• Field Report:  The Autumn Splendours of Arashiyama, Kyōto, Japan (26 November 2016)

    Field Report: The Autumn Splendours of Arashiyama, Kyōto, Japan (26 November 2016)

    The hills of the Arashiyama district are ablaze with colour every fall, transforming the northwestern reaches of Kyōto into a teeming hive of tourists. This particular season – out of the several autumns I’ve spent in Japan’s ancient capital – seemed the worst by far in terms of visitor overload, but it’s hard to complain…

  • Field Snapshot:  Kyōto National Museum, Japan (25 November 2016)

    Field Snapshot: Kyōto National Museum, Japan (25 November 2016)

    Another short and sweet snapshot post, just to tide us over until the next proper field report. Today, let’s have a look at one of my favourite hangouts in Kyōto … which, surprise surprise, happens to be a museum.

  • Field Snapshot:  Kōdai-ji, Kyōto, Japan (25 November 2016)

    Field Snapshot: Kōdai-ji, Kyōto, Japan (25 November 2016)

    Following my customary walking route through Kyōto’s Higashiyama district, I began with Kiyomizu-dera and gradually worked my way north, pausing for the usual refreshment break at my favourite tea house. Further on into the stroll, I entered a well-known landmark for the first time in years, having skipped it a couple of times after my…

  • Food Report:  Tea and Traditional Sweets at Kasagi-ya (Kyōto, Japan)

    Food Report: Tea and Traditional Sweets at Kasagi-ya (Kyōto, Japan)

    The winding, hilly lanes of Kyōto’s Higashiyama district require a fair bit of effort to navigate. Fortunately, a little tea shop tucked away next to one of the area’s scenic stone-paved streets offers the perfect antidote to depleted energy levels: freshly-made Japanese sweets and a bowl of hot, frothy green tea.

  • Field Report:  Kiyomizu-dera, Kyōto, Japan (25 November 2016)

    Field Report: Kiyomizu-dera, Kyōto, Japan (25 November 2016)

    Kyōto’s Higashiyama district is an area I’ve grown rather fond of, and quite familiar with, through my regular visits to Japan’s former capital. Since I first came here several years ago, I’ve seen a few things change – and not always for the better. The crowds, for one, have grown so unbelievably thick as to…

Quote of the week

"People ask me what I do in the winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring."

~ Rogers Hornsby