John Dougill writes, Priests hopping and cawing like crows. Seven year old kids doing sumo. What’s that all got to do with Shinto, you may wonder? Kamigamo Jinja is Kyoto’s greenest shrine and probably the oldest. It was established by the Kamo clan long before Kammu founded the capital in 794. One of the clan, according to legend, helped guide Emperor Jimmu across Kii … [Read more...] about Karasu Sumo at Kamigamo Shrine on September 9
Hiking Along the Old Hozu River Towpath
Last Saturday I joined Stephen Gill and Okiharu Maeda of the conservation group P.T.O. for a hike along the Hozu River. The hike wasn't purely for the pleasure of getting out into the fresh country air though, Maeda-san and Mr. Gill were making a detailed report, with photographs of the exact location of trees on Mount Ogura that have been affected by a deadly oak disease. Even … [Read more...] about Hiking Along the Old Hozu River Towpath
Ikkyu Sojun’s Kyo’unshu
Here's this month's poetry post from our friend Keiji Minato. Ikkyu Sojun (一休宗純; 1394-1481) is one of the most famous monks in the history of Japan. Since his lifetime countless legends have been told about his weird acts and unmatchable wits. For contemporary Japanese he has become the most familiar figure as a Buddhist monk through the television anime series Ikkyu-san … [Read more...] about Ikkyu Sojun’s Kyo’unshu
Makimura Dental Clinic
Like most people I'm not keen on visits to the dentist and tend to put them off for as long as possible. However, if I want to keep this set of gnashers in good nick then it's important to get them checked out occasionally. When I do so, I want a dentist who can explain things to me in English and I want someone I trust. I've had bad experiences with unscrupulous dentists, in … [Read more...] about Makimura Dental Clinic
Chidzuko Ueno’s Book of Haiku, Eldorado
Here's this month's Kyoto poetry post by our friend Keiji Minato! Haiku is a well-established poetic form in Japan. Japanese newspapers call for haiku submissions, and a large number of amateur poets send them their works to be chosen for publication by famous masters. There are some TV programs specializing in haiku, for which big events are often held and big … [Read more...] about Chidzuko Ueno’s Book of Haiku, Eldorado
Mitarashi Matsuri
Shimogamo Jinja July 21-24, from 5.30-22.30 John Dougill writes, Hot, hot and humid! At this time of year you may feel all you want to do is wade through cold water. Well, that’s just what you get to do in the Mitarashi Festival at Shimogamo Shrine. Considering that it promises a disease-free year, particularly for your legs, then it’s easy to understand why the … [Read more...] about Mitarashi Matsuri
Shiki Yoshina
Yuka Balcony Dining by the Kamo River Every year from May 1st through till the end of September around one hundred restaurants along the Kamo River erect yuka balconies so that their customers may enjoy the cool air off the river as they eat their meals. The sight of all those balconies on a summer night with all their cheerful lanterns swinging in a light breeze and the … [Read more...] about Shiki Yoshina
Istanbul Saray
Imagine if you will a basket of fresh baked bread, a colourful assortment of Middle-Eastern dips and a chilled glass of Efes Turkish beer. Sometimes such simplicity is sublime. I was so taken with the food at restaurant Istanbul Saray after my first visit that I spent one week telling everybody about the place and went straight back with Mewby the following weekend. The bread … [Read more...] about Istanbul Saray
Kozmoz International
Kozmoz New York Coffee is an American style cafe/diner tucked away in Fushimi Momoyama, that specializes in such dishes as the Philly Cheesesteak, the Hot Italian Sausage, bagels, muffins, apple pies and cheesecake… What makes this establishment a little bit different from other cafes though, is that every yen made from your hotdog or cheesesteak, (and also all the profits … [Read more...] about Kozmoz International
Tramonto
Chris Rowthorn introduced me to this little Italian restaurant a few months ago. As he said at the time, to look at the place you would think it was a kissaten (old style Japanese coffee shop), and expect them to serve you カレーライス. Nevertheless here at Tramonto you can get some of the best pizza in town. The last time I went with Mewby, we ordered this one: Super … [Read more...] about Tramonto
“Kyoto Uta Kiko” (Song Travels in Kyoto) — Rokuhara-mita Temple
Here's this month's poetry contribution from Keiji Minato: 枇杷の咲く路地抜け右へ折れましてまっすぐ行けば六波羅蜜寺 坪内稔典 Biwa no saku Roji nuke Migi e oremashite Massugu ikeba Rokuhara-mita-ji --- TSUBOUCHI Toshinori Passing through an alley where you see loquat blossoms and taking a right turn and then going straight gets you to Rokuhara-mita Temple 『京都うた紀行』 (Kyoto Uta Kiko ~ … [Read more...] about “Kyoto Uta Kiko” (Song Travels in Kyoto) — Rokuhara-mita Temple
