Local Japan Guide

Tucked away in a beautifully restored 70-year-old Kyoto machiya townhouse , Chisou Inaseya offers a refined yet warm atmosphere that captures the spirit of Kyoto — elegant, calm, and deeply connected to the seasons. Located near  Karasuma-Oike Station , this restaurant is loved by both locals and travelers who seek authentic Kyoto-style dining with a touch of sophistication. 🍗 The Signature Dish – Oyakodon Oyakodon, meaning “parent and child bowl,” features tender Kyoto Tamba chicken simmered in savory soy-based broth with fluffy eggs, served over warm rice. The dish traces its origins back to the late 19th century in Tokyo , when a chef’s wife at the long-established restaurant Tamahide decided to pour the flavorful chicken-and-egg stew over rice. In Kyoto, however, the dish evolved with a gentler taste — enhanced by Kyoto-style dashi and locally raised ingredients. 🍶 Why You Should Visit Experience authentic Kyoto cuisine made with local ingredients. Enjo...

  　　　　　 Japan’s traditional tea ceremony is not merely about serving tea   —   it’s a profound philosophy of life. From it was born one of Japan’s most influential aesthetic ideals: wabi-sabi . The Essence of Wabi-Sabi Wabi-sabi, refined by the tea master Sen no Rikyū , is the Japanese art of finding beauty in imperfection and simplicity.  “Wabi” refers to the quiet grace of things that are modest, minimal, and humble. “Sabi” celebrates the passage of time   —   the beauty that emerges as things age, fade, or decay. In contrast to Western ideals that often prize brightness, novelty, and perfection, wabi-sabi embraces the imperfect, the incomplete, and the transient . It sees value not in abundance, but in restraint; not in symmetry, but in the natural irregularities that reveal life’s authenticity. Kintsugi: Beauty from Breakage   The philosophy of wabi-sabi finds its most tangible form in kintsugi   —   the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer mixed wit...

  When we think of Japan , images of sushi, anime, and cherry blossoms often come to mind. But beneath the modern pop culture lies something much deeper: the influence of geography. Japan is an island nation, and being surrounded by the sea has shaped its history, trade, conflicts, and even the way Japanese people interact with one another. Let’s take a closer look at how living on an island made Japan what it is today. The Advantage of Being an Island Unlike continental nations, Japan is separated by the sea, which naturally served as both a shield and a barrier. While land-based countries had to constantly defend porous borders, Japan only had to monitor the sea routes.   On the other hand, launching attacks overseas was costly and risky. Armies required ships, supplies, and manpower. This is why, before the Meiji era , Japan fought only three major international wars: The Battle of Baekgang (663) The Mongol Invasions (1274–1281) Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s Korean campaigns (1592–1...

  🌸 Introduction When people abroad hear the word geisha , they often imagine mysterious women in white makeup and colorful kimono, gracefully entertaining guests in a world hidden from ordinary life. But when—and how—did geisha culture truly begin? Far from being an ancient relic, the world of geisha ( geiko in Kyoto) and their apprentices ( maiko ) continues to flourish today, especially in Kyoto’s historic hanamachi (geisha districts). To understand their enduring allure, we need to look back to the Edo period and trace how this sophisticated tradition of art and hospitality developed. 📖 Origins of Geisha: From Tea Houses to Performance The story of geisha begins in the mid-Edo period (18th century). In Kyoto, visitors to Yasaka Shrine were served tea and sweets by women working at mizuchaya (tea houses). Gradually, some of these women began performing songs, dances, and playing instruments to entertain travelers. As demand grew, teahouses competed to attract more cu...

When Did Sumo Begin? Sumo, often regarded as Japan’s national sport, has a history stretching back more than 1,500 years. In fact, Japan’s oldest chronicle, the Kojiki (compiled in 712), mentions sumo in a mythological contest of strength known as the “Transfer of the Land” story. Press enter or click to view image in full size From the Nara period onward, sumo was performed at the Imperial Court as a sacred ritual to predict harvests and pray for peace and prosperity. Later, during the Edo period , “ Kanjin-zumo ” matches were held to raise funds for temple and shrine repairs, making sumo increasingly popular among the common people. This period also shaped many of the rules and traditions that continue today. Because many matches were held at Ekō-in Temple in Ryōgoku, the area became the center of professional sumo. Today, the Ryōgoku Kokugikan (Sumo Hall) still stands as the sacred home of the sport. Rules and Highlights of Sumo A match is fought inside a 4.55m-diameter doh...

  When you hear the word   ninja , what comes to mind? Black-clad assassins? Shuriken and smoke bombs? While pop culture has shaped a thrilling image of ninjas, the reality is far more complex — and fascinating. Were Ninjas Real? Historically known as  shinobi , ninjas were covert agents in feudal Japan who specialized in espionage, sabotage, infiltration, and even assassination. They were often hired by powerful warlords (daimyō) to gather intelligence or carry out missions that required stealth and cunning. While some ancient texts claim that ninja-like figures existed as far back as the eras of Emperor Jimmu or Prince Shōtoku, credible records date their existence to the 14th century, during the Nanboku-chō period . The two most famous ninja regions are  Iga  (in present-day Mie Prefecture) and  Kōga  (in Shiga Prefecture), both near Kyoto and surrounded by mountains. These remote locations were ideal for developing unique survival skills and milit...