Culture
Jidai Matsuri
The Jidai Matsuri event is taking place again right now in Kyoto. The weather seems to have dipped a bit and is providing some rain today. Not too bad but…
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Culture
Japanese culture, festivals, temples, anime and music.
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Culture
Photography in Japan 1853-1912
I was asked recently whether I would like to introduce a book detailing the history of Japanese photography from the period 1853-1912. The book is a…
Culture
Daimonji Gozan Okuribi Bonfires
On August 16th each year the traditional Gozan no Okuribi 五山送り火 bonfires are lit on the mountain side around Kyoto. This is part of the obon festival.…
Culture
Shirahige Jinja
Cycling around Lake Biwa over Golden Week, I got to see some great countryside. This was one of the standout views. Shirahige Jinja with its Torii Gate in…
Culture
Playing at the Temple
These children were enjoying themselves at the local temple. On a warm spring day it looks like a great place to play and pray.
Culture
Plum Blossoms
Some very nice plum blossoms our in Kyoto ahead of the more famous sakura season to follow
Culture
Yasaka Jinja
I visited a number of Temples and Shrines on New Years Day just to have a walk around and see the crowds. I started in the center of Kyoto and walked to…
Culture
City Contrasts
In a modern city it is always interesting to see how the older style architecture and culture is incorporated into new plans. Looking at this scene…
Culture
Kyoto Tanabata Festival
There is a special Kyoto Tanabata festival being held on the Horikawa and Kamogawa rivers. I went for an evening walk at the Horikawa river event.
Culture
Gion Matsuri
One of the most important festivals of the year, and one that takes over the city of Kyoto for almost a month as the town comes together to prepare and…
Culture
Summer dining on Kamogawa
Summer along the Kamogawa river in Kyoto is always busy. The Gion festival with its various preparations takes place during the rainy season and tourist…
Culture
Aoi Matsuri
The Aoi Matsuri is one of the three main festivals held in Kyoto each year in addition to the Festival of the Ages (Jidai Matsuri) and Gion Festival. The…
Culture
Kyoto Imperial Palace
A leisurely walk past the Kyoto Imperial Palace (京都御所) inside the Kyoto Gyoen.
Culture
New iPad3? Get a Kimono iPad Case
I visited Kyoto recently and dropped in on Kyokaori Company where they have been very creative and turned some kimono obi's into brilliantly colorful and…
Culture
Hoshi Matsuri
Today was the annual Hoshi Matsuri at the Agon Shu Temple in Kyoto. I was surprised to see it being broadcast on so many different television stations…
Culture
Kisaragi and Setsubun
The month of February used to be called Kisaragi in Japan. February was the second month of winter under the lunar calendar, which Japan used before the…