Tag Archives: East Asia

Cities, Travel, Videos

Walking Tour: Kitsuki City In Japan (4K Video)

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Kitsuki City is located at the southern end of the Kunisaki Peninsula, facing north across Oita City and Beppu Bay. During the Edo period, Matsudaira of Kitsuki clan prospered as a castle town of 32,000 koku of rice, and was the political and economic center of the Kunisaki Peninsula until the abolition of the fief.

Video timeline: 00:00​ タイトル（Title） 00:18​ 番所の坂（Bansho no saka slope） 01:01​ 勘定場の坂（Kanjoba no saka slope） 03:08​ 大原邸（Ohara Residence） 04:07​ 酢屋の坂（Suya no saka slope） 04:35​ 塩屋の坂（Shioya no saka slope） 06:07​ 酢屋の坂（Suya no saka slope） 07:14​ 杵築城 （Kitsuki Castle） 09:27​ 本丁（Honcyo street） 09:48​ 一松邸（Ichimatsu Residence） 11:51​ 商人の町（Merchant Town） 12:09​ 飴屋の坂（Ameya no saka slope） 13:03​ 裏丁（Uracyo street） 13:35​ 寺町（Teramachi street） 13:44​ 長昌寺（Cyosyoji Temple） 14:54​ 寺町（Teramachi street） 15:20​ 天神坂（Tenjin zaka slope） 15:46​ 天満社（Tenmansha shrine） 16:17​ 杵築市の夕暮れ（Kitsuki city sunset）

Travel, Videos

Aerial Travel: ‘South Korea’ (8K UHD Video)

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South Korea, an East Asian nation on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula, shares one of the world’s most heavily militarized borders with North Korea. It’s equally known for its green, hilly countryside dotted with cherry trees and centuries-old Buddhist temples, plus its coastal fishing villages, sub-tropical islands and high-tech cities such as Seoul, the capital. 

Landmarks, Travel, Videos

Walks In China: ‘Xi’an City Wall And Giant Wild Goose Pagoda’ (4K Video)

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When Zhu Yuanzhang, the first Emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), captured Huizhou, a hermit named Zhu Sheng admonished him that he should ‘built high walls, store abundant food supplies and take time to be an Emperor,’ so that he could fortify the city and unify the other states. After the establishment of the Ming dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang followed his advice and began to enlarge the wall built initially during the old Tang dynasty (618 -907), creating the modern Xian City Wall. It’s the most complete city wall that has survived in China, as well being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world.

As the symbol of the old-line Xi’an, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda (also called Big Wild Goose Pagoda) is a well-preserved ancient building and a holy place for Buddhists. It is located in the southern suburb of Xi’an City, about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from the downtown of the city. Standing in the Da Ci’en Temple complex, it attracts numerous visitors for its fame in the Buddhist religion and its simple but appealing style of construction. Giant Wild Goose Pagoda is rated as a National Key Cultural Relic Preserve as well as an AAAA Tourist Attraction.

Cities, Travel, Videos

Walking Tours: ‘Tokyo – Japan’ (4K HDR Video)

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Tokyo, Japan’s busy capital, mixes the ultramodern and the traditional, from neon-lit skyscrapers to historic temples. The opulent Meiji Shinto Shrine is known for its towering gate and surrounding woods. The Imperial Palace sits amid large public gardens. The city’s many museums offer exhibits ranging from classical art (in the Tokyo National Museum) to a reconstructed kabuki theater (in the Edo-Tokyo Museum).

New Year’s Day, 2021

Landmarks, Travel, Videos

Autumn Travel: Hyakusaiji Temple, Higashiomi City, In Shiga, Japan (Video)

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Hyakusai-ji is the oldest temple in Omi. It was founded by Prince Shotoku in the year 606, more than 1400 years ago. It was created at the mid-point of Mt. Oshitate (771.8 m) for the sake of visitors from the Korean kingdom of Baekje, and drew inspiration from a temple in that nation that was called Ryu’un-ji in Japanese. Hyakusai-ji is located along the 35th parallel north, facing west; 880 kilometers away in that direction, beyond the other temples of Tarabo, Hieizan, and Jirobo (Mt. Kuraya), there lay the kingdom of Baekje. Many Korean visitors are said to have prayed at the temple while thinking of their distant homeland. Furthermore, climbing the stone temple path leads to an appreciation garden known for its spectacular view out over the world below. This is also a famous spot for fall scenery, with the crimson leaves spreading across the mountains of Hiei and Suzuka creating a stunning backdrop.

Travel, Videos

Autumn In Japan: Saimyoji Temple In Kōra (Video)

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Saimyō-ji, also known as Kotō-sanzan Saimyōji or as Ryūōzan Saimyōji is a Buddhist temple of the Tendai sect in Kōra, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. Founded at the beginning of the ninth century by the 54th Emperor of Japan, the temple is dedicated to Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of healing. 

News, Podcasts, Politics

World News Podcast: The Latest Headlines From London, Europe & Asia

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Georgina Godwin and guests set the tone for the weekend. News includes veto override of U.S. Defense Bill, China states Covid-19 started in many parts of the world, and other top headlines.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1O65B9oFDqduzGj4YYon4J
Documentaries, Travel, Videos, Wines & Spirits

Travel Stories: ‘Yamanashi – Japan’s Best Wine Region’

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9vZGNKYOy0

Yamanashi, Japan’s wine country, serves up a variety of flavors, crafted by techniques and philosophies as different as the people dedicating to making every bottle their best.

Yamanashi is Japan’s largest and most famous wine-producing region, responsible for nearly 40% of the nation’s annual production of wine. The region is located on the main island of Honshu within a landlocked area. There is an extremely fertile valley in Yamanashi as famous for its peaches and plums as its grapes.

Architecture, Buildings, Cities, Videos

Urban Architecture: ‘2 Murray Road’, Hong Kong “$3 Billion Mega-Project”

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Zaha Hadid Architects has revealed its design for the 2 Murray Road project for $3 billion Henderson Land, in the heart of Hong Kong’s central business district. Creating new civic plazas enveloped by nature, the urban oasis is located in proximity other iconic Hong Kong skyscrapers.

Replacing a multi-story car park, the development is connected to adjacent public gardens and parks, through an elevated base sheltering courtyards cultivated with trees and plants. These outdoor areas seamlessly flow into the communal spaces of the interior. Inspired by the structural forms and layering of a Bauhinia bud about to blossom, known as the Hong Kong orchid tree, the design generates a very wide span of naturally lit, column-free, Grade A office space with a 5-meter floor-to-floor height giving maximum flexibility.

The façade, designed to withstand summer typhoons, includes 4-ply of double-laminated, double-curved insulated glass units, in order to insulate effectively the building and reduce its cooling load as well as build resilience. Moreover, “hybrid ventilation is controlled by the building’s automated management system and enables all office levels to be naturally ventilated”. In fact, smart systems learn to accurately predict daily occupancy trends to optimize energy demand, ensuring increased efficiencies with lower energy consumption.

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