wow, thx
your girl is definitely smiling
not sure if/why she is flipping the bird

I've seen a number of vlogs and photos of American tourists who rent kimono (in Japan) or hanbok (in Korea), but pretty much everyone I've seen is Asian-American, though not necessarily of the same ethnicity of the traditional clothing. Is this something that white tourists also do, and if so, how is it viewed by the local population?

I don't have direct experience with it, but my understanding is that yes it is done by white people and it is viewed positively by Japanese and perhaps with amusement.

My guess is that some amusement comes from the way a person walks in kimono. I mentioned above that geisha might be seen to be pigeon-toed.That being the result of wearing kimono all the time for years and the only graceful way to walk, so as not to rustle the hem, is with toes pointed inward and taking shorter steps. Am also guessing that girts/children are taught how to walk properly when wearing a kimono and zori and so might be amused by seeing a less than graceful gaijin in kimono who had no such training.

IME, Japanese like it when foreigners appreciate, show knowledge of, engage in, Japanese culture.

The "cultural appropriation" thing does not apply.

Hannah explains:

More about wearing kimono properly, etc:

Nah, that cutie wouldn’t do that. Looks like she wants to join the gang, though, with her sweet little “v” sign.

Thanks for the videos! I learned a lot! I I also wondered whether it was appropriate for foreigners to rent a kimono - and, truthfully, I wasn’t interested in doing so - but I was curious about the reaction of the Japanese to foreigners who did. So it’s lovely to see these videos!

Progol, I forgot to answer your question upthread about the onsens. Yes I did read your very informative post about onsens. I didn’t know that Japan has thousands of hot springs. Soaking in the baths sounds like a very relaxing way to spend your time after sightseeing.

KarenWoo, I’m so glad you saw the response! I was afraid that it might’ve gotten lost so I’m happy to know you read it. I loved, loved, loved the experience of the onsen! It was one of the most wonderful discoveries and the several different onsen experiences were heavenly. If we do go next year, it’s one of the things I’m most excited about doing again!

>> sounds like a very relaxing way to spend your time after sightseeing.
it is.
also before sightseeing
also during sightseeing
and the onsen could be the sight to see

agreed!

Saturday November 11
Late Afternoon

Philosopher’s Path, a shrine, and a wonderful ceramics shop

Philosopher's Path is a lovely stone path 2 kilometers long through the northern part of Kyoto's Higashiyama district, one of the best-preserved historic districts. It’s named for Nishida Kitaro, a famous philosopher, who was said to have practiced meditation while walking this route on his daily commute to Kyoto University.

The path follows a canal, lined by hundreds of cherry trees. Of course, we were there in the fall on an overcast day in fall, so could only imagine the colorful walk! There are many temples as well as shops and cafes along the way. We only walked a little ways and explored just one charming temple as we weren’t up to extensive walking but it was a serene experience meandering along the walk.

We turned off the path when we saw a sign to a small shrine that is guarded by mice! Made of stone, of course. It’s said that the Otoyo Shrine is a “rare shrine that is guarded by a pair of Komanezumi mice instead of a pair of Komainu dogs. Its origin lies in the myth that Okuninushi no Mikoto, enshrined in its sub-shrine, was once rescued by a mouse. The shrine has now become a popular site for health and other prayers.” This shrine was small but we were quite taken with it.

As we walked, we passed many lovely shops along the way, but there was one place that caught our eye - a ceramics shop with truly remarkable work. We stopped in just to take a look and were struck both struck by the simple elegance of the work and charmed by the ceramic artist whose shop it is. We travel lightly and don’t shop a lot, but we couldn’t leave without buying at least one small piece. But the work is really special and I would’ve loved to have gotten more of his work.

Philosopher’s Path

Otoyo Shrine

Otoyo shrine sign

Lovely ceramics

Thanks to some sleuthing by my friends, S &H, we believe the ceramist’s name is Nishimura Naoki. It turns out that the location, Sakuradanicho 47, is a gallery space that is owned by a temple and the exhibitions change periodically. We were lucky to see his work. Unfortunately, I don’t know where his studio is located, but, if interested, he can be found on Instagram under the name “Mizukigama”








Nishimura Naoki


This is a cut tree stump along the path - not part of the gallery but it was such an unusual pattern that I thought it fit here!

.

progol As others have said, you have a wonderful eye for the small details in both your writing and your photos. In 2019, I decided to visit Japan for the first time and that was solely because photos from Fodorites posted on this forum were so lovely and haunting that I wanted to see the place that held such beauty. I am returning to Japan in March 2024 for 2 weeks and your photos are a reminder to me to look at the less obvious. As you said in one of the posts, you can always get away from the crowds and spectacles by going to the edges or stepping to the side. I usually do that but now I will wander Tokyo, Matsumoto & Takayama trying to see with your mind! (I like the mice guarding the temple - and the coiled serpent!)

In 2019 I spent a week in Kyoto and because I filled up the time with temples, shrines and gardens, I never made it to the Philosopher's Path. It looks like a peaceful place to get away from crowds and see nature, local shops and homes. It was serendipity to run across the ceramic exhibit - glad you bought a piece.

I love your description and photos of the Philosopher's Path, and I love the name, too! I'm sure it's stunning in the spring with the cherry blossoms, but I love it in the fall, too. The path is moody and mysterious with its late autumn colors, bare branches, and overcast sky. Sometimes the most memorable places are the ones we find off the beaten path.

And the ceramics are gorgeous as well. Even though I have tons of coffee mugs, I would buy some of his mugs!

>> Of course, we were there in the fall on an overcast day in fall, so could only imagine the colorful walk!
Well, you actually got to enjoy Philosopher's Path. The photo of the shop with the person sitting on the bench looks like a place along the PP where I stopped for coffee in April 2017. The woman who served ,me was not pleasant, irritated, which was understandable - I was irritated too - given the view from her shop of the hordes of people on the PP.

Good to know that PP can be a nice visit outside of cherry blossom season. March might be a good time, when things are getting green. vickiebypass, some runs of the train you are taking from Takayama to Nagoya continue on to Kyoto, so no change of trains, but it is easy enough to connect to the shinkansen at Nagoya and the trip to Kyoto is very short from there.

I think sakuradani means cherry blossom valley a cho is somehting like a neighborhood (so that's a very nice address sign)

vickiebypass , thank you for your very, very kind words! This is what is happening as we travel. I‘m also trying to minimize crowds as much as possible. We don’t see everything and we don’t get to all the Big Sights. Of course I would’ve loved to see some of the places we missed, but we really did find that by slowing down and focusing on smaller places we enjoyed what we saw and our trip was a wonderful one.

KarenWoo, I’m so glad you enjoyed the photos from the walk! It was very misty and moody. And truthfully, we only walked part of it and didn’t explore all there is to see along the path. But it was still a wonderful experience. And, at least when we went, not crowded at all.

<<Well, you actually got to enjoy Philosopher's Path. The photo of the shop with the person sitting on the bench looks like a place along the PP where I stopped for coffee in April 2017. The woman who served ,me was not pleasant, irritated, which was understandable - I was irritated too - given the view from her shop of the hordes of people on the PP.>>

I can only imagine what it must be like with the hordes! I wouldn’t have enjoyed it, either. You’ve reminded me, once again, why I generally prefer less crowded places even if they’re not the “top” sights.

Thank you for following this. I still have a few more days to go!