If you’ve ever visited or even stayed at traditional places in Kyoto, you might have come across the word machiya (町屋). The term directly translates…

By now, we are all fed up of hearing about the upset and global catastrophe that COVID-19 has brought upon the world. The virus has…

Online nomikai As many around the world continue to self-quarantine due to the coronavirus pandemic, there has been a major increase in online socializing. In…

COVID-19 has put the world on hold. In Japan, many schools remain closed, as businesses and commerce slow down. However, the energy of young children…

Japan has many wonderful places to visit. Among them, Kyoto has become the image of Japan in the eyes of many people. Therefore, many foreigners…

Along side trending pop culture, promotional campaigns for tourism in Japan tend to focus on a smorgasbord of more traditional aspects of Japan. What they…

Geishas and maikos (apprentice geishas) in the hanamachi entertainment quarters of Gion and Pontocho gathered on January 7 to participate in a yearly ceremony to…

Located at about two hours from Kyoto, the city of Obama and its Sanchomachi district in particular is one of several places in Japan that…

(link to Part 2) —————— Toei Kyoto Studio Park The Uzumasa area of Kyoto is often called the Hollywood of Japan. The otherwise unremarkable neighborhood…

Very few things are as calming and soul-centering as a nice hot cup of authentic green tea. But sometimes you may find yourself feeling as…

We’ve all seen pictures of geisha, but there’s a mystery about them that, unless we get the chance to go behind-the-scenes ourselves, will always remain…