Nijo Castle, built in 1603 for Japanese Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, is home to some 400 cherry trees, impressive architecture, sprawling traditional Japanese gardens, and is famous fro its unique Nightingale floors. We visited during cherry blossom season to see flower arrangements from Japan’s oldest school of Ikebana, traditional Japanese flowering arranging, and learn more about this castle’s 400+ year history.
Your Favorite Posts 2020
2020 was certainly a year. The pandemic shut down most of the world back in late February – early March, and nothing has been the same since. In early 2020 I had to indefinitely postpone more than 45 trips, some of which had been in the works for more than a year, I missed out…
What Is a Michelin Star Restaurant?
What is a Michelin star restaurant? Restaurants that earn a Michelin Star are the best of the best in the culinary world, often times boasting signature dishes, incredible atmospheres, world renowned chefs, beautiful and skillful plating, and of course phenomenal cuisine. How does the ranking system work, and who determines how many stars to award restaurants? What happens to a restaurant when they earn a Michelin star, or when they lose one? How many Michelin starred restaurants are in the world, and which cities have the most? I’m going to answer all of these questions and more for you, so you know exactly how this system works, and why it’s one of the most coveted awards in the world.
Kyoto: The Luxury Travel Guide
The Kyoto Luxury Travel Guide is full of the best temples, shrines, gardens, museums, and fine dining in Kyoto, as well as useful cultural notes, ideas for day trips to nearly a dozen nearby cities, and advice on what to wear, how to spend rainy days, and much more. Travelers with distinguished tastes will immediately be drawn to Kyoto’s many Michelin Star restaurants, cultural events and learning opportunities, luxury ryokan, and traditional crafts.
Higashiyama’s Yasaka Koshin-Do Temple in Kyoto
Yasaka Koshin-Do Temple in Hiashiyama, Kyoto, Japan is a native folk take on Buddhist temples, and is famous for its colorful, hanging cloth monkeys said to have the ability to grant a wish in exchange for the wish-maker giving up an earthly desire or bad habit. Located around the corner from the iconic Yasaka Pagoda, this temple welcomes anyone whether they want to make a wish, snap a selfie, or learn more about Kōshin beliefs.
Visiting Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine in Kyoto, Japan
Fushimi Inarir Taisha Shrine is perhaps Japan’s most famous and photographed shrine. This beautiful collection of thousands of red torii gates, which wind up and around Kyoto’s Mt. Inari, leads visitors through breathtaking views of the city of Kyoto, Japan’s ancient capital city, and offers incredible insight into Japanese culture and traditions. Read on to see how to reach the shrine, what to do at the shrine, where to eat near the shrine, and much more.
Japanese Temple & Shrine Etiquette | What to Do at Shinto Shrines or Buddhist Temples
Visiting temples and shrines across Japan is one of the best ways to learn about Japanese culture, history, and customs. Shintoism and Buddhism, the two primary systems of beliefs in Japan have heavily influenced Japan more than perhaps any other influencing force. Understanding how these two belief sets work will help visitors make sense of Japanese culture, food, history, and even art and architecture.
Visiting Arashiyama Bamboo Grove in Kyoto, Japan
The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove just outside of Kyoto, Japan is one of the most enchanting places I’ve ever been. There was a serenity here that took me by surprise and captured my heart, despite the throngs of people around us. Read on to learn about what else there is to do in the area, when to arrive, and why you should visit this magical grove of bamboo.
