My review of the new Maruzen Bookstore & Cafe is now up on Inside Kyoto... After a 10-year interval Kyoto’s best bookstore, Maruzen Books has returned! Our resident bookworm, Michael Lambe, went to take a look at the new premises and see if the new store matches up to its legendary past. Check out the full story here: Maruzen Bookstore Returns to Kyoto! … [Read more...]
Deep Kyoto on CNN Travel
In case you missed it, my recommendations for what to see, do, buy, & eat when in "Japan's most photogenic city" are now up on the CNN Travel site. Everyone should visit Kyoto at least once. It's Japan's best preserved ancient city. Shrines, temples, palaces, gardens ... the city is home to thousands of architectural wonders, including 17 UNESCO World Heritage … [Read more...]
Maruzen Bookstore Returning to Kyoto!
It's been ten long years since Kyoto's best bookstore closed it's doors... but now Maruzen is coming back! Kyoto's legendary bookstore occupied a special place in the hearts of expats because of it's huge English language book section. Locals too were sad to see the historic shop close down, for Maruzen had occupied a spot on Kawaramachi Street since 1907. The new … [Read more...]
Introducing Takaokaya — Handcrafted Cushions and Bedding from Kyoto
Today we have a guest post from Michael Baxter on behalf of Takaokaya: the only traditional cushion shop in Kyoto that still makes their products by hand... Takaokaya: Handcrafted Contemporary & Traditional Zabuton Cushions and Futon Bedding from Kyoto Since 1919 Brand Story Takaokaya is a producer of handmade zabuton cushions and futon bedding in the ancient … [Read more...]
Kyoto Antiques: Shopping & Window Shopping
Ian Ropke writes, There are two areas in Kyoto known for antiques: Teramachi and Shinmonzen. Both areas are perfect for window shopping and, naturally, shopping. Teramachi, south of Marutamachi, north of Oike but mostly north of Nijo, is Kyoto’s newest antique center. It is more casual, and often quite a bit cheaper when it comes to antiques pure and simple … [Read more...]
