Kyoto Day Hikes – Short Trails, Japanese Culture, and Nature

Where to See Cherry Blossoms in Kyoto 2025

Where to See Cherry Blossoms in Kyoto 2025

Kyoto Botanical Gardens Family Visit

Best Seasons for Hiking in Kyoto🗓️

Best Seasons for Hiking in Kyoto🗓️

Each season in Kyoto has its own charm—and its own challenges. Here’s a breakdown to help you plan your hike:

Hiking from Keage to Mt. Daimonji and Down to Yamashina –

Hiking from Keage to Mt. Daimonji and Down to Yamashina –

A Snowy Kyoto Trail Adventure

Hiking Etiquette in Japan: Why Greetings Matter

Hiking in Japan is a unique experience, not only because of the beautiful trails and well-maintained paths but also due to the cultural etiquette that hikers follow. One of the most important customs is greeting others on the trail with a friendly "Konnichiwa" (こんにちは). But have you ever

❄️ A Winter Hike on Mt. Hiei

❄️ A Winter Hike on Mt. Hiei

Ramen in a Snow

Onsen, Hot Springs, and Public Bath Manners in Japan

Onsen, Hot Springs, and Public Bath Manners in Japan

Introduction: The Joy of Taking a Bath in an Onsen After a Hike After a long hike through Japan’s stunning mountains, there is nothing more rewarding than taking bath in an onsen (温泉, hot spring). The warm, mineral-rich waters ease sore muscles and provide deep relaxation. In Japan, public

My First Visit to Fushimi Inari Taisha（伏見稲荷大社）

My First Visit to Fushimi Inari Taisha（伏見稲荷大社）

A Kyoto Native’s Perspective Growing up in a city near Kyoto, I always knew about Fushimi Inari Taisha（伏見稲荷大社）. It’s one of Japan’s most famous shrines, with its iconic red torii gates stretching endlessly into the mountains. But despite its proximity, I had never visited. Why? Because

Where to Buy Hiking Gear in Kyoto: 6 Recommended Stores

Where to Buy Hiking Gear in Kyoto: 6 Recommended Stores

Where to Buy Hiking Gear in Kyoto: 6 Recommended Stores Kyoto is surrounded by beautiful mountains, making it a great destination for hiking and outdoor activities. If you’re looking for high-quality hiking gear, Kyoto has several excellent stores to check out. Here are six recommended shops where you can

New Year’s Hike to Mount Hiei（比叡山）

New Year’s Hike to Mount Hiei（比叡山）

The first morning of the year always carries a special kind of energy. While many were still asleep after New Year’s Eve celebrations, I decided to welcome 2025 with a refreshing hike up Mount Hiei (比叡山) to see the brand new surise(初日の出）. 📥 GPX files are completely free—download

Kyoto Round Trail : From JR Momoyama Station to Fushimi Inari and Keage

Kyoto Round Trail : From JR Momoyama Station to Fushimi Inari and Keage

I’ve recently become interested in long-distance trails, so I decided to walk roughly 20 kilometers of part of the Kyoto Trail—an extensive route that circles around the entire city—from JR Momoyama(JR桃山） Station to Keage（蹴上）. This path is quite famous among trail runners, and many hikers

View of Taipei 101 from Xiangshan

A Quick Evening Hike at Xiangshan（象山）, Taipei

In mid-February 2025, I visited Taipei on a business trip. After finishing all my work, I wanted to find a place nearby for a light hike on my last evening in the city. That’s when I discovered Xiangshan (象山), also known as Elephant Mountain, a great spot for a

Smartphone Navigation

Best Smartphone Apps for Hiking in Japan

Stay Safe and Find the Best Trails

About This Blog

About This Blog

Why I Started This Blog Hello everyone! Thank you for stopping by my new blog. My name is Yamato, and I’m Japanese living in Kyoto with my wonderful wife and kids. I was born in the Kansai area of Japan, where I also grew up.During my twenties and