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...

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,...

Oct 20, 2023

Meet Rachel, Kyoto's Travel Bug Art

My Japan Journey Interview 5: Rachel: Kyoto travel sketchbook artist I met Rachel for the first time in Kyoto this summer, in a quieter...

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...

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...

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...

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