Though small, this is certainly one of the most charming museums I have been to in Kyoto. Entry for adults is a mere 500 yen, and for that you get to play with around 50 of the 250 varied, inventive and frankly quite wonderful kaleidoscopes the museum has thus far collected. A sweet old gentleman and lady were very happy to show us how each instrument worked and once an hour … [Read more...] about Kyoto Kaleidoscope Museum ~ 京都万華鏡ミュージアム
Crossfit Kyoto
Last month Mewby and I completed an 8 lesson "Elements" training program over 4 weeks at Russell Trott's Crossfit Kyoto. I have to say that Russell is an excellent trainer, who takes everyone's personal abilities/needs fully into account during training and always with good humour. If you want to get fit, or at least start to feel fitter than you are now, you can't go wrong … [Read more...] about Crossfit Kyoto
Baird Beer & Oysters at Dining Room You
Many thanks to Robert Yellin for introducing us to Dining Room You, earlier this month. Hearing that they had both oysters and Baird beer there I was eager to give the place a try. We found it casual, and relaxed with a tiny garden at the back. Snow was gently falling to set the mood. Here's Robert in his element with a bottle of Angry Boy Brown Ale. Realizing that the … [Read more...] about Baird Beer & Oysters at Dining Room You
Bocca del Vino
Yesterday, Mewby & I celebrated five years together with dinner at Bocca del Vino. We ate there once before, about four years ago now, and I am happy to say that the food and service remain excellent. If you like Italian and you are looking to celebrate a special occasion with something a little bit special, then I definitely recommend splashing out at Bocca del … [Read more...] about Bocca del Vino
Wayang Bali
If you have been to Bali and you liked it, you will like Wayang Bali. They have really good authentic Balinese dishes and the owner Kadek and his staff are super, super friendly. I cannot recommend this place enough. Here are some dishes Mewby and I have taken a shine to on our frequent visits. Vegetable salad with peanuts sauce; how we love that peanuts sauce! … [Read more...] about Wayang Bali
Kyoto International Manga Museum
I'm a big fan of Kyoto International Manga Museum. Jointly administered by Seika University and the city of Kyoto, it is clear that a lot of consideration went into its layout and design. Here are some things to love about the museum: *They have a massive manga collection you can browse and read at your leisure. And if your Japanese isn't up to scratch, they have Japanese … [Read more...] about Kyoto International Manga Museum
Kubota Rekkou’s Blue Celadon Works @ Robert Yellin’s Gallery
On Wednesday I spent a very pleasant evening at Robert Yellin's ceramics gallery, looking at all beautiful things that he has gathered there and enjoying his fascinating conversation. Robert had invited me up to see his new exhibition; the beautiful blue celadon of Kubota Rekkou. Light, pale and graceful this 青白磁 (seihakuji - or blue-white porcelain) stands in marked contrast … [Read more...] about Kubota Rekkou’s Blue Celadon Works @ Robert Yellin’s Gallery
Ten Days in Tohoku
As regular readers will remember, in early March I spent ten days up in Miyagi prefecture volunteering with IDRO JAPAN. As the charity sale for IDRO approaches, I think it's time I finally sat down and wrote about the work I took part in up there, and put down some thoughts about my experiences. So here goes... The Importance of Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone First off, … [Read more...] about Ten Days in Tohoku
Shinto – Deities, Shrines and Symbols
Ian Ropke writes, Shinto is Japan’s original religion and today it maintains a strong position next to the country’s other main religion: Buddhism. It is interesting to note that nearly all Japanese do not even know what the word Shinto means. The word Shinto comes from the Chinese characters: god and path. Elegantly translated Shinto means The Way of the Gods. Today, if you … [Read more...] about Shinto – Deities, Shrines and Symbols
Furansisko no Ie
Here's a new post from our good friend, John Dougill. Near Shijo Omiya is a small museum called Furansisko no Ie. From the outside it’s unremarkable; inside is a small exhibition room with items from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. They represent the time when Christianity first arrived in Japan, before falling into disfavour and being banned. What marks the … [Read more...] about Furansisko no Ie
Namaste Taj Mahal in Fushimi
The quest for good Indian curry continues! Namaste Taj Mahal in Fushimi is certainly a contender; lovely creamy curries, giant naan breads, super friendly staff and some of the tastiest samosas I have ever devoured. And devour them I did. I'm not kidding about those samosas. You might think, "Oh come on! It's just a bit of pastry with potato, onion and peas in it." … [Read more...] about Namaste Taj Mahal in Fushimi
