miwa Sad to say, but this lovely old town requires some support. en-US Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:44:22 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/search.php http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/sukiyaki-and-yuba-reccommendations#post-257 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 08:13:58 +0000 peko 257@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ <p><strong>Kyoto Teppanyaki Recommendation: Sou</strong></p> <p>OK, I have found a teppanyaki restaurant that I can highly recommend. It is located in Gion but not crazy expensive or stuck-up like lots or restaurants there.</p> <p>Sou, properly called Teppan Kappo Sou serves the highest quality beef available in Japan, grade A5. They have an English menu. Please see the link below for my full review at and lots of photos at KyotoFoodie.</p> <p><a href="http://kyotofoodie.com/gion-teppanyaki-sou/" title="Kyoto Gion Wagyu Teppanyaki Kappo Sou">Kyoto Gion Wagyu Teppanyaki Kappo Sou</a> </p> http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/seasonal-things-to-eat-in-kyoto#post-207 Sun, 11 Oct 2009 15:40:31 +0000 miwa 207@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ <p>Dear footmarks,</p> <p>I am very sorry for the late reply. I was not sure what you should not miss in Oct, so I asked Chef Tanigawa from Kichisen.<br /> He says Matsutake mushroom tastes the best around that time. Their smell is very unique and special, so Japanese just love them!</p> <p>Matsutake will be served a lot of Japanese restaurant in Kyoto,in different ways; they will be found in soup or rice very often. Cheap ones are imported ones.</p> <p>Kichisen kaiseki restaurant serves cut mushroom, you cook over charcoal at your table. That would be something special.</p> <p>There are no particularly seasonal event at that time, but 25th Tenjin Market at Kitano tenmamgu will be interesting. </p> http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/porter-bags-in-kyoto#post-206 Sun, 11 Oct 2009 15:20:03 +0000 miwa 206@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ <p>Hello!<br /> You should be able to find porter bags at many places. The biggest collection would be KURA CHIKA Kyoto shop, on the 2nd floor in Fujii Daimaru department store. It is where Teramachi st. and Shijo st. meet.</p> <p><a href="http://www.frontstyle.com/shopsearch/shop_detail.php?shopid=S_001639" rel="nofollow">http://www.frontstyle.com/shopsearch/shop_detail.php?shopid=S_001639</a> </p> <p>I remember seeing their bags at Takashimaya department store, and at LOFT(shopping building).</p> <p>They are all close together, so you can easily go the three on foot. </p> 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/ <p>Hi, does anyone know where I can find Porter bags in Kyoto? And which store has the biggest collection of Porter bags? Thanks! </p> 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/ <p>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!</p> <p>(If you can recommend seasonal things to do and see, that would be great too!) </p> http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/visiting-kyoto-over-new-year#post-201 Sat, 12 Sep 2009 10:40:19 +0000 miwa 201@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ <p>Hello ezencia,</p> <p>If you are coming to Kyoto that time and hasn't booked accommodation or restaurant, please make reservation as soon as possible. I used to work in Ryokan, and I know that people who come to Kyoto on new years day book for the next year when they leave Kyoto. </p> http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/visiting-kyoto-over-new-year#post-200 Sat, 12 Sep 2009 05:34:50 +0000 peko 200@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ <p>Hello ezencia,</p> <p>Thanks for your question! The New Year celebration in Japan, O-shogatsu, as it is called is surely the most wonderful celebration of the year, but it can be difficult for foreign travelers as many restaurants and shops will be closed. If you are not on a tight budget or you have friends or family, I think that you can have nice time in Kyoto at O-shogatsu. You might consider coming at another time of year thought too.</p> <p>We touched on this issue previously, please see the link below for more. Here is a summary:</p> <p><strong>Visiting Japan at New Year's, Oshogatsu (お正月)
</strong><br /> Generally I would NOT recommend visiting Japan during the New Year's celebration for several reasons.</p> <p>- New Year's in Japan is family time, like Christmas in Western countries.
<br /> - Few shops, stores, restaurants will be open from January 1-4.
<br /> - Hotel and ryokan will be difficult to book.</p> <p><strong>Sightseeing</strong><br /> The shrines and temples will all be open -- and will be packed.</p> <p> Japanese visit a shrine for hatsumode, the first visit to a shrine in the new year. Here is a KyotoFoodie article with some photos of hatsumode: <a href="http://kyotofoodie.com/hatsumode-the-first-visit-to-a-shrine-of-the-new-year/" rel="nofollow">http://kyotofoodie.com/hatsumode-the-first-visit-to-a-shrine-of-the-new-year/</a></p> <p>Japanese visit a temple at midnight to ring in the new year with the temple bell being rung 108 times. This is also a very wonderful experience. Trains often run all night on new year's eve and new year's day.</p> <p>Museums are generally open from January 3rd or 4th.</p> <p><strong>Accommodations</strong><br /> If you can get a reservation at a ryokan, one the includes meals, you should have no trouble as the staff ought to take good care of you. The problems is that it is a Japanese custom for families to stay at a ryokan over the new year so it it difficult to get a reservation.</p> <p><strong>Food and Restaurants</strong><br /> Few restaurants will be open. Very expensive, proper Kyoto-style kaiseki restaurants are obliged to be open (many are not now). </p> <p>Some cheaper restaurants near sightseeing attractions such as temples and shrines will be open. Most moderately priced restaurants, like the ones near your hotel or ryokan will likely be closed.</p> <p>If you stay at a ryokan, dinner and breakfast are usually included. The over-priced, mediocre restaurants in the international hotels ought to be open.</p> <p>From January 2nd, the department stores are open and you can get very good food at a moderate price to take out at the food courts.</p> <p>Convenience stores will be open as usual, 24 hours, through the holiday and the food offered isn't too horrible.</p> <p><strong>Transportation</strong><br /> Trains, buses, taxis etc are all available as usual during the holiday.</p> <p>Vegetarian/Vegan and Visiting Japan at New Year's: <a href="http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/vegetarian-vegan-and-visiting-japan-at-new-years" rel="nofollow">http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/vegetarian-vegan-and-visiting-japan-at-new-years</a> </p> 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/ <p>Hi,</p> <p>I am travelling to Kyoto between 28 Dec and 31 Dec. I heard many places are closed during this time.</p> <p>Is it a bad time to go? Or are there still things to see?</p> <p>Thanks! </p> http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/lunch-near-houkyouji-and-nishijin-ori-kaikan#post-193 Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:40:44 +0000 peko 193@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ <p><strong>Dinner at Toriiwaro</strong><br /> I had dinner for the first time at Toriiwaro last night. We had mizu-daki (Kyoto-style chicken nabe). It was very good, but unlike lunch, it was quite expensive. Dinner for two with a few drinks cost 19,000 yen. It was very delicious and the atmosphere was very 'old Kyoto' but cost performance-wise it left a little to be desired, I thought. Thought the price is high-end, the restaurant and private rooms look every bit 110 years old and may appear even a bit shabby to some.</p> <p>If you are not on a tight budget and want to dine at an old Kyoto restaurant that even a lot of Kyoto people don't know about, that has some real quaint atmosphere, Toriiwaro is a good choice. </p> 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/ <p>Fun places to go with children in Kyoto</p> <p>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</p> <p><strong>Kyoto Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama</strong> (京都 嵐山モンキーパーク いわたやま)</p> <p>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.</p> <p>5 minutes walk from Arashiyama station of both Hankyu railway and Keifuku railway. </p> <p><a href="http://www.kmpi.co.jp/" rel="nofollow">http://www.kmpi.co.jp/</a></p> <p><strong>Umekoji Steam Locomotive Museum</strong> (梅小路蒸気機関車館)<br /> You can get on authentic Japanese steam locomotives. It is educational and fun, even for adults.</p> <p>20 minutes walk from JR Kyoto station. </p> <p><a href="http://www.mtm.or.jp/uslm/" rel="nofollow">http://www.mtm.or.jp/uslm/</a></p> <p><strong>Toei Kyototo Studio Park</strong> (東映映画村)</p> <p>A real town set of Japanese traditional Movie. An amusement park where you can enjoy all day.</p> <p>Good information in several languages.</p> <p>English<br /> <a href="http://www.toei-eigamura.com/info/lang_e.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.toei-eigamura.com/info/lang_e.html</a><br /> Korean<br /> <a href="http://www.toei-eigamura.com/info/lang_k.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.toei-eigamura.com/info/lang_k.html</a><br /> Chinese簡体<br /> <a href="http://www.toei-eigamura.com/info/lang_c2.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.toei-eigamura.com/info/lang_c2.html</a><br /> Chinese繁体<br /> <a href="http://www.toei-eigamura.com/info/lang_c1.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.toei-eigamura.com/info/lang_c1.html</a> </p> 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/ <p>Wow! Those are very nice! I have never seen any with the dish together before.<br /> 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. </p> <p>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!</p> <p>I looked around at the tezukuri-ichiba at Chionji today, but I didn't see anything... </p> 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/ <p>This one is very pretty.</p> <p><a href="http://item.rakuten.co.jp/sara-cera/s0005660/" rel="nofollow">http://item.rakuten.co.jp/sara-cera/s0005660/</a></p> <p>from rakuten online store...... </p> 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/ <p>Hello! I don't quite understand what you mean by persimmon-shape.</p> <p>This is ceramic one of those conventional shape, that you can easily get at 100 yen stores.</p> <p><a href="http://www.living-e.jp/?pid=14487361" rel="nofollow">http://www.living-e.jp/?pid=14487361</a></p> <p>I found cute one, not sure if this is hand made, though.</p> <p><a href="http://kosome.ocnk.net/product/317" rel="nofollow">http://kosome.ocnk.net/product/317</a></p> <p>If this is what you are looking for, you could image search with おろし器.　（oroshi-ki)</p> <p>Or am I looking for wrong thing? </p> 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/ <p>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.<br /> 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...)<br /> 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...<br /> Does anyone know where i could find one of these? Especially an attractive handmade one? </p> http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/where-to-purchase-condiments-sauces-and-spices-in-kyoto#post-160 Fri, 22 May 2009 13:39:41 +0000 Funazushi 160@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ <p>Has anyone any idea where I can get seeds to grow sansho? Ideally I'm looking for a mail order seed company so that I can get them overseas (Canada). </p> http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/lacquerware-shop#post-159 Thu, 21 May 2009 10:11:59 +0000 kyotogubbins 159@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ <p>Thanks a lot both, looking forward to my next visit already. </p> http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/ebisume#post-157 Sat, 16 May 2009 14:53:35 +0000 Anissa 157@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ <p>Odanta: You are spot on!! I am staying in Osaka (but will visit Kyoto for a day) and was recommended this to try...I came across an article about this brand but it was very clear what it was...just a picture of something square on rice..hmm, interesting, I can think of a few things I can eat it with now. </p> <p>Is it a typical Osaka food or can I also get it in Kyoto? Thanks! </p> http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/ebisume#post-156 Sat, 16 May 2009 14:22:24 +0000 miwa 156@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ <p>I see!</p> <p>I haven't heard of this brand, but I read through the info and it sounded very nice. This is something you eat with rice. You can chop them into fine pieces and mix with cucumber slices as well, but it is best to eat with rice.</p> <p>It is seaweed, that had been cooked with soy sauce and sugar and sake and mirin, and then dried. It is salty. The product has got some kind of governmental prize twice, so that the quality is promised, I think. </p> <p>Why don't you give it a try? </p> http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/lacquerware-shop#post-155 Sat, 16 May 2009 14:10:31 +0000 miwa 155@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ <p>Oh, and I also like うるしの常三郎 (Urushi no Tsunezaburou) store.</p> <p>They have several stores in Kyoto. The most convenient one is on Ponto-cho street, on west side of the street, closer to Shijo-street end. They have reasonably priced lacquerware. </p> http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/lacquerware-shop#post-154 Sat, 16 May 2009 14:04:48 +0000 miwa 154@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ <p>Hello, I am sorry for not replying sooner.</p> <p>I think the lacquerware store you are talking about is Shikki no Asobe store.(漆器のアソベ). The store used to be facing Shijo street, but they have MOVED to Shijo Higashinotoin-sagaru, which is south from Shijo-street X Higashinotoin-street crossing.</p> <p>They are still doing business, of course; it is a really popular shinise store, that has started in 1807.</p> <p>〒600-8091 京都市下京区東洞院通四条下ル元悪王子47-5<br /> 075-344-5333</p> <p>10:00〜19:00<br /> closed on Wednesdays </p> http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/ebisume#post-153 Sat, 16 May 2009 07:33:51 +0000 odonata 153@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ <p>Just a guess - but you could be referring to this special brand of kombu no <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsukudani">tsukudani</a> (kelp) by Oguraya Yamamoto of Osaka.</p> <p><a href="http://www.osaka-info.jp/en/search/detail/shopping_5047.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.osaka-info.jp/en/search/detail/shopping_5047.html</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.ogurayayamamoto.co.jp/" rel="nofollow">http://www.ogurayayamamoto.co.jp/</a> </p> http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/ebisume#post-152 Sat, 16 May 2009 01:36:28 +0000 peko 152@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ <p>We don't know what 'ebisume' is. It could be a number of different things. You need to give us more information and context. </p> http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/ebisume#post-149 Thu, 14 May 2009 11:10:47 +0000 Anissa 149@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ <p>What is it? I love to try new things and was recommended this to buy. </p> http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/kyoto-top-10-list-shrine-temple-garden-palace-and-castle#post-148 Wed, 13 May 2009 01:25:36 +0000 peko 148@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ <p>Hello Funazushi,</p> <p>Thank you for the info and the link! I have been to the Kawai Museum once and I loved his work very much. I don't recall seeing the noborigama kiln though. I will have to go and check that out again.</p> <p><a href="http://www.e-yakimono.net" rel="nofollow">http://www.e-yakimono.net</a> is a site that I first discovered 5 years or so ago and is a wonderful resource. (yakimono means ceremics/pottery) </p> http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/kyoto-top-10-list-shrine-temple-garden-palace-and-castle#post-147 Tue, 12 May 2009 17:26:55 +0000 Funazushi 147@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ <p>Excellent list. One suggestion I would make is that in the scenic neighbourhood you should visit Kawai Kanjiro's machiya. He was a famous Mingei(folk art) potter and designed his house and interior. There is a nobori kiln on the property for those interested in pottery.<br /> <a href="http://www.e-yakimono.net/html/kawaikanjiro.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.e-yakimono.net/html/kawaikanjiro.html</a> </p> http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/i-need-boots#post-138 Wed, 06 May 2009 01:18:36 +0000 miwa 138@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ <p>Hello bambootrance-san,</p> <p>I think it is easier to find large size on line stores.</p> <p>Some of rain shoes have size up to XL and 25. </p> <p><a href="http://www.bath-ec.com/rain070612.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.bath-ec.com/rain070612.html</a></p> <p>and the below is the online store for large size clothing and accessories,</p> <p>Nissen<br /> <a href="http://www.nissen.co.jp/smileland/" rel="nofollow">http://www.nissen.co.jp/smileland/</a></p> <p>I could not find rain boots, but they might be on sale soon.</p> <p>I will post when I find more websites.</p> <p>M </p> http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/i-need-boots#post-137 Wed, 06 May 2009 00:43:59 +0000 peko 137@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ <p>Hello there bambootrance</p> <p>So, you are looking for a store in Kyoto?</p> <p>If you want to keep you feet dry, does that mean that just utilitarian boots will do? Or, do you need some style? Do you want rubber boots?</p> <p>P </p> http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/i-need-boots#post-136 Tue, 05 May 2009 23:27:29 +0000 bambootrance 136@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ <p>Rain is coming and I have big feet! Haha. Want to keep them dry but finding the shoe stores don't carry my sizes. I wear a size 9wide in U.S.<br /> Where can I find larger size shoes? Preferably feminine styles.</p> <p>Thank you. </p> http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/lacquerware-shop#post-134 Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:29:35 +0000 kyotogubbins 134@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ <p>Hi all,<br /> Just back from a second visit to Kyoto. When I was there last year, there was a really nice lacquerware shop - lovely but pretty pricey - on Shijo Dori (?)near the Louis Vuitton shop. It seems to have closed down and been replaced by a cafe, any idea if it's gonew somewhere else? If not, any recommendations for nice lacquerware shops in Kyoto gratefully received. Looking for reasonably high end kaiseki kagu. </p> http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/sukiyaki-and-yuba-reccommendations#post-133 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 19:13:34 +0000 pivote 133@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ <p>Thank you Miwa!</p> <p>I have asked my hotel to make a reservations at Matsuno and Komemeya for lunch.</p> <p>Looking forward to eating some excellent Kyoto cuisine... </p>