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Blog Spot introduction 2ページ目
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Imamiya Shrine Sinkō Festival (Procession Festival)
The 5th of May marks the Shinkō Festival at Imamiya Shrine. Its history is ancient, reportedly dating back to the year 1001. Three portable shrines—the Agui Mikoshi, the Taka Mikoshi and the Ōmiya Mikoshi—were prepared within the shrine grounds. The each weight of the Taka Mikoshi and the Ōmiya Mikoshi is said to exceed 100 kg, making them the heaviest in Kyoto. As Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the second "Great Unifier" of Japan, played a pivotal role in the revival of Imamiya Shrine. The Ōmiya Mikoshi, which he donated, bears not only the Imperial Chrysanthemum crest but also the paulownia crests (Go-san-no-kiri…
- Kyoto
- Spot introduction
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Bamboo Shoots
Bamboo shoots grow at an astonishing rate. At their peak, they are said to grow by more than 1 metre a day. Whilst other plants have only one growth point, bamboo shoots have growth points at every node, numbering around 60 in total. As these nodes undergo cell division simultaneously, the shoot grows rapidly. Each node is covered by a single layer of skin; if this skin is removed, growth is said to cease. From March to May, the process of bamboo shoots growing can be observed in various locations. The photograph shows Moso bamboo in Arashiyama. Although native to…
- Kyoto
- Spot introduction
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Tripe and Liver Tempura
What has struck me most since arriving in Kyoto is the tempura made from tripe (the first stomach of the cow) , called ‘mino’ in Japanese, and liver. Although it is called ‘tempura’, it is clearly a deep-fried dish coated in breadcrumbs. In the past, you could find this tripe and liver tempura almost everywhere, particularly in the Tanaka district, near our guesthouse. Today, it can only be found in a few restaurants in the Sōjin district, near Kyoto Station. One of these is ‘Satake’. Perhaps because it has moved to new premises and the place has become cleaner and…
- Food
- Kyoto
- Spot introduction
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Gionkaku in Daiun-in Temple
Daiun-in Temple is open to the public for special viewings in spring and autumn. The 36-metre-high Gionkaku pavilion within the temple grounds is often referred to as ‘Dōkaku-ji’ (Copper Pavilion Temple) due to its copper-clad roof. This Gionkaku pavilion was built by Kihachirō Ōkura, founder of the Ōkura Zaibatsu, inspired by the floats of the Gion Festival. It will be open daily during the Golden Week holiday period from 29 April to 6 May. As it is less crowded than other attractions and offers a 360-degree panoramic view of Kyoto’s cityscape from the top of the pavilion, it comes highly…
- Kyoto
- Spot introduction
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Matsumoto Castle
There are only five castles designated as National Treasures in Japan. Among them, Matsumoto Castle is particularly popular with French visitors. A hospitality team dressed as ninjas and other characters helps to entertain the visitors. It is said to have originated as Fukashi Castle, built by the Ogasawara clan who ruled Shinano Province during the Warring States period; the main keep and the castle town were subsequently developed by Ishikawa Kazumasa, a close aide to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first Shogun of the Edo Shogunate. During busy periods such as public holidays, queues can stretch to over two hours, and the…
- Matsumoto
- Spot introduction
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Daiō Wasabi Farm
On tours that include Matsumoto, a visit to Daiō Wasabi Farm in Azumino is almost always included, alongside Matsumoto Castle. This area is blessed with natural spring water—filtered over many years by meltwater from the Northern Alps and residual snow from glaciers—and, as the water temperature remains stable throughout the year, it is ideal for wasabi cultivation. The vast farm also features a watermill, and at this time of year, when the greenery is at its best, visitors can enjoy scenery reminiscent of an Impressionist painting.
- Matsumoto
- Spot introduction
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Takayama ramen
In Gifu City, where I’m from, there’s a Chinese ramen shop called Kotengu, which I often visited to round off a night out. This ‘Chinese ramen’ is what is now known as Takayama ramen. Whilst the name ‘Takayama ramen’ is now well established, it used to be called ‘Chinese ramen’. Because the soy sauce base and broth are simmered together in a large pot, the colour is quite dark, but the flavour is light and refreshing, and it goes very well with the thin, curly noodles. Nowadays, Takayama Ramen is as popular as Hida beef. I visited Ramen Fukuchan. It’s…
- Food
- Spot introduction
- Takayama
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Genkyu-en Garden
With the cherry blossom festival now over, Hikone Castle has returned to a state of tranquillity. From Genkyu-en Garden, situated to the east, the castle keep serves as a backdrop, lending the scene a sense of grandeur. Genkyu-en is a strolling garden centred around a vast pond, where visitors can enjoy a variety of scenery, including nine bridges spanning the inlets and islands within the pond. Due in part to the destruction caused by the Second World War, only 12 castle keep towers remain in Japan today. Of these, five castles, including Hikone Castle, have been designated as National Treasures…
- Hikone
- Spot introduction
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Kōko-en
Kōko-en is a garden that has even been used as a filming location for period dramas. Although it tends to be overshadowed by Himeji Castle—one of Japan’s most iconic World Heritage Sites—it is one of my favourite Japanese gardens. It is a pity that tours tend to spend so much time at Himeji Castle, leaving little opportunity to visit Koko-en. Gardens that make use of ponds and flowing water are known as ‘strolling pond-and-stream gardens’, and they developed as daimyō (feudal lords who are subordinate to the shogun) gardens during the Edo period. The scenery changes as you move through…
- Himeji
- Spot introduction
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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