Food & Drink | Gourmet Trails Dec 23, 2017
Short Kyoto hike packs in plenty to stimulate the mind and palate
by Amy Chavez
History and spirituality abound on the trail from Kibune to Kurama.
Food & Drink | Gourmet Trails Nov 25, 2017
Slow food and easy pedaling along Seto Inland Sea's Shimanami Kaido
by Amy Chavez
Japanese-Western fusion cuisine abounds along this six-island cycle path connecting Hiroshima to Ehime.
Food & Drink | Gourmet Trails Oct 21, 2017
Six temples, 60 km and countless bowls of Sanuki udon in Kagawa
by Amy Chavez
For foodies, Kagawa can mean just one thing: the prefecture's signature noodles.
Food & Drink | Gourmet Trails Sep 23, 2017
Eating a way through the Nakasendo's lower Kiso Road
by Amy Chavez
The Nakasendo was an Edo Period (1603-1868) road used for travel between the capital of Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto, the former capital. The 69 post towns along the way provided accommodation and services to daimyo and their entourages, who passed through on their sankin ...
Food & Drink | Gourmet Trails Aug 26, 2017
Treats and traditions on the trail in Kyoto
by Amy Chavez
I stood under the looming Shinto torii gate with my guide Mish Haddad, an expert on Kyoto culture with a passion for the local food. Our goal was to both hike and eat our way along the Kyoto Trail from Fushimi Inari Shrine (Marker ...
Food & Drink | Gourmet Trails Jul 22, 2017
The Kumano Kodo: Hot spring-boiled eggs and ancient bento along the trail
by Amy Chavez
I alighted at Kii Tanabe Station to hike the Kumano Kodo, a wooded trail through Japan's spiritual heartland in Wakayama Prefecture that leads to the Three Grand Shrines of Kumano: Hongu Taisha, Hayatama Taisha and Nachi Taisha. My goal was grander than the hike, however. ...