By pure chance, we found ourselves in Kyoto during the annual Gion festival (Gion Matsuri). It was first held in 869 (!) and has been an annual event since 970. On the final day, locals line the streets to watch the parade of elaborately designed floats, pulled along on giant wooden wheels to the […]
This magical garden is hidden away behind the Heian shrine. We stumbled upon it by accident, and had it nearly to ourselves – apart from the carp and turtles in the lake, that is. Kinkaku-ji – the Golden Pavilion – sparkles in the sunlight. It was originally built some time around 1397 by a wealthy landowner and converted into […]
Kyoto is an anagram of Tokyo, but that’s probably where the similarities end. It’s a different world, surrounded at its far edges by green mountains. Wooden houses and temples rub shoulders on just about every street. Turn a corner and it feels as if you’re peaking into old Japan, before it discovered skyscrapers and flashing […]
Getting our geek on, old school Sega style in ‘Akiba’ Followed by Gonpachi restaurant… Look familiar? This restaurant inspired a set in Kill Bill and is modelled on an old Edo-era market. We sat right in front of the charcoal grill. Delicious tuna skewers, shrimp dumplings, and tempura, washed down with a jug of Asahi. […]
Attack of the zombies in the famous fashion district Harajuku! Fighting our way through the crowds on Takeshita-dori Meiji Jingu (Shinto shrine). The ancient Shinto religion values harmony with nature and ‘sincere heart’. People write wishes on wooden panels and hang them around the sacred tree. Monks relay them to the gods at the morning […]
DAY ONE The Imperial Palace gardens Believe it or not these awesome gardens belonging to the emperor are bang in the middle of downtown Tokyo, you can see the skyscrapers peaking out in the background. A healthy respite after 2 days of flying with little sleep. rb After the tranquility of the Imperial Palace Gardens, […]
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