Mie, Shiga, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyōgo, Nara, Wakayama
Looking for vegan or vegetarian food in Japan? Visit OKO Fun Okonomiyaki Bar (遊べるお好み焼き屋 ＯＫＯ) in Osaka for gluten-free and vegan Okonomiyaki pancakes and other Japanese vegetarian food. The vegan-friendly hidden gem is in the busy Namba area. Although the owner, Shiho, runs the entire place by herself, she does an amazing job ensuring that […]
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Byōdō-in (平等院) isn’t the only temple you can visit in Uji. Two stations away from Uji Station, Manpuku-ji (萬福寺), close to JR Ōbaku Station (黄檗駅), is a less-known but magnificent and culturally rich religious facility that has 23 Important National Cultural Properties. The temple is the head temple of Japan’s Three Great Zen Schools, Ōbakushū
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Shugakuin Imperial Villa (修学院離宮) at the west foot of Mt. Hiei (比叡山) is a facility belonging to the Japanese imperial family that has earned a 2-Star rating from the Michelin Green Guide. It was designed by the retired Emperor Go-mizuno’o (後水尾上皇) with the idea of a villa in the countryside with beautiful scenery in every
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The Katsura Imperial Villa (桂離宮) in Kyoto is regarded as the masterpiece of the Japanese garden. The strolling garden comprising over half of the 69,000 square meter-wide villa is amazingly designed with various traditional-style garden features. Furthermore, Katsura Imperial Villa has miraculously escaped from being damaged by fire or repeated wars, so the buildings and
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If Kyoto Imperial Palace iis on your itinerary, consider applying for a permit to enter Kyoto Sentō Imperial Palace (仙洞御所). The palace is renowned for its picturesque fall scenery. Many people also visit the palace for its garden view, decorated with blooming flowers in spring. As only 250 people are allowed to enter this part
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Amongst the many attractions in Kyoto, Kyoto Imperial Palace (京都御所) in the city center is definitely listed at the top of the tourist bucket list. The spot where Japanese imperial families resided from 1331 until 1869 is the best place in Japan to peek into the life of those of a high social status centuries
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You have probably heard of Shojin Ryōri, commonly found in Japanese temples. But how about Fucha Ryōri (普茶料理)? Fucha Ryōri is Shojin Ryōri introduced from China, so while they are both monk cuisines, the style slightly differs. Instead of having one plate per dish per person, Fucha Ryōri’s dishes are usually shared between 4 people.
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Many people visit Japan between mid-March and early April for the cherry blossom. If that is your plan, consider visiting Zuishin-in (隨心院) in Kyoto as well. The temple’s plum blossoms are late bloomers, so you can adore both cherry and plum blossoms on the same trip! In addition, Zuishin-in has splendidly painted sliding door paintings
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Akashi City, west of Kobe, is best known for its magnificent view of the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, the Seto Inland Sea, and Awaji Island as the backdrop. But what many are not aware of is that the city also has a few plum blossom spots worth visiting from late February to mid-March. If you plan to
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Kyoto has many beautiful traditional gardens that are not known to many international tourists, and the garden in Yawata City Shōkadō Garden Art Museum (松花堂庭園) is one of them! Yawata City has long been known as a bamboo production area. Thus, the garden has bamboo groves that are stunning to look at throughout the year.
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