Matcha is as much an experience as it is a beverage
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Kansai’s Final Boss
These two cities simply couldn’t be more different.
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The Real Tea on Uji and Nara
Uji vs Nara: Which one is best for you?
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Kyoto’s Awesome Autumn
Where can you see fall colors in Kyoto?
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Kansai Starts Here
I’ve been perfecting my Kansai itinerary for well over a decade.
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Japan’s Wonderful Wisteria
It took me a while to prioritize seeing wisteria in Japan, but I’m so glad I eventually did.
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Kyoto’s Sake Secret
A Kyoto sake tour many years ago changed my relationship with the beverage in just a few hours.
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Kansai’s Most Underrated Railway
Over the years, I’ve relied more and more on the Kintetsu Line to explore Japan’s Kansai region.
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Is Higashiyama Really Kyoto’s Best Neighborhood?
Is Arashiyama or Higashiyama the best part of Kyoto?
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Japan’s Suddenly Sought-After Temple Stays
The topic of temple stays in Japan is more nuanced than it might seem on the surface.
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Osaka for the Short-on-Time
It’s much more common to take an Osaka day trip from Kyoto than it is to stay overnight in Osaka.
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1,000 Years in a Day
I wouldn’t ordinarily recommend a Kyoto day trip from Osaka, but if it’s your only option, I’ll help you do it well.
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The Truth About the Tokyo-Kyoto Debate
To some extent, comparing Kyoto vs Tokyo is a fool’s errand.
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Kyoto’s Sakura Secrets
Hanami in Kyoto can be a perfect experience—if you follow my advice.
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Kyoto’s Timeless New Year’s Eve
Celebrating the New Year in Kyoto is not as strange as it might seem as first glance.
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Someone Else’s Dream
A lot can change quickly in the middle of winter.
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Is Nara Better Than Kyoto?
For certain sorts of travelers, Nara might be a preferable overnight base to Kyoto.
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Kyoto’s Low-Stress Sacred Spaces
Fabulous spots like Kifune and Kurama, a shrine-and-temple pair in far northwestern Kyoto, are just waiting for you to discover them.
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How to Fix Japan’s “Overtourism” Problem
Is overtourism in Japan really a problem—and, if so, how do we fix it?
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Run With All You Have
A viper seems to be little more than a leathery bamboo shoot until the moment it sinks its fangs into you.
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