Celebrating Nature: Enjoying Outdoor Adventures Before Spring Arrives
Introduction : Hi I am kiwi from Japan. I would like to share my journey in Japan, India, and Nepal before spring.Hokkaido is highly recommended as a winter tourist destination.It snows there during the winter. Japan’s famous Sapporo Snow Festival takes place over eight days in winter. Fantastic snow art and portable shrines are on display. Hokkaido also offers a wide variety of seafood. They are cheap, sparkling and very tasty.If you’re not vegan or vegetarian. Please try them while you are there.
Table of Contents
Mt. Fuji
The second place to visit Mt. Fuji is the most beautiful mountain in Japan and was added to the World Heritage List in 2013. However, climbing Mt. Fuji in winter is difficult for beginners, so it’s recommended for experienced climbers. You can enjoy the view of Mt. Fuji from Tokyo or Kanagawa without climbing it, as it is visible on a clear day. Mount Fuji is also printed on the 1,000 yen bill. Mt. Fuji is depicted on many places in Japan other than the 1,000 yen bill.
Kyoto
The next area is Kyoto. A place where you can enjoy Samurai and Ninja studies and rent kimonos. There are many to choose from, so you can take plenty of memorable pictures. Kyoto is regularly used as a filming location for Samurai dramas. Kyoto has many temples of its own. A highly recommended area for record geeks. Kyoto’s famous products include Yuba, Yatsuhashi and Matcha. Even vegetarians and vegans can experience it.
Gifu Prefecture
Then I moved to Gifu Prefecture, which is close to Kyoto. Many tourists also visit Shirakawa ; go to experience old Japanese life in Gassho-Zukuri houses in the middle of a beautiful snowfall, and they feel like they are in a Samurai Drama. It was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1995. Even if you have children you can enjoy the surroundings to the full. If you are interested, please visit.
Visit to india
In India, I took a bus from Delhi to Chandigarh and Shimla in Himachal Pradesh, first seeing the colourful houses and animals and feeling the character of India. It was very impressive.
Tatapani
Next we came to a river called Tatapani. Tatapani means warm water in Hindi, and as the name suggests, the water in the river is warm. It shimmers a lovely soft blue. It is said to look like a Japanese hot spring and is good for the pores and skin. Many people come to bathe in the river. The water comes from the Sukari River.
Karsog
Then I went to Karsog and visited the Mamleshwar Mahadev temple. I felt a spiritual environment within the conventional construction with unique patterned decorations and statues of gods. The altitude is not so high now, so it only snows about once every 12 months. People usually don’t go out at night, except for work, as bears and leopards can be seen from dusk until night.
Shimla
I have seen a few foreign tourists in Shimla, but I have not seen any foreign tourists in this village. If you could speak Hindi, you would have no trouble travelling there, but if you don’t speak Hindi, there are very few people here who speak English. So It might be difficult to visit this village alone. In the village we saw many families with cows, goats and sheep. But they don’t drink much milk. They often advertise this milk to take advantage of companies in town. What’s more, the products here are not very good, as milk and yoghurt ghee are very expensive and regularly contain chemical products. Basically, people often eat simple ingredients. Prices are very low compared to other Indian states, but because it’s a mountain, fruit and many other things are expensive. Also, the network can be very bad all over Himachal Pradesh. However, you can enjoy sightseeing here without spending a lot of money.
Manali Cottage
Next I visited Manali Cottage. The snow is falling there and the scenery could be very beautiful. Then we went snowboarding. We went hiking, made a snowman and took the cable car. Then I experienced flying dining with thrill and beautiful view. I was able to taste the traditional cuisine and fully experience the India of winter. The fees here are cheap and the travel fees are also cheap, so you can enjoy sightseeing there at a low cost. It is my recommendation
Haridwar
Then I wanted to go to the Aryan Valley. Unfortunately I could not go there because of the climate. But I would like to go there during the summer season. Then I took a bus to Shimla and down to Chandigarh. I went to Haridwar and it became crystal clean and cold. I was able to take a bath in the Ganga river and relax.
Rishikesh
Next I went to Rishikesh, where there is a famous river called the Rishikesh River, which could be very clear and light blue and lovely. There is a big statue of Lord Shiva. I also saw so many Kirtan, holy people. Then I enjoyed yoga and meditation there and felt cleansed and very refreshed. You can take a lot of nice snapshots there. Recommended for those who like photography.
India-Nepal Border
From there, I took a bus to the India-Nepal border, and Indian nationals can easily enter Nepal without a visa, but because I am a Japanese national, I was given an on-arrival visa and entered Nepal. To be honest, the India-Nepal border was not a very impressive place. Why did I take the bus from Rishikesh to the India-Nepal border this time. Because I wanted to feel the environment outside.
Backpackers from India to Nepal should come by bus. You can experience the scenery of different places. However, next time I visit Nepal, I am considering going by plane. Because the region wasn’t very smooth. But there are still some Mandirs and Hindu gods. My unofficial opinion is that Nepal used to be part of India, so the environment there is not that different from India. You can also take a train from India to the India-Nepal border.
Patan Durbar Square
From there take a bus to Kathumand. I visited Patan Durbar Square. The first thing that caught my eye was the fantastic and culturally traditional Holy.The building is its own temple. The constructing was an aggregate of Buddhism and Hinduism. The surroundings are very similar to Wat Arun, Wat Pho and Wat Phra Yai in Thailand. Another time I really felt the depth of the records of Hinduism and thought it wasn’t a mistake that everyone in Asia started as a Hindu.
Then, looking closely, I saw two statues of lion dogs erected on either side of the temple. Similarly, in Japanese shrines, statues of lion dogs called komainu “狛犬” are erected on either side of the shrine. According to Japanese Buddhism, lion dogs used to guard the gods. I felt that the cultures of the world are connected. This famous UNESCO World Heritage site is a popular tourist destination and has been largely restored after damage from an earthquake in 2015. However, there are still many tourists who go there every 12 months.
Swayambhunath in the Kathmandu Valley
Next we visited Swayambhunath in the Kathmandu valley.This holy pilgrimage site is home to masses of monkeys and is sacred to Tibetan Buddhists and Hindus. Legend has it that Manjushree, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, turned into these monkeys on his way to build the Temple Mount, while lice in his hair turned him into these monkeys,
which is why Swayambhunath in Kathmandu is known as the ‘Monkey Temple’, as monkeys have lived in the temple complex for generations. There are also a lot of monkeys in this temple. This temple is unique because it has adorable eyes painted on it and it feels very religious. The eyes symbolise awareness and compassion in Buddhism. It is a popular tourist site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Please consider visiting if you are interested.
Thank you for reading to the end.
