Machiya Building Returns to Kyoto
…and that ideal vision was that Kyoto would once again be a beautiful wooden city… Steve Beimel of JapanCraft21 in Kyoto is an...
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Sep 1
Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess
I first discovered stories about the thunder god, Susanoo-no-Mikoto, when I visited the Gion Matsuri last summer. Susanoo-no-Mikoto is...
Aug 19
An Introduction to Shinto
Have you ever wondered about Japanese Shinto shrines? What is the meaning behind those zigzag shapes of paper that hang from a rope, and...
Aug 9
The Chrysanthemum Festival
Do not think yourself The vanishing dew. Think instead Of the long-blooming Chrysanthemum flower. The Heian Court calendar was peppered...
Jul 23
Japanese Drama Update!
Turn to me Mukai-kun Sincere guy Satoru Mukai (played by Akaso Eiji) had a perplexing break-up ten years ago: one which he never quite...
Jul 1
Kyoto Machiya: Mugen
Machiya are the beautiful, traditional townhouses of Kyoto, made with tremendous craft and skill. In 2016 I stayed at the lovingly...
Jun 16
Spring in Fuji Five Lakes
The peak of Mount Fuji is oblivious to time. What season does it take this to be that the falling snow should dapple it like a fawn? toki...
May 24
Meet Catherine Pawasarat: Author of The Gion Festival: Exploring Its Mysteries
My Japan Journey Interview 8: Catherine Pawasarat: expert and author of The Gion Festival: Exploring Its Mysteries There is no question...
Apr 26
The Miyako Odori: Kyoto's Spring Dance
In preparation for our exciting interview and blog with the Kyoto geisha and maiko photographer John Paul Foster, I began to learn about...
Apr 18
Cherry Blossom Kyoto - a Travel Journal
The best among blossoms is the red plum, whether light or dark in colour. As for the cherry, the blossoms should be on slender branches,...
Apr 12
Meet Natalie Leon: Author of The Japanese Art of Living Seasonally
My Japan Journey Interview 7: Meet Natalie Leon: Author, Japanophile, Forager In our blog today, we celebrate new writer Natalie Leon,...
Mar 12
JanuaryInJapan Book Club 2024 Review: The Wisdom of Tea
Thank you so much to everyone who joined us this year for our online JanuaryInJapan Book Club event! We meet once a year and we're very...
Feb 14
Kasane: Looking at Colour Layering
Murasaki Shikibu wearing juunihitoe. Lady butterfly perfumes her wings by floating over the orchid –Bashō I have long been fascinated by...
Jan 22
Meet John Paul Foster: Kyoto Photographer of the Floating World
Mamefuji © John Paul Foster Meet John Paul Foster: Kyoto Photographer of the Floating World My Japan Journey Interview 6: John Paul...
Sep 17, 2023
Meet Nóra Hamucska, sumi painter
My Japan Journey Interview 4: Nóra: ink painting artist Our friend Nóra is a passionate ink painter. Her foundational skills are in...
Sep 7, 2023
The Wisdom of Tea: Tea Ceremony in Kyoto
So spring fled, summer blazed, and autumn winds began to blow- when, our eyes lifted heavenward toward the meeting of the Stars, we write...
Sep 3, 2023
Cotswold Living Magazine and The Art of Japan
Yukki and I are thrilled to feature in the September 2023 issue of beautiful Cotswold Living magazine! It was wonderful to talk to Sharon...
Jul 23, 2023
Kyoto Travel Journal: Gion Matsuri 2023
Chigo, Yasaka Shrine Influences and Beginnings When I was in my early twenties, and without much experience of travel, I arrived with my...
Jun 9, 2023
J-Drama Catch Up!
I love watching Japanese drama: the stories are gentle and heart-warming; the locations are great; and the stories are interesting! That...
Mar 24, 2023
More Japanese Drama!
I love watching Japanese drama! It's a great way of improving Japanese listening skills while being entertained! My vocabulary has...
Feb 8, 2023
JanuaryInJapan 2023: The Old Capital Bookclub Review!
We had a fantastic time at our online JanuaryInJapan Bookclub this year - thank you so much to everyone who joined us! Our subject for...
Jan 20, 2023
Kyoto and Tokyo Travel Journal, Fall 2022
It was almost three years to the day when we returned to Kyoto in November 2022. In the intervening time, when it was not possible to...
Jan 10, 2023
Meet Mafalda Tenente, artist and writer of 'Autumn in Japan'
My Japan Journey Interview No 03: Mafalda: ink painting and book creating Mafalda Tenente, with a pouch full of brush pens, sits in a...
Jan 2, 2023
Guest Blog: What is the Best Way to Learn Japanese Online?
A short while ago we were contacted by the team at Best Japanese, in order to be included in an article about the best way to learn...
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