The big names and famous photo opportunities in Kyoto city can seduce visitors and locals for an entire lifetime. However, the rest of the prefecture should not be overlooked. Uji, just 15 minutes from central Kyoto by train, draws visitors throughou..
Gion Matsuri is Kyoto's largest festival which takes place throughout the month of July by the Yasaka Shrine. Although it is named after the Gion district, the main events take place on the opposite side of Kamo River. There are two main parade..
Along a river in the West of Kyoto lies Arashiyama, a rural suburb of Kyoto. Literally "Storm Mountain", Arashiyama is actually a tranquil place where you can wind down and relax in a beautiful natural setting. Arashiyama has its fair share of temples, or else it wouldn't be Kyoto,..
Amanohashidate is one of the top three scenic spots in Japan and is the one closest to the urban centers of Osaka and Nagoya. Despite this, it remains a secret to visitors from around the world. Maybe they were thinking about Ogura Hyakunin Isshu, the ancient game of hundred cards. About a thousand ..
Fukuchiyama is a Castle Town about 70 kilometers from Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe. Nestled in a southern part of the valley, it is surrounded by mountains to the South, East and West. The Castle was constructed in the warring states period under the direction of Akechi Mitsuhide, a general in the late 1..
Want an eye-popping and mouth-watering Japanese food experience? I recommend braving Kyoto's 400 year old Nishiki Market - 390 metres of food and kitchen ware shops in a narrow arcade. It's popular with tourists, local gourmands and che..
Veg Out Cafe in Kyoto overlooks the Kamagawa river and as the name suggests provides customers with a place to relax. The design of the cafe is welcoming and inclusive. It feels as though you are expected to stay for more then just a meal and unwind..
The Kanra Kitchen Kyoto is a perfect place if you like to have good wine with your pizza. It is also perfect for a romantic lunch or dinner. The waiters are kind and welcoming, the Italian cuisine is authentic but served with Japanese elegance and de..
Be comfortable with yourself. Curate your world. Give thanks for what comes in and what goes out. In a Zen garden in the heart of Kyoto, I was able to create my world, one of beauty, peace and graciousness. This is not make-believe, but in Japan, it ..
It is not often that you can combine two cultures without losing the essence of one. The Kiraku accommodation project does this effortlessly. In a response to the gradual deterioration of Japan's distinct architectural heritage, Kiraku aims to pr..
I dare you to open the window! Why? Were there monkeys or dragons outside? Recalling the stories of monkeys and eagles from Tadakki earlier that day, I jumped at the shadows on a dark night. I reluctantly unlocked the hatch, and slowly peered outside..
Kiyamachi is one of the most popular areas in Kyoto. However, there is much that goes unseen. Kiyamachi street is a small area surrounded by a number of iconic landmarks, including Yasaka shrine and Maruyama Park. The street itself is very popular fo..
What is the secret to immortality? It has been a search that has perplexed mankind for centuries, one that is like the mythical El Dorado. In 219 BC Xu Fu (Jofuku in Japanese) was a court sorcerer in China's Qin Dynansty. He was sent to find th..
On my second business trip this week, it suddenly dawned on me that I spent more time away than at home, something that led me to think about what home really means. I was having lunch with someone in Cairns when she said that Japan was her "go..
