About Kyoto Located in the Kansai region of Honshu, Kyoto holds a special place in my heart as the first city I truly fell in love with. It’s been nearly ten years since my first visit, but this time felt as special as it did all those years ago. The city is home to around
Okochi Sanso Another of my favourite quiet gardens of Kyoto is the beautiful Okochi Sanso. Formally owned by Japanese actor Okochi Denjiro, his house and gardens have now been opened to the public. Since it was built on the top of a hill, the gardens wind up hill – little stone paths leading from moss
Shōren-in Shōren-in is one of the five Monzeki temples of the Tendai sect in Kyoto and is nestled up a side street in the Southern Higashiyama area. It’s peaceful, sheltered and – for want of a better phrase – a little solemn. I visited on a rainy day in early April and as I sat
Honen-in Honen-in, one of my favourite temples in all of Kyoto. My first visit two years ago was beautifully peaceful – the kind of peace that only comes when visiting a serene garden in the rain. Part of me was hoping for a little downpour this time round as well, but sadly that came on
It’s impossible for me to name my favourite Kyoto temple or garden. With 1600 temples in to visit in Kyoto it’s no surprise really, and it’ll take me many many years to visit them all. There’s a popular walk Jim and I like to take when we’re in the northern higashiyama region. Starting from Keage
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove – 2019 Update Our week in Kyoto consisted of a lot of early starts – We arrived at Arashiyama Bamboo Grove before 7am and still could have done with getting there earlier. When we first arrived it was just the two of us taking in the still early morning and an elderly couple taking
Kyoto is one of my favourite places in the world to visit. I’m a bit of a romanticist, so when I think about my time spent there my heart skips a little bit. There’s something just about this city that makes me feel good. I love that no matter how busy and bustling with tourists