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Tokyo Weekender
29-05-2025
- Tokyo Weekender
Awaji Island: Where Stunning Nature Meets World-Class Architecture
This article appeared in Tokyo Weekender Vol. 2, 2025. To read the entire issue, click here . The mesmerizing, swirling curls of cerulean and ivory that form the Naruto whirlpools — the world's largest vortex — are just one facet of Awaji Island's prismatic beauty. Floating on the Seto Inland Sea, Hyogo Prefecture's Awaji Island is a picturesque escape in Kansai. It offers lush fields of seasonal flora, charming beaches, hot spring resorts and culinary gems. The island is also one of the country's top onion-producing regions, affectionately known as Onion Island for its sweet, fragrant bulbs. Beyond Awaji Island's allure as an Edenic vacation destination lies a rich cultural history and dynamic artistic landscape. Creation myths describe the seaside oasis as the first island of Japan — formed by the god Izanagi and goddess Izanami, who emerged from primordial chaos and stirred the ocean's depths with a heavenly spear. Today, the island's mythological sites coexist in fascinating juxtaposition with its modern architectural interventions. Defined by Tadao Ando's geometrical forms, Awaji Island's architectural collection is a dream for aesthetes and photographers alike. List of Contents: The Water Temple Awaji Yumebutai Hundred Step Garden The Circular Forum and Oval Forum Zenbo Seinei Related Posts The Water Temple The main hall of Honpukuji is unlike any other Buddhist sanctuary in Japan — topped not by a grand roof but rather by a vast, elliptical lotus pond that reflects the serene rhythms of the sky and surrounding greenery. The spiritual structure, also known as Mizumido (Water Temple), was reimagined by Tadao Ando in 1991. Instead of leading visitors upward toward the altar, Ando envisioned a dramatic descent: A shadowed staircase bisects the aquatic mirror, drawing you into the temple's interior. The temple's outer entrance is pure and minimalistic, composed of a white gravel path and gently curving concrete walls that signify a subtle transition from the mundane to the spiritual. Inside awaits a latticed corridor in rich vermilion hues, culminating in Honpukuji's main altar. As the special head sanctuary of the Shingon sect's Omura school, the temple enshrines Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of healing. Visit in the afternoon to experience the temple's core at its most surreal, as rays of sunlight shroud the chamber in a crimson glow. Awaji Yumebutai It's hard to imagine, but this lush, expansive complex was once a wasteland — stripped bare after a large-scale excavation in the process of building Kansai International Airport. Tadao Ando endeavored to transform the space entirely, enhancing Awaji Island's scenic splendor with modern architectural elements — designing tranquil gardens, a conference center, a chapel, an open-air theater and other sites where humans and nature could coexist. With a name that means 'dream stage,' Yumebutai embodies the distinct, graceful contours and evocative minimalism of its architect, standing in seamless harmony with the island's serene natural beauty. Smooth concrete planes and precise geometric forms cast ever-changing patterns of shadow and light, yielding limitless opportunities for photographers — or just for quiet moments of contemplation. Hundred Step Garden While one could spend a whole day wandering around Yumebutai, a must-visit gem is Hyakudanen, or the Hundred Step Garden, created in remembrance of the victims of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake. Perched atop a sloping hill, the unique spectacle consists of one hundred square terraces, arranged in a curious cascading grid formation reminiscent of an M.C. Escher print. Each square contains a quadrant of symmetrical flower beds composed of seasonal flora. In his typical fashion, Ando fuses nature and artifice by framing the garden's vibrant organic forms with rigorous precision. As a living work of art, Hyakudanen evokes both awe and contemplation. The Circular Forum and Oval Forum Close by, the Circular Forum and Oval Forum stand at the center of Yumebutai. As their names suggest, the two structures are open-air spaces made of exposed concrete, resembling a stadium or amphitheater. From ground level, wanderers can observe disks of the sky above. The Circular Forum has several slopes within layered walls, which visitors can ascend and descend to experience the space from varying perspectives. At the top is an observation area that overlooks Yumebutai. The Oval Forum features taller, imposing curved walls, accented with an asymmetrical sundial. Zenbo Seinei Tadao Ando is not the only Pritzker Prize-winning architect to enhance Awaji Island's artistic and spiritual landscapes: Shigeru Ban is the visionary behind a breathtaking wellness facility named Zenbo Seinei in the heart of the island. Opening its doors in the spring of 2022, the retreat is an elongated treehouse-like building made of Japanese cedar and other wood, rising above a vibrant forest. Here, patrons can participate in zazen meditation and yoga on a 100-meter-long wooden deck, take in fresh air and enjoy original vegan cuisine. Overnight stays are also available and include activities like guided meditation, calligraphy and tea ceremony. More Info To learn more about Awaji Island, visit their website . 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Time of India
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Brains Over Brawn: 10 Naruto Techniques That Weren't Meant to Kill
The world of Naruto is full of explosive jutsu, intense battles, and powerful shinobi clashing in epic ways. But not every ability in the series was designed to cause destruction. Some of the most memorable and influential jutsu were created for support, strategy, or survival — yet they turned out to be just as impactful as any Rasengan or Chidori. Here are the 10 most powerful non-combat jutsu in Naruto, ranked from bottom to top. 10. Shadow Clone Jutsu What started as a basic duplication technique quickly became Naruto's signature move. The real brilliance of Shadow Clones wasn't in fighting, but in learning. Each clone passed its experience back to the original, allowing Naruto to train at lightning speed. 9. Mind Transfer Jutsu by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Fresh input at the top-class supporting program automatica | Messe München Explore Undo Used by the Yamanaka clan, this technique allows the user to control another person's body. Though slow and risky in combat, it's perfect for gathering intel or turning the tide through precision moves. 8. Summoning Jutsu While sometimes used in battles, the real strength of summoning lies in its versatility. From bringing in giant toads for travel to summoning weapons or messengers, this jutsu was crucial throughout the series. 7. Flying Thunder God Technique Minato's teleportation jutsu changed the battlefield forever. While not a direct attack, it allowed him to move instantly across space, making him nearly untouchable and brilliant at defense and rescue. 6. Reanimation Jutsu (Edo Tensei) Originally created for research, this forbidden jutsu brought dead shinobi back with their memories and powers intact. While it became a tool for war, its roots were scientific and strategic, not combative. 5. Sealing Jutsu Vital to the Naruto story, sealing techniques were used to contain demons, suppress powers, and lock away dangerous secrets. These jutsu required immense skill and were crucial in many key moments. 4. Infinite Tsukuyomi Technically not a direct attack, this genjutsu placed the entire world under an illusion. It was a dream of peace — twisted by power. Its non-lethal nature masked its enormous consequences. 3. Sage Mode Sage Mode wasn't a jutsu for offense. It enhanced perception, sensory range, and stamina, making Naruto and Jiraiya much more aware and in tune with nature. It was about harmony, not just strength. 2. Byakugan Though often overlooked, the Byakugan 's all-seeing nature gave the Hyuga clan major advantages. It wasn't built for attack but for insight — in battle, reconnaissance, and beyond. 1. Izanagi & Izanami These forbidden Uchiha techniques blurred the line between illusion and reality. Izanagi could rewrite death, while Izanami trapped opponents in time loops. They weren't about winning battles — they were about understanding fate and accepting truth. These jutsu prove that in Naruto, not all power lies in destruction. Some of the most incredible abilities weren't about fighting at all — they were about changing the game in smarter, deeper ways.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Yahoo
The Japanese Island Known For An Especially Sweet Onion
Nestled between the Japanese islands of Honshu and Shikoku, the island of Awaji (or Awajishima) has more than a few claims to fame. According to the Shinto creation myth, Awaji was the first of Japan's islands created by the deities Izanagi and Izanami. It's connected to Kobe, one of Japan's largest cities (as well as what Wagyu cousin Kobe beef is named after), via the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, the second-longest suspension bridge in the world. It also boasts several buildings from the legendary architect Tadao Ando. And it grows a whole bunch of truly delicious, irresistibly sweet onions. Awajishima isn't Japan's biggest onion producer (that would be Hokkaido, the northernmost island of the Japanese archipelago), but it's a solid second. The island is an ideal growing environment for the bulbs, with plenty of sunlight and rich soil, fed from minerals blown in from the ocean water, that lends the onions their trademark sweetness. Although Awaji has always been a reliable source for Japanese agriculture, the onion wasn't introduced to the area until the late 19th century, a time of rapid modernization for the previously hermetic nation. Once it arrived, though, it quickly became a prized commodity and a central part of the island's tourism. Read more: The Ultimate Ranking Of Pickle Brands Unfortunately, you're not likely to find the Awaji onion stocked in your local supermarket. That said, the Southern-grown Vidalia onion, the best choice for the TikTok-approved onion boil, has similar levels of sweetness, so it's not like you're totally deprived of allium goodness. If you do make the trek to Japan for your onion fix, however, you'll be glad to know that there are plenty of related activities for you to enjoy. Most eye-catching of all is the "Ottamanegi," a giant sculpture of an onion on a cliff over the sea; as you can imagine, it's a popular photo op. But that's only the start of your potential onion excursion. Do you want to visit an onion museum? Knock yourself out. In the mood for onion-flavored ice cream? Why not. Want to wear a little onion wig while you pose in front of the giant onion statue? Go ahead. Do you want to operate an onion claw machine where you can pick real onions? The world is your onion! (Er, oyster. Sorry, we got a little carried away with the onions, happens to the best of us.) While it may be a bit of a schlep to Awaji, especially when you have some excellent white, red, and yellow onions to choose from at home, it may very well be worth it. For more food and drink goodness, join The Takeout's newsletter. Get taste tests, food & drink news, deals from your favorite chains, recipes, cooking tips, and more! Read the original article on The Takeout.
