Tag: Kyōto「京都」
Japan is home to some massive buildings. Tokyo Tower, 333m high; Skytree, 634m high; JR Nagoya Station, 245m high. JR Kyoto Station isn’t all that high, only about 70m tall. But it’s still the second ...
The Japan Rail smoking signs. I always keep my eye out for them. In a very obscure way, these signs are trying to tell people to be considerate smokers… Funny Japanese smoking sign in Kyoto ...
Sanjusangendo, literally translates to Thirty-Three Length Hall, and formally known as Rengeo-in, is a very unique temple. The interior of the hall holds 1000 Buddha statues A ken 「間」 is a unit of Japanese measurement. ...
The most convenient way to get around Kyoto is by bus. The city bus network takes you most of the major sites, including most of Kyoto’s World Heritage sites. From JR Kyoto Station, bus number ...
The Kyoto Imperial Palace 「京都御所 Kyōto Gosho」 was home to the Imperial Family for over 1,000 years. The Imperial Household Agency is the caretaker of the Imperial Palace here in Kyoto, and also the current ...
The pagoda at To-ji is the most viewed temple in Kyoto. Not only because it is almost 55 metres high, making it the tallest wooden tower in Japan… but because it is easily seen from ...
This is the typical Japanese bicycle. In the Japanese style of mixing and shortening English words, the word mamachari comes from mum and chariot. Although this style of bike is mostly used by Japanese mothers, ...
It’s estimated that there are well over 5 million vending machines in Japan. Vending machines in Japan have been around since the 1800s. While any traveler to Japan is familiar with the standard drink vending ...
Visitors to Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto will notice that the 1000s of torii lining the paths aren’t all the same. Torii is Japanese for a traditional gate, typically found at shrines and some temples. Not only ...
There are 17 individual shrines, temples and one castle on the UNESCO list of world heritage sites in Kyoto. Collectively the sites are known as the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto. List of World Heritage ...
Kyoto looks beautiful in all seasons. In summer, the bright green trees shine to provide great contrast against the cities temples and shrines. Kinkakuji in Summer But there’s a downside to summer in Japan… it’s ...
Near my 1LDK apartment in Toyota city is a local independent bottle shop. The owner has a great selection of Japanese beers from all over the country, including Okinawa and Kyoto. While there’s no doubt ...
It’s very rare that the first photo taken of a subject is the best. Sure, you might get lucky, but getting the best shot usually involves working the scene to pull off the vision in ...
On visiting Kyoto, I rarely focus on or plan to do shopping. On one trip to Kyoto I needed some new t-shirts, and located a UniQlo in a building called Mina ミーナ「Miina」. Mina is in ...
The tower gate is a unique architectural feature of religious sites in Japan. It is one of a few buildings that are common to both shrines and temples. The rōmon is a two storied gate ...
Keep an eye out for a chemist (A.K.A. pharmacy or drug store) when traveling Japan. Called kusuriya 「薬屋」 they are a great place to shop for the budget-minded traveler of Japan. Kusuriya in Kyoto In ...
One of the biggest things that draws me to Japan is how the Japanese embrace their rich history while leading the world in many technological advancements. This is perfectly illustrated by a traditional torii (vermilion ...
For over 10 years the massive Kyōto Station was home to Tezuka Osamu World. Tezuka Osamu was the creator of Astro Boy, known in Japanese as Tetsuwan Atomu 「鉄腕アトム The Might Atom」or simply Atomu. When I ...
The best photos often happen by chance. Photographer Jeffrey Friedl is setting up his $6000 Nikon D4 camera with a $2000 Nikkor 24mm f/1.4 lens. It’s late afternoon on an autumn day at Kurodani Temple ...
Gion is (arguably) the most famous area of Kyoto. There is so much to see. Well know for its geisha district, traditional streets and annual festivals, Gion is the type of place you can visit ...