Links on this page are affiliate links from which I will earn a commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Gion Matsuri, Kyoto’s most famous festival, is held each summer in the month of July. It features gorgeously decorated floats, parades and processions, purification rituals, traditional music, displays of family heirlooms, and a giant street … [Read more...] about The Gion Festival – Exploring Its Mysteries by Catherine Pawasarat
Deep Kyoto: Walks Paperback Edition Now Available
This is a delightful collection of essays written by a diverse group of writers who share an obvious and contagious affection for Kyoto. – Matthew Stavros (Author: “Kyoto: An Urban History of Japan’s Premodern Capital ”) I am delighted to annouce the release of Deep Kyoto: Walks as a paperback edition. This is a print on demand (POD) edition and has been independently … [Read more...] about Deep Kyoto: Walks Paperback Edition Now Available
Byodo-in Without the Crowds
In August I was in Uji one day and took the opportunity to visit the Byodo-in temple. As the pandemic has drastically reduced the number of tourists in Kyoto, I thought it was a good opportunity to view the famous Phoenix Hall minus the hordes of visitors that were there on my last visit - a good five years ago. Although this time there were a fair number of domestic tourists … [Read more...] about Byodo-in Without the Crowds
Kyoto: A Literary Guide – New Translations from Twelve Centuries of Japanese Literature
Today I am very happy to share news of a brand new publication, Kyoto: A Literary Guide, which was launched this month by Camphor Press. This book was born from the shared efforts of the Kyo-centrics: a long-standing poetry in translation discussion group - of which I happen to be a member. In addition to myself, the six Kyo-centrics who collated, translated and edited this … [Read more...] about Kyoto: A Literary Guide – New Translations from Twelve Centuries of Japanese Literature
Crafting Tatami in 21st Century Kyoto: An Interview with Mitsuru Yokoyama
Today we have a special guest post from our old friend, Lisa Y. Allen. Traditional Japanese Craftsmanship: Tatami in the 21st Century An interview with award-winning tatami craftsman, Mitsuru Yokoyama Tatami is a rush-covered straw mat used for flooring and dates back to the Nara Period when the word, tatami, first appeared in the Kojiki, the oldest Japanese book written … [Read more...] about Crafting Tatami in 21st Century Kyoto: An Interview with Mitsuru Yokoyama
Kyoto Insider Sake Experience – Discovering Nihonshu in the Fushimi Brewing District
Today I would like to introduce the Kyoto Insider Sake Experience; a wonderful brewery tour and sake tasting that Mewby and I recently enjoyed with our friendly guide, Kotaro Hashimoto, in the historic Fushimi district of Kyoto. These days Kyoto's Fushimi district is best known among international travelers as the location of Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine and the … [Read more...] about Kyoto Insider Sake Experience – Discovering Nihonshu in the Fushimi Brewing District
Seimei Jinja Shrine
Last summer I happened to be up in Kamigyo-ku Ward in north-west Kyoto and took the opportunity to visit Seimei Jinja Shrine. This is a little shrine, and easily missed, but it has a very special character and history, and I had long wanted to take a look at it. You will notice as soon as you arrive here the ubiquitous design of the five-pointed star or pentagram. This … [Read more...] about Seimei Jinja Shrine
Craft Beers at Kyoto Brewing Company Taproom
Here's a pleasant way to spend a lazy weekend afternoon. Head down to Kyoto Brewing Company's Taproom and enjoy the very freshest craft beers in a super relaxed and casual space. If the weather is good you can sit outside, and if not, you can chat to the friendly brewery staff indoors as they pull your pints. In the colder months they will also set up a tent outside with … [Read more...] about Craft Beers at Kyoto Brewing Company Taproom
Ramen Factory Kyoto
Ramen Factory Kyoto is a new place near Tofukuji Temple where you can experience both making and eating your very own Kyoto style ramen. This shop is a side project of Menbakaichidai, a famous "fire ramen" restaurant that has been serving and entertaining ramen fans in Kyoto for the last 30 years. Check out the video for Ramen Factory below. Updated Details Ramen … [Read more...] about Ramen Factory Kyoto
Dough – Kyoto’s Best Bread Shop & Bakery
Back when I lived in central Kyoto I was frequent visitor to the bakery Bread Room and happily recommended that fine little shop on Deep Kyoto in 2009. A few years ago though I moved down to Fushimi, invested in a bread making machine, and naturally lost touch with that fabled purveyor of fine baked goods. As it turns out, in the intervening years the owners of that shop have … [Read more...] about Dough – Kyoto’s Best Bread Shop & Bakery
Shinkamanza Machiya Resort Named “Village Kiramachi”; New Photos from Our Stay
A few months ago I wrote about an innovative machiya townhouse revival project in the Shinkamanza district of central Kyoto. Under the supervision of local architectural company, Good Design Works, not just one traditional townhouse but a whole group of houses has been renovated and reinvented as a single integrated resort hotel. I have now been informed that the resort has … [Read more...] about Shinkamanza Machiya Resort Named “Village Kiramachi”; New Photos from Our Stay
