Kyoto Support » Recent Topics

Kyoto Support » Recent Topics http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Sad to say, but this lovely old town requires some support. en-US Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:04:39 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/search.php archer_root on "Fresh Young Coconut, Durian, and other fruits from just south of Japan" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/fresh-young-coconut-durian-and-other-fruits-from-just-south-of-japan#post-238 Sun, 07 Mar 2010 19:44:06 +0000 archer_root 238@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Has anyone found any fresh young coconuts from Thailand in any of the markets of the Kansai region? How about fresh, unfrozen durian? Or what about figs? Seen any fresh figs anywhere? I love Obanzai (おばんざい). I really love obanzai. But I need a fresh young coconut, mang. JimR on "Natrual Hones/Whetstones/Waterstones?" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/natrual-honeswhetstoneswaterstones#post-237 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:23:19 +0000 JimR 237@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hello, I have a rather eccentric hobby, using and collecting traditional straight razors (both Western and Japanese) and as part of that I am very interested in Japanese natural whetstones/hones (天然砥石）, which are considered the best in the world for creating a superb edge on any kind of blade (think about how sharp those legendary swords have to be!). Kyoto has been the center of mining and distributing these stones for centuries, and I was wondering if anyone here had ideas about any shops dealing in them, or even better a museum dedicated to these stones? I'd love to learn more about them, and living in Yamaguchi-ken I have little chance to do so. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Jim bern on "Gluten Free in Japan - Printer Friendly Celiac Disease English-Japanese Card PDF" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/gluten-free#post-185 Sun, 26 Jul 2009 11:24:09 +0000 bern 185@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ My wife's diet is gluten free. What should we say to ask if a dish uses gluten in its ingredients? Maybe I should print out something in Japanese to take with us? Is there much awareness of this diet in Japan? peko on "Kyoto Machiya Links and Resources" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/kyoto-machiya-links-and-resources#post-18 Sat, 15 Nov 2008 15:07:13 +0000 peko 18@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Kyoto machiya The city of Kyoto was originally laid out in a gridlike pattern, modeled after the Chinese Tang dynasty capital Chang'an. The typical Kyoto machiya within that grid was a long wooden home with narrow street frontage, stretching deep into the city block and often containing one or more small courtyard gardens or tsuboniwa. The front of the building served as the retail or shop space, generally having sliding or folding shutters that opened to facilitate the display of goods and wares. Internally the machiya would be split between the kyoshitsubu, divided rooms with raised timber floors and tatami mats, and the doma or toriniwa, an unfloored service space that contained the kitchen and also served as the passage to the rear of the plot, where storehouses known as kura would be found. The plot width was an index of wealth, and typical machiya plots were only 5.4 to 6 meters wide, but about 20 meters deep, leading to the nickname unagi no nedoko, or eel's beds. -Wikipedia Kyoto Machiya Resource Nick Coutts an undergraduate student in Kyoto made this English language website that summarizes the history of Kyoto machiya, current challenges to their preservation and has some photos of some of Kyoto's most well known and well preserved machiya. Also, there is a dictionary of machiya related terms that is quite useful. <a href="http://www.kyotomachiya.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.kyotomachiya.com/</a> Sugimoto Residence Kyoto Machiya This gigantic and elegant Kyoto machiya is a popular sightseeing destination in the central Kyoto. If you can only see one machiya during your visit to Kyoto, this would be my recommendation. Check out <a href="http://www.gyoutai.com/eng/kyoto/sugimoto/madori.htm">this floor plan</a>! <a href="http://www.gyoutai.com/eng/kyoto/sugimoto/" rel="nofollow">http://www.gyoutai.com/eng/kyoto/sugimoto/</a> Microbrewery in Kyoto Machiya: Hiroino Kinenkan and Kyoto Machiya Beer Beer, or bi-ru in Japanese is a very popular drink. It is far more common than Japanese sake now. Kyoto Machiya Beer (京都町家麦酒) was started by a sake brewery with about 250 years of history and makes very good craft beer. Craft beer is not so common in Japan and Kyoto Machiya Beer is the only brewery that brews beer in the city. Kyoto Machiya Beer is located in a beautiful Kyoto machiya in center of the city. The building is called Hiroino Kinenkan (堀野記念館), or Horino Memorial Museum and commemorates the history of the sake brewery. website (Japanese language) <a href="http://www.kinshimasamune.com/beer.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.kinshimasamune.com/beer.html</a> tel and fax: 075-223-2072 Iori: Stay in a Beautifully Restored Kyoto Machiya Check out <a href="http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/iori-staying-in-a-kyoto-machiya-traditional-townhouse">this forum for more</a>. <a href="http://www.kyoto-machiya.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.kyoto-machiya.com</a> Wikipedia article <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machiya" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machiya</a> peko on "Sake Bars in Kyoto: Nihonshu Bar Asakura, Jizake Bar Zen, Sake Bar Yoramu" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/sake-bars-in-kyoto#post-194 Sun, 06 Sep 2009 02:41:17 +0000 peko 194@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ I know of three (premium) sake bars in Kyoto. Last night I went out with Miwa and some new friends from London with the intent of drinking some good sake. We went to a sake bar, Yoramu, that I had heard good things about but had not visited yet. It was so disappointing that we left before ordering and went to Asakura. Asakura 日本酒BARあさくら (full name: Nihonshu Bar Asakura) ENGLISH SPOKEN! FRIENDLY OWNER! EXCELLENT SAKE SELECTION! The owner speaks English very well and lavishes attention on foreign customer to assure that they have a wonderful sake experience in Kyoto. Asakura has a broad and varied collection of premium sake, including very rare aged sake. (We had 21 and 23 year old aged sake -- sake is usually drunk fresh, within 6 months to a year.) location: Asakura is just south of the Kiyamachi Street and Oike Street intersection in the Kiyamachi neighborhood near the Kamo River. Walking south from the intersection, take the first street left. Up the little lane you will notice a large red wooden sculpture of a sake carafe (tokkuri) -- this landmark is NOT Asakura. Walk just past the red tokkuri and on the right will be the steps of nondescript building. Take this flight of stairs to the second floor. Asakura is on the right, immediately at the top of the stairs. hours: 7:00 pm - 2:00 am (Closed Tuesday and 'sometimes' on Sunday and Monday. Call first to be sure.) Asakura only seats 11 people, so you might want to call about seating too. website: <a href="http://ameblo.jp/sakebar/" rel="nofollow">http://ameblo.jp/sakebar/</a> (no English) tel: 075-212-4417 address: Kyoto-shi, Nakagyo-ku, Kiyamachi Oike-sagaru, Hitosujime Higashi-iru, Daikyu Building 2F (京都市中京区木屋町御池下がる一筋目東入る大久ビル2F) Jizake Bar Zen 地酒BAR 膳 Jizake (Local Sake) Bar Zen Excellent jizake (local sake) selection. Jizake literally means local sake or regional sake, but you can think of it as artisan or craft sake too. Jizake Bar Zen is located in exclusive Gion nightlife district and is run by an interesting character nick-named Punch. Previously Punch was a truck driver and has a 'punch perm' like yakuza often sport in Japan. location: Turn left at north of Gion Kaikan on Higashioji street, go straight from there. The Grand Building is on the right hand side, next to (west side of) Kanki Shrine. hours: (approx) 6 pm - 12 mid-night, or later. Closed 'sometimes'. website: <a href="http://www9.plala.or.jp/zizakebar/" rel="nofollow">http://www9.plala.or.jp/zizakebar/</a> (no English) map: <a href="http://www9.plala.or.jp/zizakebar/sub-1.html" rel="nofollow">http://www9.plala.or.jp/zizakebar/sub-1.html</a> (no English) Punch's Punch Perm (blog article) <a href="http://zizake-wataribune-50-1950.blog.eonet.jp/default/2009/07/post-4d28.html" rel="nofollow">http://zizake-wataribune-50-1950.blog.eonet.jp/default/2009/07/post-4d28.html</a> tel: 075-531-2507 (no English) address: Kyoto-shi, Higashiyama-ku, Gion-cho, Kitagawa 347-55, Gion Grand Building 1F (京都市東山区祇園町北側347-55 ぎおんグランドビル 1F) Sake Bar Yoramu 酒バーよらむ The owner is an Israeli resident of Kyoto who loves sake. In 2000 he has made his 'ideal' bar, where you can try several good quality sake by small portions with just right kind and amount of food. Eight people can sit at the counter and there is a small table for 2 or 3 people. Yoramu only serves 'junmai' sake, or pure rice sake without added brewers alcohol. (This is the only kind of sake that should be made in my opinion.) This same space is a soba noodle restaurant during the daytime, run by a different person. location: "Sake Bar YORAMU is on Nijo-dori, south of the Imperial Palace Park (Gosho). The cross street is Higashinotoin-dori, which is two streets east of Karasuma. The closest subway stop is KARASUMA-OIKE (#1 exit). Turn left upon emerging from the subway exit, and keep going past the first cross street (Oshikoji). Turn right at the next street, which is Nijo-dori. Go past the first cross street, and Sake Bar YORAMU will be the third building on your right. Slightly further but also less than a ten-minute walk away is the subway's MARUTAMACHI station." (source: Yoramu website) hours: 6 pm - 12 mid-night. Closed on Sunday, Monday and Tuesdays. website: <a href="http://www.sakebar-yoramu.com/index_eng.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.sakebar-yoramu.com/index_eng.html</a> map: <a href="http://www.sakebar-yoramu.com/access_eng.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.sakebar-yoramu.com/access_eng.html</a> tel: 075-213-1512 address: Kyoto-shi, Nakagyo-ku, Nijo-dori, Higashinotoin-sagaru, Minamigawa (京都市中京区二条通東洞院東入る南側) Our experience at Yoramu: Yoramu is quite small and only seats 8 or 9 people at the counter which was full when we arrived. We were offered a little table and told the clear the magazines, a fan and so on off ourselves. We had to hunt around for some little stools -- all self-service. Then, Yoramu told us that he was busy and that we should wait a bit before ordering. THEN, he noticed that the door hadn't closed after we came in and asked us to go and close it! DUDE! No way! Yoramu only serves premium sake so it is not going to be cheap. That kind of service is unacceptable -- anywhere, least of all Kyoto, Japan. I would love to recommend and support a fellow foreigner running a business in Kyoto, but with this kind of service, I would have to say to give Yoramu a miss. Too bad. peko on "List of Museums in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/list-of-museums-in-kyoto#post-232 Sun, 29 Nov 2009 05:57:12 +0000 peko 232@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Culture and History The Museum of Kyoto 京都文化博物館 The Museum of Kyoto, literally the Kyoto Culture Museum (京都文化博物館) is located in an historic Bank of Japan building that dates from the Meiji period. The museums permanent exhibition is dedicated to the history and culture of the ancient capital. The museum hosts major cultural, historical and art related exhibitions as well. Opening Hours 10:00 a.m.— 7:30 p.m. Permanent Exhibitions 10:00 a.m.— 7:30 p.m. (last admissions 7:00 p.m.) Special Exhibitions 10:00 a.m.— 6:00 p.m. (last admissions 5:30 p.m.) Restaurants 10:00 a.m.— 8:30 p.m. Closed Monday (next day if the Monday is a holiday) Dec. 28 - Jan. 3 Admission Fees (Permanent Exhibition) Adults: ¥500 (Groups ¥400) University Student: ¥400 (Groups ¥320) High school student and under: Free ＊Special Exhibition: An additional fee is charged Volunteer Commentator Service As volunteer commentator service in English is available, ask for details at the reception. For permanent exhibition (2F) 10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. How To Get To The Museum Subway: 3 minutes’ walk from exit 5 of Karasuma-Oike Station Train: Hankyu Line 7minutes’ walk from exit 16 of Karasuma Station 　　　Keihan Line 15minutes’ walk from exit 6 of Sanjo Station English website: <a href="http://www.bunpaku.or.jp/info_english.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.bunpaku.or.jp/info_english.html</a> Address Kyoto, Nakagyo-ku, Sanjo-Takakura tel: 075-222-0888 fax: 075-222-0889 Map <a href="http://www.bunpaku.or.jp/info_english.html"><img src="http://www.bunpaku.or.jp/img/info_map(en).jpg" alt="The Museum of Kyoto 京都文化博物館" title="The Museum of Kyoto 京都文化博物館" /></a> bjje on "snack attack" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/snack-attack#post-231 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:50:45 +0000 bjje 231@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ While walking up to Ginkaku-ji, I had grilled Mochi on a stick that was four square pieces, each about 3cm, rough like tree bark, coated with spice. There were different flavors. Does anyone know what the proper name is for this? (link to recipe?) The next one is a mame type cracker with a peanut inside that was pink, shaped and flavored like an Ume. I had it in Kiso Valley. Proper name? supplier? Many thankyoos. peko on "Favorite Stores, Tastes and Products in Nishiki Market" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/favorite-stores-tastes-and-products-in-nishiki-market#post-230 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:36:56 +0000 peko 230@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ I am starting a list of my favorite shops and foods in Nishiki Market. more to come... Mora on "Soy Salt - Available in Kyoto?" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/soy-salt-available-in-kyoto#post-227 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:41:17 +0000 Mora 227@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hello everyone. I recently read about Soy Salt at the New York Mutual Trading Inc. website. It's made by Kamebishi, a traditional artisan shoyu company that has been producing shoyu for more than 250 years. I'd love to be able to bring some bags of Soy Salt home as gifts to my foodie friends. Does anyone know where it can be purchased in Kyoto? Kamebishi Company is located in the rural town of Hiketa, Kagawa Prefecture. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. carol on "Jack O' Lanterns" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/jack-o-lanterns#post-215 Sun, 25 Oct 2009 11:59:33 +0000 carol 215@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Where around Kyoto to find orange pumpkins for carving Jack O' Lanterns? We are willing to go out of town on train or bus. For a little Halloween tea party Saturday afternoon. PEPP DING on "Kyoto Furoshiki Stores" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/kyoto-furoshiki-stores#post-26 Fri, 21 Nov 2008 06:30:36 +0000 PEPP DING 26@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ I read the furoshiki article at Kyoto Foodie and really want to get some when I am visiting in Kyoto. Are there some other stores there selling nice furoshikis? It is a common product for Japanese so it is popular. Is that correct? carol on "Oatmeal Weather: And Where to Buy Western-style Breakfast Food in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/oatmeal-weather#post-212 Sat, 24 Oct 2009 04:54:57 +0000 carol 212@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ I gather that Maki Shoten may be the best place to try to find oatmeal here in Kyoto. Up Higashioji, I'll check it out. So yummy, cooked very creamy or apples-n-oats, raw rolled oats mixed with grated apple and with milk, muesli really, add nuts. There's also not much better for cleansing face, just do it over the kitchen sink! (Put some raw rolled oats in a sock, tie it and drop in the hot bath.) It makes good milk, too, like almond or hemp milk, if you have a blendor. drdave on "Finding Cornmeal in Kyoto..." http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/finding-cornmeal-in-kyoto#post-209 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 01:53:53 +0000 drdave 209@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Subject should say it all :-) I am craving homemade muffins... and can't seem to find cornmeal at any of the local supermarkets (including fancier ones that usually carry a decent selection of import foods and exotic spices). Friends in Tokyo get it at Kaldi Coffee Farm, which doesn't have a branch in the city. I haven't tried Meidi-ya yet (it's a bit on the opposite side from where I leave), but thought I'd ask here if anybody could recommend stores that are guaranteed to sell cornmeal? Cheers! incognito on "(Casual) Breakfast in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/casual-breakfast-in-kyoto#post-203 Sun, 11 Oct 2009 13:17:11 +0000 incognito 203@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hi there, I will be in Kyoto for a week in November, staying at Hotel Monterey then a ryokan (with breakfast). We will be taking advantage of a few lunch Kaisei deals and won't go for the hotel breakfast. I know there are probably some decent snack food/bread available from convenient stores that we can have as quick and casual breakfast. I am just wondering what other options might be? Cafes, wagashi stores, Mr Donuts? Thanks a lot! foomarks on "Seasonal things to eat in Kyoto?" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/seasonal-things-to-eat-in-kyoto#post-202 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 04:33:33 +0000 foomarks 202@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hi there, I'm going to be in Kyoto 10/24 to 10/30. Can you recommend must see seasonal things to eat, and at which places? Thank you! (If you can recommend seasonal things to do and see, that would be great too!) incognito on "Porter bags in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/porter-bags-in-kyoto#post-204 Sun, 11 Oct 2009 13:25:24 +0000 incognito 204@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hi, does anyone know where I can find Porter bags in Kyoto? And which store has the biggest collection of Porter bags? Thanks! ezencia on "Visiting Kyoto over New Year" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/visiting-kyoto-over-new-year#post-199 Sat, 12 Sep 2009 03:10:10 +0000 ezencia 199@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hi, I am travelling to Kyoto between 28 Dec and 31 Dec. I heard many places are closed during this time. Is it a bad time to go? Or are there still things to see? Thanks! bern on "Rub A Dub Bar, Kyoto Reggae Bar" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/rub-a-dub-reggae-bar-kyoto#post-196 Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:58:37 +0000 bern 196@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Looking for a contact - pref. email - for Rub A Dub bar n Thank you Rina on "Lunch near Houkyouji and Nishijin-ori Kaikan" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/lunch-near-houkyouji-and-nishijin-ori-kaikan#post-83 Wed, 04 Feb 2009 05:10:53 +0000 Rina 83@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ I'm looking for an affordable place for lunch near 宝鏡寺 and 西陣織会館. I'll have exactly two hours between going to these two places, so I suppose somewhere relatively simple on Horikawa-doori. Any suggestions would be appreciated, thank you in advance. peko on "Kaiseki-ryori in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/kaiseki-ryori-in-kyoto#post-2 Tue, 14 Oct 2008 12:06:12 +0000 peko 2@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Where to go for Kyoto Kaiseki-ryori? One of the most common questions that we get on KyotoFoodie is what are our recommendations for good kaiseki in Kyoto? Of course, there are many. Here are some of our recommendations. 1. Kichisen (吉泉) also known as Kissen -- very traditional Kyoto kaiseki -- The owner and chef of Kichisen is Yoshimi Tanigawa. He is one of the few chefs on Earth to have defeated an Iron Chef! (Iron Chef is the popular Japanese television program) Mr Tanigawa also runs a dojo (道場) for apprentice chefs. Mr Tanigawa is well known for his strictness and severity with his students, only about 1 in 10 finish the 7 year course. His kaiseki is very classical, very 'Kyoto' and very, very delicious and beautiful. Kichisen is open for both lunch and dinner and is located near the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Shimogamo Shrine. Kichisen website: <a href="http://www.kichisen-kyoto.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.kichisen-kyoto.com</a> Kichisen Reservations: <a href="http://www.kichisen-kyoto.com/en/reservation.php" rel="nofollow">http://www.kichisen-kyoto.com/en/reservation.php</a> NEW INFO: We did a 7 part series with Kichisen on the theme of Kyoto Kaiseki, Japanese New Year's Kaiseki and Osechi Cuisine: <a href="http://kyotofoodie.com/series/o-shogatsu-ryori/" title="Kichisen New Year's Kaiseki">Kichisen's New Year's Kaiseki Series</a> 2. Kikunoi (菊乃井) -- newish, popular and owner recently published kaiseki book -- Kikunoi has two locations in Kyoto; Kiyamachi or Honten. Though not authentic Kyoto-style kaiseki cuisine (why come all the way to Kyoto and not have the real thing?), Kikunoi is an excellent place to get acquainted with kaiseki. Kikunoi Kiyamachi is located just south of the busy Shijo-Kiyamachi intersection. The restaurant is beautiful and a world apart from the bustle of the neighborhood. The Kiyamachi location offers a reasonably priced and excellent lunch. If you are on a budget but still want to try kaiseki, consider Kikunoi's lunch. The Honten is villa-like and in central Kyoto's most picturesque and exclusive neighborhood, Higashiyama, where you can go for a stroll before or after dinner. Honten 075-561-0015 <a href="http://www.kikunoi.jp/honten.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.kikunoi.jp/honten.htm</a> Kiyamachi 075-361-5580 <a href="http://www.kikunoi.jp/kiyamachi.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.kikunoi.jp/kiyamachi.htm</a> They have a really horrible English website (circa 1996). <a href="http://www.kikunoi.jp/english/" rel="nofollow">http://www.kikunoi.jp/english/</a> The Japanese pages (with photos) give a much better idea of what the restaurant is like. When you make a reservation, be sure to try book an individual room. Book by owner Yoshihiro Murata: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kaiseki-Exquisite-Cuisine-Kikunoi-Restaurant/dp/4770030223" title="The Exquisite Cuisine of Kyoto's Kikunoi Restaurant ">Kaiseki: The Exquisite Cuisine of Kyoto's Kikunoi Restaurant </a> peko on "Ramen: Great Ramen Shops in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/ramen-great-ramen-shops-in-kyoto#post-5 Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:50:50 +0000 peko 5@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Places to 'Ramen' in Central Kyoto Ippudo Nishiki-koji Store (一風堂錦小路店) -- excellent, excellent ramen -- Ippudo came to Kyoto about five years ago from Hakata, Kyoto and has been a big hit. Ippudo is located on the north side of Daimaru Department Store near the Shijo-Karasuma intersection in central Kyoto. It is one block south of Nishiki Market (shopping arcade). <a href="http://www.ippudo.com/shop/26kyoto.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ippudo.com/shop/26kyoto.html</a> Gogyo, Kyoto (五行京都) -- great Kyushu ramen in historic Kyoto machiya house -- New and elegant ramen restaurant in Kyoto. Gogyo offers other 'ippin' dishes lots of drinks. <a href="http://ramendining-gogyo.com/shop_kyoto/index.html" rel="nofollow">http://ramendining-gogyo.com/shop_kyoto/index.html</a> Takaraya Ponto-cho Store (宝屋先斗町店) -- original, elegant 'Kyoto' ramen-- Takaraya is located near Sanjo Bridge in Ponto-cho neighborhood. No ramen lover would want to miss Takaraya's 'Sumashi Ramen' while they are in town. If you can handle underdone eggs, do try their 'Demachi-no-Tamago-kake Gohan'. KyotoFoodie review: <a href="http://kyotofoodie.com/takaraya-ramen/" rel="nofollow">http://kyotofoodie.com/takaraya-ramen/</a> Ponto-cho Store: <a href="http://www.takaraya.info/shops/pontocho.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.takaraya.info/shops/pontocho.html</a> JR Kyoto Station Store: <a href="http://www.takaraya.info/shops/kyotosb.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.takaraya.info/shops/kyotosb.html</a> (＊this location does NOT offer Sumashi Ramen) Kyoto Ramen Koji (Little Ramen Street) - Kyoto Station -- seven of the best regional ramen flavors in Kyoto -- Located on the 10th floor of the Kyoto Station Building, this is a great place to take your pick from 7 of Japan's regional tastes of ramen. Japanese language site only: <a href="http://www.kyoto-ramen-koji.com/towa.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.kyoto-ramen-koji.com/towa.html</a> (photos and graphics give you the idea) peko on "Economy Class: Best Budget Restaurants in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/economy-class-best-budget-restaurants-in-kyoto#post-188 Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:40:52 +0000 peko 188@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ This is a list of my favorite restaurants in Kyoto for travelers on a tight budget. Where do/did you go? Marugame Seimen Kawaramachi Sanjo Store (丸亀製麺河原町三条店) This is a Sanuki (Shikoku) style udon restaurant chain. This location is still new and shiny. The udon is made fresh on site handmade-style. (It is machine-made but the taste and texture is like handmade.) Don't overlook the tempura and onigiri rice balls. The staff is friendly. An English language menu (with correct English) available. Probably the cheapest decent restaurant in all of Kyoto. A hungry traveler can really fill up for just 500 yen. Kyoto-shi, Nakagyo-ku, Kawaramachi-dori, Sanjo-sagaru, Daikoku-cho 54-1 (京都市中京区河原町通三条下る大黒町54-1) tel 075-231-0700 Open everyday from 11 am to 10 pm (last order is 9:30 pm) Website (Japanese language): <a href="http://www.toridoll.com/shop/marugame/" rel="nofollow">http://www.toridoll.com/shop/marugame/</a> OpenKyoto 'Kyoto Best Cheap Eats' article: <a href="http://openkyoto.com/dining/kyoto-cheap-eats-marugame-udon.html" rel="nofollow">http://openkyoto.com/dining/kyoto-cheap-eats-marugame-udon.html</a> miwa on "Fun places to go with children in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/fun-places-to-go-with-children-in-kyoto#post-186 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 02:24:42 +0000 miwa 186@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Fun places to go with children in Kyoto Recently I took a family to the Umekoji Steam Locomotive Museum and their children had a wonderful time. I decided to make a list of several places that you can visit and enjoy with your kids in Kyoto Kyoto Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama (京都嵐山モンキーパークいわたやま) 150 Japanese monkeys are in the mountain, where you can see them VERY close and even feed them hand to hand. You can also get the best view of Kyoto. 5 minutes walk from Arashiyama station of both Hankyu railway and Keifuku railway. <a href="http://www.kmpi.co.jp/" rel="nofollow">http://www.kmpi.co.jp/</a> Umekoji Steam Locomotive Museum (梅小路蒸気機関車館) You can get on authentic Japanese steam locomotives. It is educational and fun, even for adults. 20 minutes walk from JR Kyoto station. <a href="http://www.mtm.or.jp/uslm/" rel="nofollow">http://www.mtm.or.jp/uslm/</a> Toei Kyototo Studio Park (東映映画村) A real town set of Japanese traditional Movie. An amusement park where you can enjoy all day. Good information in several languages. English <a href="http://www.toei-eigamura.com/info/lang_e.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.toei-eigamura.com/info/lang_e.html</a> Korean <a href="http://www.toei-eigamura.com/info/lang_k.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.toei-eigamura.com/info/lang_k.html</a> Chinese簡体 <a href="http://www.toei-eigamura.com/info/lang_c2.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.toei-eigamura.com/info/lang_c2.html</a> Chinese繁体 <a href="http://www.toei-eigamura.com/info/lang_c1.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.toei-eigamura.com/info/lang_c1.html</a> 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? k8isgrape on "Mochi Cream Store in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/mochi-cream#post-178 Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:10:47 +0000 k8isgrape 178@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ I'm heading to Kyoto for the weekend later this month and it happens to be conveniently timed before a friend's birthday. Does anyone know if there's a Mochi Cream shop in Kyoto? She's addicted to them and I'd love to pick her up some if I can. (I mean the full-on, official Mochi Cream brand.) I could always hop on the Hankyu line for Osaka and go to the one in Umeda, but that seems a bit excessive. :) Mora on "Kyoto Nama Chocolat Organic Tea House" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/kyoto-nama-chocolat-organic-tea-house#post-48 Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:35:54 +0000 Mora 48@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ I came across an article on Kyoto Nama Chocolat in a back issue of Cocoaroma magazine published out of San Francisco. During our late November '08 trip to Kyoto, paying a visit to Kyoto Chocolat was on the must-see-taste list. It's located very close to the Heian Shrine. Visit their website [Japanese and English] at <a href="http://www.kyoto-namachocolat.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.kyoto-namachocolat.com</a> for the complete story and background. We purchased a box of their mixed chocolates...more like lovely handmade truffles...and a chocolate cake that we took to friends for dessert. For most Americans, the cake will be too dry and not sweet enough, but for my partner and me it was perfect. The chocolates must be kept frozen; you remove them about 1 minute prior to serving. They were incredible. I highly recommend a visit for tea and chocolates. If you are a dog and cat lover you will feel right at home. The owner and his wife have a beautiful Irish setter who greets you at the genkan, and then an orange striped cat sleeps lazily on the floor cushions inside. An amazing experience. Kyoto Nama Chocolat Organic Tea House Phone / Fax 075-751-2678 Tenno-cho 76-15, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8335 (3 min. walk from Okazaki-michi Bus Stop) peko on "Favorite Hiking Destinations Around Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/favorite-hiking-destinations-around-kyoto#post-176 Sat, 20 Jun 2009 14:09:03 +0000 peko 176@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ The mountains surrounding Kyoto offer many excellent opportunities for day trip hikes. Where do you go? Daimonji Yama (Mt. Daimonji) This small mountain offers an excellent view of Kyoto and can be climbed in 40 minutes or so. The jump off point is Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) and Philosopher's Path neighborhood. Mt. Daimonji is the place where the largest of the five great bonfires are burned for the Gozan-no-Okuribi ceremony at O-bon in mid August. <a href="http://openkyoto.com/sightseeing/hiking-kyoto-daimonji-yama.html" rel="nofollow">http://openkyoto.com/sightseeing/hiking-kyoto-daimonji-yama.html</a> peko on "Fine Ryokan (Japanese style inn) in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/fine-ryokan-japanese-style-inn-in-kyoto#post-11 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:14:47 +0000 peko 11@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Visiting Kyoto and want to experience a fine ryokan in the heart of the city? Here are several to consider. If you are coming all the way to Kyoto, even if you don't have a big budget, we recommend that you try to stay one night at a fine ryokan. The atmosphere, experience, service and food are quite unlike anything that you have experienced before. When princes and princesses visit Kyoto, they invariably stay at one of the ryokan listed below. Sumiya Sumiya is said to be Kyoto's MOST EXCLUSIVE ryokan. location: Fuyacho-Sanjo rates: 36,000-72,000 yen (includes dinner and breakfast) tel: 075-221-2188 English website: none Tawaraya It is said that every architect in Japan will stay at Tawaraya once in their lifetime (architects don't make a lot of money and Tawaraya is expensive). The reason being that the architecture and gardens are so beautiful and such excellent examples of Kyoto's architectural heritage. I have eaten at Tawaraya and have had friends and family stay there on numerous occasions. The staff is extremely polite and helpful. Tawaraya says that about a third of their customers now are from overseas, so foreign guests are very welcome and can be assured excellent service. location: Fuyacho-Oike rates: 42,000-84,000 yen (includes dinner and breakfast) tel 075-211-5566 English website: none Hiiragiya I have been to Hiiragiya several times for dinner and was always underwhelmed. Service was not especially friendly. Friends that have stayed there were somewhat disappointed too. The interior of the building is quite rundown and shabby. As an inn, Hiiragiya is fine, but for this price range you can do better and in the same neighborhood. Yoshikawa Yoshikawa is another excellent ryokan. Our friends that have stayed there have had a positive experience. Yoshikawa is also well known in Kyoto for its fine tempura restaurant attached to the ryokan. It is my favorite for tempura in Kyoto. location: Tominokoji-Oike rates: from 25,000 yen (includes dinner and breakfast) tel 075-221-5544 English website: none bern on "9 nights in Kyoto for small family - accommodation recommendations?" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/9-nights-in-kyoto-for-small-family-accommodation-recommendations#post-165 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 08:40:50 +0000 bern 165@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ We're a small family - two adults & 1 child (almost 5 years). Will be in Kyoto 30 September - 9 October 2009. Any suggestions for good value accommodation? Simple & clean our only requirement. Have emailed Kyoto Townhouse Stays (beautiful homes) but may be too expensive for us (?). Thanks in advance. jazzguy550 on "Senbei recipe" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/senbei-recipe#post-163 Thu, 04 Jun 2009 06:14:32 +0000 jazzguy550 163@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hi everyone, I'm wondering if there are books or webpages that contain recipes for making senbei? Living in North America, the selection is quite limited compared to what you can find in Japan / Kyoto... thanks...