Last weekend we visited Hirano Shrine, famous for it's cherry blossoms. They have a lot of yatai food stalls set up there for the cherry blossom festival. And above them all and around them a gorgeous cloud of pink and white cherry blossom. "As court nobles donated cherry trees handed down in each family from ancient times, there are approximately 400 … [Read more...] about Cherry Blossoms at Hirano Shrine
The Ryōzen Kannon, Kyoto, 1958
...suppose there are immeasurable hundreds, thousands, ten thousands, millions of living beings who are undergoing various trials and suffering. If they hear of this Bodhisattva Perceiver of the Word's Sounds and single-mindedly call his name, then at once he will perceive the sound of their voices and they will all gain deliverance from their trials. If someone, holding fast … [Read more...] about The Ryōzen Kannon, Kyoto, 1958
Kamo’s All You Can Eat Veggie Buffet
Now that Obanzai's organic buffet is closing, it is good to know that there are alternatives. Kamo serves up all organic locally grown vegetables in all kinds of tasty combinations. They take pride in the fact their vegetables are 都野菜 or "Miyako vegetables" which means they are truly local. Apparently the famed label 京野菜 - "Kyo yasai" does not always guarantee that the veggies … [Read more...] about Kamo’s All You Can Eat Veggie Buffet
Jazz Band Fujiya Mountain @ 和音堂
Walking up the Kamo river one day, we saw a lively jazz band playing under the Sanjo bridge that were so good we decided cross over and have a look. They were young, fun and funky, so we picked up a flyer for their next gig, which happened to be on the following day. The location 和音堂 (WA・ON・DO) was convenient and the price was only 1,000 yen (+ another 500 yen for a … [Read more...] about Jazz Band Fujiya Mountain @ 和音堂
Even the hardest hearts will melt at the sight of Jonangu’s plum blossoms
I think it is safe to say that the weeping plum blossoms at Jonangu Shrine were at their peak when we visited last Sunday. Jonangu lies to the south of Kyoto, about 15 minutes walk from Takeda Station, which can be reached on either the Kintetsu or Karasuma Subway lines. When a shrine was originally built here in Heian times the area around it would presumably have been … [Read more...] about Even the hardest hearts will melt at the sight of Jonangu’s plum blossoms
