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
Nagoshi no Harae Summer Purification
Every year, at the end of June, many shrines hold an ancient Japanese purification rite called “Nagoshi no Harae”. In this ceremony people atone for their sins . . .
Equestrian Festival at the Fujinomori Shrine
The Fujinomori’s festival is famous for the Kakeuma Shinji Shinto ritual that shows skills of handstand and “Fujikudari” (pretending to have been hit by an enemy’s arrow) while riding . . .
Yabusame Shinji at Shimogamo Shrine
Yabusame is the traditional Japanese art of mounted archery. An archer on a running horse shoots three special “turnip-headed”arrows successively at three wooden targets.
Maiko in Miyagawa-Cho, Again
Another tour around Miyagawa-Cho Geisha District.
Maneki-Neko, the beckoning cat
They're present in each one of our machiya, the Maneki-Neko, "beckoning cat", welcoming you. If you've been in Japan for a few days, you already saw them all around, usually at the entrance of shops and restaurants. Yes, these Maneki-Neko are a very common Japanese...
Photo Contest Winner!
I've been going to Miyagawa-Cho in late afternoon a number of times now, to try to take pictures of the Maiko and the Geiko walking down the streets, rushing from their Okiya to the Ochaya where they work. I'm very proud as my photo above has just won the first...
And then there were none
This year, the transient beauty of flowers that is so popular in Japan was intense and brief. It started suddenly, earlier than usual, and went all over Kyoto before we could realize we had to hurry to enjoy our favorite spots. And then we had rain and wind. And then...
Osaka Castle, Osaka
Located at a distance of about 50 km, Osaka is a nice day trip from Kyoto. It is the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and the largest component of the Keihanshin Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Japan and among the largest in the...
Haradani-En Garden
Haradani-En Garden is located above Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion) in the north west of Kyoto. It's a privately owned garden featuring a large variety of cherry trees to enjoy, especially the late-flowering weeping cherry blossom. This garden offers lovely cherry...
Hanami by night at Hirano Jinja
No doubt, Hirano Jinja is my favorite place for enjoying the cherry blossoms. And no doubt also while it is great by day, it is better by night.
Hirano Jinja, a Favorite Hanami Spot
Hirano Jinja (Shrine) is a very old Shinto shrine — established in the year 794. It is among the most popular spots in Kyoto among Japanese people for its gardens and numerous cherry trees, for viewing the flowers, singing and drinking.
The Philosopher’s Path
The Philosopher’s Path (哲学の道, Tetsugaku no michi) is a pleasant stone path through the northern part of Kyoto’s Higashiyama district. The path follows a canal which is lined by hundreds of cherry trees.
Portrait of a Geiko, Miyagawa-Cho
As already mentioned, whenever I can, I try to be at Miyagawa-cho when the Maiko and the Geiko go to their work, walking quickly along the street. This is both to admire them, and of course, like everyone else, to try to catch a good photo. The more I stay in Japan,...
Hanami — A good start
March 28th, things are suddenly moving fast. Yes, Hanami (flower viewing) is about enjoying the "transient beauty" of flowers. Three days ago, we had almost no flowers, and today, they are starting to blossom around the south of the city. ...
Rickshaw Tour
How about a Rickshaw Tour around one of the numerous touristic spots of the city? I’ve seen them around a few times and always thought we too should try that. It does look like fun and a great way to look around spots such as Arashiyama, Kodaiji or Miyagawa-Cho.
