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...]
Myoshin-ji Article on Inside Kyoto
A few weeks ago I spent two pleasant days exploring the Zen temple complex of Myoshin-ji in north-western Kyoto. The results are now up on Chris Rowthorn's Inside Kyoto website. This is my last article of 2015. Myoshin-ji, or “Sublime Heart Temple,” is a massive Zen temple complex in the north west of Kyoto. In addition to its main buildings the grounds contain 46 … [Read more...]
Exploring Daitoku-ji on Inside Kyoto
Last month I spent a couple of days exploring the Zen gardens of the Daitoku-ji Temple complex, and the results are now up on Chris Rowthorn's Inside Kyoto website. Daitoku-ji was originally built as a small Zen temple in 1319. Like many historical sites in Kyoto, it was repeatedly destroyed by war and fire before being rebuilt on a grander scale by Zen master Ikkyu Sojun … [Read more...]
A Trip to Uji on Inside Kyoto
My article, A Trip to Uji, is now up on Chris Rowthorn's Inside Kyoto site. In it I describe a complete circuit of all of Uji's major sites. Uji is a remarkably well preserved town with several shrines and temples of historical interest, including two World Heritage Sites, and all set within a beautiful natural landscape. Many locations there are associated with the Tale of … [Read more...]
Exploring Fushimi on Inside Kyoto
My latest article for Inside Kyoto is an exploration of the backstreets and waterways of Fushimi - Kyoto's famed sake making district. Included in the article are places to taste sake, a boating cruise, a visit to the Teradaya Inn (where Sakamoto Ryoma narrowly escaped assassination), and a Buddhist temple dedicated to a Hindu river deity that happens to have a Hidden Christian … [Read more...]
Regarding the Cherry Blossoms in Okazaki, Kyoto
Just over a year ago I took a walk in Okazaki just before the cherry blossoms bloomed, and recorded my thoughts for the book Deep Kyoto: Walks. I was primarily focused on the architecture of the area, a lot of which dates from the Meiji era. Throughout my walk though I was very conscious of those cherry blossom buds which were "just about to pop". So a week later I went back … [Read more...]
Cherry Blossoms on Shimbashi, Kyoto
To the south of Shinmonzen, running east to west is Shimbashi-dori Street, probably the prettiest street in all of Gion. This flagstoned strolling area bordered with traditional buildings and willow trees follows the course of the Shirakawa canal. At its best in the cherry blossom season, it is still a delightful area in any season for a daytime stroll or an evening … [Read more...]
Gion Walking on Inside Kyoto
Walking in Gion, my latest article for Chris Rowthorn's Inside Kyoto, is now available online. For this piece I took a daytime tour of Gion's main sites and historical landmarks, taking in some craft and antique shops and sweet shops on the way. I spent a long time on Hanami-koji, trying to get a decent shot of the Ichiriki Chaya unobscured by face-masked pedestrians and … [Read more...]
A Long March – Ted Taylor Reflects on Anti-Nuclear Protest in Kyoto
Each year, as the anniversary of the 3/11 disaster in Tōhoku approaches, anti-nuclear protestors here in Kyoto hold a rally and march to protest the government's pro-nuclear policies. On Saturday March 7th this protest will take place once again. A year ago Ted Taylor joined this same rally and reported on it for our book, Deep Kyoto: Walks. As the marchers once again gather in … [Read more...]
