Travelling
Are you looking for nice and clean central Kyoto accommodation, but have grown out of hostels? The Prince Smart Inn Kyoto Sanjo is a superb value for money: clean, comfortable Downtown Kyoto hotel with great access to public transport, shopping, and restaurants.
Kyoto, with all its attractions – and the crowds it pulls, can be a drain on your holiday finances – but you can visit Kyoto on a modest budget, too. But who am I to tell you how to have a great time in Kyoto …
Learn more about the Nagasaki Peace Memorials in this post, which include many smaller sites and temples, easily visited in a day in Nagasaki.
Looking for an affordable yet stylish and comfortable hotel in Downtown Kyoto, where you can walk everywhere, and have good access to public transport? Consider Tabist Kiki Hotel Kyoto Sanjo Takakura for your next stay. Its mid-priced, mid-range style will appeal to mosts tastes, and it is friendly and in a great location!
Are you planning to visit Japan in summer? While it may not be the ideal time for a trip to Japan due to the intense heat, a summer trip has some perks, too – festivals, kakigori and cheaper hotel rates! This post will help you dealing with the intense Japanese summer heat.
Kyoto’s Cherry blossoms are famous, and Cherry blossom season is one of the busiest seasons for tourists. CAn you even view cherry blossoms in relative peace in Kyoto without encountering huge crowds?
In this series of my favourite shops in Kyoto, I am going to show you some wonderful tried-and-tested shops for sustainable souvenirs and quality handmade goods, starting with Kyukyodo Honten, Kyoto’s venerable manufacturer of superb paper goods and incense
When it comes to finding a good value for money Kyoto hotel, trust me to review some pretty good ones – so here is another one I recommend, for those who wish to stay in Gion and not pay through the nose for location – quiet, clean, four stars, for just over 100 Euro!
Kyomachiya Ryokan Sakura Urushitei is one of the nicest mid-range hotels I stayed in in Kyoto, combining comfort and traditional Japanese culture in an easy to access modern hotel. Its location between Kyoto Station and Downtown means good public transport links, yet it’s calm and quiet and very comfortable. And if that weren’t enough, its excellent staff will make you feel welcome!
Have you wondered where to buy matcha in Japan when all you hear is about the matcha shortage and limitations on how much you can buy? Here, I am sharing my tips on where to buy good matcha, even in a touristy city like Kyoto
Is flying KLM to Japan, with a transfer at AMS/Schiphol, good? Here I share my personal experience flying KLM to Kansai International Airport in Premium Economy during high season in April. Please consider reading before you book!
Hot on the heels of my “Makanai” filming locations post, I put together a bicycle route for a leisurely day of exploring locations from this beautiful series. Cycling is the best way to get around Kyoto, and is ideal to visit locations outside Gion.
Did you love watching “The Makanai” and are you visiting Japan soon? You can visit a lot of the filming location for this charming drama series in Kyoto – just plan a little and learn a bit about Kyoto and its geisha culture.
Last year, I followed in the footsteps on the Sweet-toothed Salaryman and visited some dessert shops featured in the Japanese TV show. Is it all hype, or are these some great places for your sweet tooth, too? In my very own Tokyo Dessert Rallye, I may not have visited them all but there is always more to enjoy if and when I return!
Does Learning Japanese casually – by using a free app- work well enough to enable you to speak basic Japanese confidently? I am sharing my route to serviceable tourist Japanese by doing just that, in the space of a year – so it is possible, with an investment of just a few minutes a day. Please note this is not a sponsored post.