This month our friend, Edward J. Taylor, continues his exploration of Kyoto's modern and historical streets with a walk along Ainomachi. “Do you Kyoto?” is a slogan seen frequently throughout the city, one puzzling both to its residents, who may not grasp the English, and its foreign guests, who are not quite sure of the vague sentiment. It becomes a point of derision to … [Read more...]
Following the flow of the Takasegawa on Kiyamachi Street
This month our friend, Edward J. Taylor, continues his exploration of Kyoto's streets with a thoughtful stroll along Kiyamachi. To view previous installments of this ongoing series see the links at the end of this article. It is a well-known fact that Japan is very strict about controlled substances. Never a big user myself, I’ve always felt that drugs aren’t necessary … [Read more...]
The Lake Biwa Canal Cruise from Kyoto to Otsu
Here's a special guest post from our friend, Edward J. Taylor. As part of the sesquicentennial celebration of the Meiji Restoration, Kyoto has a calendar packed with events that expound upon the city’s role during that time of great social upheaval. Though the Restoration is considered by many to be a relatively bloodless end to the 268-year feudal Edo Period, Kyoto did … [Read more...]
Strolling in Kyoto: Takeyacho & Ebisucho
This month Edward J. Taylor continues his ongoing exploration of Deep Kyoto’s streets by strolling not one but two: Takeyacho and Ebisucho. The whisk of brooms has replaced the wail of sirens. Typhoon Jebi had roared through the day before, supposedly the strongest storm to hit Japan in 25 years. I could certainly believe it, the way that my old wooden house shook as if in … [Read more...]
Ambling Down Kyoto’s Yanaginobanba Street
This month Edward J. Taylor continues his ongoing exploration of Deep Kyoto’s streets (and takes me along with him) for a stroll along Yanaginobanba Street. I’d originally planned to follow up my previous piece with another one related to the Gion festival, but the idea grew less interesting the more I thought about it. Not only would it be boring to read, it would be … [Read more...]
Shinmachi and the Giants of Gion Matsuri
As Gion Festival's pipes and bells chime throughout central Kyoto, Edward J. Taylor continues his ongoing exploration of Deep Kyoto's streets with a stroll through the matsuri preparations on Shinmachi. July rolled around, and not long afterward the rainy season came to an end, albeit with a devastating coda. The end of the rains ushers in the cadence of the cicada, and in … [Read more...]
Tracking the Changes on Kyoto’s Bukkoji-dōri
This month, once again, our good friend Edward J. Taylor continues his ongoing journey through Kyoto’s past and present with the fourth installment of his “Kyoto Streets” project and a stroll along Bukkoji-dōri. The pieces I’ve written thus far have all travelled from south to north, in keeping with how travelers would have entered the city during the Heian period. I … [Read more...]
A Stroll Along Teramachi: Kyoto’s “Temple Street”
This month, once again, our good friend Edward J. Taylor continues his ongoing journey through Kyoto’s past and present with the third installment of his "Kyoto Streets" project and a stroll along Teramachi. I choose to start just below Gōjō-dōri, at one of my favorite cafes. Efish unfailingly feels welcoming, well-lit with broad windows open to the river and an … [Read more...]
From Industry to History on Kyoto’s Muromachi-dōri
In this special guest post, our friend, Edward J. Taylor continues his Kyoto walking project; exploring both the historical and modern aspects of the city's famous streets. Today's walk takes him along Muromachi-dōri; once just a pathway in the old capital of Heian-kyo, and today a busy street of restaurants and kimono shops, the way bears evidence of 1,200 years of cultural … [Read more...]
Walking through the history of Kyoto’s “Oil Alley”: Aburanokōji
Here's a special guest post from our good friend, Edward J. Taylor; taking a stroll through the multi-leveled history of Kyoto's "Oil Alley". Around the time that we were preparing our Deep Kyoto Walks project, I mentioned to Michael that I thought that a lot of Kyoto’s history could be read in the names of its streets. I proposed then that I thought it would be interesting … [Read more...]
