Kyoto Support » User Favorites: adania

Kyoto Support » User Favorites: adania adania Sad to say, but this lovely old town requires some support. en-US Thu, 09 Sep 2010 11:41:14 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/search.php adania on "Ceramic Ginger/Garlic graters" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/ceramic-gingergarlic-graters#post-184 Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:07:25 +0000 adania 184@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Wow! Those are very nice! I have never seen any with the dish together before. The one my mother has is like the normal 100yen ones (like i have!), but instead of being perfectly round, the outline is kaki-shaped, with a sort of stem + leaf bit on one side. Have you seen any nice ceramics shops selling these kind of goods? I don't need it to be a fancy shape, but I want to get her something nicer than 100yen! I looked around at the tezukuri-ichiba at Chionji today, but I didn't see anything... miwa on "Ceramic Ginger/Garlic graters" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/ceramic-gingergarlic-graters#post-183 Sun, 12 Jul 2009 04:55:57 +0000 miwa 183@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ This one is very pretty. <a href="http://item.rakuten.co.jp/sara-cera/s0005660/" rel="nofollow">http://item.rakuten.co.jp/sara-cera/s0005660/</a> from rakuten online store...... miwa on "Ceramic Ginger/Garlic graters" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/ceramic-gingergarlic-graters#post-182 Sun, 12 Jul 2009 04:51:31 +0000 miwa 182@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hello! I don't quite understand what you mean by persimmon-shape. This is ceramic one of those conventional shape, that you can easily get at 100 yen stores. <a href="http://www.living-e.jp/?pid=14487361" rel="nofollow">http://www.living-e.jp/?pid=14487361</a> I found cute one, not sure if this is hand made, though. <a href="http://kosome.ocnk.net/product/317" rel="nofollow">http://kosome.ocnk.net/product/317</a> If this is what you are looking for, you could image search with おろし器.　（oroshi-ki) Or am I looking for wrong thing? adania on "Ceramic Ginger/Garlic graters" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/ceramic-gingergarlic-graters#post-181 Tue, 07 Jul 2009 01:16:09 +0000 adania 181@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ A few years ago, when my mother visited Japan, she bought herself a very cute, persimmon-shaped ceramic grater for ginger and garlic. It's the kind that is just a flat disk of pottery, pricked many times before firing to leave raised sharp bumps across the surface to do the grating. It's very cute, and after using hers, i got myself a plain, white, 100yen shop one to use at home. Well, hers is finally wearing out, and she asked me to find her a new one, but i have no idea where she got hers (it may not have been in Kyoto...) I have looked around at Nishiki-koji, and in many ceramic shops here and there (including the streets around Kiyomizu), but i haven't found anything similar at all... Does anyone know where i could find one of these? Especially an attractive handmade one? peko on "Bakeries in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/bakeries-in-kyoto#post-131 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 04:25:25 +0000 peko 131@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hello adania, Thanks much for sharing! Browny is great. In addition to being tasty and healthy, I think that their bread and beagles are quite reasonably priced. Hunaudieres I have been in a few times. I spotted that pumpernickel too, that is the real thing! One thing, Hunaudieres is located much closer to Shimogamo Shrine than Kamigamo Shrine. adania on "Bakeries in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/bakeries-in-kyoto#post-120 Mon, 20 Apr 2009 04:33:43 +0000 adania 120@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ In general, I agree that Japanese bread is pretty bad. But it seems like recently (the last few years) there has been a huge boom of artisan bakeries, especially in Kyoto. I very much like the bread at eze bleu, on the south side of Imadegawa between Teramachi street and Gosho. It's on my way to work, and they have several really amazing breads. My favorites are the rye with dried cranberries and pine nuts, and the graham flour bread. They also have an unusual and delicious bagel with orange peel in it. <a href="http://www.onozomi.com/univ_gourmet/topic05_d_eze.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.onozomi.com/univ_gourmet/topic05_d_eze.html</a> Another bakery I love for their Bagels. Bagels in Japan are such a rarity at all, but this shop does them quite well, although they do seem to like some rather strange flavors. I keep trying to convince them to start offering a pumpernickel, but for now I settle for poppyseed or grains. It's called Browny, and is on the north side of Kitaoji street, between Vivre (at Karasuma) and the Kamo river. Their mentaiko france is really great too! <a href="http://www.browny-kyoto.com/bagel/bagel.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.browny-kyoto.com/bagel/bagel.html</a> One more hidden gem is this little german bakery up near Kamigamo Shrine. It's really hard to find, but totally worth looking for! The name appears to be Hunaudieres or Yunaudieres depending on where you look. This is the only place I have found REAL pumpernickel in Japan. They have great german bread and french pastries, as well as apparently once a year or so making traditional pretzels. The owner said that he doesn't do it more often because the lye is too hard on his hands! They also sell homemade yeast and some other baking ingredients. <a href="http://www.leafkyoto.net/shops/view/5159" rel="nofollow">http://www.leafkyoto.net/shops/view/5159</a> peko on "Bakeries in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/bakeries-in-kyoto#post-115 Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:27:51 +0000 peko 115@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Japanese bread is horrible. There are several bakeries in Kyoto that offer real, tasty bread. Le Petit Mec Le Petit Mec in Nishijin is the only bakery in Kyoto that I know of that has really great bread. They also have excellent sandwiches, sweets and tarts and very good cafe au lait. Le Petit Mec is somewhat strange and erratic, now it is only open 3 days a week. (It used to be open 365 days a year.) Le Petit Mec Storefront <img title="Le Petit Mec" src="http://kyotofoodie.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/kyoto-bakery-le-petit-mec-storefront.jpg" alt="Le Petit Mec" /> Recent KyotoFoodie Article <a href="http://kyotofoodie.com/yuzu-kokuto-marmalade/">Yuzu Kokuto Marmalade</a> (include photos of bread and shop) location: Le Petit Mec is located in Nishijin on Imadegawa Street just west of the Imadegawa-Omiya Street intersection. business hours: open 8am to 8pm. Closed Mon-Thurs, only open Fri, Sat and Sun! website (no English): <a href="http://www.le-petitmec.co.jp" rel="nofollow">http://www.le-petitmec.co.jp</a> tel: 075-432-1444 京都市上京区今出川通大宮西入ル元北小路町159 Map <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=115039365892753127164.000445cff35fa2bfc5a51&ll=35.036884,135.751061&spn=0.016866,0.020599&z=15&source=embed">Le Petit Mec - KyotoFoodie Map</a> adania on "Handmade anko for making your own sweets?" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/handmade-anko-for-making-your-own-sweets#post-111 Fri, 03 Apr 2009 07:11:15 +0000 adania 111@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Yes, I just bought some nice-looking koshian from the regular grocery. It made delicious hamentaschen! Next year I want to try adding yomogi powder to the dough to make it even more 和風! miwa on "Kyoto Markets: Kitano Shrine Tenjin-san, Toji Temple Kobo-san and Tezukuri-ichi" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/kyoto-markets-kitano-shrine-tenjin-san-toji-temple-kobo-san-and-tezukuri-ichi#post-107 Thu, 26 Mar 2009 13:04:38 +0000 miwa 107@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Yes, I like the Kamiyamo shrine one, too! miwa on "Handmade anko for making your own sweets?" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/handmade-anko-for-making-your-own-sweets#post-106 Thu, 26 Mar 2009 13:03:18 +0000 miwa 106@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ We are sorry that we did not reply soon enough! I hope you found something nice to make your hamentaschen in Japan. I am afraid that I don't actually know anywhere you can buy hand made koshian..... There are many confectionary stores in Kyoto, but I can not think of anywhere they sell koshian itself. My favorite anko is from Gozasoro, Obanyaki shop. <a href="http://www.gozasoro.co.jp/goods/index.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.gozasoro.co.jp/goods/index.html</a> You can get them from Takashimaya and Isetan department store food court. They sell a pack of tsubu-an, but not koshi-an. If you have a chance, please try. They are only 80 yen and really yummy! miwa on "Top 16 Places to See Plum 'Ume' Blossoms in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/top-16-places-to-see-plum-ume-blossoms-in-kyoto#post-105 Thu, 26 Mar 2009 12:49:33 +0000 miwa 105@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hello Adania. Wow you know a very interesting story! Yes, that is a famous tale and the magical plum tree is in Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine in Fukuoka, Kyushu. It is called TOBI UME. (Flying Plum) Here is a photo. <a href="http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%A3%9B%E6%A2%85" rel="nofollow">http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%A3%9B%E6%A2%85</a> The tree is said to be over 1,000 year old!! adania on "Top 16 Places to See Plum 'Ume' Blossoms in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/top-16-places-to-see-plum-ume-blossoms-in-kyoto#post-101 Mon, 09 Mar 2009 05:33:40 +0000 adania 101@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ So I recently heard a story about Sugawara Michizane and a plum tree. I was told that when he was exiled to Kyushu, his beloved plum tree uprooted itself and followed him, so he awoke one morning to see it growing in his Kyushu garden. Is there a place in Kyushu that claims to have this magical tree growing there? adania on "Kyoto Markets: Kitano Shrine Tenjin-san, Toji Temple Kobo-san and Tezukuri-ichi" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/kyoto-markets-kitano-shrine-tenjin-san-toji-temple-kobo-san-and-tezukuri-ichi#post-100 Mon, 09 Mar 2009 05:16:58 +0000 adania 100@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ I also like the Tezukuri-ichi at Kamigamo shrine on the 4th Sunday of the month. Some of the vendors from Chion-ji show up there as well, and they are more spaciously arranged along the little stream on the grounds of the shrine. adania on "woman / eating alone" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/woman-eating-alone#post-99 Mon, 09 Mar 2009 05:09:53 +0000 adania 99@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ A lot of the business hotels have started to offer wifi, or at least free ethernet in rooms. A notable exception is Hotel Fujita, which just has a terrible coin-operated terminal in their lobby for guests to use. Speaking as a woman who eats alone most of the time, what I find most important in choosing a restaurant is the counter. If there is a counter, and there are friendly looking people behind it or sitting at it, I feel better eating there than if I have to sit at a table all by myself. Kyoto bartenders and chefs are mostly really friendly, perhaps especially to single women, and usually will at least attempt to make conversation and keep you company. adania on "Handmade anko for making your own sweets?" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/handmade-anko-for-making-your-own-sweets#post-98 Mon, 09 Mar 2009 05:02:24 +0000 adania 98@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Tomorrow is my favorite Jewish Holiday, Purim! For this day, I have always made hamentaschen ( <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamantash" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamantash</a> ) usually with canned poppyseed filling, or with apricot preserves. This year I had a sudden brainflash, after I realized that I had waited too long to get someone to mail me a can of poppyseed filling. "This year I will make Anko Hamentaschen!" But to do it right, I thought I should get good handmade stuff (i'm not ready to try to make it from scratch with dried beans). I have been avidly reading Kyoto Foodie for a while, and it seemed like the best place to ask for advice on getting handmade anko for making my own sweets. If you like, I'll even bring you guys some of my finished ankohamentaschen to try after I bake them. I use a cream-cheese pastry dough to make these, so they'll end up like little triangular anko-pies. I thought koshi-an would probably work better than tsubu-an. Sorry to run on and on... but anyone have a suggestion for getting good beanpaste? Thanks! ~Queen Esther miwa on "Kyoto Markets: Kitano Shrine Tenjin-san, Toji Temple Kobo-san and Tezukuri-ichi" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/kyoto-markets-kitano-shrine-tenjin-san-toji-temple-kobo-san-and-tezukuri-ichi#post-93 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:04:35 +0000 miwa 93@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Top Three Markets in Kyoto: Kitano Shrine Tenjin-san, Toji Temple Kobo-san and Tezukuri-ichi Chionji Temple Tenjin-san and Kobo-san markets, with hundreds of years of history are the place to buy vintage Japanese cultural items such as kimono, wood carvings, scrolls, ceramic, books, various antiques and so on. The variety is nearly endless. There are also many food vendors. Going is always a lot of fun and some real treasure can be had often at a reasonable price. Unlike Japanese retail stores, you can feel free to negotiate a lower price. The tezukuri-ichi is devoted to handmade (new) items with a bit of a Japanese hippie vibe. 1. Tenjin-san Market at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine 天神さん北野天満宮 This market is held on the 25th of every month on the grounds of historic Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in the Nishijin area of Kyoto. There are so many variety of products to buy. Especially kimonos and kimono fabric are very reasonably priced, they are good for displaying as interior or art decorations. There are also interesting antique Japanese ornaments, wood prints, and hand crafts, which is perfect for souvenir of Japan. when: 25th of every month time: 7am - 4pm how many: 1000 vendors where: Kitano Tenmangu Shrine 2. Kobo-san Market at Toji Temple 弘法さん東寺 This market is held on the 21st of every month on the grounds of historic Toji Temple in the south part of the city, near JR Kyoto Station. Like Tenjin-san, there are so many variety of products and many more stands for antique ornaments. Things such as Japanese carpentry tools, antique architectural related items such as sliding door handles, roof tiles, wooden carvings and so on may be a little more common at Kobo-san. However every time the vendors have different items for sale. when: 21st of every month time: 7am - 4pm how many: 1000 1300 vendors where: Toji Temple 3.Tezukuri-ichi Market 手作り市知恩寺 This market, tezukuri-ichi, literally, 'handmade market' is held on the 15th of every month on the grounds of Chionji Temple in the Hyakumanben and Demachiyanagi neighborhoods near Kyoto University. Everything sold at this market are handmade products, from food to clothing, to jewelry, to furniture -- and more. There are many young artists and craftsmen that participate. Not many traditional Japanese products are offered though, but this market is very enjoyable and the vendors are especially friendly. when: 15th of every month time: 8am - 4pm how many: 300 vendors where: Chionji Temple Weather: What if it rains? If it rains on the markets day, Tenjin-san at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine and Kobo-san at Toji temple will still be held, but at much smaller scale. Tezukuri-ichi at Chionji Temple will be held on the next day, instead. If 16th was also rainy day, it will be cancelled for the month. Getting the Best At all of these markets, prices are negotiable, especially if you go around closing time. However, if you would like to find quality products, it is recommended to go early. miwa on "Top 16 Places to See Plum 'Ume' Blossoms in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/top-16-places-to-see-plum-ume-blossoms-in-kyoto#post-91 Sat, 14 Feb 2009 15:52:51 +0000 miwa 91@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Plums are the first trees to blossom in Kyoto. They blossom in late winter, so if you are lucky you can see them in the snow. Here is the definitive list of temples, shrines, castle and palaces in Kyoto that are known to have the best, or most rare plum blossoms and plum trees. Kitanotenmangu Shrine 北野天満宮 how many, what kind: 2000 plum trees when: mid Feb. to early Mar. Plum festival on 25th Feb. 075-461-0005 Umenomiya Taisha Shrine 梅宮大社 how many, what kind: 35 varieties of plums, 550 plum trees when: mid Feb. to early 075-861-2730 Kyoto Imperial Palace 京都御苑 how many, what kind:20 varieties of plums, 250 plum trees, South of Hamaguri-gomon Gate when: mid Feb. to mid Mar. 075-211-6348 Nijo Castle 二条城 how many, what kind:3 varieties of plums, 130 plum trees when: mid Feb. to early Mar. 075-841-0096 Manshuin Temple 曼殊院 how many, what kind: 2 varieties of plum, 20 plum trees when: from late Feb. 075-781-5010 Tenryuji Temple 天龍寺 how many, what kind: 3 varieties of plums when: from late Feb. 075-881-1235 Otoyo-jinja Shrine 大豊神社 how many, what kind:The biggest weeping plum tree in Kyoto and is 250 to 300 year old. when: early to mid Mar. 075-771-1351 Botanical Garden 植物園 how many, what kind: 60 varieties of plum, 150 plum trees when: mid Feb. to late Mar. 075-701-0141 Jonangu Shrine 城南宮 how many, what kind: 2 varieties of plums, 150 weeping plum trees when: late Feb. 075-623-0846 Kanshuji Temple 勧修寺 how many, what kind: A single plum tree, very old, the third generation. when: mid to late Feb. 075-571-0048 Takaragaike Park 宝ケ池公園 how many, what kind: 200 plum trees when: late Feb. to Mar. Shozan しょうざん how many, what kind: 200 or 300 plum trees when: early to mid March 075-491-5101 Zuishinin Temple 随心院 how many, what kind: 200 plum trees. The Plum garden open from March 1st. when: from late March 075-571-0025 Ryoanji Temple 龍安寺 how many, what kind: 80 plum trees when: late Feb. 075-463-2216 Shoseien Garden 渉成園 how many, what kind: 30 plum trees when: mid Feb. 075-371-2961 Jojakkoji Temple 常寂光寺 how many, what kind: 30 pots of plum trees when: mid to late Feb. 075-861-0435 ChrisLehrer on "woman / eating alone" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/woman-eating-alone#post-73 Wed, 28 Jan 2009 15:14:04 +0000 ChrisLehrer 73@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ I understand, I think. The question is, as a woman alone, is there anything specific one ought to know about eating out, going out, being in places alone, etc.? Yes. 1. Before you eat at a restaurant of any kind, at an ordinary meal-time, just look inside a bit -- a quick glance through the window or a briefly-opened door will do it. Here are your questions: How thick is the smoke? Are there any women? If so, are they young, smoking, dressed "hot," and with men? If there's minimal or no smoking, go ahead. If there are middle-aged women, go ahead. If there are women of any age sitting with one another, go ahead. If the air is thick with smoke and the only women are young, smoking, dressed for "action," and with men, give it a pass. Not that anything will happen, probably, but the atmosphere is not going to be super-comfortable. This is a bar-restaurant aimed at men and/or women who (at the moment) want to appear a bit wild. 2. At lunchtime, restaurants divide into three groups: male, female, and mixed. Male means guys bolting ramen and running. Female means OLs (office ladies) or groups of non-working (at the moment, anyway) women having a fun lunch together. Mixed means a family restaurant. If you want good food, go for female: the salary men don't care. If you're starving, it doesn't matter, but a family restaurant will probably be more comfortable. Every terrific lunch at a non-super-expensive place I have had here has been at a place where I am pretty much the only male customer. 3. The thing to watch out for is trains. If on a crowded long-distance train, there is probably a "ladies only" car. Use it. For some reason salary men on trains lose their marbles and grope women appallingly. It's one of the most disgusting phenomena in Japan, actually, so don't be on the receiving end. Outside of approximate rush hours, especially evening commutes out to the suburbs, it's not likely to happen, but keep a wary eye out for guys in suits moving toward you in a creepy way. Rape is extremely unlikely, but I doubt very much that you want to be mauled around. In general, I'd say this country is an excellent place for a woman to explore on her own. You might want to keep your question in mind as you travel, though, and see whether you spot some of the subtler ways in which discrimination occurs: quite interestingly different from home (wherever home is). peko on "woman / eating alone" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/woman-eating-alone#post-57 Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:02:23 +0000 peko 57@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ WiFi in Hotel Rooms: K's House Kyoto This is the place, I guess that it is a hostel, not a hotel. I know some people that have stayed here recently and they liked it. It is nice and new and clean. <a href="http://www.kshouse.jp/kyoto-e/index.html" title="Backpackers Hostel K's House Kyoto">Backpackers Hostel K's House Kyoto</a> (English language website) Backpackers Hostel K's House Kyoto 418 Nayacho, Shichijo-agaru, Dotemachi-dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto city, Japan 600-8142 TEL +(81)-75-342-2444 FAX +(81)-75-342-2440 email ：kyoto@kshouse.jp peko on "woman / eating alone" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/woman-eating-alone#post-53 Sat, 03 Jan 2009 15:40:30 +0000 peko 53@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hello Kat, Thanks for stopping by Kyoto Support and posting your question. Regarding customs; Japanese customs are very different from other parts of the world, especially non-Asians cultures. Of course this is one of the things that makes Japan a very interesting place to visit. However, Japanese are very sophisticated in their understanding of Japan and other cultures. Japanese don't expect visitors from abroad to behave just like Japanese. Japanese are most happy to see people visiting and appreciating Japan, even if you don't do everything just like a native. If you just use common sense, be polite, friendly, modest and so on, you should have no trouble. Just try to pay attention to what others do. Cleanliness and Shoes in Japanese Culture Do observe Japanese customs related to cleanliness, especially regarding shoes. In Japanese culture, shoes are dirty. And, in fact, shoes usually really are dirty, if you think about it. Check out a public restroom, especially a men's public restroom anywhere in the world to confirm this. There are two kinds of steps in Japan, wooden and stone or concrete. Wood is 'clean' and stone is 'dirty'. That means, take your shoes off BEFORE stepping on anything wood. If a step is stone or concrete, you step on to it then take your shoes off. Actually, many Japanese today don't know this rule. Just remember that pebbles stuck in your shoe treads will scratch and gouge wood, however they won't bother stone and concrete. Exploring and Eating on Your Own Sorry, I don't quite understand this point. If you could clarify a bit I will try to reply. WiFi in Hotel Rooms Free WiFi is not common here. Most hotels DO NOT yet offer it. Ethernet in hotels is common, though it is often fairly expensive. There is one new hotel that does offer free WiFi I heard, let me check the name, I can't recall it at the moment. lychee kat on "woman / eating alone" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/woman-eating-alone#post-52 Sat, 03 Jan 2009 15:20:59 +0000 lychee kat 52@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ hi! i will be in kyoto for at least 3 days sometime the last two weeks of january. i want to try everything as i'm passionate about food. :) is there anything to be aware of eating / exploring on my own? i am not worried about safety, just want to make sure i follow any customs properly. also -- do most hotels have wifi in the rooms? thanks! kat