Field Report: Himeji, Japan (25 November 2014)

25Nov14 010 Himeji Castle Hyogo Japan

On the last day of our autumn holiday in the Kansai region, we headed west to visit one of the largest, and arguably one of the most splendid, castles in all of Japan.

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Field Report: Hōryū-ji, Nara Prefecture, Japan (24 November 2014)

24Nov14 015 Horyuji Nara Kansai Japan

Our family holiday in Japan continues with a trip to an ancient temple compound, featuring the oldest intact wooden buildings in the world … some of which have serenely witnessed the passing of more than 1,300 years.

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Food Report: Ichiran (Dōtonbori branch, Ōsaka)

23Nov14 014 Ichiran Ramen Dotombori Osaka Kansai Japan

I enjoy trying new restaurants and tasting new dishes as much as the next unadventurous chap, but there are times when the tried-and-true exerts a pull that doesn’t simply pass unnoticed. In this case, it was my favourite ramen at my favourite ramen chain … though I can at least claim the excuse that this was a branch I hadn’t visited before.

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Field Report: Kyōto, Japan (23 November 2014)

23Nov14 008 Ninomaru Palace Nijo Castle Kyoto Kansai Japan

Our itinerary for the 23rd of November was light, open, and relaxed – it was Sunday, after all. A hearty breakfast to start, followed by mid-morning Mass at a Catholic church in downtown Ōsaka, and then a quick day trip to see the gilded precincts of what may well be the grandest house in all of Kyōto.

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Field Report: Kyōto, Japan (22 November 2014) – Part 3/3

22Nov14 005 Fushimi Inari Taisha Torii Kyoto Kansai Japan

After our daytime walk across Arashiyama, we headed back to Kyōto Station for some food, a bit of rest, and an opportunity to plan our next move.

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Field Report: Kyōto, Japan (22 November 2014) – Part 2/3

22Nov14 003 Autumn Jojakko-ji Arashiyama Kyoto Kansai Japan

As beautiful as the autumn leaves in Tenryū-ji’s garden might have been, they were but a taste of the seasonal splendour that had spread all across the hills of Kyōto’s Arashiyama district.

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Field Report: Kyōto, Japan (22 November 2014) – Part 1/3

22Nov14 012 Autumn Tenryu-ji Arashiyama Kyoto Kansai Japan

Let’s skip ahead a day and recount my family’s trip to Japan’s ancient capital on a glorious Saturday morning, with the sun high in the sky and the hills ablaze with the fiery colours of autumn.

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Field Report: Kyōto, Japan (20 November 2014)

20Nov14 023 Autumn Leaves Eikando Zenrinji Kyoto Kansai Japan

After our relaxing daytime visit to the historic city of Uji, my parents were happy to retreat into the comfort of our Ōsaka hotel and prepare to turn in for the night. As far as I was concerned, however, the day was far from spent … so I dashed off on my own to Kyōto for a special evening light-up that only takes place when the city’s trees are enrobed in their autumn majesty.

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