Category: Kyoto
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Gion Matsuri
This festival is one of the most popular in Japan. Every year around mid-July, people come from all over the country to attend the festivities, which are centered around two parades held one week apart. Twenty-three wooden floats are assembled a few days before the first procession. The construction sites are scattered across the city…
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Loose pictures: May / June 2024
Views which did not ended in a post of their own.
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Loose pictures: April 2024
Views which did not ended in a post of their own.
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Trip to the sea of Japan
We reserved the last two seats on the bus from Kyoto to Amanohashidate at the beginning of the week. To travel on the first weekend of Golden Week, you either need to plan well in advance or be a bit lucky. Departing from the station around 9am, we arrive at Amanohashidate Station 2h later. We…
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In Fushimi Inari Taisha at night…
… there’s almost no one ! Despite the shrine being open all the time, and the torii paths being all lit up. There are a few walkers and two or three cats left. The ghosts are also out and about, showing themselves to anyone willing to see them. The darkness and silence create a very…
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Loose pictures: March 2024
Views which did not ended in a post of their own.
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Back on the Kyoto Trail
+500m / -580m / 13km I’m not working this Friday, and unlike the previous days, it’s not raining. I’m heading out for a rather “short” hike to enjoy the outdoors without burning myself. I initially wanted to walk south of Kyoto and pass by Yokoku-ji temple, but I prefer to avoid the crowds and opt…
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Uji
Uji is a small town south of Kyoto. It is home to a quite famous temple, as it is depicted on the 10-yen coins: the Byōdō-in. One of the phoenixes adorning the roof of the structure is also visible on the 10,000-yen bills. Matcha is a local specialty, and the shops in the area sell…
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Loose pictures: January / February 2024
Views which did not ended in a post of their own.
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Halfway Setsubun
This year is no exception, Setsubun falls on February 3rd. I head to Rozan-ji temple to attend the festivities. The schedule includes demon dance at 3pm, bean throwing at 4, followed by a ritual fire at 5. Upon arrival, the dense crowd overflows from the temple grounds onto the sidewalk. The same scene repeats at…
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Loose pictures: December 2023
Views which did not ended in a post of their own.
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Mount Atago
+1050m / -1100m / 19km I leave at night to take a bus 15 minutes from my place. I’m going east of Kyoto. I change buses and find myself at daybreak in Kiyotaki. I follow a small road that goes into a valley, then I turn left to get down to business. I hesitate for…
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Daigo-ji
I’m not working today. I’m off to Daigo-ji temple to take some pictures. Momiji season is almost over, and since it’s Monday, there’s hardly anyone around! It must also be said that this temple does not attract as much as the classics. Once there, the weather becomes cloudy quite quickly. I’ll deal with it!
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Back to the Live House Gattaca
I met Take-san at a meetup once month ago. He is one of the guitarist from Ninefall, a rock band based in Kyoto. And they are playing tonight at the Live House Gattaca! I get there just a few minutes before the show. I meet with Take-san and we have a drink. The first of…
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Loose pictures: November 2023
Views which did not ended in a post of their own.
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Kurama – Kibune
I take advantage of waking up early to go to Kurama. It has been a month since I want to return there, and I haven’t seen the momijis around Kyoto yet. There are some in the city of course, but they are a bit dull. From what I heard, it has been too hot here…
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Loose pictures: October 2023
Views which did not ended in a post of their own.
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The countryside within reach of Kyoto
+1070m / -940m / 19km The hike of the day is a stage of the Kyoto Trail, at the North-East of Kyoto (in blue on the map). It is feasible from station to station by slightly adapting the route. I take the subway at Sanjo towards the North until Demachiyanagi, and I change for a…