Our (little) BLOG
The Hanami season has started. With the cold of winter fading away, the weather is becoming more pleasant every day. The flowers are blossoming around the city, and that gave us the idea of starting this little blog. We’ll try to post photos and news on a regular basis to show you how Kyoto is looking, changing according to the seasons.
Akiko & Patrick
The world of The Kagai
Kyoto is, without a doubt, the home of all kinds of traditional cultures of Japan. However, the most enchanting and also mysterious treasure of this old capital is “The Kagai”, the district where the culture of Geiko and Maiko still exists.
Fushimi Inari Taisha (Winter)
After a rather warm Autumn, we’re now in Winter and snow has fallen over the city. If you happen to be in Kyoto, know that this is a rare treat! Nothing is more beautiful than some of the city temples or shrines covered with a white carpet.
Looking back at Fall 2015
2015 has not been a very good year for 紅葉 (Kôyô), the Autumn foliage colors. But we still have visited and enjoyed a number of places. Here is a little series of photos taken in November and the beginning of December around Kyoto.
Yamayoshi Snow Crab
Now, for something different, only available during the cold winter months. . . Snow Crab. From Shijo Kawaramachi Crossing, walk South on the Kawaramachi dori street for five minutes — you find this restaurant with a large crab hanging on the face of the building.
Hogon-In Temple & Garden
Arguably the most beautiful garden in the Arashiyama area, Hogon-In Temple is a must-see for every tourist visiting the area. Whether you see the plush greens in the spring or the vibrant reds in the fall, Hogon-In Temple will leave you with some of the most vivid memories from Kyoto.
Sanzen-In Temple, Ohara
Sanzen-In is a temple of the Tendai sect of Japanese Buddhism and was founded by the revered monk Saicho who introduced Tendai Buddhism to Japan in 804. Sanzen-In Temple is a monzeki temple, one of only a few temples whose head priests used to be members of the imperial family.
Zuishin-In Temple
This small quiet temple is of a classic style and is a pleasant stop after visiting the nearby Daigo-Ji. We visited in the Fall and the garden was specially beautiful. And I’ve read that the large garden of small plum trees, the “Ono garden” (小野梅庭) is very beautiful if you pick the right time in March to visit it.
New Year, Old Tradition
On a quiet day of winter, a Buddhist Monk prays and assists people with benedictions or the like. The red leaves background is a common sight in Kyoto at this season.
Season’s Greetings
We would like to wish all our guests, past, current and future, our best wishes for the New Year. 2015 has been a very busy but wonderful year for us. We had the chance to meet so many people from so many countries and so many cultural backgrounds, It's a wonderful...
“Joya no Kane” at Chion-In Temple
Toward the end of the year through the New Year’s season, Kyoto offers many traditional events to be experienced. One of the biggest Buddhist ceremonies is “Joya no Kane”, or the tolling of temple bells at midnight. A unique and very intense spiritual experience.
First Birthday!
It's been a whole year since we jumped in and started hosting! It's been a lot of work, a lot of worries, but also a lot of fun and a lot of great moments. We've met a lot of nice people from around the world. During this one year, we have welcomed over 800 guests...
Kodai-Ji Temple Light-Up
Kodai-ji Temple, located between Kiyomizu Temple and the Maruyama Park, hosts one of the beautiful and fun nighttime illuminations held at the temple in the spring and fall. It is not a mere light-up, but a real Sound and Light show! Usually very crowded, but well worth it!
Toji Temple
Toji Temple is not just this beautiful five stories Pagoda, the largest in Japan, that has become a symbol of Kyoto. There is much more to this temple than that. It houses a beautiful collection of statues and paintings, gorgeous garden, one of the oldest and largest market in Kyoto…
“Sento-Kuyo” Memorial, Adashino Nenbutsu-ji
Adashino Nenbutsu-ji is a Buddhist temple located on a hill overlooking Kyoto from the northwest. On August 23 and 24, more than 1,000 candles are lit around the 8,000 Buddha stone statues in honor of the spirits of the deads.
Ukai Cormorant Fishing, Arashiyama
Ukai is a traditional fishing method which uses trained cormorants to catch river fish such as sweetfish (ayu). This type of fishing has been around for over 1300 years, back to the Heian Period.
