Enjoy the scent of Japan

As a way of learning more about Japanese culture,
I decided to "enjoy the scent of Japan, "so to speak, and try my hand at making incense.

I had my tea ceremony teacher show me how to make incense as part of my tea ceremony lessons.
 Incense is burned during tea ceremonies in the winter, permeating the room with a subtle scent.
On this page, I'll tell you about my recent experience making incense.

To the right, you can see the raw material used for making western incense, such as peat, lemongrass, and essential oils.

First, I thoroughly ground the raw material in a mortar.

This is what it looked like when ground.

Then I formed it into the shape of a triangular pyramid.

Here's a picture of the final product.

Next, I placed the incense on the coals to the left.

The incense was then ready to be "heard." (Of course, I actually smelled the incense with my nose, and not with my ear, but traditionally, the Japanese use the word for "hear" instead of "smell" to describe how one enjoys incense).
The way you "listen to" (smell) incense is to hold the ceramic burner in your left hand,
cup your right hand around the top of the burner, and place your nose in the opening between your thumb and index finger. 
Then you breathe in, turn your face to the left, and exhale.
Japanese incense has a very delicate scent, unlike the strong scent of western incense.
One theory attributes this difference to how Japanese and westerners have different body odors, due to the difference between the fish-and-vegetable based Japanese diet and meat-based western diet.
With the recent popularity of aroma therapy and whatnot, it's easy enough to find incense to burn, but traditional Japanese incense is a far more rare experience.
It may sound like I'm exaggerating, but it was the first time I'd smelled such a subtle,
soft fragrance.
Making the incense itself is fun, too. I really encourage you to give incense a "listen."
While you're in Japan, why not participate in an incense workshop, and relax with a cup of tea after savoring the unique fragrances?

Contact us if you're interested!
Japan Reservation Network : mailto:info@japan-rn.com%3C/font

A privilege for our customers; Free Commemorative Piece of Calligraphy.

Free Commemorative Piece of Calligraphy for Travelers Making Reservations Through the Japan Reservation Network

If you make a reservation with us, you'll receive a gift of your name in Chinese characters, written in calligraphy.

Here are a few examples:



Suzanne → 寿山縫



Henry → 偏梨




Nancy → 南紫




Please notice as below:



If you would like, we'll send you this present of your name in Chinese characters as an attachment by email.

Travel diary by a staff member Coco.

A Visit to Kyoto in the Lingering Summer Heat



I recently stayed at Tawaraya, a well-established Japanese style inn in Kyoto.
This exclusive inn normally refuses to book first-time visitors, but they do accept reservations through our website.
Before checking in, I had lunch at Yoshikawa, Kyoto's finest tempura restaurant.
All of the food, in particular the last vegetable and seafood tempura dish, was just delicious!

After lunch, I headed over to Tawaraya to drop off my luggage. As soon as I got out of the taxi, two employees rushed over to take my bags.
They then wished me a pleasant stay and saw me off as I headed to the Kyoto Takahashi Fan Shop.

I had a lively chat about Japanese fans with the store owner as I chose one to buy.
They even threw in a small souvenir. They also served some refreshing perilla juice--quite tasty!

Afterwards, I made my way back to Tawaraya.
The inn was adorned with flower arrangements everywhere, creating a relaxing, exquisitely Japanese atmosphere.
Each room offered a unique view of the inner garden. As I enjoyed the peace and quiet, I savored a warabimochi, a sweet jelly-like dessert, made of 100% natural ingredients.
Already feeling completely refreshed, I decided to soak in an open-air bath before enjoying a meal of carefully-prepared Japanese cuisine.
Finally I lay down for the night on a mattress with a soft, hemp cover, and I slept like a baby.
I really had a wonderful time in Kyoto, and I highly recommend this trip for visitors to Japan.
I look forward to booking your reservation!


◆e-mail nts@japan-rn.com

Unique Cultural Experiences

A central practices in Zen Buddhism is "Zazen" a silent meditation performed while seated
with the legs closed and each foot resting on the opposite thigh. In Zen Buddhism, a developed discripline of zazen is believed to lead to enlightenment.
This Zen Buddhist practice has greatly influenced many aspects of Japanese culture,including the tea ceremony, landscape gardening, and flower arrangement.
Zazen meditation sessions can be arranged for you at the following two temples:


"Daitokuji Temple"

This is the main temple of the Daitokuji school of Rinzai, a rest of Japanese Zen Buddhism
located in north Kyoto.　It originated as a small monastery founded in the early 14th century.
Daitokuji is considered one of the best places to experience Zen in Japan.

※ Every Sat. & Sun.
※ From March through November : 17:00 to 18:00.
※ From December through February : 16:30 to 17:30.
※ Maccha ( powdered green tea ) and traditional Japanese sweets provided after Zazen
practice.


" Tenryuji Temle"
Tenryuji is an important Buddhist temple located in west Kyoto.
It is registered as an UNESCO world Heritage Site and is part of the HIstoric Monuments
of Ancient Kyoto.

※Every second Sunday: from 9:00 through 10:00.
※Every third Sunday :from 17:00 through 20:30.


Cost: One person: 7000yen
Two person or more: 5000yen( per person)
★This corse may attend English speaking assistant ,but We are happy to help you with
warm hospitality like your family in Japan.
※ Extra charge of 10000yen if you would like us to provide transportation
( Guide has experiences a lot, so We take an extra charge.)


If you have any interested in this tour, Please cotact us.

E-mail: nts@japan-rn.com

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