Kurama Temple (鞍馬寺), also known as Kurama-dera in Japanese, is the representative temple on Mt. Kurama in Kyoto established in 770. The temple is well-known among the Japanese because the famous military commander Minamoto no Yoshitsune (源 義経) was trained there during his youth. In addition, it is likely the only temple in Japan (or […]
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If you are ever looking for a naturally cool and refreshing spot in Kyoto, then read on! Mt Kurama and Kibune, located in the northernmost part of Kyoto City, are where the locals head to when they want to escape the summer heat. Why? Because the best way to spend a summer day in Kyoto
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Planning a summer trip to Kyoto? Escape the city heat with the ultimate cool-down at Hirobun (京都貴船 料理旅館 ひろ文) in Kibune, the most famous spot for Nagashi Sōmen noodles (流しそうめん). This unique dining tradition served at a river terrace, involves catching chilled flowing noodles with chopsticks as they slide down a bamboo flume, will be
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If you plan to visit Uji for Byōdō-in Temple (平等院), consider dining at one of the vegan or vegan-friendly restaurants nearby! In fact, while remaining unknown to most international tourists, Byōdō-in isn’t the only temple filled with Japan’s important cultural properties. Just two stations away from Uji Station, Mampuku-ji is another temple you won’t regret visiting.
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While Kyoto is famous for tofu and Kyōyasai (Kyoto’s heirloom fruit and vegetables), the dashi stock used to cook the tofu and vegetables usually contains bonito extracts. Thus, you can’t just enter a restaurant and order the first tofu or vegetable dish you see on the menu if you are strict with your vegetarian/vegan diet. But don’t worry.
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We all know one of the must-dos when visiting Osaka is eating. The mouthwatering food is one of the prefecture’s biggest selling points. While it might seem despairing to find a place with a nice vegetarian or even vegan menu as you walk the streets of Dōtonbori, Namba, and Shinsaibashi, that isn’t the case! Vegan
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Although Kyoto is one of the top destinations in Japan, the transportation system in the city, however, can be quite confusing to firstcomers. As in any city worldwide, you can choose from buses, trains, or subways to get to the popular attractions in Kyoto. But with so many transportation companies operating in this ancient city,
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The city of Ōtsu has many stunning scenery and one of them is at the northern Ōtsu close to Biwako Bridge (琵琶湖大橋). The view of the worship hall of Mangetsu-ji Temple Ukimi-dō (満月寺 浮御堂) sticking out of Lake Biwa is one of the Eight Views of Ōmi (近江八景). Because of its fame, it is a
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The Seta River (瀬田川), south of Lake Biwa, is the only waterway from which the lake’s water can flow. The river stretches all the way to Kyoto and Osaka and has the 260-meter Seta no Karahashi Bridge (瀬田の唐橋) built across it. Not only is the bridge an important military and transportation hub, but it is
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If you can only visit one castle in Japan, Himeji Castle is undoubtedly the one to visit. The castle that escaped the fate of being bombed isn’t just the most elegant castle in Japan but is also one of the top cherry blossoms and fall foliage destinations in the Kansai region. If you feel hungry
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