Insight into Japan's beauty.

The Michelin Red Guide of Tokyo edition was issued in 2007, saying Tokyo boasted eight restaurants with a three-star rating and the total stars for 150 restaurants in the book reached 191. Paris, well known as a city of delicious foods, was by far exceeded by this Asian capital.
Famous Japanese foods such as 'sushi','tempura', 'sashimi' and 'soba' are served at a specialized long-established restaurant respectively, and not only cooks but also waitresses have their own knowledge and skill. In addition, the style of structure, interior and exterior, of each restaurant is unique.
After that, in 2010, Kyoto-Osaka edition was published.
In total, there are 26 restaurants with a three-star rating, 100 two-star and 383 one-star, particularly in Tokyo and Kyoto,in the latest guide books.
As Japanese chefs acquire the traditional way of cooking through a 15-20 year-long apprenticeship, they tend to be proud of their skill.
Many high-end Japanese restaurants refuse service to customers without an introduction.
However, these time-honored traditions seem to have begun to give way to the examiner from The Michelin Guide.

Licensed tour guide/travel assistant.

Kunisaki Peninsula, where 'Fuki-ji' stands, was flourishing as a place of Buddhist culture, having had something to do with nearby 'Usa-jingu' Shinto shrine built in the 8th century. Trainee monks of Mountain religion, that is Japan's native animism, regarded this peninsula as a holy ground in ancient times.
After that, these structures related to animism began to transform into Buddhist temples in the 8th to 12th century and sixty-five temples were finally built here.
'Fuki-ji' is one of the largest temples in this district , well preserving a character typical of temple building in those days.
'Nio-mon' gate, as shown in the first picture, stands with a pair of 'nio' guardian gods. The second picture shows 'amida-do',also called 'o-do', which is the oldest existing wooden structure in Kyushu and is a national treasure. An old 'amida-nyorai' seated figure of Buddha is enshrined in this building, surrounded by a wall painting of Paradise. These are designated as important cultural assets.

Licensed tour guide/travel assistant,
Masahisa Takaki.
通訳案内士　高木聖久

Right before the start of the Pacific War, in 1936, the steam locomotive D-51 was put in production to beef up Japan's logistics, preparing for the coming war. On the war footing, this locomotive was mass-produced by five private corporations and eight factories of the Ministry of Railways of the day, in that this engine was designed for freight transportation. The total production reached 1115 in number for ten years from 1936 to 1945.
After the war, the demand for freight nose-dived, while for passenger trains sky-rocketed, because many people felt compelled to travel around in search of food.
Therefore D-51 was improved to work for passengers, and had kept on running against the electrification and dieselization trend.
The D-51 in the picture, which is one of many exhibits of D-51 in Japan, is on display at National Museum of Nature and Science in Ueno, Tokyo.

Licensed tour guide/travel assistant,
Masahisa Takaki.

通訳案内士　高木聖久