Japlanning Drinks - Café de L’ambre

August 21, 2018

by Devon Martin

In a quiet little corner of Ginza, down a nondescript laneway sits a perfect little coffee shop that has been roasting beans since 1948. Are you a coffee lover? Coffee obsessed? This. is. your. place.

Alerted to this gem by some Japanese friends, the Japlanning team hit up this perfect café on a recent trip to Tokyo.

The café opens at noon and serves you guessed it, coffee. There is nothing else on the menu. But what it lacks in options for food or other beverages, it more than makes up for preparation and choice of beans. Every guest must at least order 1 cup of coffee, but even for the non-coffee obsessed there’s something on the menu for everyone. The majority of the coffee is prepared with the nel drip method; using a copper kettle, and being strained through a filter which looks like an old sock. The pour is slow and hypnotic to watch.

Japlanning 101 - Gion Corner

October 12, 2014

by Devon Sponheimer

Way back on my very first trip to Japan, I wanted to experience as much of the country and culture as possible (little realizing that I’d get to travel there AGAIN in the future). For many of our readers, however, a trip to Japan is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we always strive to help you make the most of your trip.

Gion Corner in Kyoto is a Japanese culture stage show dedicated to the arts and striving to provide the opportunity for tourists to experience as much Kyoto culture as possible during their stay. In one evening they offer seven different types of traditional arts, giving you the opportunity to check out these really cool (and often ancient!) art forms. Prices are reasonable and the site is tourist friendly.

Japlanning 101 - Geishas and Gion

November 6, 2013

They are an iconic image of Japan, beautifully dressed women in intricate makeup, adorned with a parasol. The modern Geisha of today are artists and entertainers. Today Japlanning will show you where to see them, and how to get to the most famous location for Geisha's in Kyoto.

Geisha’s have a long history in Japan, however today we are going to let you know about the modern Geisha. Today they are professional entertainers who usually are entertainment during banquets, meals and various other occasions. Geisha's live in Okiya, special houses, usually as a group where they are trained in many traditional arts, like Ikebana, Japanese flower arranging, dance and playing of various traditional instruments.