I started planning my trip to Japan almost a year ago and booked my flights during BA's Christmas sale, but I only really got down to fleshing out the details a couple of months before I left. I booked only a ten-day trip because I was worried it was going to be very expensive, but it was a lot more affordable than I expected, especially outside Tokyo.
Showing posts with label Kyoto. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kyoto. Show all posts
24 May 2014
My Japan Shopping Tips
Part of the reason I took a slightly bigger than cabin-approved suitcase to Japan was so that I could indulge in a little retail therapy if the mood took me. I was particularly looking forward to a) the stationery and b) the weird and wonderful 'only in Japan' type items. Here are a few of my favourite places.
22 May 2014
The Japan Caffeine Chronicles: Tokyo, Kyoto & Miyajima
Make no mistake: Japan is a tea country, and when coffee is available, it's often served iced. However, coffee fans shouldn't despair because it is possible to find places that serve good specialty coffee coffee, even in the unlikeliest of locations. It's all about the research, and I did a fair amount so you don't have to!
16 May 2014
Kyoto: Golden Pavilions and Red-Bottomed Monkeys
Last night, I decided to go for a stroll around Gion and was surprised to find that the Chion-in temple I visited on Wednesday was all lit up, giving the black, white and red exteriors a glowing, golden effect. It was very pretty, especially given that the moon was full (or almost) and that the heaving daytime crowds had long since departed.
15 May 2014
The Kyoto Protocol
No, this post isn't about climate change (I get enough of that in my day job). The real Kyoto protocol is simple: always carry an umbrella. It rains a lot here, especially at this time of year, and today the heavens opened for the first time of my trip.
14 May 2014
Kyoto: What's the Story, Vermillion Torii?
This morning I caught the bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto and it was quite the experience. With a JR Pass, you get free seat reservations so I booked a seat last night just in case the train was busy. There weren't any window seats left in the reserved cars, so I arrived early and nabbed my window seat in an unreserved car instead. I was paranoid they would find out and tell me off (this being the land of rules), but it was fine and there were great views of the countryside, although the views of Mount Fuji were distinctly mediocre after yesterday.
