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Shizuoka Sengen Shrine Shizuoka Sengen Shrine

(posted 2 days ago.)  -  1 Comment
After spending some time at Sunpu Castle, Momijiyama Garden and Nihondaira my final destination of the day was the Shizuoka Sengen Shrine. Visited: April 5th 2012 Shizuoka Sengen Shrine (静岡浅間神社) is not too far from Sunpu Castle or the JR Shizuoka Station – all located in Shizuoka Prefecture (map). In the photo above you see more »



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Zooming Japan will offer you:

  • A close-up view on traveling and living in Japan.
  • Experience Japan through my lense and enjoy photos you've never seen before!
  • Get to know the REAL Japan, no matter where you live!

Get your travel inspiration:

  • Learn about destinations no guidebook will ever feature.
  • Get to know the secret spots of Japan.
  • Find all the necessary information sprinkled with my personal impressions and experience.

Learn from my experience:

  • I've travelled to all 47 Japanese prefectures.
  • I've visited almost 100 Japanese castles.
  • I've been to many spots that even most Japanese people don't know of!

Daily life as a foreigner in Japan:

  • Learn what it's like to be a foreigner in Japan.
  • Read about my everyday challenges in this foreign country.
  • Enjoy the encounters of a "German Alien in Japan".
Zooming Japan - A close-up view on traveling and living in Japan

About Zooming Japan
  • travel tips and inspiration not only of the popular tourist spots, but also destinations you'll never find in any guidebook
  • learn about the daily life in Japan as a foreigner
  • enjoy unique and beautiful photos of Japan that you won't find anywhere else

The author Jasmine has travelled to all 47 prefectures, has visited around 100 Japanese castles and even more temples, shrines and gardens. She has lived in the Japanese countryside for several years now and has experienced the "real Japan". She wants to share everything she has explored and learned through her extraordinary travel experience. You'll find all the necessary travel information that you would find in a guidebook, but on top of that you'll get to know Japan's secret and often overlooked spots! You'll regret if you don't read about them!

Places you should visit: Things you should know: Things you shouldn't miss:

Overview over the latest posts

  • Shizuoka Sengen Shrine Shizuoka Sengen Shrine

       (posted 2 days ago.)  -  1
    After spending some time at Sunpu Castle, Momijiyama Garden and Nihondaira my final destination of the day was the Shizuoka Sengen Shrine. Visited: April 5th 2012 (...) more »

  • Life as a German in Japan The Shocking Truth About Dating in Japan as a Foreigner

       (posted 5 days ago.)  -  23
    Ever wondered what dating is like in Japan? Well, then here you go! However, be warned: If you want to read about bragging stories of all (...) more »

  • Kunozan Toshogu Shrine near Nihondaira in Shizuoka Nihondaira and Kunozan Toshogu Shrine

       (posted 10 days ago.)  -  6
    I continued my spring trip through Shizuoka Prefecture. After visiting Sunpu Castle in the morning, I went to Nihondaira to see Mt. Fuji and to Kunozan (...) more »

  • Golden Week 2013: Shiba-zakura Festival in Kawaguchiko My Golden Week 2013 – A Short Review

       (posted 13 days ago.)  -  15
    As some of you might have noticed I was away for some time, that’s because I was traveling during Golden Week. While I went to explore (...) more »

Latest Posts in Category "Travel"

  • Shizuoka Sengen Shrine Shizuoka Sengen Shrine

       (posted 2 days ago.)  -  1
    After spending some time at Sunpu Castle, Momijiyama Garden and Nihondaira my final destination of the day was the Shizuoka Sengen Shrine. Visited: April 5th 2012 (...) more »

  • Kunozan Toshogu Shrine near Nihondaira in Shizuoka Nihondaira and Kunozan Toshogu Shrine

       (posted 10 days ago.)  -  6
    I continued my spring trip through Shizuoka Prefecture. After visiting Sunpu Castle in the morning, I went to Nihondaira to see Mt. Fuji and to Kunozan (...) more »

  • Golden Week 2013: Shiba-zakura Festival in Kawaguchiko My Golden Week 2013 – A Short Review

       (posted 13 days ago.)  -  15
    As some of you might have noticed I was away for some time, that’s because I was traveling during Golden Week. While I went to explore (...) more »

  • Momijiyama Garden in Shizuoka's Sunpu Park Momijiyama Garden in Shizuoka’s Sunpu Park

       (posted 31 days ago.)  -  6
    After visiting Sunpu Castle in Shizuoka City in the morning, I also went to the Momijiyama Garden. It’s actually located within the Sunpu Castle Park, so (...) more »

Latest Posts in Category "Life in Japan"

Latest Posts in Category "Culture"

  • Hina Matsuri Japan Hina Matsuri (The Doll’s Festival)

       (posted 83 days ago.)  -  2
    Not only today, but every year on March 3rd Japan celebrates the so-called “Hina Matsuri” (ひな祭り). The festival is also known as: “The Girl’s Festival”, “The (...) more »

  • Hatsumode - First shrine visit of the year in Japan Shogatsu: Japanese New Year’s Day

       (posted 126 days ago.)  -  12
    It’s January. A new year has just started here in Japan. After the busy time in December (cleaning, cooking, writing New Year cards) and then finally (...) more »

  • Kadomatsu set up in December for New Year's Celebration Omisoka: Japanese New Year’s Eve

       (posted 157 days ago.)  -  9
    Around this time of the year Japanese people are busy with various things. Christmas is not what keeps them busy, but the two most important days (...) more »

  • Himono Onna in 'Hotaru no Hikari' Himono Onna – The Dried Fish Woman

       (posted 325 days ago.)  -  17
    I’m pretty sure that most of you know what a dried fish is, right? I also think you’ve heard of “women”? But what on earth is (...) more »

Latest Posts in Category "Items"

  • Yufuin Cat Items Yufuin Cat Items – A Great Souvenir

       (posted 349 days ago.)  -  2
    Are you planning a trip to Japan? Do you have friends in Japan who offered to send you something? Don’t know what to get? Then I (...) more »

  • maneki neko figure Maneki Neko figure

       (posted 482 days ago.)  -  23
    Today I want to introduce “Maneki neko figures” to you as they’re very popular in Japan. I love cats and it breaks my heart that I (...) more »

  • Japanese Year of the Tiger figures Year of the Tiger figures

       (posted 525 days ago.)  -  4
    As we’re approaching the end of the year, it’s time to stock up on items for the new year here in Japan! All around me are (...) more »

  • Akabeko - Red Cow of Aizu Akabeko: Red Cow of Aizu

       (posted 534 days ago.)  -  5
    Akabeko (赤べこ) is a traditional toy from the Aizu region in Fukushima Prefecture. The toy is made from two pieces of papier-mâché-covered wood, shaped and painted (...) more »

Latest Posts in Category "Wiki"

  • Omikuji of a shrine in Hiraizumi Omikuji: Fortune-telling paper strips

       (posted 360 days ago.)  -  10
    In the last Wiki entry I introduced “ema” (Japanese wooden wishing plaques). Today I want to explain about another thing that you’ll find just as often (...) more »

  • Ema, wooden whishing plaque Ema: Wooden Wishing Plaques

       (posted 369 days ago.)  -  11
    Today I want to introduce “Ema” (絵馬) – wooden wishing plaques of Japanese shrines. I’m sure most of you have seen them when visiting Japan or (...) more »

Latest Posts in Category "Favorite Photos"

  • Crater Lake Yugama of Mt. Shirane near Kusatsu, Gunma Prefecture Yugama Crater Lake of Mt. Shirane

       (posted 247 days ago.)  -  7
    As some of you might know I had a great time during my summer vacation. I visited various places, but today I want to share one (...) more »

  • The red Dragonfly (aka tombo), photo taken in Kokoen Garden near Himeji Castle Aka Tombo: The Red Dragonfly

       (posted 305 days ago.)  -  14
    When visiting Japan one of the more pleasant insects you might see if you’re a bit lucky is the red dragonfly (aka tombo, 赤とんぼ). My area (...) more »

  • Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, Kobe Akashi Kaikyo Bridge (Photo #2)

       (posted 332 days ago.)  -  8
    Today’s photo features one of my favorite bridges in Japan: The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge is with almost 4km the world’s longest suspension bridge! The bridge connects (...) more »

  • Awaj Island, Yumebutai in October Yumebutai – Awaji Island (Photo #1)

       (posted 353 days ago.)  -  9
    Today I want to introduce “Yumebutai” to you. A place that offers beautiful landscapes and flowers! Yumebutai (夢舞台) literally means “dream stage” consists of a conference (...) more »