Travelling
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?
Can you enjoy the autumn leaves in Kyoto without encountering huge crowds? It’s possible, it all take a little research beyond, being open to venture past the touristic centre, and an appreciation for quiet admiration and blending in with the local visitors.
How about a top-notch cooking knife as a long-lasting useful souvenir from your Japan trip? This post is about where to view the production process and then shop for a Japanese cooking knife in Sakai
On a quest to find the best dessert in Kyoto? Let’s search together! A work in progress, this post introduces you to some outstanding dessert restaurants of Kyoto, and give you an introduction to classic Japanese desserts.
Gion Matsuri is a vibrant month-long festival taking place in Kyoto in July every year. It is huge and has so many highlights and is great for tourists to enjoy. Here is a guide on how to experience the best of Gion Matsuri as a tourist.
Do you want to visit the beautiful Kumano Kodo Region and take part in their famous fire festival, the Nachi no Ogi Matsuri? I visited in 2024 and am sharing my honest tips on attending this festival as a tourist, with timings, practicalities, and where to base yourself
Sasayama is the perfect place for a couple relaxed days away from the crowds near Kyoto and Osaka. It has a superbly preserved old merchant street, lovely ceramics, historic buildings and stylish cafes – a perfect place you will have all to yourself during the week!
Can you visit the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage paths and their sights with limited mobility, and what is the best route to take? This post describes accessibility to the main sited, parts of the route that can be walked with limited mobility, and suggests an itinerary and accommodations.
Visit Sakai if you land in Kansai Airport, and you prefer a soft landing, full of food, comfy beds and Japanese attractions… then buy a superb handcrafted kitchen knife from one of its many workshops.
Are you living with limited mobility and wish to visit Japan, and Kyoto in particular? This post will give you some useful insights on enjoying Kyoto with limited mobility, from taking public transport, to accommodation options and best way to sightsee.
The post discusses the benefits and challenges of cycling in Kyoto, a city with crowded public transportation, especially on buses. Kyoto is navigable by bike with available rentals and parking. This post highlights how to hire bicycles, recommended routes, cycling rules, and hotels that accommodate cyclists.
Reporting on a week-long solo trip to Kansai, Japan. I explored various locations, mixing well-known spots with lesser-known attractions. Highlights included cultural experiences in Sakai, Tambasasayama, and Kyoto. Transportation and lodging were efficient and on a budget but emphasizing traditional stays. The trip balances sightseeing with practical advice for future travelers.
The post details travel plans for a week-long trip to Japan’s Kansai region. We aim for a culturally immersive experience, visiting grand sites and exploring new ones on a modest budget. Practical aspects like transportation, accommodation, and daily activities are meticulously planned, including considerations for cost-effective traveling and managing sightseeing around Kyoto, Sakai, Tambasasayama and possibly Nara or Uji.
On my third trip to Japan, I was in a pensive state of mind. Koyasan would be just the right place to visit. Freshly dumped, having a difficult time at work. For a week, I just wanted to see temples, shrines and enjoy some quiet …