Travel for Life

The North-East Area of Kyoto includes the following famous temples: Ginkakuji Temple Eikando Temple Nanzenji Temple The whole area (click the map to enlarge) can be visited by walk along the canal in about 50 mins. [1] This is a pleasant city stroll following the old canal, lined with cherry trees, between Ginkakuji Temple and Nanzenji Temple . Local scholars call the little alley flanking the canal " The Path of Philosophy ". Temples Ginkakuji Temple (銀閣寺 Silver Pavilion)  Is a Zen temple along Kyoto 's eastern mountains (Higashiyama). Consists of the Silver Pavilion, half a dozen other temple buildings, a beautiful moss garden and a unique dry sand garden. Can be enjoyed by walking along a circular route around its grounds, from which the gardens and buildings can be viewed. Admission: 500 yen Hours: 8:30 to 17:00 (03/01 to 11/30) 9:00 to 16:30 (12/01 to 02/29) Eikando Temple (永観堂)  Is very famous for its autumn colors and...

Watch Yuu Asakura's video here to learn how to count from 1 (ichi) to a big number 1000,0000,0000 (issen oku). Here are some basic units: 1 — 一 / いち / ichi 10 — 十 / じゅう / juu 100 -— 百 / ひゃく / hyaku 1000 — 千 / せん / sen 1,0000 — 萬 / まん / man 10000,0000 — 億 / おく / oku Note that 4 and 7 has two pronunciations: 4 = shi /yon 7 = shichi / nana Sometime pronouncing 4 as yon or 7 as nana sound better in a different context. Counters Small-object counter (個 / こ / ko) ikko, niko, sanko, yonko, goko, rokko, nanako, hachiko, kyuuko, jyukko Watch Yuu Asakura's video here to learn how to count in (個 / こ / ko) Counter for the hito-futa-mi counting system (similar to 個 and often used with Kanji) hitotsu, futatsu, mittsu, yottsu, itsutsu, muttsu, nanatsu, yattsu, kokonotsu, too Watch Yuu Asakura's video here to learn how to count in (個 / つ / tsu) Person Counter (人 / にん / nin) hitori, futari, sannin, yonin, gonin, rok...

Based on  Japan National Tourism Organization 's (JNTO) publication— Kyoto Walks , it says that, in Kyoto, the best surprises are reserved for those who are willing to walk. Among those recommended routes, it includes Kinkakuji/Ryoanji Area (or the North-West area of Kyoto) This area includes the following famous temples: Kinkaku-ji  ( 金閣寺 ) Ryoanji Temple  ( 龍安寺 ) Ninnaji Temple  ( 仁和寺 ) In this article, we will provide detailed travelling guides to this area. Kinkaku-ji 's Golden Pavilion Cloaked in Autumn Colors Temples   Kinkaku-ji  (金閣寺 ;  video ) ⭐⭐⭐ It is designated as a National Special Historic Site and a National Special Landscape, and it is also one of 17 locations comprising the  Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto   World Heritage Site . Mirror Pond Kinkakuji is an impressive structure built overlooking a large pond Gardens Hold a few spots of interest including Anmintaku Pond that is said ...

Nara (奈良) was the capital of Japan from 710 to 794.  In 2010, Nara celebrated the 1,300th anniversary of its ascension as Japan's imperial capital. Because of its long history, Nara has developed a unique cooking culture ( 和食 /  Woshoku) as detailed in [1]. Washoku (和食) in Nara In [1] and [2], both of them mention the following two delicacies:  鹿肉の大和煮 (shikaniku no Yamato-ni) The venison meat that is high in protein is stewed and when you bite into its tender meat, you can’t help but agree at how delicious and fragrant the stew is. 柿の葉すし  (かきの葉ずし  /   kaki no hazushi) Made of rice seasoned with vinegar and slices of salmon or salted mackerel on top The mackerel used in this food is prepared according to a special method which is kept secret by the people who make it. This is why kakinoha zushi is only available in Nara. Formed in the shape of a cube, and wrapped with a "kakinoha" or persimmon leaf. Persimmon leaves ...

Ohara  (大原) is a nice walking area (1.5 hours) somewhat comparable to Arashiyama, where you can touch the heart of rural Japan.   Sanzen-in Temple  (三千院)  is the main attraction of the rural town of Ohara . Video 1.  Visiting Ohara for Autumn Colors and Moss Garden (YouTube link ) In Japanology's video " moss ", it has introduced Saiho-ji temple  (西芳寺) —  a  Buddhist temple with famed moss garden.  However, you cannot visit it without advance reservation and satisfying preconditions (see here ). Then,  Sanzen-in Temple  could be a good alternative for you to visit a moss garden . Read [2] for more details. Attractions Sanzen-in Temple (三千院) [4]   From the main hall ( 神殿   /   shinden  ), visitors can enjoy the most famous view of Sanzenin Temple—the Ojo Gokuraku-in Hall seen through maple and cedar trees across a moss garden. Admission: 700 yen Open ...

As a traveler in Japan, you could be worried about simple things such as where to dine or lodge. For example, many people have asked where to buy breakfast in the early morning. It's true that most restaurants don't serve breakfast and won't open until 10 or 11 am. Also, as a budget traveler, you may want to save money on meals while, at the same time, want to experience real Japanese Foods. If you are such a person, this article may offer some helps for you when visiting Kyoto (京都) area. Breakfast Not many eateries serve  breakfast (朝食 / ちょうしょく / choushoku) early morning in Kyoto. As a visitor, you may want to plan ahead. Here are some suggestions: High-end hotels Try their buffet breakfast Chain stores Yoshinoya (吉野家) Breakfast: 4 am - 11 am ( 朝食 ) 納豆定食、焼魚定食、特朝定食 豆腐ぶっかけ飯、鶏そぼろ飯 Nakau (なか卯) Open 24 hours ( Menu ) Yayoiken (やよい軒) Open 24 hours ( 朝食 ) 納豆朝食、目玉焼朝食、銀鮭朝食 McDonalds Others 本家 第一旭 たかばし本店 (5 am — midnight 2a...

As a foreigner holding Temporary Visitor visa, you are qualified for some benefits (e.g., discounts and tax refunds) compared to Japan residents. [1] In this article, we will cover tax refunds when you shop at a department store . Layout of Department Stores in Japan The floor plans of Department Stores in Japan look similar: Top floor  Restaurants Basement (デパ地下  /  デパちか   /  depachika ) Food shops In most cases, in the basement of department stores, there is a floor that's full of small kiosks and storefronts where you can buy side dishes, bento , sweets , and more.  Both floors in a Department Store take care of customers' stomach first.  Then customers will stream through each floor based on two effects: Fountain effect (shown in the diagram above) if customers start visiting food shops first Shower effect if customers start eating at restaurants first Tax Refunds As a foreigner visiting Japan, you a...

You can watch Risa teaching top 25 must-know Japanese adjectives from youtube  here . In this article, we list those phrases in written forms.  So, you can practice them repeatedly or you can copy the phrases from here and paste them to  japandict.com  or a  Japanese language-learning tool  for further research. Many    多い  /  おおい  /   ooi Cheap     安い  /  やすい  /   yasui Hot 熱い  /  あつい  /   atsui Long 長い  /  ながい  /   nagai Fast or Early 早い  /  はやい  /   hayai Like 好き  /  すき  /   suki Same 同じ  /  おなじ  /   onaji Scarce or Few 少ない  /  すくない  /   sukunai Necessary 必要  /  ひつよう  /   hitsuyou Skilled or Expert 巧い   /  うまい  /   umai Delicious 美...