Nothing is more Kyoto-esque than strolling along the streets of Gion and Higashiyama, the historic districts in Kyoto featuring well-preserved wooden buildings dating back to the feudal era of Japan. The streets here exude a unique charm, where one can easily get lost for a few hours at each turn around the corner just to…
Literally translated as “Storm Mountain”, the name Arashiyama is inspired by the wind that blows down Mount Atago and sweeps away cherry blossoms and maple leaves in the region. A trip to Arashiyama, however, involves less turbulence but more tranquility. In fact, it is such an idyllic getaway that in just 30 minutes’ time, you…
On the foothills of Mount Otowa stands a magnificent wooden structure overlooking the city of Kyoto. This wooden structure, perched over 13 meters high from its foundation and supported by wooden pillars over 400 years old, was built solely from interlocking wooden joints without a single piece of nail. The large veranda on the front…
A golden silhouette reflected on the still water, against the backdrop of lush greenery—the image is simple, yet peacefully zen. This is the world-renowned Kinkaku-ji, or “Golden Pavilion”, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northwestern Kyoto. Officially named Rokuon-ji, the structure used to be the retirement residence for the military leader Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. After his…
Torii gates are a common feature at the entrance of Shinto shrines in Japan, symbolizing passage into the sacred ground. When these vermilion gates line up in thousands, they also embody wishes for prosperity and success, each representing a donation with the donor’s name inscribed on the back. This is the torii-studded pathway at Fushimi…