Unfortunately, Mewby has to work on Christmas Day, so left to my own devices I spent the afternoon rambling over Inari Mountain. And what a wonderfully spooky mountain it is! Here are some pictures. Merry Christmas to you all!

A special review today by our good friend Richard Donovan,

Taking photos in Joel Stewart’s painting studio in North Kyoto, I struggle to contain his upcoming exhibition’s signature artwork, Odyssey, within the frame. A horizontal painting comprised of six separate 40-centimeter-square images painted on both paper and canvas, all mounted onto wooden panels and joined together. It is a veritable visual haiku extending more than two meters. [Read more…]

After a hard days tramping round shrines and temples, what better than a good meal, and a cool quenching beverage? Or perhaps you would prefer a good cup of coffee and some ambient sounds to help you wind down. But where to go? Well, there are many “British-style” pubs and Starbuckses aplenty if you need to retreat back to your comfort zone, and no blame to you if you do. But if you want to challenge yourself a bit further, dust off that phrasebook and encounter the average people who make up modern Kyoto, I might be able to help you. This blog is intended for foreign residents and tourists who would like to venture a little deeper into the Japanese community here in Kyoto. In “Deep Kyoto” I will be introducing you to some of the shops, cafes, bars and restaurants that I’ve become fond of during my time here. Many of these places are not included in the average travel guide, and remain unknown to most of the foreign community. “Deep Kyoto” will also be my excuse to venture still deeper myself, meet more good people and find more good places. I’m looking forward to it. Why not join me?