Clik here to view.
T is for 寺
is for tera, or the Japanese word for temple. If you can say nothing else of Kyoto, it’s that there is no shortage of temples. There are at least 1,600 in the vicinity of the city and its suburbs,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
U is for 宇治
is for Uji, one of the most famous places in Japan for green tea, and especially matcha. As I promised during my R is for ラリー post this month, I’m going to talk a bit about the green tea store we went...
View ArticleClik here to view.
V is for 自販機
is for jihanki, or the Japanese word for vending machine. Summers in Kyoto are quite hot, and winters are frigid. When you’re outside trying to get from place to the next, staying hydrated and warm is...
View ArticleClik here to view.
X is for X
is for batsu, or the Japanese word for wrong, typically written as ‘X’. As a teacher, I use “batsu” a lot. But I’m not going to use this post to talk about what was “wrong” with anything; rather, I’m...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Z is for 材料
is for zairyou, or the Japanese word for ingredients. Life in Japan can be a wonderful experience, but not everyone who comes here loves it, or understands it. Beyond the obvious language and custom...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Fickle Hydrangea
Hydrangea are known as the "fickle" flower in Japan, since over the years, the hue you planted is not always the hue that blooms. Because of this, many Japanese look at the hydrangea like a fickle...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Gion Matsuri
There are three big festivals in Kyoto, and one of the most famous, Gion Matsuri, is happening this month. The festival takes place throughout the entire month. For about a week now, the streets have...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Appeasing the Dead: The Blood Ceiling of Hosen-in
The paths one can take in Kyoto are long and meandering. As a city, Kyoto’s boundaries stretch about 830km², nearly seven San Franciscos in area. One of my favorite places to go is Ohara, a small...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Lycoris, the Cluster Amaryllis
It’s the time of year in Kyoto when the rice starts hanging heavy in the fields, gradually browning. The grains brush against each other, the winds from the mountains cooling the city, harkening the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Kyoto in Tilt
The last few days of fall are upon us. The changing colors came late this year. Soon, winter will be here, and with it, the last season I’ll spend in Japan. I’m still processing what that means to me,...
View Article
