My places Archives - Beyond

Nara, Japan

schweboo — Mon, 25 May 2026 21:31:49 +0000

The first torii gate of Kasugataisha Shrine is one of the “Three Great Torii Gates of Japan,” alongside the large torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine in Hiroshima Prefecture and the large torii gate of Kehi Shrine in Fukui Prefecture. These gates are made of wood and are designated as Important Cultural Properties. Kasugataisha’s first torii gate is adorned with large sakaki trees during the Kasuga Festival in March and the Kasuga Wakamiya Onmatsuri Festival in December.

I took the first picture in Spring 2026.

My grandfather took the second in Spring 1907.

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Kyoto, Japan

schweboo — Mon, 25 May 2026 21:30:24 +0000

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Shirakawa, Japan

schweboo — Mon, 25 May 2026 21:25:03 +0000

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Shimoda, Izu Penninsula, Japan

schweboo — Mon, 25 May 2026 21:23:21 +0000

Shimoda is located at the southern tip of the Izu Peninsula, about 100 kilometres (62 mi) southwest of Tokyo. Shimoda’s location, with the Amagi Mountains to the north and the warm Kuroshio Current to the south, gives the city a humid, sub-tropical climate.

During the Bakumatsu period, the port of Shimoda was opened to American trade under the terms of the Convention of Kanagawa, negotiated by Commodore Matthew Perry and signed on March 31, 1854. Shimoda was also the site of Yoshida Shōin’s unsuccessful attempt to board Perry’s Black Ships in 1854.

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Hida Furakawa, Japan

schweboo — Mon, 25 May 2026 21:21:39 +0000

Yatsusankan Ryokan

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Hakone, Japan

schweboo — Mon, 25 May 2026 09:50:03 +0000

Hakone is a scenic mountain town in Japan’s Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, famous for its natural hot springs (onsen), majestic views of Mount Fuji, and serene natural landscapes. Located just 90 minutes from central Tokyo by Shinkansen to Odawara, it is a perfect escape from the bustling city.

The Hakone region is located on an active, complex Quaternary volcano defined by two overlapping calderas formed roughly 200,000 and 60,000 to 80,000 years ago. Its dramatic landscape features a massive 11 km outer rim somma, a lush central cone complex, and the famous Owakudani geothermal valley, which formed during a sector collapse 3,000 years ago.

Departing from Odawara, Hakone Tozan Railway offers one of the most scenic train rides in Japan and arrives at Gora station.

The Hakone Tozan Cable Car, officially the Cable Line, is a funicular railway in the town of Hakone, Kanagawa, Japan. It is operated by Odakyu Hakone, an Odakyu Group company that also operates the Hakone Tozan Train.

The funicular links Gōra, the upper terminus of the railway line, with Sōunzan 214 metres (702 ft) above. At Sōunzan, connection is made with the Hakone Ropeway, which runs to Tōgendai on Lake Ashi.[3]

Owakudani is a geothermal valley with active vents that release steam and sulfur gases, and sulfur has historically been mined there.

On clear days, Mount Fuji can be seen from the Ōwakudani ropeway station.

From there, the ropeway descends toward Lake Ashi, passing high above forests of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) and deciduous trees.

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Tokyo

schweboo — Sat, 23 May 2026 10:16:14 +0000

Tokyo is a great city, but strangely familiar because of how often I have seen it featured in films and documentaries. It is a city of great food, crowded pavements and smiling people.

Particularly liked the area around Aasksusa station. A mix of food alleys, bars and temples. The Not Suspicious bar was a favourite.

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Atlantic Crossing

schweboo — Sat, 31 May 2025 17:56:45 +0000

My grandmother crossed the Atlantic in a ship. She travelled from New York to Dublin in steerage class in 1902. We sailed in comfort from Southampton to New York on Queen Mary 2.

RMS Queen Mary 2 (QM2) is a British ocean liner. She has served as the flagship of the Cunard Line since April 2004, and as of 2025, is the only active, purpose-built ocean liner still in service. It is slightly longer than Nimitz-class carriers, but displaces slightly less (79,287 vs 100,00 tonnes).

The ship is huge and luxurious.

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Fauna in Koh Samui 2025

schweboo — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 11:53:42 +0000

We are back again, wintering in the comfort of our Bang Por Villa in Koh Samui. Here are some of the fauna seen on this trip:

The Oleander Hawkmoth caterpillar, Daphnis Nerii, is a member of the Sphingidae family of moths and one of the most beautiful Hawkmoths in the world. Although a rare migrant to the British Isles, it has a wide global distribution, being recorded in much of southern Europe, Africa and Asia, either as a migrant or resident. It has a wingspan of 90-110 mm and, like many Hawkmoths, is a strong flier.

The Javanese Grasshopper, Valanga nigricornis, is a species of grasshopper in the subfamily Cyrtacanthacridinae of the family Acrididae. It is found in southeastern Asia, including Thailand.

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Javanese Grasshopper (Valanga nigricornis)

schweboo — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 11:18:19 +0000

Javanese Grasshopper (Valanga nigricornis) – seen on our deck this afternoon. Sadly, it was missing a leg. About 5-7cm. In Thailand, the eggs hatch after about two months, the nymphs grow during the wet season and remain as immature adults during the dry season.

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