It’s in Kyoto Prefecture, but not quite the shrine-saturated Kyoto that you know. It has a quaint fishing village where you can watch the world drift away over a cuppa from your little nook in a seaside cafe.
A stone’s throw away is what has been rated as one of Japan’s best three scenic views. Here, sky and sea merge as one, and apparently, the best view is to bend down forward with your head between your legs (I tried it, it’s kinda disorienting but don’t try this at night!!).
Going clockwise south, we journey into Japan’s feudal past at the tiny town of Izushi, where the oldest Japanese clock tower still stands, and soba is king! Come dressed in your kimono best to explore its Edo-era streets.
And when you’re done exploring, Kinosaki Onsen (城崎温泉) is just a few stops away to soak your weariness (& worries) away. Your main concern? Deciding which of the seven onsens to explore? I recommend all! Alternatively, join the stream of Kyoto-ites, who escape to Takeno beach for a day out in the sun, sea and surf.
Welcome to Kyōtango! It’s in Kyoto, but not quite Kyoto. LT
For more details of Kyōtango, visit https://lnkd.in/gmew7_4U
For a snapshot of life in the fishing village of Ine, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmZR6cBVoDA
To watch a NHK travel programme about the Kyōtango region, visit https://lnkd.in/gTpTa5c3
Image credit: Kyotango City Tourism Association,
Photo by Yutaka Tsutsui 京丹後市観光協会主催 フォトコンより
写真：筒井裕さん
It’s 35 degrees just after three as the train slowly chugged into 
Almost every onsen I’ve been to in Japan has been described in travel features by one of these words: “rustic”, “atmospheric” and “nostalgic”. Here, allow me to offer a light-hearted take on what these words actually mean…
I could still remember vividly my first trip to Tokyo. Well, why couldn’t I? After all, it was only about five years ago, to be honest. No big deal, you may think.
Japan today is a modern democracy, celebrated for its cuisine and culture, and revered for its natural beauty. Its economy may have stagnated for more than two decades in recent times. Yet, the Land of the Rising Sun is still recognised as one of the most influential economies in Asia, and even the world.
I returned from that trip to Tokyo in December 2011 with a new determination and conviction to take up the Japanese language again. I use the word ‘again’ because I had previously taken Japanese as a language elective module during my varsity years. I had lasted merely two semesters then because I found myself spending more time studying and revising Japanese than the other core modules, which affected my grades. This time, however, I am determined to master it, I tell myself. And when I do, I want to return to Japan, to find a job and experience living in Japan for a couple of years. I am on the verge of realising my dream come August this year.
Anyhow, while reading up on 
As it turns out, the journey to 
Thankfully, I made it alive, and soon found myself confronted with this stunning view before me! (see picture above) The water itself may put off some people because it’s actually reddish brown in colour due to the high iron oxide concentration. But if you buy into those healing properties that soaking in an onsen apparently brings, I guess you would dive head in even if the water is blood red. I mean, it’s not like you get a chance to soak in this view butt naked every day, is it?
lonesojourns 