Ōyamazaki Villa Museum of Art (大山崎山荘美術館)
Aren’t you intrigued by a Western-style house on the lower slope of Tenno-zan (天王山) (Tenno Mountain), blending in with nature in the south of Kyoto? This house used to be …
How To Kyoto
Local information in Kyoto
Three Best Bookstores in Kyoto
Introduction What comes to mind when you hear the word KYOTO? Temples, Kimono, or Japanese traditional sweets? You are absolutely right! However, there is one more thing that makes your …
Kennin-ji Temple (建仁寺); Birthplace of Zen and Tea
While Kyoto boasts numerous temples, iconic sites like Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Golden Pavilion have huge crowds. However, nestled in Kyoto’s downtown, Kennin-ji Temple stands as a serene oasis. Here, amidst …
Nijo-jo Castle; Witness to the birth and demise of the Edo shogunate
Nijo-jo Castle is located on the west side of where Nijo Street meets Horikawa Street in Kyoto. It was built in 1603 by Tokugawa Ieyasu (1542-1616), the first shogun of …
The Colors of Takatsuki – Music and Carp Streamers
Takatsuki is a city located just at the halfway point between Osaka and Kyoto. Conveniently, both JR and Hankyu express trains stop at it. Today, I’d like to introduce two …
Unique Train Stations Part 2
Hello, it’s great to see you again. This will be a continuation from part 1. In this section, I’ll be introducing some more interesting stations and railways. Then, please accompany …
Unique Train Stations in Japan
Traveling is one of the most enjoyable things in one’s lifetime. What do you enjoy doing during your trip? Could it be sightseeing, food, an attraction, or simply meeting someone? …
Discover Teatopia Wazuka (和束), the Hidden Gem of Kyoto!
Do you see the serene and artistic beauty of these tea fields? This is Wazuka, a small town in the southern part of Kyoto Prefecture, which is renowned for its …
The Yodo River
The Yodo River (淀川) originates in Lake Biwa (琵琶湖), the largest lake in Japan, and is called the Seta River (瀬田川) in its upper reaches and the Uji River (宇治川) …
The Essence of Kyoto: Yasaka Shrine (八坂神社) and Its Surroundings
This is the West Gate of Yasaka Shrine. This beautiful gate stands at the east end of Shijo Street, which runs through the center of Kyoto. Actually, this West Gate …