On Friday morning we got up and had sort of planned a day in Asakusa, at Senso-Ji and then taking an afternoon shinkansen to Kyoto. We decided to drop our bags for storage in Shinagawa station, as our shinkansen was leaving from there at 3:30. Only problem was we had not for even a moment … Continue reading From the Eastern Capital to the Old Capital
A little later than I had hoped, but better late than never. Part two of the very difficult to narrow down list of my favourite places to visit in Tokyo and Kyoto. Gion and Ponto-cho Gion is the most famous of the 花街 hanamachi, the geisha districts of Kyoto. (Although in Kyoto they are called geiko … Continue reading Top 15 Things to see in Tokyo and Kyoto Part TWO
I am always torn when people ask me for my advice on what is unmissable in both Tokyo and Kyoto. It is a really hard question to answer. There are so many amazing things to see in both places. However, as I am currently planning a trip with my mum and step-dad (their first time), … Continue reading Top 15 Things to See in Tokyo and Kyoto Part ONE
Tuesday morning we woke up early..... no reference to pensioners allowed.... don't want to upset my Dad. We had a hearty bacon, egg and sausage breakfast, with some really good, Maki coffee, and headed off early to Fushimi. Kyoto's famous sake precinct. We thought we would pop into the National Museum on our way past, … Continue reading Super Sake Saturation
On Monday we woke up super early again, pensioner hour.... and got ready quite quickly. We were out the door and on our way into the city before 8am. This was a bizarre experience, as the last time we were in Kyoto we had four children to wrangle out the door, and it would never … Continue reading Historical Heaven
Yesterday morning we woke up really early, one because Book and Bed was quite warm and I was feeling a little overheated. Two, the two hour time difference means we have suddenly become early risers, and we haven't really clocked in, body clock wise..... we had possibly the best coffee I have ever had, then … Continue reading Kyoto…. Like Coming Home
This is a question people ask me on an almost weekly basis. "I have four nights booked in Kyoto. Is this long enough?" I find this question really difficult to answer. For a number of reasons. Firstly, I have spent around a month, all together, in Kyoto. I am about to return for just 3 … Continue reading “How long do I need in Kyoto?”
Last time we were in Kyoto, our friend Maki-san took us to a pet store. I'm not sure what I expected, but it was definitely not what we encountered. I was blown away, amazed with the cuteness, slightly disconcerted by the types of pets for sale and amused by some of the services available.... The … Continue reading Japanese Pet Store Surprises
In three weeks, and about 5 days, Super Sake Boy and I are heading back to Japan. This trip is going to be a little different. We are going without children, and only for a week. Our intention is to make it a week of memorable sake and food, lots of historical stuff and quite … Continue reading 楽しみですよ。(Tanoshimidesuyo) or I am looking forward to it……
Despite what the children think, we have had opportunity to drink sake, but little time to explore it any further. Today we headed out early-ish to check out the Gekkeikan Sake Brewery Museum. Fushimi, in Kyoto is an area where sake has been brewed for hundreds of years, as the quality of the water is … Continue reading Sake, Shrines and Shopping…..
