Destination: Japan

In the Octopus’ Garden

Mon, 21 Jul 2014 | By pcube | Views [419]

Away from the scintillating neon lights of Tokyo’s futuristic mega structures and the well trodden, history-seeped lanes of Kyoto, lies a small town on the Pacific coast: Minamisanriku, a haven for both family holidayers and backpackers. Facing ... Read more >

Tags: beaches, sunrise, sunset

Beginning at the End

Thu, 19 Jun 2014 | By emmac_5 | Views [403]

I'm heading home. It might seem like a strange time to begin recording my travel, but this is when the excitement, trepidation, and anticipation begins. To get where I am, I flew over an ocean. To get back to where I began, I'm going to travel by land.... Read more >

Tags: blathering, leaving, life

Photos: Japan/ Trip to Japan

Tue, 27 May 2014 | By ciel | Photo Gallery

Tags: golden pavilion, japan, kinkakuji temple, kobe, kyomizu temple, kyoto, osaka

Resting in Peace

Thu, 15 May 2014 | By anishasenaratne | Views [389] | Scholarship Entry

Somewhere along my meanderings, still heady from the thick pork broth settling in my stomach, I had taken a wrong turn. I’d swapped my lefts for my rights and stumbled into a cool niche tucked behind the stone path I had aimlessly wandered off. Leaves ... Read more >

Tags: 2014 Travel Writing Scholarship - Euro Roadtrip

The emotions of an insomniac

Thu, 15 May 2014 | By rituchandra | Views [270] | Scholarship Entry

I don’t remember the last time I consciously went to bed or switched off the bedroom lights. Sleep was, at first, unplanned and undesirable but eventually, elusive. I learned to manage with two hours of sleep a day. Panicking, self loathing, cursing, ... Read more >

Tags: 2014 Travel Writing Scholarship - Euro Roadtrip

Sekai ??? (the World)

Thu, 15 May 2014 | By justiposition | Views [256] | Comments [1] | Scholarship Entry

At 23, I had little curiosity for the world out there. I was content where I was, not realizing that the city I lived in was merely a dot-- almost invisible to the naked eye--on the map. At 24, a question was inexplicably instilled in me. And what better ... Read more >

Tags: 2014 Travel Writing Scholarship - Euro Roadtrip

Soundtracking Nishitetsu

Thu, 15 May 2014 | By nebosukeinjapanland | Views [156] | Scholarship Entry

So clearly the sun is not up yet but the girl can still hear the screams coming from downstairs by no other than her host mom, letting her know that once again her alarm clock went unnoticed by her and that she has tremendous willpower-when it comes to ... Read more >

Tags: 2014 Travel Writing Scholarship - Euro Roadtrip

My Spring in Winter

Thu, 15 May 2014 | By starsforsugar | Views [219] | Scholarship Entry

I take a deep breath and pushes open the door of Kikuzato Shogetsu. My heart is a piece of marshmallow, light with excitement and anxiousness, almost floating off into the crisp apple-like air. The only thought keeping me anchored is my dream of becoming ... Read more >

Tags: 2014 Travel Writing Scholarship - Euro Roadtrip

Meaning of Matsuri

Thu, 15 May 2014 | By smostasz | Views [233] | Scholarship Entry

Festivals, called matsuri, are big in Japan. Historically matsuri is meant ‘to worship’ or ‘to serve.’ Nowadays, though, the term is synonymous with ‘festivals,’ much-anticipated events occurring regionally, nationally and all throughout the year in ... Read more >

Tags: 2014 Travel Writing Scholarship - Euro Roadtrip

DARUMA

Thu, 15 May 2014 | By loressa | Views [204] | Scholarship Entry

They said it was impossible. That's why I placed him on the desk, staring at me with his only eye. He looked severe but satisfied, as if he were awaiting this moment, expecting a challenge to be called to scene. His rounded shape became a representation ... Read more >

Tags: 2014 Travel Writing Scholarship - Euro Roadtrip

Reflections in Bronze

Thu, 15 May 2014 | By natalie_s | Views [368] | Scholarship Entry

A cascade of copper ribbons ripple across this meditative stature and, as though with conscious action, leave from each arced finger to coiled hair knots unperturbed. He is of a name, yet bears no identity; its presence spoken in hushed chiming and wide ... Read more >

Tags: 2014 travel writing scholarship - euro roadtrip

Climb Every Mountain

Thu, 15 May 2014 | By vixenvagabond | Views [260] | Scholarship Entry

The sun begins to peek over the horizon. I am surrounded by nearly a thousand people, but the only noise to be heard is the click of camera shutters. The sliver coming up to greet us is redder than I ever thought a sun could be. It rises so quickly I ... Read more >

Tags: 2014 Travel Writing Scholarship - Euro Roadtrip

Garden of Arias

Thu, 15 May 2014 | By thepeoplegallery | Views [207] | Scholarship Entry

A great leap from the perpetual summer in my southern homeland, the icy Nagasaki wind snaps through my scarf and licks into my neck. I look down at my legs, moving by means of minuscule tremors to make their way into the house of Mr Glover. It’s 1861 ... Read more >

Tags: 2014 Travel Writing Scholarship - Euro Roadtrip

Naked

Thu, 15 May 2014 | By continuous | Views [243] | Scholarship Entry

“This is your room. The water is hot from 8 to 11:30 pm,” she said. I was standing on a bamboo carpet, past a small paper-and-wooden door. I could see six almost cosy tatamis on the floor, a thin navy-brown wooden table for tea in the right corner and ... Read more >

Tags: 2014 Travel Writing Scholarship - Euro Roadtrip

When Miming Leads to an Onsen

Thu, 15 May 2014 | By kristatosh | Views [267] | Scholarship Entry

I’ll never forget the day that a Japanese Obaachan [grandma] helped me undress. It was the day I decided to hit up one of the infamous onsens [hot baths] that I had heard of since my arrival two weeks prior. Though my Japanese was non-existent, nothing ... Read more >

Tags: 2014 Travel Writing Scholarship - Euro Roadtrip