The Miyagawacho Beer Garden is a rare occasion where you can enjoy beer, daily specialities served by neighboring restaurants, and Classical Japanese dance by the Maiko (apprentice geisha) of Miyagawacho Kabukai. Miyagawacho Kabukai is one of the fiv..
Along a river in the West of Kyoto lies Arashiyama, a rural suburb of Kyoto. Literally “Storm Mountain”, Arashiyama is actually a tranquil place where you can wind down and relax in a beautiful natural setting. Arashiyama has its fair share of temples, or else it wouldn’t be Kyoto,..
Amanohashidate is one of the top three scenic spots in Japan and is the one closest to the urban centers of Osaka and Nagoya. Despite this, it remains a secret to visitors from around the world. Maybe they were thinking about Ogura Hyakunin Isshu, the ancient game of hundred cards. About a thousand ..
Fukuchiyama is a Castle Town about 70 kilometers from Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe. Nestled in a southern part of the valley, it is surrounded by mountains to the South, East and West. The Castle was constructed in the warring states period under the direction of Akechi Mitsuhide, a general in the late 1..
If you're after vegan eats in Japan, it's likely that you've stumbled across the Ain Soph group of restaurants. Starting with a number of different restaurants across Tokyo, they have recently expanded with their first foray into the Kyot..
Often, finding food that fits a vegan lifestyle in Japan can be a little tricky. Dashi stock creeps its way into many things, tempura batter contains eggs, and sushi...well, that's self explanatory, isn't it?! Thankfully though, more and more..
Want an eye-popping and mouth-watering Japanese food experience? I recommend braving Kyoto's 400 year old Nishiki Market – 390 metres of food and kitchen ware shops in a narrow arcade. It's popular with tourists, local gourmands and che..
Be comfortable with yourself. Curate your world. Give thanks for what comes in and what goes out. In a Zen garden in the heart of Kyoto, I was able to create my world, one of beauty, peace and graciousness. This is not make-believe, but in Japan, it ..
It is not often that you can combine two cultures without losing the essence of one. The Kiraku accommodation project does this effortlessly. In a response to the gradual deterioration of Japan's distinct architectural heritage, Kiraku aims to pr..
I dare you to open the window! Why? Were there monkeys or dragons outside? Recalling the stories of monkeys and eagles from Tadakki earlier that day, I jumped at the shadows on a dark night. I reluctantly unlocked the hatch, and slowly peered outside..
Having worked as a driver for nine months in the United States 58 years ago, the last thing Joe Okada expected to do was become a katana-wielding tour guide. Dubbed “The Last Samurai of Japan”, Okada is Japan’s oldest active tour gu..
Kiyamachi is one of the most popular areas in Kyoto. However, there is much that goes unseen. Kiyamachi street is a small area surrounded by a number of iconic landmarks, including Yasaka shrine and Maruyama Park. The street itself is very popular fo..
What is the secret to immortality? It has been a search that has perplexed mankind for centuries, one that is like the mythical El Dorado. In 219 BC Xu Fu (Jofuku in Japanese) was a court sorcerer in China’s Qin Dynansty. He was sent to find th..
