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Tag Archives: Kyoto
February
24
Full of Beans! – Setsubun in Kanazawa
posted by Claire Usmar
“Demons out! Luck in!” That’s what people across Japan were chanting on February 3 as they hurled roasted soybeans all over the place to celebrate Setsubun (節分). Setsubun is the first day of spring according to the old lunar calendar in Japan and on it’s the day to make a fresh start and banish any […]
February
17
Sake and Shrines – Fushimi, Kyoto
posted by Claire Usmar
In the southern Kyoto suburb of Fushimi, sake breweries stand alongside the world famous Fushimi Inari Taisha, the head Inari Shinto Shrine in Japan. This shrine was made famous globally after featuring as a location in the movie Memoirs of a Geisha.
May
26
Green escape in Kibune, Kyoto.
posted by Claire Usmar
A glorious day in the leafy ‘retreat’ that is Kibune (貴船), a small town just north-west of Kyoto (京都). During the opressive Japanese summer, this town is the choice among Kyoto residents for a cool break away from the heat. Not hard to see or feel why.
May
29
Not quite off and racing
posted by Claire Usmar
There’s not a spare inch of space left along the vast grassy straight as the moment of truth draws near. The enormous 80,000 strong crowd gazes expectantly as one at the gigantic 64m-wide screen. In unison, they raise their hands and begin rhythmically smacking their rolled up newspaper guides into their other hands. The mesmerising “twack… […]
May
14
Ready for that stage again
posted by Claire Usmar
The hectic flurry of blossoms that embodies April in Japan has given way to the glorious late spring that is May. Stay tuned for plenty of posts about my many travels during what is my favourite time of the year in Japan, including a day at the races in nearby Kyoto, spontaneous hiking and of […]
