Mie, Shiga, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyōgo, Nara, Wakayama
You might have heard the term Izakaya (居酒屋), an informal Japanese bar serving alcoholic drinks, side dishes, and snacks. But because Izakayas in Japan aren’t vegetarian or vegan-friendly, it is usually the restaurant type that we would skip. The good news is that Kyoto has a vegan Izakaya near Gion! The food offered at Genmai […]
Genmai Dashi Chazuke Nijiya: The Best Vegan Izakaya in Kyoto Read More »
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
Mangetsu-ji Temple Ukimi-dō and the Eight Views of Ōmi Read More »
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
Seta no Karahashi Bridge and One of the Eight Views of Ōmi Read More »
Ramen is one of the most well-known Japanese dishes. Although it has traditionally been a non-vegetarian dish, preferences have changed in recent decades, and vegetarian/vegan ramen has become more commonly available! In Kyoto, the best place to enjoy a bowl of ramen noodle soup is Ramen TowZen (京都下鴨豆乳ラーメン専門店豆禅). On top of being a vegetarian place,
Ramen TowZen and Its Amazing Vegan Noodle Soup and Sushi Read More »
Saitō (西塔) is a quiet place deep in Mt. Hiei in beautiful cedar forests in the west founded by Enchō (円澄), also known as Jikukō Daishi (寂光大師). While the number of attractions here isn’t as many as in the Tōdō area, we loved our visit to Saitō. It wasn’t as busy as Tōdō. The atmosphere here
The Ultimate Guide to Mt. Hiei Enryakuji Temple’s Saitō Area Read More »
If the nice hotels around Kyoto Station are too expensive for you or you plan to take the Hozugawa River Boat, consider staying the night at Sun Royal Hotel Kameoka Ekimae (サンロイヤルホテル亀岡駅前). The hotel, filled with various facilities, is just a one-minute walk from Kameoka Station. Plus, all hotel guests can enjoy the delicious complimentary
Sun Royal Hotel Kameoka Ekimae: The Best Hotel in Kameoka Read More »
If you want to escape the crowds in Kyoto‘s city center in autumn, visit Kameoka. The city that is just a couple of stations away has a couple of amazing fall foliage spots waiting for you to explore. While the shrines and temples in Kameoka aren’t as accessible as the ones closer to Kyoto Station,
The Best Autumn Foliage Spots in Kameoka Read More »
Amanohashidate Kasamatsu Park (天橋立傘松公園) is where you discover another face of Amanohashidate. The view from there is called Shōryū-kan (昇龍観), meaning ascending dragon. Compared to Amanohashidate View Land, Kasamatsu Park is probably a better place for natural scenery. On the way to the top of the mountain, the surroundings are covered by cherry blossoms in
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Besides seeing Ine‘s unique Funayas by taking the Ine Bay Sightseeing Ferry, there is another way to adore the town’s rural scenery. The view from the Roadside Station Funayanosato Ine (道の駅 舟屋の里伊根) is the most spectacular in the area, and it doesn’t cost you anything to enjoy it!
The Best Guide to Roadside Station Funayanosato Ine Read More »
The ryokans and hotels in Kinosaki Onsen are generally expensive. This is particularly the case during the cherry blossom and fall foliage seasons. So if you want to enjoy what the gorgeous town has to offer but don’t want to splash on accommodation, staying around Toyooka Station is a good idea. Among the couple of
Toyooka Green Hotel Morris: The Best Hotel Close to Kinosaki Onsen Read More »
