On the 3rd of January, Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto will host the first New Year's 'Karuta' card game. Women dressed in Juni-hitoe (Heian period costume) will play this old card game. Karuta was introduced to Japan by Portuguese merchants in t..
On the 4th of January every year, Shimogamo Shrine, in Kyoto hosts the Kemari Hajime festival, the first Kemari match of the year, dedicated to the gods. Kemari is a game is played with "mari", a ball weighing about 150g made of deer's..
From the 8th to the 12th of January, Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto will host the city's first major festival of the year, the Ebisu Festival. This is dedicated to Ebisu, called "Ebessan" in the Kansai dialect, the god of good fortune and ..
Keep your eyes open for geisha while we bring you on a guided walk through the beautiful Gion neighbourhood soaking up the atmosphere. Then join in on the fun at the RAN theatre where you can hear a lively performance of traditional Japanese music.
Discover Northern Kyoto, visit Amanohashidate, one of the three most picturesque views in Japan, enjoy delicious seafood and shopping on this 1-day tour available exclusively to The Junei Hotel guests.
Stay at the Michelin 3-star awarded Junei Hotel in Kyoto, and enjoy the exclusive experience of maiko (geisha-in-training) performance in the comfort of your hotel room.
If you have not been to any historical sites in Kyoto yet, this tour is for you! This tour will cover visiting the historical sites in Kyoto in one day!
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 15..
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..
I was with my friends in the car. The water outside was already level with the windscreen wipers, and slowly increasing. What should we do? Should we stay or go? She inched the car forward, but it only got worse, the water rising, inch by inch. I wok..
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..
