Latest news with #FushimiInariTaisha
Asahi Shimbun
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Asahi Shimbun
Final Fantasy artist gives mythic paintings to Kyoto shrine
Yoshitaka Amano, third from left, talks about the paintings with Masami Funahashi, head priest of Fushimi Inari Taisha, second from left, and other members of the shrine at Fushimi Ward in Kyoto on May 18. (Yoshiaki Arai) KYOTO—Famed artist Yoshitaka Amano, known for his iconic illustrations for the Final Fantasy game series and the Vampire Hunter D novels, donated 17 magnificent sliding door paintings to the Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine here on May 18. 'I tried to express the world of Fushimi Inari Taisha and the world of mythology. The time I spent painting was fresh and blissful,' said Amano, 73. The dreamlike paintings depict goddesses, foxes, horses and dragons rendered in black 'sumi' ink on 17 white 'fusuma' paper doors of the shrine. The paintings are titled 'Inari.' Amano started working on them at the shrine office on May 10 and completed them on May 18. That afternoon, a dedication ceremony for the offering was held in the shrine's main hall. In 2023, Amano collaborated with artist Baku Yumemakura on another artwork that they donated to the shrine. Afterward, Amano asked to create something more for the shrine, which led to this series of door paintings. The paintings will not be shown to the public for the time being, but the shrine will consider displaying them publicly in the future.
Metro
17-05-2025
- Metro
I holidayed like a local in Japan and didn't touch Tokyo, Osaka or Kyoto
From Tokyo's neon-lit streets to the world-leading restaurants of Osaka, Japan is the destination of dreams for millions of travellers. But after a record-breaking year for tourist arrivals in 2024, the country is grappling with overtourism, and the challenges that come with it. Kyoto has been dubbed the 'seventh ring of hell' as its cobbled streets buckle under the weight of surging visitors. And, in a crack down down on 'paparazzi tourists', the government is considering raising departure tax. Yet there are whole swathes of Japan that remain largely undiscovered. If you're willing to veer off more well-trodden tracks, you'll be rewarded with ancient hot springs, volcanic mountains and verdant forests — practically untouched by international travellers. From the rolling hills of Nasu Highlands to the striking shrines of Nikko, I took the road less travelled in the Land of the Rising Sun. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. Here's my top tips for holidaying like a local in Japan, including the best onsens and and the small but charming spots that are worth your time. Hot springs are big business in Japan. Known as onsens, they are essentially baths of volcanic spring water replete with natural minerals that claim to provide health benefits from stress relief to clearer skin. Onsens are part of Japan's self-care culture, but popular spots like Kurokawa and Beppu have become stiflingly crowded since the advent of TikTok. A quieter alternative is Nasu, a sprawling mountain village where onsens have been on the go since the 8th-century. They are believed to be among the oldest in Japan. Located on the eastern slope of Mount Nasu, my top choice is Shika-no-Yu, the village's oldest onsen which is still open to the public. Bear in mind that all onsens require you to be totally naked (they're gender segregated) and people with tattoos may be refused entry. Some resorts also have in-house onsens (check before booking). Bettei Kai, one of the locally-owned hotels I stayed at, had a private onsen I'd recommend to anyone. As well as hot springs, Nasu, in the Tochigi prefecture north of Tokyo, boasts excellent hiking, skiing and artisanal cheese (the region is one of the biggest producers of cheese in Japan). Did you really go to Japan if you didn't visit any shrines? Across the country there are thousands of fascinating historical sites, most with no entry fee. The crowds at temples like Kyoto's Fushimi Inari Taisha cause headaches for everyone, but you can wander in peace at Sessho-seki in Nasu. Known as the Killing Stone and a short walk from the Shika-no-Yu onsen, this shrine is essentially a huge lava rock on the slope of Mount Nasu. Legend from the Muromachi period has it that a fox with nine tails disguised itself as a beautiful woman and tried to kill the Emperor Toba. After fleeing to Nasu, the demon vixen was vanquished and turned into a stone, late named Sessho-seki because many creatures died from the poisonous air it emitted. This place has been designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty. While it's stunning, be warned that there is a strong smell of sulphur in the area from the rocks. In nearby Nikko, a one-hour drive, you'll find the UNESCO World Heritage site Toshogu Shrine, as well as Futarasan-jinja Shrine and Rinnoji Temple all within walking distance of each other. At the latter two are 'matchmaking' temples for couples who want to stay the course (not sure what happens if you're single). Another good choice is the Unganji Temple, a working monastery where monks train. It's free to wander the grounds. I'm not a natural cyclist , but Japan's countryside sparked a love affair with bikes, namely the e-bike variety. I recommend a tour with Rider Experience Inc, a multi-day cycling tour operator that takes you to 'hidden Japan'. Packages include slow e-bike journeys, a foodie bike tour from Nasu to Nikko and a 12-day trip around the Tohoku region for the professionals among us. My group cycled through bamboo forests, rice villages and the haiku field, once frequented by Matsuo Basho, one of Japan's most famous Haiku poets. If you fancy it, you can try writing your own Haiku, inspired by the dramatic landscapes that surround the field which influenced Matsuo. One of my favourite parts of this trip was riding through Nikko Kaido Cedar Avenue, registered by the Guinness World Records as the longest tree-lined road in the world. A one-day private tour which includes lunch, harvesting experience and souvenir, as well as the renting of bikes is ¥38,500 Japanese Yen (£202). There are also shorter alternatives, such as a three-hour tour which costs around £35. This is definitely worth it, especially if you do the Kitomana forest route where you may see Mount Fuji at sunset towards the end of your cycle. Book via the Rider Experience website (all guides speak English). The Japanese Highlands has exceptional natural beauty, with vibrant bursts of crimson, orange and yellow that rival the cherry blossoms the country is better known for. But there are specific places you can go to for the perfect shot of Momiji — red maple trees that come to life towards the end of the year. This includes the Shiobara Onsen area. While most go for the hot springs, it's also a great place to stop and take in the view. Pedestrian suspension bridges span the river nearby and offer sweeping views over the water and surrounding forest. The scenery is particularly beautiful from late October to early November during the autumn leaf season. Another great area for foliage is Komadome Falls, which falls about twenty metres from a cliff on the Yosasa River. Its name means 'waterfall where even the horses stop'. If you're in the highlands, chances are you're there to hike. My favourite trek was in Heisei-no-Mori, a national park beloved by the Japanese royal family. Nasu Heisei-no-Mori Forest consists of two areas: the Forest Recreation Zone and the Forest Learning Zone. The Forest Recreation Zone is free and open to anyone to roam around and explore. This zone features wheelchair-accessible paths, trails to the observation deck at Komadome Falls, and sheltered rest areas. The Forest Learning Zone which is a big hike with a private guide giving you history and insight into the environment costs around around ¥10,000 (£52, depending on the size of the group). The Forest Learning Zone is only accessible through guided walks with a nature expert as part of the park's conservation efforts. I recommend the latter, especially as our guide was full of enthusiasm and interesting insights (we even found a discarded bear paw on the floor). This hike is not difficult and lasts around 1.5 hours. Get ready to become an expert on chop sticks as these local eateries really are local (but don't panic, you can ask for a fork if you fail). Head to Tensui for delicious soba (buckwheat noodles), served cold or hot with freshly fried vegetable and prawn tempura. Meals cost between ¥1,000 (£5.23) and ¥2,999 (£15.69). Over at restaurant Mizuhokura, expect kaiseki meals (Japanese traditional meals of different items arranged in various dishes), which include fish, rice topped with seaweed, pickled vegetables, fried chicken, tofu, and miso soup (be careful, the last one isn't vegetarian like it is in other eateries). More Trending My meal of local vegetables, egg, rice, miso soup cost ¥1,500 (£7.87). Over in Nikko, we had a private yuba (tofu skin) kaiseki dinner at Takaiya. Our group were the only diners, meaning we got a tailored experience of a traditional Japanese meal. For a banquet cuisine featuring the full works you're looking at prices from ¥7,260 (£38) for lunch and upwards of ¥9,680 (£50.68) for dinner. Our meals – tofu and beancurd inspired meal with vegetables, fish, rice, soup and others – cost slightly more as the restaurant was open exclusively for us, costing ¥12,000 (£62). Getting there Nasu is just over an hour away from Tokyo. You can get the Shinkansen, the bullet train, to Nasushiobara from around £29. If you're doing one of the Rider Experience tours, a taxi from the Shinkansen station to the meeting point will be about £35. Once you're there, you can cycle from Nasu to Nikko meaning you won't need to arrange extra transport (a van carries your luggage to the destination). For non-cyclists, you can take the Shinkansen from Tokyo or Ueno stations to Utsunomiya, then change to the JR Nikko Line. This costs around ¥5,000 (£26.23) – 5,500 (£28.87) and takes just under two hours. For all of this, of course you'll need to get to Tokyo first. Direct flights with British Airways from London to Tokyo cost upwards of £937 based on prices for June 2025 China Eastern also has a route with one stop for £557 for the same dates. Where to stay In Nasu Bettei Kai, a mix between a traditional ryokan and an urban hotel, complete with a private onsen. My room had two futons, so perfect for bigger groups. We also had breakfast and dinner kaiseki at the restaurant for our meals which were delicious and freshly made by chefs on site. Price per person is from ¥52,950 (£277.25) depending on the room. Itamuro Onsen Daikokuya: a traditional Japanese ryokan. This hotel has three onsens, two inside and one outside as well as sauna rooms. Outside there is also a log fire with benches where you can enjoy afternoon tea, surrounded by trees. The price for a Japanese-style delux room with a shared bathroom (bear in mind the rooms don't have a shower, you'll have to go downstairs to the onsen to bathe), cost around £277. In Nikko Kanaya Hotel: a Western-style hotel that could be confused for one in London (there's even the staple taxi cabs located outside). These high-end digs have been graced by famous faces including Albert Einstein, Prince Edward, Eleanor Roosevelt and Amelia Earhart. At Kanaya: an affordable option with breathtaking views from most rooms. Prices start from £163 and you can opt for a continental breakfast option. It's also a good location, a short walk to the Nikko Toshogu Shrine; Kegon Waterfall is a 30-minute drive away. MORE: I spent 96 hours in 'little London', where life is easier MORE: I visited Turkey's viral beach — it's not what it seems MORE: I found a hidden side to Rome in the 'city that never was'
Daily Mail
03-05-2025
- Daily Mail
The best places to eat, stay and love in Kyoto, including a restaurant with a £2.80 lunch special
EAT Local legends Kyoto is the Japan of old: cobbled streets and low-slung wooden machiya houses host to fashion boutiques and ramen joints (for which the culinary scene is famous). Duck down alleys in search of sashimi (above) as well as miso broth, rich and thick, slurped among chain-smoking salarymen. Near Ritsumeikan University is no-frills (and no website) Omurice Hitomi, full of locals eating the £2.80 lunch special: omurice aka egg omelette draped over ketchup-laden fried rice, served with a rich demi-glace sauce alongside delicious miso soup and pickles. Quick bites At Kaiten Sushi Chojiro ( sushi glides by on a conveyor belt. Order tuna akami (lean cuts) and otoro (fatty belly), iridescent mackerel and Hokkaido sea urchin, stacking empty plates until the counter before you resembles a mini Stonehenge. On the go 7-Eleven sells surprisingly good snacks (the egg sandwich was beloved of late celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain). McDonald's Teriyaki McBurger (£2.15) is a tasty pork patty in sticky-sweet sauce with a habanero kick. STAY Haute history Sowaka ( doubles from £739, above) is a ryokan, or inn, in a historic building in the geisha district of Gion. Rooms blend traditional charm with touches of modern luxury – the ladies who once frequented this place would probably have appreciated the Dyson hairdryers. Mountainside magic Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu ( doubles from £250) occupies a landmark site: a former elementary school completed in 1933. The building climbs up the side of a mountain, full of original features including wooden beams and arched windows that flood the space with natural light. Rooms (many of them former classrooms) are elegantly minimalist and overlook Kyoto city down below. There's a wet room, stacked with luxury Natura Bissé skincare products, where the deep tub will rinse away your jet lag. Dusk drinks Head up to Hotel Seiryu's K36 rooftop bar for a tot or two of yuzu whisky (£12). The views of Kyoto are breathtaking, especially at sunset. Rail travel The bullet train (Shinkansen) from Tokyo to Kyoto is magnificent, prowling into the station like a giant white cat. It costs £75 for the 513km, two-hour journey – and you won't find coffee spills on your tray table. Go wander From Kyoto's sci-fi city centre it's easy to reach the old side. Visit Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine ( and Kinkaku-ji ( above) for its golden temple and sacred, soul-enriching grounds. Retail therapy Discount superstore Don Quijote ( is a vertical city of retail psychosis – a visual feast – where you're faced with floor after floor of commercial improbability. It has everything, and no class distinction. Think Gucci meets gutter: designer handbags slum it with bulk-buy underwear and towers of instant ramen, while Rolexes share shelf space with row after row of vibrators. With an armful of face creams, a fishing rod and some French champagne, you'll realise you've found the soul of Japan, which has mastered the art of irreconcilable contradictions.
