Vending Machines in Japan Redux

Last year, I blogged about vending machines in Japan.  Japan has the highest number of vending machines per capita, with about one machine for every 23 people! 
And I have been collecting pictures of interesting and unusual vending machines (yes, I am weird that way) that I have encountered for the past year …
This vending [...]

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Japan in The News: Tourists Harass Japan’s Geisha

A recent article in BBC News describes the harassment of Japan’s famous geisha by tourists in Gion, the Kyoto district, prompting local residents to patrol the area to protect them.  This follows a similar story about the closing of the very popular early morning auctions in the Tsukiji’s Fish Market in Tokyo due to tourists, [...]

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Visit to Kyoto – Part 2

… continued from Part 1.
Day 3
We started the next day with a subway and bus ride to Ginkaku-ji Temple, also known as the Silver Pavilion. Outside the temple, there was a commercial street filled with food stalls, shops and restaurants.
 
Originally designed as a retirement villa for the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa in the Muromachi [...]

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Visit to Kyoto – Part 1

Kyoto (京都, Kyōto) is the old capital of Japan from 794 AD to 1868, until the power was transferred to Edo (present day Tokyo) during Imperial Restoration.  With a population of close to 1.5 million, it is well known for its picturesque scenery during the cherry blossoms (March) and fall foliage time (November).
With over 1000 [...]

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Rice Reaping

Last weekend, we attended a rice reaping event held at a roof top garden in one of the Roppongi Hills buildings.  There were about 100 people, many young children, who attended, as well as some press coverage.  The children (and some adults also tried) were able to take part in the activities.
 
Rice is [...]

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