TANKS Travel Tales - a travelogue.......

Located between Japan and Korea, Tsushima is an island group of Nagasaki Prefecture. With its sub-tropical marine environment, Tsushima has its own unique flora and fauna. The relatively low human population density in this island group has generally allowed the local flora and fauna to flourish without much human intervention. Tsushima Island, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan (2019) During my recent trip to Tsushima in early November 2019, I did some hikes around the northern areas of the main north island, Kamino-shima. Armed with my DSLR camera fitted with a standard 60mm macro lens, I digitally recorded the natural beauty I encountered during these hikes. Getting ready to disperse its seeds when the next wind blows, Tsushima Island, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan (2019) Wild daisies, Tsushima Island, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan (2019) More wild daisies, Tsushima Island, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan (2019) This plants has prickly seeds that stuck to my pants as

When the name Miyajima is mentioned, more often than not, images of the Great Floating Torii Gate  (a.k.a. Itsukushima Floating Torii Gate) and the associated Itsukushima Shrine comes to mind. While the purpose of my first ever trip to Miyajima in July 2019 was to visit the Itsukushima Shrine and the Great Floating Torii Gate, with both being items on my personal travel bucket list, I also took time to explore the island. For that reason, I chose not to be a day tripper to Miyajima but stayed over on the island for 2 nights at the Hotel Miyajima Villa. My stay on the island allowed me to hike around on personal exploration trips. While trying to escape the summer heat and the crowd in the areas around the Itsukushima Shrine, I chanced upon the Imaise Shrine. Nestled at the top of a small hill, Imaise Shrine is accessible after climbing a relatively steep staircase. Here, there were no crowds. I had the whole area to myself, except for the company of a young fawn. For those who

"We travel not to escape life but for life not to escape us."  -  Anonymous Hiking trail, Okuhida, Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, Japan (2014)