Here's Ian Ropke with some advice for beating the summer blues... Nine tips for residents who are feeling a bit low or a bit homesick For foreigners who find themselves in Kyoto and who are feeling lonely or homesick, here are a few simple things you can do to get through the day with a smile. 1. Try to get to know as many dogs as you can. When you can't get human … [Read more...] about Feeling Blue?
Walder
Walder is a German style bakery on Fuyacho Street, just south of Rokkaku Street. They have an impressive range of tasty looking loaves, pastries and treats... … [Read more...] about Walder
Fleur de Farine
Today I bought my lunch at the bakery Fleur de Farine. This tiny little store sells french style loaves in a variety of shapes and sizes. Apparently, they also sell a British style loaf but it is always sold out when I go there. … [Read more...] about Fleur de Farine
Gokou-yu
Whether you are worn out after a stressful day at work, or from trawling round temples, or from working out at the gym, or whatever - nothing beats a good soak in the tub for physical and mental repose. And if you go to a public bath like a Japanese sento or onsen, the negative ions there will boost your mood and relax you much more than would a private bath. Two years ago I … [Read more...] about Gokou-yu
Along the Takasegawa: Pontocho and Kiyamachi
Old, quiet memories in a wild, new world The Takasegawa Canal Ian Ropke writes... This month, if you have the time, consider strolling down the Takegawa Canal along the lively, yet always interesting, world of Kiyamachi and Pontocho. Though the Takasegawa is called a river in Japanese, it is actually a canal, built with thousands of laborers. This is quite amazing, … [Read more...] about Along the Takasegawa: Pontocho and Kiyamachi
Wonderful Nearby Uji
New tea, azaleas, and cultural splendor Ian Ropke writes: The country town of Uji is famous for its temples, relaxing river-side scenery and a wide range of interesting cultural attractions. Uji has also been the tea capital of Japan since the 12th century. A short walk out of town in an easterly direction, and you will see the low, dark-green tea bushes covering the … [Read more...] about Wonderful Nearby Uji
Pontocho’s Tanuki Shrine
The stuff of miracles & legend On April 27, 1978, fire broke out in the early morning hours along the narrow street of Pontocho, the heart of one of Kyoto’s oldest entertainment quarters. Before anything could be done several of the quarter’s old wooden teahouses had been destroyed and a young geiko (the Kyoto word for a geisha) was dead. However, when the raging blaze … [Read more...] about Pontocho’s Tanuki Shrine
Donal Lunny @ TakuTaku
Here's a video of Donal Lunny and The Flying Dugong Band at TakuTaku last night. I filmed a few songs but I think this one is the nicest. Thanks due to Mewby for pointing out the info about this show to me when we were in Field a couple of weeks back... … [Read more...] about Donal Lunny @ TakuTaku
Radio Cafe
Radio Cafe is a nice setting in which to listen to local community radio. It also does some very nice cakes. I'll let the pictures below speak for themselves.* Radio Cafe is just south of Sanjo on the west side of Teramachi. Here is a most excellent and convenient map. Open Monday to Friday: 10.00-18.00 (until 19.00 on Tuesday) Closed on Saturday & … [Read more...] about Radio Cafe
Kyoto & Horses
More than just the Aoi Matsuri! If you can imagine the rugged geography of Japan without paved roads or mechanized transportation, you will appreciate the important role which horses played here until fairly recently. There are hundreds of place names in Japan that reflect a long and intimate relationship with the horse. Keage, near Nanzen-ji Temple, is one such … [Read more...] about Kyoto & Horses
antighseinnse
There's a Scottish pub in north Kyoto named antighseinnse (a.k.a. Horie's Bar). The name (pronounced "an ti shayn jay" I think) is Gaelic and means simply "Inn". The owner Toshiyuki Horie named it after a favored pub on the isle of Islay in Scotland and still proudly wears a T-shirt celebrating "The best pub in Portnahaven". Horie-san, a self-described whisky otaku or … [Read more...] about antighseinnse
