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Blog Spot introduction 10ページ目
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Double-flowered cherry blossoms
Double-flowered cherry blossoms (Yaezakura in Japanese), which bloom about one to two weeks later than the Somei-Yoshino variety, are now in full bloom all over Kyoto. The sight of the petals layered upon one another is particularly elegant at night. In Japanese, ‘yaezakura’ literally means ‘double-flowered cherry’, referring to the eight petals that overlap. The number ‘eight’ is considered auspicious in Japanese culture and is often used to signify many. Whereas the Somei-Yoshino cherry has five petals, the double-flowered variety typically has ten or more, with some specimens exceeding 100 petals.
- Kyoto
- Spot introduction
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Namako Walls
Namako walls (sea cucumber wall) are a defining feature of Kurashiki’s landscape. This technique, which involves laying flat roof tiles on the exterior walls and applying plaster to the joints in a raised is said to have originated in the Edo period. The name ‘namako wall’ is derived from the resemblance of the raised plaster to a sea cucumber. As they provide protection from the wind and rain whilst also being visually appealing, they are used in modern Japanese-style restaurants and houses; in the Bikan Historical Quarter, there is even a Tully’s Coffee with a Namako Wall. However, as they…
- Kurashiki
- Spot introduction
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Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter
Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter is renowned as a prime example of preserved traditional streetscapes in Japan. The term ‘Bikan’ refers to a magnificent view or a pleasant landscape. This aesthetic has been preserved through a townscape conservation campaign in which the local authorities and residents have worked together. The banks of the Kurashiki River flourished as a rice trading hub, and the area is popular with French visitors due to its rows of mansions and storehouses belonging to wealthy merchants. The fruit parfaits here are highly recommended, but my personal favourite is Chaya Ohashi, located near the car park. Their…
- Kurashiki
- Spot introduction
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Arashiyama at the Weekend
The weather in Kyoto this weekend has been fine; although the cherry blossoms are beginning to fall, the streets are bustling with foreign tourists everywhere you look. The path through the bamboo grove, in particular, is absolutely teeming with people. It is not clear exactly when this bamboo grove was established. The bamboo is of the species mōsō bamboo, native to China. Although it is said that monks brought it back from Tang China in either the 9th or 13th century, it is believed that the species was not introduced on a large scale until the 18th century, so it is…
- Kyoto
- Spot introduction
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Great Buddha Adorned with Flowers
The Great Buddha at Tōdai-ji Temple in Nara was adorned with a profusion of flowers. Apparently, the entrance ceremony for Tōdai-ji Gakuen school took place yesterday. It is said that new students and their parents are allowed to ascend the pedestal, an area normally off-limits to the public. This is a special place accessible only to those associated with Tōdai-ji. The Great Buddha was cast over a period of three years in the mid-8th century, but its head fell off during a major earthquake in the mid-9th century. Although it was restored, it was destroyed by fire during the wars…
- Nara
- Spot introduction
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Yaebenishidare Weeping Cherry at Ryōan-ji
The Yaebenishidare Weeping Cherry begins to bloom slightly later than the Somei-Yoshino cherry. At this time of year, in the rock garden of Ryōan-ji, one can enjoy the striking contrast between the deep crimson petals and the white sand. It is said that the rock garden at Ryōan-ji was created by a Zen monk in the mid-15th century, but the identity of the gardener remains unknown to this day. There are 15 stones arranged in the garden. As it is impossible to see all 15 stones at once from any single vantage point, it is said to represent an imperfect…
- Kyoto
- Spot introduction
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Kameyama: A Traditional Confectionery Shop
In Kyoto, there are small traditional confectionery shops known as ‘oman-ya-san’, which are beloved by locals as places to buy everyday sweets. Kameyama is situated on Gojo Street—where it is said the tragic warlords Yoshitsune and Benkei met in the 12th century—and is now located within the Matsubara Kyogoku Shopping Arcade. It is a shop recommended by Rakucho Nakaoka-ya, the makers of the ‘ojami’ zabuton cushions used at our guesthouse. It is said to have been in business for over 200 years. Their anmochi, filled with sweet red bean paste, has a gentle sweetness. It is a shop we highly…
- Food
- Kyoto
- Spot introduction
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Mokko Bridge on Shirakawa Canal
The forecast for Kyoto is rain from tomorrow evening. The rain looks set to scatter the cherry blossoms. In the city, the blossoms are already in full bloom in the northern areas such as Kurama, and it feels as though they’ve come a little early this year. A spot I recommend for next year’s cherry blossom season is the bridge commonly known as Mokko Bridge, which spans on Shirakawa canal. Until 1980, there was an ice factory here, and the bridge was named ‘Mokko’ because it was used to transport sawdust—used to preserve the ice—via ‘mokko’, a net-like carrying device…
- Kyoto
- Spot introduction
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Takase-bune
The Takase River flows to the east of the Hotel Okura Kyoto. It is a canal opened in 1614 by Suminokura Ryōi—who amassed his fortune through the Red Seal trade, primarily with Vietnam—and his eldest son. Drawing water from the Kamo River at Nijo-ohashi Bridge, it extends to Fushimi, covering a total length of just over 10 kilometres. It is said that the river was named Takase-gawa because the shallow water required the use of flat-bottomed boats known as Takase-bune. Although the water intake from the Kamo River is now an underground channel, boats are moored at the shallow stretch known…
- Kyoto
- Spot introduction
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Carpet of Cherry Blossoms on the Philosopher’s Path
The Somei-Yoshino cherry trees along the Philosopher’s Path are gradually beginning to shed their blossoms. Near the Ginkaku-ji police box, fallen petals have gathered to form a magnificent carpet of cherry blossoms. This stunning carpet, with its striking contrast of pink and white petals, is a sight to be seen only at this time of year. Even visitors who were feeling a little tired after walking the approximately 2-kilometre stretch from Nanzen-ji couldn’t help but smile at the sight.
- Kyoto
- Spot introduction
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Somei-Yoshino Cherry Blossoms at Ebisugawa Power Station
The Ebisugawa Power Station, located at the terminus of the Okazaki Canal—a famous spot for cherry blossoms. Built in 1914, it is a dam that has been supplying electricity to Kyoto City for over 100 years and continues to do so today. Although the drop in water level is a mere 3.4 metres, the discharge rate of 14 tonnes per second is truly impressive. It forms part of the Lake Biwa Canal, which played a key role in Japan’s modernisation, and is now designated as a Japan Heritage site. The recommended spot for photography here is on the west side…
- Kyoto
- Spot introduction
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Jikkoku-bune Boats on the Okazaki Canal
The Jikkoku-bune boats in Okazaki operate only during the cherry blossom season. The Jikkoku-bune was a small transport vessel that operated during the Edo period, linking Fushimi in Kyoto with Osaka to carry rice, sake and passengers. They take around 30 minutes to cover the 3-kilometre route from Nanzen-ji Temple to the Ebisugawa Dam. Tokusei Bridge and Kumano Bridge are popular spots for photographing these boats. The boats pass under the bridges every 15 minutes. The area is illuminated from sunset until 21:30. It is beautiful at night, though the evenings are still rather chilly.
- Kyoto
- Spot introduction