Author: plingthinks

Mizuya Chaya - Nara Park Hidden Teahouse Cafe Restaurant With Deers and Autumn Maple Leaves

Mizuya Chaya // Nara Park’s Hidden Teahouse Where Deers Join You For Lunch

Published by

Discover Mizuya Chaya (水谷茶屋), a hidden thatched roof teahouse in Nara Park, Japan where sika deers roam freely and join you for lunch at outdoor tables. Tucked off the main tourist trail between Todaiji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine, this lunch spot has been serving udon since 1948. In autumn, blazing Japanese maple leaves frame the moss-covered teahouse in an atmospheric scene. Beyond the teahouse, a stone lantern-lined forest path leads to Kasuga Taisha Shrine. A must-visit hidden gem in Nara Park for travellers seeking rustic beauty off the beaten path.

Kyoto Autumn Colours Night Illumination - Japanese Maple Leaves at Toji Temple

5 Ways to Experience Toji Temple After Dark // Kyoto’s Breathtaking Autumn Night Illumination

Published by

Toji Temple Kyoto’s autumn night illumination transforms Japan’s most iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site each fall — where the reflection of the tallest wooden pagoda in Japan shimmers across an illuminated pond, Japanese maple leaves blaze red and gold overhead, and centuries of heritage glow quietly in the night.

Himeji Castle in Spring - Cherry Blossom Sakura Season in Japan

11 Must-See Sights at Himeji Castle in Spring // Cherry Blossom Sakura Season in Japan

Published by

Arriving early morning, Himeji Castle 姫路城 rises above its brilliant walls framed by cherry blossoms in full bloom. This is the White Heron Castle in spring — where hanami culture, history, and Japan’s iconic sakura scenery converge into one unforgettable experience. Before the crowds arrive and the petals begin to fall, here are the 11 sights you won’t want to miss.

Nanzenji Temple Autumn - Tenjuan Garden Maple Leaves Rock Path

7 Things to Do at Nanzen-ji // Kyoto’s Roman-Style Aqueduct Temple

Published by

Steeped in history and culture, Nanzenji Temple 南禅寺 is one of the 5 great Zen temples in Kyoto and occupies a huge piece of land. It offers many attractions that will enchant travelers: a rare Roman-style aqueduct, the largest temple gate in Japan, Zen rock gardens, and stunning autumn colors.

Blue Bottle Coffee Cafe - Kyoto

Blue Bottle Coffee Kyoto // Cafe in a Century-Old Machiya

Published by

Inside a 100-year-old machiya or traditional townhouse near Nanzenji, Blue Bottle Coffee Kyoto is a must-visit for both coffee lovers and interior design buffs. Sipping a good cup of coffee in a cafe that pays homage to Japanese aesthetics and heritage while melding with modern coffee culture sure has its draw.

Cafe Arabica Latte Art Coffee - Kyoto Arashiyama

% Arabica // One of Kyoto’s Best-Selling Coffee

Published by

% Arabica is one of Kyoto’s best-selling coffee stands, popular among locals & international visitors who flocked to its cafes in Kyoto and around the world. With a latte art champion and a specialty coffee trader at its helm, % Arabica quickly became one of the must-visit cafes for coffee lovers in Kyoto.

Jojakko-ji Kyoto Arashiyama - Autumn Maple Moss Roof

Jojakko-ji // Where Moss and Maple Leaves Meet in Kyoto Arashimaya

Published by

Nestled in the quieter part of the renowned Arashiyama district is Jojakko-ji 常寂光寺. A charming temple hidden away at the base of Mount Ogura, its unassuming rustic beauty is often underrated. During autumn, it’s a place where Japanese maple leaves, ginkgo trees, and moss meet in an explosion of colors.

IZAMA Kyoto Japan - Lunch Autumn Special Set

[CLOSED] IZAMA Kyoto // Pretty and Nutritional Home-Style Platter Meals

Published by

IZAMA 居様 serves up Kyoto home-style food, platter meals or obanzai おばんざい in a traditional Kyoto townhouse. Concocted of skillfully arranged small dishes, the chefs brings the natural flavors, colors, and Kyoto style of cooking to the forefront. Read our review on IZAMA’s seasonal bento box obanzai.

Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens - Glasshouse Plaza

15 Things to do in Nunobiki Herb Gardens // Kobe’s Botanical & Flower Theme Park

Published by

Planted on the mountainside of Mount Rokko in Kobe, Nunobiki Herb Gardens 神戸布引ハーブ園 is Japan’s largest herb garden and home to 75,000 herbs and flowers. It is a must-visit if you love flowers, herbs, and nature. There are lots of see, do, and learn at this beautiful botanical garden.

Cafe Freundlieb - Kobe Japan

Freundlieb // Kobe’s Charming Bakery Cafe In Former Church

Published by

Freundlieb フロインドリーブ is a bakery-cafe housed within the former Kobe Union Church which was built in 1929. This German bakery and its beautiful cafe have many locals flocking to its door to savour their breakfasts and lunches, partake of its quiet elegance, and pack home breads & cookies.