Alex Litz
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japanguide.bsky.social
Alex Litz
@japanguide.bsky.social
85 followers 17 following 58 posts
I'm a Japanese travel guide, tourism advisor, and travel writer based out of Northern #Japan
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japanguide.bsky.social
At 3 meters above sea level, this is the highest point in #tarawa, the capitol of #kiribati
Highest point in Tarawa, Kiribati
January 10, 2025 at 8:25 PM
japanguide.bsky.social
Flying over the Tarawa Atoll in #Kiribati
The Tarawa Atoll in Kiribati
January 8, 2025 at 11:25 AM
japanguide.bsky.social
Snow hiking out to Zengoro Falls out in Nagano! #japan
Zengoro falls
December 31, 2024 at 6:40 AM
japanguide.bsky.social
The water in Gujo-hachiman is so clean that koi swim in the sewer ways! #japan
Koi in Gujo-hachiman
December 15, 2024 at 1:35 PM
japanguide.bsky.social
Would you drink this banana omelet soda from #Japan?
Japanese bannana omlet soda
December 15, 2024 at 12:50 AM
japanguide.bsky.social
How long would you wait for #ramen? Today I waited ONLY 1.5 hours for a bowl of delicious ramen at the famous Ryushanhai Ramen in Nanyo City, Yamagata. Opened in 1958, Ryushanhai is the most famous shop in the self-proclaimed "Ramen Capital" of #Japan and was just what I needed on a cold winter day!
A bowl of ramen from ryushanhai in Nanyo, Yamagata
December 7, 2024 at 12:41 PM
Reposted by Alex Litz
qmackie.bsky.social
A helmet made from the skin of a porcupine fish stretched over coconut fibre. 19th century, from Kiribati, Micronesia. #25DaysOfFishmas #fishmas 🐟

www.prm.ox.ac.uk/collections-...
A spherical, extremely spiky war helmet made from the skin of a porcupine fish, the tail is to the top and back and there are cutouts for the ear flaps. The skin is draped or stretched over coconut fibre though this is barely visible in this picture. The colour is pale tan and the helmet is mounted on a shiny black stand. From the catalogue notes at the Pitt Rivers Museum: The following notes are drawn from research compiled by Andy Mills as part of the DCF Cutting Edge project in 2006-2007. The most highly developed armour in the Oceanic region came from the small Micronesian archipelago of Kiribati (pron. Kiribass). Kiribati is comprised of low-lying coral atolls, and so very few raw materials are available. Consequently, this armour is made from woven coconut fibre and fish skin. The helmet is made from an entire Porcupinefish (genus Diodontidae – aka Blowfish or Globefish). When alive, the spines of this fish are poisonous, but I can find no evidence that this was considered an advantage in battle, or if we should be cautious in our handling of it in future. We are fortunate to have an example of the two main types of I-Kiribati helmets here – fish-skin and woven coconut fibre.
December 2, 2024 at 8:16 PM
japanguide.bsky.social
A wild cormorant perched atop a tori gate in Yufuin, #japan
A wild cormorant perched atop a tori gate in Yufuin, Japan
December 3, 2024 at 1:31 AM
japanguide.bsky.social
Legend has it that when Kasuga Shrine was founded, the deity Takemikazuchi rode to Nara on a white deer, granting them divine status. Today, over 1,000 freely roam Nara Park, embodying centuries of reverence and connection to Shinto belief, and serving as the messengers of the gods.
#japan
A stag at Nara's Kasuga taisha
December 2, 2024 at 7:51 AM
japanguide.bsky.social
The foxes at Fushimi Inari Shrine are messengers of Inari, the Shinto deity of agriculture, rice, and prosperity.Visitors can find them scattered throughout the shrine grounds, adding an air of mystery and reverence to the famous torii-lined pathways. #kyoto #japan
December 2, 2024 at 12:25 AM
japanguide.bsky.social
The beauties of #Kyoto in fall at Kinkakuji. #japan
Kinkakuji temple in the fall
December 1, 2024 at 2:54 AM
japanguide.bsky.social
One view I never get sick of #japan #fuji
Mt fuji
November 30, 2024 at 11:21 PM
japanguide.bsky.social
On Enoshima Island in #japan, you can see the Triforce all over! The sign of the Hojo Clan, they held political power concentrated in Kamakura during the 13th and 14th century. #zelda
A lantern with a triforce at Enoshima island
November 30, 2024 at 7:35 AM
japanguide.bsky.social
Weird Japanese Peace Gun invention: "The Rubber Band Gun is back with a new marble design in a bid for peace.If adults and children alike can focus on playing more, perhaps, one day, we can make conflict a thing of the past."
Japanese Peace Gun
November 30, 2024 at 4:31 AM
japanguide.bsky.social
The drive out to Enoshima Island, featuring Mt. Fuji. #japan
November 29, 2024 at 10:22 PM
japanguide.bsky.social
Happy American Thanksgiving! I celebrated at Tokyo DisneySea, which is one of the few places in #japan where you can get turkey! Gobble gobble!
November 29, 2024 at 1:05 AM
japanguide.bsky.social
Koi pond at Sensoji Temple! #tokyo #japan
Koi pond at sensoji temple
November 27, 2024 at 4:44 AM
japanguide.bsky.social
Mt Fuji after a storm #japan #日本
Mt fuji with a rainbow
November 26, 2024 at 5:01 AM
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Sarushima Island, an uninhabitated island in the Tokyo Bay #japan #tokyo
Sarushima island
November 25, 2024 at 10:23 PM
japanguide.bsky.social
Heading out on my last group tour of the year! It's views like this that make me miss Yamagata, and look forward to returning post tour #japan #日本
Rice paddy as seen from the Yamagata Bullet train
November 24, 2024 at 11:10 PM
japanguide.bsky.social
The Studio Ghibli Park in Aichi was a dream! All my favorite childhood films like Totoro, Princess Mononoke, Howel's Moving Castle and Kiki's Delivery Service felt so real! #ghibli #anime #japan
Ghibli Park Mononoke Ghibli Park Totoro's Forest Ghibli Park Howells Moving Castle Ghibli Park Princess Mononoke
November 24, 2024 at 6:04 AM
japanguide.bsky.social
The waterways of Gujo-Hachiman are so clean, that koi fish swim through them! Highly recomend a detour to this scenic mountain town if you're visiting #japan #日本
Koi fish swimming in the clean waters of Gujo-hachiman
November 24, 2024 at 2:20 AM
japanguide.bsky.social
Yugendo Cave, in Iwate Prefecture, was discovered in 1980, and features around 5,000 meters of passages, with a portion open to the public for exploration. Visitors can check out the stalactites, stalagmites, and shimmering underground pools, and I for one wanted to jump in! #japan #cave #日本
Shimmering pool at Yugendo Cave in Iwate
November 23, 2024 at 9:56 AM
japanguide.bsky.social
Taking a river cruise today in the Geibikei Gorge in Iwate #japan #日本
Taking a river cruise on the Geibikei gorge
November 23, 2024 at 4:29 AM
japanguide.bsky.social
Cheesecake flavoured soda at Japanese 7/11! What do you think? Would you try? #japan #travel #日本
November 23, 2024 at 12:04 AM