The best souvenirs from Kyoto

Kyoto is a famous tourist attraction that is just as popular as Tokyo. The city's charm comes from the many temples and the nice neighborhoods it has, which make it a destination loved by visitors from all around the world. Let's take a look at what kinds of souvenirs Kyoto has to offer.

1. Nama Yatsuhashi With Red Bean Paste

Among the Japanese, a long time favorite souvenir from Kyoto is the nama yatsuhashi. Yatsuhashi is a type of senbei, cracker that is made of rice flour, sugar, cinnamon and water, which is mixed, then rolled out into a thin sheet before being baked. When the dough is steamed instead of being baked and filled with red bean paste, it turns into a confectionery called nama yatsuhashi with red bean.

2. Konpeito Sugar Candy

Konpeito is traditional sugar candy that originates from Portugal. True to its name, Kyoto Marun's "World's Smallest Konpeito" is very tiny. White, green, yellow and pink konpeito as small as grains of sand can be found in a jar. It is very tiny, but you can taste the wonderful flavor of the sugar in each piece.

3. Fukkura Usagi Set

Fukkura Usagi is a sugar confectionery made by Kyoto Marun. The sugary treats in the shape of hearts and bunnies are so cute that it's almost hard to take a bite. The bunnies are placed in a box that is filled with konpeito sugar candy. Cute designs such as this are a trait of Japanese souvenirs.

4. Yuumochi

Yuumochi are bite-size rice cakes inside a cute packaging in the shape of yuzu citrus. When you open the lid, you will smell the refreshing aroma of the yuzu citrus. It has a nice texture, almost like something between a gummy and a standard rice cake. The yuzu citrus flavor is very bold and makes you feel like you are eating the actual fruit. You can also taste the mild bitterness of the citrus, making it an addictive treat.

5. Matcha Anpone

Matcha Anpone is a confectionery set with matcha green tea bean paste, homemade cheese cream and monaka (Japanese wafers). The unique trait of this sweets is how you stuff the filling into the monaka wafers. The two types of pastes, homemade mascarpone cheese and bean paste using matcha green tea from Uji, Kyoto, come in jars. The Japanese confectionery, monaka is a crispy waffle made out of thinly baked mochi rice cake with a red bean filling.

6. Suhama Dango

Suhama dango is a cute tri-colored sweet made of domestically produced kinako and syrup that has been mixed together. Kinako is a powder made from ground soybeans. The soybean powder has been mixed in so you can savor the taste of the beans from each bite. The sugar coat also helps bring out the sweetness of the bean as well. Since it comes in a nice bite-sized piece, it is hard to resist eating more than one.

Read more: The ultimate Japanese food guide

Source matcha-jp

The best destinations in Taiwan recommended by the locals

Taiwan is a small island to the east of China that has become a huge travel destination. With the scenic mountains, beautiful bodies of water, and tasty food, there is no wonder why more and more people are traveling there on vacation.

Although the island might be small, there are plenty of interesting attractions in Taipei, the nation's capital, and all over the island. With forests, beaches, hot springs, museums, and other amazing attractions it might be hard to narrow down your list of things to explore and see during your trip to Taiwan.

Danshui

Just to the north of Taipei City lies the district of Danshui. This one-time busy port town is now a tourist-oriented seaside area complete with a wharf and promenade where visitors can enjoy fresh seafood while watching the sunset.

Danshui is also home to a number of historical tourist attractions and Danshui Old Street, which is lined with traditional shops and street vendors. This is perhaps one of the most popular day-trip destinations in the country due to its proximity to the city and the fact that it is served by an MRT line.

Kenting

While Fulong is probably the best known beach to the north, the beaches of Kenting are more popular for extended beach holidays. Here, the beaches are beautiful and clean, and you will find that the weather is quite temperate even during the supposedly cold months of winter.
But Kenting is not just all beaches. As one of the most beautiful national parks in Taiwan, it is also home to some stunning hiking trails some of which offer incredible views of the ocean.

Read more: Visit Kenting, the southernmost of Taiwan

Fulong

It is one of the most popular beaches in Northern Taiwan and with good reason. Easily accessible from Taipei City, Fulong is a pristine beach with golden sands and wooden pathways that weave their way through the dunes. It is also considered a good spot for surfing.

The beach is only a short walk from the train station at the center of the village, which also happens to be home to quite a few local restaurants. It is a great day trip especially if you come out during the Sand Sculpting Festival in early summer.

Sun Moon Lake

Taiwan’s largest body of landlocked water lies in Nantou County, and its scenic pathways along with yacht cruises across the lake make it one of the island’s most popular holiday destinations.
The lake is surrounded by guesthouses and hotels, while there is also the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village theme park to keep visitors entertained. The theme park is accessible by gondola, which in itself is lots of fun.

Wuling Farm

Cherry blossom and tea garden in Wuling Farm was created in 1963 as a place where retired servicemen could find employment. Now it is a beautiful farm that offers camping grounds for people to stay on during their visit.

Take the trails to view the scenic gardens filled with flowers, a vegetable plantations, fruit, and fish farming. This is a great way to see another aspect of Taiwanese life while still experiencing breathtaking views and a little history.

Source CultureTrip

Adventure the best art exhibitions in Tokyo in winter

If you are in Japan this winter, there are a huge number of excellent exhibitions providing opportunities to enjoy Japanese art from a variety of perspectives. Traditional Japanese craft, retrospectives of Japanese masters, the impact of catastrophe on art, and international artists influenced by Japan, all are subjects for this winter’s exhibitions both in Tokyo and beyond.

Exotic x Modern: French Art Deco and Inspiration from Afar

Focusing on the Art Deco movement of inter-war France and its influences from Non-European countries, this is a niche but far-reaching exhibition. A period of discovery, the era included the opening of Tutankhamun’s tomb, the Ballet Russe’s appearance and the travels of Josephine Baker. The cultural crossover of different nations thanks to expositions and recorded expeditions was key in forming the designs of the era, all of which are explored in this exhibition. From fashion to interior design, the pieces displayed offer an insight into the adoption of styles, colours and images from further afield and their inclusion in one of the most recognizable styles of the 20th century.

Entry:
Adults:
Advance sales: ¥960
On the door: ¥1,200
Students:
Advance sales: ¥760
On the door: ¥960
Over 65s:
Advance sales: ¥480
On the door: ¥600

Munch: A Retrospective

Best known for his piece The Scream, Edvard Munch is one of the great names of art and this touring exhibition is a not-to-be-missed opportunity for art lovers in Tokyo. See 60 oil paintings as well as prints and additional pieces from throughout his career. One of the highlights of the exhibition will be the first Japanese appearance of the tempera and oil version of The Scream (one of several versions) from the Munch Museum Collection. Advance tickets can be purchased online and will knock off ¥200 on the ticket price.

Entry: ¥1,600 (adults), ¥1,300 (students), ¥1,000 (seniors), ¥600 (HS students)

Rubens and the Birth of the Baroque

Pioneering a new style in the 17th century, Rubens was highly influential in introducing the world to the development of the Flemish Baroque movement. This exhibition focuses on his relationship with Italy, previously the home of the Renaissance style. There will be a combination of Ruben’s works as well as ancient sculptures and pieces by Italian artists from the era and it will be the largest collection of his works ever exhibited in Japan.

Entry: ¥1,600 (adults), ¥1,200 (students), ¥800 (HS Students)

Tokyographie

This offshoot event is a great chance to see some of the best works form the annual Tokyographie event held in Japan’s ancient capital. An international photography exhibition, it has been running for six years but this is the first time it has visited Tokyo.

This year’s theme is Up, a focus on personal impetus and an attempt to move away from the many weights of modern society. The exhibition will be held at different venues including Fujifilm Square, Institut français du Japon, Chanel Nexus House and smaller galleries. Artists to look out for include Jean Paul Goude, Tadashi Ono and Masahisa Fukase.

Entry: Free

Read more: 5 snow festivals to attend in Japan

Catastrophe and the Power of Art

Earthquakes, terrorist attacks and financial crises, disasters and catastrophes never fail to provoke unique and compelling responses from artists around the world. Whether they aim to express grief, promote change or just serve as a reminder of the events, all take a personal and subjective take on global events. This striking exhibition features a collection of installations, sculptures and images from Japanese and international artists as they offer their take on personal and national catastrophes.

Entry: ¥1,800 (adults), ¥1,500 (seniors), ¥1,200 (students), ¥600 (JHS students and children)

Source TokyoCheapo