Michael On The Move: Exploring Japan

We’re back with the third edition of this column, and until now we’ve been rather Eurocentric, focusing on Slovenia and Cyprus. So, I thought it was time for a change, something a little more exotic. This next destination is one I’ve always wanted to visit, and I’m sure many of you feel the same way. Famous for its natural wonders like Mount Fuji, and its influential pop culture like anime, Japan has an extraordinary amount to offer. Watching my friend currently on a year abroad there, sending me pictures and posting on his instagram, has only strengthened my determination to visit this country myself!

As the sun sets, the cherry blossom trees glow against a stunning backdrop, making the scenery even more magical 

If you’re a nature enthusiast like me, the best time to visit Japan is between late March and early April: this is peak cherry blossom season. From looking at photos online of those blossoming pink trees, it looks surreal and must surely be on everyone’s travel bucket list! Kyoto, in particular, has always been the place I most wanted to visit this wonder. During peak season, many of its most famous spots get crowded, so it’s best to visit in the evening. As the sun sets, the cherry blossom trees glow against a stunning backdrop, making the scenery even more magical. 

Kyoto, Japan’s former imperial capital, is renowned for its classic Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. Whenever I think of these temples, my mind drifts to Kung Fu Panda, a childhood favourite that presented these Buddhist temples of the Jade Palace in the fictional Valley of Peace. However the movie was based in Ancient China, not Japan, yet Buddhism was and still is practiced across Asia! Perhaps movies like these, with beautiful imagery, fuel my desire to visit such temples. Their sheer peacefulness and space for mediation can make them feel like an escape from our busy life. I am also drawn to Kyoto’s temples for their architectural diversity. The way they blend traditional styles with nature, by incorporating gardens, water and greenery make these temples unlike anything we see in the UK!

Whether you’re craving sushi, steak or seafood, Nishiki Market will have a dish for you! 

But Kyoto isn’t only famous for its temples, its food scene is another compelling reason to visit. Here, you can try traditional dishes like yudofu (simmered tofu) and nishin soba (soba noodles topped with herring). Yudofu highlights the natural flavour of high-quality tofu: a subtle taste that lets the accompaniments like soybeans truly shine. Meanwhile, nishin soba offers a combination of sweet and savoury with a dominating herring flavour, a comforting dish perfect for the colder months. Although perhaps most famously, Kyoto is celebrated for its Uji matcha green tea! Matcha has become increasingly popular in the UK, with most coffee shops, like Starbucks, serving it. For matcha lovers, a trip to the city is the perfect opportunity to try the authentic drink. 

One of the best places for food is the Nishiki Market. Stretching for 390 metres and lined with many stores, the market offers a variety of local flavours: from wagyu teppanyaki to more traditional Kyoto dishes like Tobeian. Whether you’re craving sushi, steak or seafood, Nishiki Market will have a dish for you! 

There’s far more to Kyoto than what I’ve covered here, like visiting the Bamboo forest and Nijō castle

In this article, I tried to resist the temptation to choose Tokyo. While the Capital is an incredible city, there are many other great destinations in Japan worth visiting, and it would be a shame if this article chose a common city. I chose Kyoto mainly because of its renowned cherry blossom season, but the more I researched, the more I realised that its stunning Buddhist architecture and vibrant food scene make it an ideal destination, not just for me, but hopefully for you as well. Of course, there’s far more to Kyoto than what I’ve covered here, like visiting the Bamboo forest and Nijō castle. Hopefully I have given you a gentle nudge to consider Kyoto for your next holiday and have provided a solid starting point for when you research this remarkable city!