Travel: Lake Biwa
Our latest magazine took a look at travel options in Shiga Prefecture and this story of enlightenment on Lake Biwa, or Biwako, was a highlight, for us. To see it as it was in print, click here. We...
View ArticleKyoto by the Sea
In the region of Tango, in the northern part of Kyoto prefecture, you will find a coastline that is home to some of Honshu’s most outstanding scenery. The bridge of heaven, Amanohashidate (pictured...
View ArticleThe Armor Masters
So you want to get stuck into some Japanese culture, but ikebana or tea ceremony classes don’t appeal? Why not to try an armour (yoroi) course in Kyoto? Nagatoshi Uzuki, armour master (Miyako yoroi)...
View ArticleTo Kyoto, by boat
From the mountains around the ancient capital, through thick forest, traversing rapids and down into the calm waters of Kyoto, the Hozugawa Riverboat cruise is a unique way to experience Japan. by...
View ArticleNinja for a Day
Is it possible to really become a ninja when travelling around Japan? Are those sneakers in the pic above part of the uniform? We wanted to find out, and were a little surprised with what we learned…...
View ArticleCrafting a Kimono
Concluding our series taking a look at the lesser known side of neighboring Kyoto and Shiga prefectures – we’ve busted some myths about Japanese beef and the history of the ninja as well as taking a...
View ArticleA Weekend Getaway in Kyoto
With so many things to do and places to see in Tokyo, the thought of traveling to other parts of Japan may often be left on the back burner. Even with the generous amount of National Holidays as a...
View ArticleKyoto Film and Art Festival announces refresh for 2014
A press conference was held today announcing the launch of an all-new Kyoto International Film and Art Festival to take place in the autumn of next year. Kyoto Movie Festival was started back in 1997...
View ArticleKyoto, off the tourist path
No matter how great Tokyo is, we sometimes forget that one of the most beautiful cities in the world is within easy reach. Kyoto may be filled with gorgeous temples and shrines, but there’s also a...
View ArticleA taste of Kyoto culture
The snow was already starting to fall on our arrival at the Chinzanso Hotel, and we were happy to get in from the cold. We weren’t, however, expecting to walk in on Japan’s former capital. But that was...
View ArticleKyoto’s Phoenix Hall Reopens Following Repairs
The majestic Phoenix Hall at Byodo-in Temple in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, was unveiled on Thursday after a year’s worth of major repairs and restoration. The Amida-do hall, famed for its picturesque...
View ArticleKinki University Opts for a Name That Sounds Less…Well, Kinky
For some people, the idea of a kinky university might be right up their alley. Apparently, Kinki University is not looking for those people. OK, in Japan, Kinki is one of the names used for the...
View ArticleAn Afternoon with the Ama Divers of Toba
“It’s been nearly 70 years,” ama diver Reiko Nomura says, “I’ve been diving since I was 13 years old, and I am 82 years old now.” By Sami Kawahara Through an interpreter and tour guide provided by the...
View ArticleGion Matsuri: A Party Worthy of the Gods
Gion Matsuri: A Party Worthy of the GodsThe post Gion Matsuri: A Party Worthy of the Gods appeared first on Tokyo Weekender.
View ArticleRiverside Dining in Kyoto
Gazing out at the shores of the Kamo River, you can see couples and young families walking by. An evening breeze blows by gently, cooling off the still-warm air. The server brings you your next course...
View ArticleTanabata in Kyoto: A Night Full of Stars
Tanabata is one of Japan’s most colorful traditions, and Kyoto was the place where, in the 8th century, the Chinese festival known as Qixi merged with traditional Japanese beliefs, and became the...
View ArticleKyoto International Film and Art Festival
The freshly rebranded Kyoto International Film and Art Festival has released its full lineup of content, revealing a focus on Kyoto’s filmmaking past, along with an eclectic mix of modern film and art...
View ArticleTake a High-Speed, Atmospheric Trip through the Beauties of Japan
This time-lapse journey through the cityscapes and landscapes of Japan is a perfect reminder of what draws so many of us to the Land of the Rising Sun. Sometimes it can be easy to get caught up in the...
View ArticleOsaka Readies Its Screens for the 10th Asian Film Festival
If you’re looking for an excuse to get out of Tokyo now the sun is out and the ski season is coming to an end, a trip south to Kansai could be in order. The Osaka Asian Film Festival (OAFF) is throwing...
View ArticleStill Two Years Left to Book That Solo Wedding…
From solo wedding experiences to taxi tours for the broken-hearted, a creative tour agency in Kyoto is finding clever ways of drumming up business. For women seeking the extravagance of a beautiful...
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