Looking back at an evening of hearty food and sake in izakayas in Kyoto.
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Looking for quiet in Arashiyama
Arashiyama 嵐山 is on the western outskirts of Kyoto. While it is famous for its bamboo grove, this picturesque area has much more to offer visitors. Here are some places where you can escape the crowds when in Arashiyama.
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Traditional Japanese nuts from Kyoto
Opened in the 19th century, Mamemasa 豆政 in Kyoto specialises in tasty roasted nuts coated in sweet and savoury flavours.
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In search of fallen chestnuts
Three elderly women in a tiny mountain village continue their tradition of collecting and transforming chestnuts into sweets with the help of volunteers.
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Vignettes of Japan #15: At one with nature
During our brief sojourn in Higashi-Yoshino, we took leisurely walks by the river, passed a waterfall and ancient shrines, climbed over many moss-covered stones, weaved amongst skinny tall trees, and listened to riotous symphonies by unknown insects.
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Vignettes of Japan #14: Countryside living
Once in a blue moon, I would select my next travel destination because of an unusual or exceptional lodging in the area. This has brought me to places that I had not heard of before; the mountainous village of Higashi-Yoshino 東吉野村 in Japan’s Nara Prefecture is one example. I was looking for a place to stay…
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Vignettes of Japan #13: “Hoto” oden on a rainy evening
Oden Miyuki Honten serves up delicious oden from large vats of simmering dashi stock. Perfect food for cold, wet days in Kanazawa, Japan.
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Vignettes of Japan #12: If I were a Samurai
What I love about this historic samurai abode is its intimate Japanese garden in the heart of the house. The Nomura Samurai House, together with the Kenroku-en Garden, makes Kanazawa a must-visit for anyone who is interested in Japanese gardens.
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Vignettes of Japan #11: Six at Kenroku-en Garden, Kanazawa
Kenroku-en Garden alone is reason enough to go to the city of Kanazawa. With the shinkansen taking only 2.5 hours to travel from Tokyo to Kanazawa, it is more convenient than ever to discover the city and its marvellous garden.
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