Several times in the past I’ve mocked the idea of ‘tough housing projects’ in eastern Tokyo. I haven’t gotten any comments telling me I was wrong (and once in a while I see the monthly crime reports on the local public access channel, and there’s nothing there), so I’ll continue with that. Unfortunately I’ve just […]
Author: Jon
- Kyoto
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Sakurada, Kyoto (桜田)
Before we get to the mind-blowing kaiseki finale to this 2-day Kyoto jaunt, can we just see some random shots from the street? ‘Vehicle of God’ is, I suppose, an OK translation, but more a funny one (as you can see from the picture, it’s an omikoshi; koshi seems a little archaic to me, so […]
Enkouji, Kyoto (園光寺)
I think most travel sites aren’t very helpful, and I found an easy way to upload a few pictures per temple. Consider these a teaser to help you decide where to go. Also, they’re all on the map. Funny, I liked being here almost as much as Otagi Nenbutsuji. I know why too – there […]
Manshuin, Kyoto (曼殊院)
I think most travel sites aren’t very helpful, and I found an easy way to upload a few pictures per temple. Consider these a teaser to help you decide where to go. Also, they’re all on the map. I like to think of this as the ‘forbidden temple’. Because you can’t enter the secret areas? […]
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Jizake Bar Zen, Kyoto (地酒ＢＡＲ 膳)
I almost missed Zen, several times. First, the location on the googlemapz is wrong – the owner has moved it four times since it opened, and one of those was recently (from Gion, as shown on the map, to Oike; he said something like he’s ‘following the foot traffic’). Second, the building is obscure. I knew […]
- Kyoto
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Kinmata, Kyoto (近又)
One kaiseki course in a day just isn’t enough. I came down to Kyoto with a simple restaurant strategy: Open Tabelog Kyoto. Call restaurant #1. Call restaurant #2. Et cetera. Of course I got rejected from some very lovely-looking places. But I booked the ones that were #8 and #9 on the day (it changes […]
- Kyoto
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Nishikiyu, Kyoto (錦湯)
There’s one problem with Kyoto – the transportation system is more like that of a a medium-sized Japanese city (which it is) than that of a world-class tourist destination (which it is). That means you can get into weird situations where despite just going from one temple to another, you’re kinda far from anything and it’s […]
Daikakuji, Kyoto (大覚寺)
I think most travel sites aren’t very helpful, and I found an easy way to upload a few pictures per temple. Consider these a teaser to help you decide where to go. Also, they’re all on the map. I bought a ticket for Daikakuji accidentally – I went to one temple, and it was advertising […]
- Kyoto
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Sagatake (さが竹)
Continuing the random walk around Arashiyama (punctuated by lunch), there are plenty of pleasant little sights to see. If you’re tired of weathered shrine gates, you’re tired of life. ‘Saga’, by the way, has nothing to do with the prefecture. This area is named for the ancient emperor who lived here (嵯峨, not 佐賀, and […]
Nisonin, Kyoto (二尊院)
I think most travel sites aren’t very helpful, and I found an easy way to upload a few pictures per temple. Consider these a teaser to help you decide where to go. Also, they’re all on the map. Nisonin is pretty big, and pretty pretty, but not overly distinguished from some other temples you’ll go […]