in the Asakusa district of Tokyo.  It was founded in the year 628 CE, making it nearly 1,400 years old.

Inside the Temple Grounds of Sensõ-ji

We arrived in the morning to explore the temple. It was a perfect day and the cherry trees were beginning to blossom. There were large crowds already there exploring the temple grounds.

Shelley at the entrance of the Sensõ-ji temple area

We entered into the grounds of the temple and began to explore the different areas. We came to the main temple area and we were struck by its unique style and details.

We  explored several of the structures which had specific purposes of the temple.

Ray and Shelley at the Sensõ-ji Temple
ceremonial floats carried by worshipers in the annual ceremony.

The structures were very detailed and quite interesting to see. We came across the Buda and other statues of the temple.


There was a traditional marriage ceremony happening while we were there. It was quite interesting to watch as the bride and groom where pulled through the temple walkway in the carriage wearing the traditional clothing.

Our guide explained to us how the white headpiece of the bride  is called a tsunokakushi, which literally means “horn-hiding.” According to tradition and folklore, this head covering is meant to conceal the bride’s metaphorical “horns,” representing feelings like jealousy or ego. Which may come out later in the marriage.

Traditional kimono worn by many at the temple

The culture and dress were extraordinary and quite interesting to see. We walked throughout the temple area looking at all the uniqueness and details. It was an experience that was enjoyable and memorable.


Sensō-ji is a spiritual site blending ancient traditions with modern Tokyo life. 

「時は矢のごとく過ぎ去る。」

Japan

Our first day In Japan

Shelley and I landed in Tokyo after our 15 hour flight with a mix of excitement and also tired from our flight. We made our way to the hotel and checked into our room. We unpacked, freshened up, and took a moment to look out over the city. Tokyo stretched endlessly before us, below near our hotel was a Japanese Garden.

View from our hotel room in Tokyo
View of Japanese Gardeon from our Hotel.

Even after the long journey, we felt an energy in the air that made it impossible to feel tired for long. 

We decided to spend our first day exploring the traditional Japanese garden near our hotel.  The noise of the city softened into the background. The water falls and beautiful Koi fish made it peaceful and relaxing.

Shelley in the Japanese Garden in Tokyo


We wandered without any real plan, stopping often just to admire the details in everything around us.

That evening, we kept things simple, choosing a nice meal at the hotel and rest over rushing into more sightseeing.

It gave us time to reflect on the day and build anticipation for what was to come. 

We enjoyed some Japan beer, a nice meal then headed off to get some well deserved rest before the start of our adventures in Japan.

“その瞬間は二度と繰り返されないのだから、一つひとつを大切にしましょう。”

Germany

Historischer Kunstbunker Overview

We booked a guided tour of the Historischer Kunstbunker which is a secret facility used during World War II to protect valuable artworks. If we hadn’t known what we were looking for, we would have walked right past it.

Doorway into the Art Bunker

The entrance to the Historischer Kunstbunker is hidden in plain sight, appearing as nothing more than an ordinary door set into a building that looks just like the rest on the street. There are no dramatic signs to suggest that behind the doors lies one of Nuremberg’s most important wartime hiding places.

entrance from street into the underground art storage areas

That quiet, almost secretive entrance set the tone for the entire experience. When the door opened and we descended the stone slope into the underground, the air grew cooler and heavier. Our guide explained that these tunnels were originally medieval beer cellars, later transformed during World War II in 1940 into a secure bunker for priceless works of art.

Generator and infrastructure of the bunker

We came to a section which branched off into areas where art was stored. It was easy to imagine wooden crates stacked along the walls, filling the chambers from floor to ceiling. Our guide described how paintings, sculptures, manuscripts, and religious objects were carefully wrapped, labeled, and stored, with temperature and humidity closely controlled to prevent damage. The bunker extends approximately 78 feet (24 meters) underground.

The guide was asked who did all the labour and paid for the bunkers and she explained that Jews from the local war camp did the labour. That was a somber thought of how many people died and suffered for the creation of this hidden bunker. 

Some of the stollen art images on display.

There was a section of the bunker fortified with vault like doors. Behind these doors were artifacts and art of immense value. 

Vault like door in the Bunker

Perhaps the most powerful moment of the tour came when we learned that the Imperial Regalia of the Holy Roman Empire, including the Imperial Crown had also been hidden here.

There were several different areas of storage with fortified doors. During the war, the Nazis systematically looted art from occupied territories and Jewish collections. An estimated 20% of Europe’s artwork was stolen, with many pieces stored in the Kunstbunker for protection.

Some of the notable artworks stored here were Veit Stoss’ Annunciation: A significant altarpiece. The Erdapfel: A globe created by Martin Behaim in 1492 and the Codex Manesse: An important manuscript.

The idea that objects representing centuries of history and identity were stolen and concealed behind an ordinary door on a normal street was astonishing. 

“bis zum nächsten Mal, “

Germany

Nuremberg Trials

Located in the Palace of Justice, The Nuremberg Trials Museum, also known as the Memorium Nuremberg Trials, preserves the very place where the Nuremberg Trials were held, and where the world first attempted to hold leaders accountable for crimes against humanity.
Nuremberg Palace of Justice
When we arrived at the front of the building, we were surprised at just how ordinary it appeared. It looked like a typical government building. There was nothing about the exterior that hinted at the gravity of what had taken place inside. However from the moment we entered the building, there was a quiet weight in the air. This was not a museum meant for casual wandering, it was a place of Justice and for reflection.
Courtroom 600 where the Nuremberg Trials took place
We began by going into Courtroom 600 and we sat on one of the courtroom benches.  We looked at the layout of the courtroom and imagines how the court process that would have taken place.  It felt  surreal sitting in the actual courtroom on the actual bench. A few minutes later there was a semi transparent screen which lowered slowly down and the curtains closed and lights dimmed.
Courtroom 600 location of the Nuremberg Trials
The screen covered the whole front of the courtroom although we could see through the screen to the courtroom. There was a hush  and then original footage from the actual Nuremberg Trials began to play. Seeing the real defendants, hearing their voices, and watching the proceedings unfold in the very room where we were seated made the experience deeply personal. What was truly unique was that the courtroom layout was visible through the screen and if gave a sense that we were witnesses there in real time.  After about 20 minutes the screen lifted and we continued onto the next section which contained different displays. We gained a deeper understanding of the complexity of the trials, the legal challenges, the moral questions, and the lasting impact on international law and human rights. The Museum did not shy away from difficult truths, nor did it sensationalize them. Instead, it presented history with honesty and respect. It took us about two hours to slowly go through the different displays and read, watch historic video clips and see the entire displays.
window on the second floor where news cameras were located during the trials
By the end of our visit, we felt emotionally drained and it was a somber experience. While “enjoyable” may seem like an unusual word for such a place, it fits in the sense that the visit was enriching, educational, and deeply moving. “Bis zur Nistzeit”
Germany

Nuremberg Christmas Markets

In December we took a memorable four day trip to Nuremberg to experience its famous Christmas Markets.  We stayed in the heart of the old town centre, which allowed us easy access to explore the historic centre.

View of one of the historic streets we explored in Nuremberg

Walking into the main square for the first time, was so impressive.  The market sits right in the centre of the old town, surrounded by historic buildings.

We explored Nuremberg’s markets which stretched across different areas of the old town.  

Everywhere we turned there were glowing stalls decorated with evergreen branches, shimmering ornaments, and golden lights. 

Ray standing in the arch of the fortified wall of Nuremberg

The air was filled with the sound of cheerful Christmas music, and chatter and laughter and of course the smell of Sausages roasting on BBQ Grills. 

We wandered from one decorated stall to another, admiring handmade crafts, wooden toys, Children rides, candles, and festive keepsakes.

And oh, the food! We made sure to enjoy the flavours of the season. We had some Nuremberg sausages, grilled and tucked into fresh rolls with spicy Mustard.

Shelley and Ray enjoying traditional Nuremberg sausages

Of course, we couldn’t resist the gingerbread man cookie for dessert. 

There was a historic house which was decorated as an advent Calendar house.

Advent house in Nuremberg

Each window was decorated and numbered for each day in December.  Every evening at 6 PM they would play a traditional German Christmas song along with lighting of each window. We decided to stay enjoy some Glühwein and take in the show.

We walked along the fortified city walls and came to some beautiful areas in the heart of the city. 

 

The Christmas markets in Nuremberg were truly a memorable experience. One we enjoyed but our time in Nuremberg wasn’t only about Christmas. We also wanted to understand the city beyond the holiday cheer, so we spent time visiting some of its World War II historical sites. But that is for another Post.

“Ich wünsche dir alles Gute und frohe Weihnachten”

Life is too short to wait for adventure!