Sunrise over Lake Biwa

Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture is Japan’s largest freshwater lake. Due to its proximity to the old capital, Kyoto, Lake Biwa features prominently in Japanese literature. From the castle town of Hikone, we took an early summer morning’s trip to watch the sun rise over the lake.

As Hikone sits on the

Read More

Higashiyama – Kyoto’s Most Picturesque District

Higashiyama is a district in the east of Kyoto’s city center. Sitting between the Kamo River and the Higashiyama Mountain Range, the narrow streets between Yasaka Shrine and Kiyomizu-dera are lined with traditional merchant houses selling crafts, sweets and local specialties.

In Higashiyama, the feeling of old Kyoto has been preserved, with shops offering

Read More

Kyoto Imperial Palace

The Imperial Palace in Kyoto served as the emperors’ residence during the Edo Period until the Meiji Restoration in 1868.

It is not possible to enter the buildings, but the palace grounds can be visited on a guided tour (English tours are available). Tours take around an hour and are free, but it is

Read More

Skytree Views

Tokyo Skytree is a broadcasting tower and the tallest structure in Japan.

Conveniently located within walking distance from Asakusa, it is also easily reached by train (Tokyo Skytree or Oshiage stations). With a shopping mall and restaurants at its base, the tower’s biggest draws are undoubtedly the observation decks at 350 and 450 meters,

Read More