So let's start with this... no visit to Kyoto is complete without a trip to Fushimi Inari Shrine. It is simply the most amazing shrine in all of Japan, definitely #1 on my list. I visited Fushimi Inari Shrine back in 2013, on our first trip to Mainland Japan. This time around I told myself before arriving "there's no need to take tons of photos... you alrea[...]
Traveling to Japan in the Spring can be pretty hit or miss. The blossom forecasts that pop up online aren't ever 100% accurate, because nature is hard to predict. We arrived probably a week too early, but no fret, we made the best of it and found some early bloomers to photograph. A tip I can share is basically stalking the locations or hashtags on Instagr[...]
On the fourth day of our Spring in Japan trip we commuted up to Kyoto again. This time we visited the famous Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion), followed by the Imperial Gyoen National Garden to see the dreamiest cherry blossom trees. Our next stop was Ginkaku-ji, which literally translates to "Temple of the Silver Pavilion". Fun fact, the temple isn't act[...]
After walking around Nara Park and stopping to smell the cherry blossoms, we continued on to Todaiji Temple also known as the Great Eastern Temple, to see one of Japan's largest bronze statues of Buddha. Like the deer, Todaiji is a landmark of Nara. The temple was constructed in 752 and was the head temple of all provincial Buddhist temples in Japan. It[...]
On the third day of our Spring in Japan trip we took a 40 minute train ride from Osaka to Nara! The city now known as Nara used to be called Heijo, and was Japan's first permanent capital in the year 710. The capital was later moved to Nagaoka in 784, and a few years later to Kyoto. Due to its past the city contains a lot of historic treasures, including so[...]
The Japanese kimono is easily one of the world's instantly recognizable traditional garments, that dates back to over a thousand years ago. Renting and wearing a kimono in Japan is a big touristy experience everyone should participate in. Are you planning a trip to Japan? Here are 5 reasons why I think you should rent a kimono in Kyoto or anywhere in Japan[...]