JapanTripThe Seto inland sea as a backdropDay 1 We arrive in Marugame after an easy trip. We visit the small MIMOCA museum, which features a few lovely … May 6, 20265 min read
JapanBlooming MiyamaLike last year (in Ohara), we head north of Kyoto to enjoy the cherry blossoms away from the crowds. We first … Apr 5, 20261 min read
JapanEleven views of mount FujiWe spend the weekend in Fujikawaguchiko, giving us the chance to see Mount Fuji from several different angles … Mar 20, 20261 min read
JapanTripHiroshima getawayDay 1 We take the shinkansen from Kyoto Station around 8:30, and I finish my night’s sleep during the ride. I … Mar 13, 20262 min read
JapanHikeNinose – Ohara+700 m / -650 m / 13 km I reach Ninose by train around 9:30 a.m. I get ready and head north after crossing the … Feb 14, 20263 min read
JapanA snowy SundayI glance out the window this morning and, just as the forecast said, big snowflakes are falling. I decide to … Feb 8, 20263 min read
JapanUniversal Studios JapanFor once, we find ourselves in one of Japan’s most popular spots: Universal Studios Japan (or simply “USJ”). … Jan 14, 20265 min read
JapanOgoto OnsenThis hot spring is in Otsu, on the shores of Lake Biwa. It’s almost a 1-hour ride from Kyoto and we decide to … Dec 27, 20252 min read
JapanHikeHiking Along the Water, Again+50 m / -100 m / 8 km Today we’re back on the same route as two months ago, between Takao and the Hozu Gorge. … Nov 15, 20251 min read
JapanHikeKohechiKohechi is one of the three Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes. It’s the most mountainous of the three and links … Nov 10, 20255 min read
JapanTripKoyasanAfter leaving at 6:30, we take a bus to Saiin, then the train to Awaji. We change at Tengachaya, then again at … Nov 8, 20252 min read
JapanHikeMount Haku+1350 m / -1350 m / 14 km We’re off work this Friday. We leave Nijo Station at 6:59 and transfer at Kyoto … Oct 3, 20256 min read
JapanHikeHiking along the water+230 m / -290 m / 9 km The forecast says cloudy all day. I don’t feel like climbing a summit just to find the … Sep 14, 20252 min read
JapanTripAyabeIt’s fireworks season. Each city holds its own display on a different date, so it’s possible to see fireworks … Jul 26, 20252 min read
JapanTripExperiences in TokyoA visa application forces us to go to the French Embassy in Tokyo. We take the opportunity to spend two days … Jun 20, 20253 min read
JapanOhara in bloomOhara is a rural area about 40 minutes north of Kyoto by bus. It’s not very far, but it’s usually cooler up … Apr 12, 20251 min read
JapanHanami in HigashiyamaAfter yesterday’s walk, we head to Higashiyama and the Philosopher’s Path. There are more people under the … Apr 6, 20251 min read
JapanAround TofukujiAfter the plum trees, the cherry trees bloom in turn. We start from Tofukuji Station and head east to visit a … Apr 5, 20251 min read
JapanLooseLoose pictures: Winter 2025Views which did not ended in a post of their own. Mar 31, 20251 min read
JapanMusicPUNKSPRING 2025The aptly named PUNKSPRING festival is held every spring and features punk rock bands. This year, the event … Mar 29, 20253 min read
JapanThe plum trees of JounanguSpring is here! The cherry blossoms aren’t out yet, but the plum trees are ahead of them. I head to the modest … Mar 21, 20251 min read
FranceLooseLoose pictures: Fall 2024Views which did not ended in a post of their own. Dec 31, 20241 min read
JapanTripIshigakiDay 1 It’s nighttime when we step out of the airport. A car is waiting for us and takes us a few hundred … Dec 26, 20243 min read
JapanMomiji in NaraLast post in the autumn leaves collection, after Kameoka and Kyoto, in Nara this time. Dec 7, 20241 min read
JapanMomiji in KameokaThe momiji season has arrived later than usual. First outing in the countryside of Kameoka, west of Kyoto. Nov 30, 20241 min read
JapanLooseLoose pictures: Summer 2024Views which did not ended in a post of their own. Sep 30, 20241 min read
JapanHikeSunrise on mount Fuji+1400 m / -1400 m / 11 km Departure by shinkansen a little after 6:30 a.m. from Kyoto Station, arriving at … Sep 5, 20243 min read
JapanTripRoad-trip in HokkaidoDay 1 We pick up a rental car at Kushiro Airport in the late afternoon and head towards Lake Akan. We follow … Aug 11, 20247 min read
JapanGion MatsuriThis festival is one of the most popular in Japan. Every year around mid-July, people come from all over the … Jul 23, 20242 min read
JapanLooseLoose pictures: May / June 2024Views which did not ended in a post of their own. Jun 30, 20241 min read
JapanHikeThe Sun at the summit+1250 m / -1250 m / 17 km It’s mid-June and it’s hot. I’ve prepared a few things for a Mount Fuji climb at the … Jun 13, 20244 min read
JapanMusicAll Time Low at the Gorilla HallThe Gorilla Hall is a fairly new concert venue. It’s not huge, but it’s well designed: there are two bars, … May 9, 20241 min read
JapanLooseLoose pictures: April 2024Views which did not ended in a post of their own. Apr 30, 20241 min read
JapanTripTrip to the sea of JapanWe reserved the last two seats on the bus from Kyoto to Amanohashidate at the beginning of the week. To travel … Apr 27, 20242 min read
JapanTripKumano SanzanThe three temples dedicated to the three sacred mountains of Kumano, in three days! Day 1 Departure from Kyoto … Apr 12, 20243 min read
JapanLooseLoose pictures: March 2024Views which did not ended in a post of their own. Mar 31, 20241 min read
JapanIn 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. … Mar 31, 20241 min read
JapanMusicSum41 at the Osaka IntexSum41 will soon cease to exist and their final tour is underway. The band is coming to Osaka for their last … Mar 23, 20242 min read
JapanHikeBack on the Kyoto Trail+500 m / -580 m / 13 km I’m not working this Friday, and unlike the previous days, it’s not raining. I’m … Mar 22, 20241 min read
JapanUjiUji is a small town south of Kyoto. It is home to a quite famous temple, as it is depicted on the 10-yen … Mar 10, 20241 min read
FranceLooseLoose pictures: January / February 2024Views which did not ended in a post of their own. Feb 29, 20241 min read
JapanTripFrozenHow to ski in 3 resorts, in 4 days, in the land of the Snow Queen. Feb 15, 20243 min read
JapanTripSki JamLeaving Kyoto around 6:30 a.m. for this weekend organized by my company’s Ski Club. I sleep a bit more on the … Feb 10, 20242 min read
JapanHalfway SetsubunThis year is no exception,Setsubunfalls on February 3rd. I head to Rozanji temple to attend the festivities. … Feb 3, 20242 min read
JapanHikone, Omi-HachimanI arrive in Hikone late in the morning to visit the castle, one of the 12 with a donjon still intact. It is … Jan 28, 20241 min read
JapanHikeBunagatake+1250 m / -1250 m / 16 km The sun is still behind the hills as I arrive at Hira Station to climb Mount … Jan 14, 20243 min read
FranceLooseLoose pictures: December 2023Views which did not ended in a post of their own. Dec 31, 20231 min read
JapanHikeMount Atago+1050 m / -1100 m / 19 km I leave at night to take a bus 15 minutes from my place. I’m going east of Kyoto. I … Dec 17, 20232 min read
JapanDaigojiI’m not working today. I’m off to Daigoji temple to take some pictures. Momiji season is almost over, and … Dec 11, 20231 min read
JapanMusicBack to the Live House GattacaI met Take-san at a meetup once month ago. He is one of the guitarist from Ninefall, a rock band based in … Dec 10, 20231 min read
JapanHikeMount Horai+1180 m / -1180 m / 13 km Get up at dawn to climb Mount Horai. This mountain overlooks Lake Biwa, and a … Dec 2, 20232 min read
JapanLooseLoose pictures: November 2023Views which did not ended in a post of their own. Nov 30, 20231 min read
JapanA day with WHOI meet at 10:45 a.m. at Mikumo Station in Shiga Prefecture, to walk with the WHO (Wonderful Hiking … Nov 25, 20231 min read
JapanKurama – KibuneI take advantage of waking up early to go to Kurama. It has been a month since I want to return there, and I … Nov 24, 20232 min read
JapanLooseLoose pictures: October 2023Views which did not ended in a post of their own. Oct 31, 20231 min read
JapanHikeKamikochiIntro Leaving at 10:50 p.m. from Kyoto Station by a night bus. The night is short since it takes about 6h30 to … Oct 27, 20237 min read
JapanHikeThe countryside within reach of Kyoto+1070 m / -940 m / 19 km The hike of the day is a stage of the Kyoto Trail, at the northeast of Kyoto (in blue … Oct 16, 20233 min read
JapanMusicTOTALFAT liveAhh… TOTALFAT. The only Japanese band that I have been listening to on a regular basis for several years now. … Oct 1, 20233 min read
JapanLooseLoose pictures: september 2023Views which did not ended in a post of their own. Sep 30, 20231 min read
JapanMusicGoing with the flowThis Sunday I go to a meetup at the Kyoto Laundry Cafe. It’s a bit crowded, there are one or two Frenchmen and … Sep 23, 20232 min read
JapanHikeMount Hiei+730 m / -760 m / 14 km I meet two colleagues on the Kamo around 8 a.m. and we go to the hike starting point … Sep 17, 20232 min read
JapanAround GionA bit of rest this Sunday afternoon, for the first time since I got here. I just need to get some stuff from … Sep 10, 20232 min read