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We’ll be at the Sydney Travel and Holiday Show on 24 and 25 March, 2012. The Sydney Travel and Holiday Show is at the Royal Hall of
Industries, Fox Studios, Moore Park, and entry is free. Let us know if you will be attending. We’ll be happy to make an appointment to talk about Japan!
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Tenkawa-mura – the river under heaven – is a village deep in the mountains of Nara prefecture. It’s south of Yoshino, and also is a staging post on the arduous Mount Omine pilgrimage.
Dorogawa hot spring
On a recent trip to Yoshino, a town in the south of Nara prefecture famous for its cherry blossoms, we managed to get to meet one of Japan’s ‘National Living Treasures’. Designated so because of their outstanding accomplishments in traditional arts and crafts, many are the from families that have carried on their profession down the generations.
We met Masayuki Fukunishi, who together with his father Hiroyuki Fukunishi (the National Living Treasure) run the Fukunishi Washi (Japanese paper) studio.
Fukunishi-san explained the process of making washi. From the growing of the plant, washing it, spreading out the pulp, and drying it using the old Yoshino method, on wooden boards.
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We have chosen the winners for our 2011 photo competition.
First prize is of a geisha walking through the rain in Gion in Kyoto. This was taken by Anna-Catherine from Switzerland on the Shoguns and Samurai tour in May of 2008.
The first runner-up prize was also won by Anne-Catherine, for her photo of moss beside a path.
Kathryn from Australia was also a runner-up with her photo of a Japanese forest in the mountains of the Kii Peninsula, hiking the Kumano Kodo trail.
Three great photos from our trips! The 2012 photo competition is now running. If you have been on any of our trips and would like to enter, visit our competition page to views the rules. Good luck!
We have just launched new, shorter versions of our popular ‘self-guided walking’ trips.
We now offer 3, 4, 5 and 6-day versions of the Nakasendo, Kumano Kodo, and Nara & Asuka routes.
These shorter versions are for those who are organising their own travel to places such as Tokyo and Kyoto, but also wish to get ‘off-the-beaten-track’ during their stay and walk, but wish to have us to provide support for that part only. Read the rest of this entry »
A great way to enjoy summer in Japan is to indulge yourself with cold sweet snacks. We will introduce some popular summer sweets in Japan and where they can be enjoyed.
カキ氷 Kakigori
A very popular sweet for children and adults is the Kakigori (Japanese shaved ice). You can find very simple ones with only shaved ice covered in sweet fruit flavoured syrup, or topped with canned fruits. A large block of ice is turned on a machine which shaves off the ice as it turns.
In Kyoto, 茶寮ぎょくえん Saryo Gyokuen is the most popular place to get shaved ice, and theirs is truly unforgettable. The shaved ice is like cotton candy and melts instantly in your mouth leaving only sweetness behind.
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July in Kyoto is a whole month of festivity. It is the month of the Gion festival, one of the largest festivals in Japan.
The Gion festival’s original form goes back to 869AD, a year in Kyoto in which the people suffered from a major plague. It was believed that the epidemic was caused by an angered deity, and the Emperor ordered his people to pray to Susanoo-no-mikoto (enshrined in Yasaka shrine). To appease the god’s anger 66 decorated halberds (1 from each province of old Japan) and a portable shrine was prepared. The plague ended and this ritual was repeated at times of an epidemic outbreak. In 970 AD it became an annual event.
As the festival continued it became more elaborate as rich Kyoto merchants invested in decorating the floats showing off their wealth and power.
In the present day, the Gion festival continues to be a festival to wish the health of its people. It has become a form of pride, power and solidarity for the people of Kyoto.
The Gion festival is held for a whole month; during which many traditional rituals are performed. However, the highlight of the festival is the parade of the marvellous floats from July 14th to 16th. There are 2 kinds of floats; Hoko and Yama. There are 9 Hoko with long poles representing the original 66 halberds. There are 23 smaller Yama on it which are life size figures of important people. It is decorated with beautiful tapestry and art, and is often referred to as the “mobile art museum”. On some floats you will see musicians playing traditional instruments and little boys with painted white faces. They are considered mediators between gods and the priests.
This parade goes on for 3 days, during which no cars are allowed and the roads are packed with excited viewers. There are also numerous kinds of street stalls where delicious foods, fun games and souvenirs can be purchased.
A great way to enjoy the rainy season in Japan is to go see the blooming hydrangeas.
It is not just the Cherry Blossoms that can be appreciated in Japan, with the arrival of the rainy season and summer June to July variety of colourful hydrangeas bloom in Japan.
Just as there are well known places to visit for Cherry Blossoms, there are spots where you can visit to enjoy beautiful hydrangeas.
Why not visit shrines and temples, and enjoy their beautiful gardens as well.
I will introduce several places well known for their outstanding hydrangea gardens.
Fujimori Shrine in Kyoto
Also known as Ajisai-miya (court of Hydrangeas), have two gardens
In which 3,500 hydrangeas are blooming.
On two last weekends’ of June there are traditional musical performances and dancing.
Entrance Fee: 300 yen
Hours: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Access: 7 minute walk from Sumizome Station on the Keihan line
5 minute walk from Fujimori Station on the JR line
Hasedera-temple in Kamakura
The most famous place to see Hydrangeas, every year there during June and July
You will see long lines of people waiting to get into the garden.
There are 8,000 hydrangeas planted in the compass of the temple.
What is charming here is that you can also enjoy the great view of Sagami Bay.
Entrance Fee: 300 yen
Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00PM
Access: 15 minute walk from Hasedera Station on the Kintetsu Line
Sanzen-in temple in Kyoto
Located in Ohara, the rural part of Northern Kyoto .
This temple is the highlight of Ohara, a vast temple of numerous buildings and garden.
It is especially known for its two gardens here the Joheki-en and Yusei-en.
Yusei-en is where their 3,000 hydrangeas are planted.
You can also enjoy the shopping and foods at the numerous stores along the path to the temple.
Entrance Fee: 700 yen
Hours: 8:30AM to 5:00PM
Access: From Kyoto station take Kyoto Bus No.17, 18 “Ohara” (1 hour ride)
From Ohara bus stop it’s a 10 minute walk
Meigetsu-in temple in Kamakura
Also known as Hydrangea temple (Ajisai dera).
The hydrangeas here are a kind Originating in Japan.
As you walk the stone path to the temple you will be surrounded by flowers.
Entrance Fee: 700 yen
Hours:8:30AM-5:00PM
Access: Get off at Kita-Kamakura Station on JR Yokosuka Line.
From the station it is a 10 minute walk.
Kyoto is a beautiful city rich in culture and history but the summers can be hot and humid. A great way to get away from this heat and enjoy the cool summer breeze by the riverbank is eating at the noryo yuka (summer platforms.) In Kyoto every summer wooden platforms are built connecting to the restaurant as a dining spot.
This custom in its original form dates back more than 400 years ago, when rich merchants entertained their guests by putting out folding seats by the riverbanks. As restaurants and shops opened along the river they adopted this custom for their customers. There are now not only Japanese cuisine restaurants, but also Chinese, Italian, Western and fusion restaurants with noryo yuka.
Most of these restaurants either charge an extra seat fee or will ask you to order a course meal starting from a certain price range if you want to eat on the noryo yuka. Therefore the price you see on the menu may not be the same when eating outside, you may want to check out the prices before entering. It is also best to reserve before going to the restaurants as there are very popular and getting a seat may be difficult.
The noryo yuka can be enjoyed from May to September in four areas of Kyoto: Kamogawa river, Kifune, Takao and Takagamine. Along the Kamagawa River there are now 90 restaurants with noryo yuka, and you should have no problem finding something of your liking. Below I will introduce 4 of these restaurants.
Moritaya Kiyamachi-ten (meat restaurant)
This is a famous restaurant known for its meat dishes. You can choose to have your beef cooked in four styles: They have Sukiyaki (beef boiled in sweet sauce with vegetables), Shabu Shabu (thin sliced meat cooked in boiling water), Oil-yaki (beef cooked in hot oil), and Teppan (cooked on a hot stone plate).
Location: 5 minutes walk from Sanjo Keihan station
Opening hours: open all year round
Lunch time 11:30-16:00 Dinner time 17:00-23:00 (Sundays from 16:00)
English Menu: Available
Phone number: 075-231-5118
Ikumatsu (High class Japanese restaurant cuisine)
You can enjoy Kyoto Kaiseki, seasonal fresh dishes are served on traditional Japanese lacquer ware. They serve shojin Cuisine (vegetarian course) meals as well. You can choose from three different courses for dinner starting from 14,000 yen. For lunch they serve a fancy lunch box for 4,500 yen. The main building faces the Kamogawa River and you will have a beautiful view of the Higashiyama Mountain.
Location: 3 minutes walk from Sanjo Keihan station
Opening hours: open all year round
Lunch time 11:30-15:00 Dinner time 17:30-22:00
English Menu: Available
Phone number: 075-231-1234
Ushinohone (Kyoto Fusion restaurant)
A rather recent group of restaurants based in Kyoto, established in 1985. They serve course meals from 5,000 yen. They specialize in food cooked on charcoal braziers and seasonal Kyoto dishes with a western touch. They are very well-known for their delicious beef stew.
Location: 5 minutes walk from Sanjo Keihan station
Opening hours: must check directly with the restaurant
Lunch time 12:00-14:00 Dinner time 17:00-24:00
English Menu: Available
Phone number: 075-212-1023
Our June 2011 newsletter is out. Read it here!
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