I was hoping my last anime review of the year would have a distinctly Japanese feel, so I was very pleased when I got my hands on The Eccentric Family from MVM Entertainment. This is a quirky little series set in a modern-day Kyoto populated by tanuki (Japanese raccoon dogs), tengu (demons) and humans. The Eccentric … Continue reading
No trip to Kyoto is complete without a visit to Gion, arguably Japan’s most famous geisha district. Gion is best visited in the evening when the lanterns hanging outside the restaurants and ochaya (teahouses) are lit up – and if you’re lucky enough you might catch a glimpse of a geisha or maiko, geisha apprentices. … Continue reading
If you want to have a picnic lunch and spend a few lazy hours people-watching in Kyoto, Maruyama Park is a must-visit. This beautiful park is situated next to the very popular and touristy Yasaka Shrine and is one of the best cherry blossom (sakura) viewing spots in Kyoto. The most impressive sight is the … Continue reading
Fushimi Inari is arguably one of the most iconic sites of Japan and one of my absolute favourite places in Kyoto. This important Shinto shrine is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which stretch majestically over a network of trails leading up to a mountain summit (about a 2-3 hour walk) and around … Continue reading
One thing I love about Japan is that it’s so easy to find a secluded tranquil space in the middle of the city. At first, the Heian Shrine looks big, red and, because of the crowds, touristy. This shrine in eastern Kyoto, not too far from the iconic Gion district, is relatively young by Japanese … Continue reading
Kiyomizudera is one of the most famous temples in Japan and sits on a beautiful wooded hillside overlooking Kyoto. The temple was built in 780 on the site of the Otowa Waterfall and its name literally means ‘Pure Water Temple’. When you see the immense wooden stage jutting out from the main hall, overlooking the … Continue reading
A leisurely stroll down the Philosopher’s Walk is an absolutely must if you’re visiting Kyoto. This 2 kilometre-long stone path is lined by hundreds of cherry trees, which come into full bloom in early April, and is one of the city’s most popular hanami (cherry blossom viewing) spots. The best place to start your walk … Continue reading
Kyoto, formerly the imperial capital of Japan, is well-known for its fascinating history, castles, shrines and temples. There are lots of shrines and temples – over 2,000 to be exact. It’s a challenge to see them all even if you live there and, sadly, we only had three days in Kyoto and barely scratched the … Continue reading
I’m surprised I hadn’t read Arthur Golden’s Memoirs of a Geisha years ago but, as they say, ‘better late than never’. This book accompanied me on the Shinkansen as we were whizzing around Japan and it was very atmospheric, so I was obviously going to have to review it eventually. Memoirs of a Geisha is a … Continue reading
How exciting, this is my last blog post before my friend Oana and I embark on a trip around Japan! I’ve been saving up for a ‘big blow out’ holiday like this since I graduated and, when I first met Oana back in freshers’ week, we somehow knew one day we would cross the pond! This will … Continue reading
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