The Red Gates of Fushimi Inari
Fushimi Inari-taisha is probably one of the most well-known, and most visited, sites in Kyoto and possibly Japan. That didn’t stop me from visiting on both my trips to Kyoto. The shrine itself is spectacular, but the main attraction is the mountain path lined by thousands of torii gates.
Hamarikyu Gardens and Tea House
In the heart of Tokyo, near where Tsukiji Fish Market once stood, is an oasis from the bustle of the city. The Hamarikyu gardens, or Hamarikyuteien, is a public park on the site where a Feudal Lord once had a Villa. Hamarikyu has a similar feeling to Central Park in New York, or London’s...
A Trip to Rabbit Island
It was a rainy morning in Kyoto when I set off on one of the most fun day trips I have ever been on. This was during my second visit to Japan, and I was determined to go off the beaten track and explore areas other than Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. I set off...
Naoshima – the Island of Art
On the end of a concrete pier jutting out into the sea, stands a bright yellow, polka dot covered pumpkin. It’s one of Yayoi Kusama’s most iconic art pieces, and in my opinion one of the highlights of the island.
The trip to Japan and Japanese gardens
It is now the time to enjoy Spring and cherry blossoms in Japan. I was supposed to going there on Monday 16th March. However I’ve had to postpone my trip and I won’t be seeing any Japanese cherry blossoms this year.
New matcha tea has arrived from Ippodo Kyoto
We have received some brand new matcha teas from Ippodo Kyoto. Ippodo is has been one of the finest tea makers in Kyoto for over 300 years. I was practicing the tea ceremony with Koyamaen and Ippodo’s teas for 30 years. So I am especially pleased to now stock Ippodo on top of Koyamaen!
Trip to Japan / Bento & Street Food
We’ve just been on a sourcing trip to Japan. This time, it was to Fukuoka, in the south part of Japan, to Kobe, to Osaka in the western part, and to Tokyo. Japan is the country with the most Michelin stars, and people there are always keen to discover new tastes. Each area has...
Chiyogami Paper
Chiyogami paper is a type of traditional Japanese paper using very beautiful patterns. Its origins date back to the Heian period (710-794) when the aristocracy sent poems to friends or lovers to communicate to each other instead of sending plain letters.
Categories
Archives
Tags
Fushimi Inari-taisha is probably one of the most well-known, and most visited, sites in Kyoto and possibly Japan. That didn’t stop me from visiting on both my trips to Kyoto. The shrine itself is spectacular, but the main attraction is the mountain path lined by thousands of torii gates.
In the heart of Tokyo, near where Tsukiji Fish Market once stood, is an oasis from the bustle of the city. The Hamarikyu gardens, or Hamarikyuteien, is a public park on the site where a Feudal Lord once had a Villa. Hamarikyu has a similar feeling to Central Park in New York, or London’s Hyde Park.
It was a rainy morning in Kyoto when I set off on one of the most fun day trips I have ever been on. This was during my second visit to Japan, and I was determined to go off the beaten track and explore areas other than Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. I set off on the earliest train I could bear. My destination? Rabbit Island!
On the end of a concrete pier jutting out into the sea, stands a bright yellow, polka dot covered pumpkin. It’s one of Yayoi Kusama’s most iconic art pieces, and in my opinion one of the highlights of the island.
Chiyogami paper is a type of traditional Japanese paper using very beautiful patterns. Its origins date back to the Heian period (710-794) when the aristocracy sent poems to friends or lovers to communicate to each other instead of sending plain letters.
We have received some brand new matcha teas from Ippodo Kyoto. Ippodo is has been one of the finest tea makers in Kyoto for over 300 years. I was practicing the tea ceremony with Koyamaen and Ippodo’s teas for 30 years. So I am especially pleased to now stock Ippodo on top of Koyamaen!
It is now the time to enjoy Spring and cherry blossoms in Japan. I was supposed to going there on Monday 16th March. However I’ve had to postpone my trip and I won’t be seeing any Japanese cherry blossoms this year.
We’ve just been on a sourcing trip to Japan. This time, it was to Fukuoka, in the south part of Japan, to Kobe, to Osaka in the western part, and to Tokyo. Japan is the country with the most Michelin stars, and people there are always keen to discover new tastes. Each area has different types of local food, so it can be a fantastic experience for tourists to taste local seasonal dishes.