As the year winds down towards its close our friends in the Writers in Kyoto (WiK) group seem to be getting ever more active! Here are three upcoming events beginning this weekend with a talk on haiku legend, Matsuo Basho. Check out the details and the links below. 1. October 28th: Humanity in Basho 2. November 18th: ‘Zen Gardens and Temples of Kyoto’ Book Launch Event 3. … [Read more...]
Kyoto Brighton Hotel
Kyoto Brighton Hotel is a lovely, old-style, upscale hotel close by Kyoto Imperial Palace Park. This hotel is renowned for its hospitable service and top-notch dining facilities. To be honest, this hotel doesn't look so impressive from the outside, but step inside and - - Whoa! Check out that massive interior atrium! Six floors high and flooded with natural light, the … [Read more...]
Asipai Curry & Hibi Coffee
Asipai & Hibi Coffee are two wonderful businesses working together in the same shared space to bring you the very best artisanal coffee and startlingly delicious curries. I was really impressed with this place, with the friendly staff, with the presentation of the food and drink, and most of all with the taste. The curry was really good, and the cafe latte I ordered … [Read more...]
Enso Watt Perform CRYST0piA(e) @ UrbanGuild; 11.19.2017
The shaman speaks of a crystal city beyond time’s horizon, imperial and immortal, where the mind-lake sparkles, a perfected form where all is immediate. Multi-media performance group ENSO WATT are back with their latest production “CRYSTOPIA” – an operatic piece set in a dystopian dimension where a neo-humanity searches for the “beautiful objects of eternity.” This is … [Read more...]
Craft Beers at Kyoto Brewing Company Taproom
Here's a pleasant way to spend a lazy weekend afternoon. Head down to Kyoto Brewing Company's Taproom and enjoy the very freshest craft beers in a super relaxed and casual space. If the weather is good you can sit outside, and if not, you can chat to the friendly brewery staff indoors as they pull your pints. In the colder months they will also set up a tent outside with … [Read more...]
Kyoto Journal Returns to Print in Issue 89
I was delighted to hear from Ken Rodgers that Kyoto Journal is returning to print after far too long a stint in digital publishing. This award-winning magazine, based in Kyoto but with a pan-Asian focus, has long been an important center of creative endeavor within the Kyoto community, and continues to foster and encourage a wide range of projects by artists, designers, … [Read more...]
Ramen Factory Kyoto
Ramen Factory Kyoto is a new place near Tofukuji Temple where you can experience both making and eating your very own Kyoto style ramen. This shop is a side project of Menbakaichidai, a famous "fire ramen" restaurant that has been serving and entertaining ramen fans in Kyoto for the last 30 years. Check out the video for Ramen Factory below. Updated Details Ramen … [Read more...]
Campton Luxury Lodges: The Future of Kyomachiya
As regular readers know, I am a big fan of Kyoto’s machiya: the traditional wooden townhouses that once formed an integral part of this ancient city’s streetscape. As such I am always keen to support and promote local business that have wised-up to the great potential of these old houses as shops, restaurants, cafes, and hotels. I recently wrote about one such exciting venture; … [Read more...]
Cafe Foodelica
UPDATE: Sadly Foodelica closed permanently at the end of 2017. Not too long ago, after a visit to the Shugaku-in Imperial Villa, I was passing Cafe Foodelica and popped inside for a cappuccino and a scoop of ice cream. I don't visit Cafe Foodelica too often as I am based in Fushimi (south Kyoto) and it is situated up north by Shugakuin Station. However, it struck me … [Read more...]
The Soldier’s tale / The Ronin’s tale: A Mixed Media Performance at MoMAK Kyoto; October 6th
Many thanks to Marguerite Paget for letting us know about this great event which will be held at MoMAK (The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto) on October 6th as part of the Nuit Blanche Kyoto arts festival. The Soldier’s Tale is a theatrical Faustian story of a soldier who sells his prized violin to the devil in return for untold riches. Written in 1918 by C. F. Ramuz … [Read more...]
