Kyoto Support » Tag: Nishijin

Kyoto Support » Tag: Nishijin - Recent Posts http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/tags/nishijin Sad to say, but this lovely old town requires some support. en-US Sat, 11 Feb 2012 10:36:29 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/search.php peko on "Handmade Ice Cream in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/homemade-ice-cream-in-kyoto#post-261 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 13:55:10 +0000 peko 261@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ (Much) More Cream than Ice I have reviewed a ice cream maker in Gion that has the best fresh ice cream that I have ever tasted! Kinana (きなな) Gion Kinana’s fresh-made kinako ice cream, more cream than ice, is the best Japanese ice cream that I have had. Their parfaits are completely amazing too. Kinana is located in Gion, just off of Hanamikoji Street, one of Kyoto’s most scenic and historic neighborhoods. Recent KyotoFoodie Articles: <a href="http://kyotofoodie.com/gion-kinana-ice-cream/">Kyoto Ice Cream: Gion Kinana – Kinako Ice Cream</a> location: Kinana is located a bit to the west of Hanami-koji Street in Gion, see map below. business hours: 11am – 7pm (6:30 pm last order) website (no English): <a href="http://www.kyo-kinana.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.kyo-kinana.com</a> tel: 075-525-8300 Kyoto-shi, Higashiyama-ku, Gion-machi Minami-gawa 570-119 (京都市東山区祇園町南側570-119) Map <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=115039365892753127164.000445cff35fa2bfc5a51&source=embed&ll=35.002968,135.774579&spn=0.003603,0.003358&z=18&iwloc=lyrftr:msid:115039365892753127164.000445cff35fa2bfc5a51,000495b993c93dd60c2bc,,,0,-31">Kinana - KyotoFoodie Map</a> peko on "Sukiyaki and Yuba Reccommendations" 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/ Kyoto Teppanyaki Recommendation: Sou 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. 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. <a href="http://kyotofoodie.com/gion-teppanyaki-sou/" title="Kyoto Gion Wagyu Teppanyaki Kappo Sou">Kyoto Gion Wagyu Teppanyaki Kappo Sou</a> peko on "Lunch near Houkyouji and Nishijin-ori Kaikan" 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/ Dinner at Toriiwaro 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. 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. pivote on "Sukiyaki and Yuba Reccommendations" 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/ Thank you Miwa! I have asked my hotel to make a reservations at Matsuno and Komemeya for lunch. Looking forward to eating some excellent Kyoto cuisine... 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. miwa on "Sukiyaki and Yuba Reccommendations" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/sukiyaki-and-yuba-reccommendations#post-130 Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:55:19 +0000 miwa 130@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Unagi Kaneyo As for unagi, I think Kaneyo is reasonably priced for eel cuisine. Matsuno Other places I know is more expensive. Matsuno, is famous. They have english website, so please have a look. <a href="http://www.matsuno-co.com/gion_matsuno.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.matsuno-co.com/gion_matsuno.html</a> Uokeya Uokeya in Gion is very famous. I haven't been there, but the location is really good and is run by a famous restaurant group, Yagenbori, that has good reputation. This restaurant was a favorite of the American artist Clifton Karhu who lived most of his adult life in Kyoto. His woodblock prints decorate the restaurant. Their dinner sets starts from 6,300 yen and reservation is needed. <a href="http://www.yagenbori.co.jp/tenpo/u/index.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.yagenbori.co.jp/tenpo/u/index.html</a> <a href="http://www.yagenbori.co.jp/karhu/index.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.yagenbori.co.jp/karhu/index.html</a> miwa on "Sukiyaki and Yuba Reccommendations" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/sukiyaki-and-yuba-reccommendations#post-128 Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:52:30 +0000 miwa 128@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hello, Yuba Komameya Yuba I like Komameya Yuba restaurant, their yuba donburi is very good. They have another branch in the north side of Daimaru department store. I have tried 3,000 yen course and 5,000 yen course. 3,000 yen was so-so and 5,000 yen course was really good. <a href="http://kyotofoodie.com/komameya-yuba-ryori-lunch/" rel="nofollow">http://kyotofoodie.com/komameya-yuba-ryori-lunch/</a> <a href="http://www.ueda-yuba.co.jp/" rel="nofollow">http://www.ueda-yuba.co.jp/</a> Yubasen I also like Yubasen, on Gojo-zaka street, which is very near Kiyomizu temple. You can eat very very fresh yuba for reasonable price. You can see how they are made, and by appointments, you can even experience to make yourself. <a href="http://gojo.yubasen.co.jp/access/index.html" rel="nofollow">http://gojo.yubasen.co.jp/access/index.html</a> <a href="http://gojo.yubasen.co.jp/menu/index.html" rel="nofollow">http://gojo.yubasen.co.jp/menu/index.html</a> Seike If you would like to enjoy Yuba being served as Kaiseki food, Seike is a good place to go. Nishijin branch, which I haven't been there, seems to have very good Nishijin machiya-stlye building and atmosphere, It is south of Imadegawa street and Omiya street intersection. Lunch starts from 2,800 yen and dinner starts from 7,350 yen. Yuba is not so expensive to make, so I think that you could be paying much for the atmosphere too. <a href="http://www.dicube.co.jp/seike/info20/index.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.dicube.co.jp/seike/info20/index.html</a> 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 "Sukiyaki and Yuba Reccommendations" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/sukiyaki-and-yuba-reccommendations#post-119 Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:56:49 +0000 peko 119@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Tori-suki (Chicken Sukiyaki) Chicken Sukiyaki is a Kyoto original and very delicious. When you are in Japan, be sure to check out shops that sell poultry which is mainly chicken in Japan. The variety of cuts of chicken is a whole lot more than you might imagine. I guess that chicken is prepared in about 30 different cuts in Japan. One of the fun things about chicken sukiyaki is that you can often get a half a dozen or so different parts of the chicken in your sukiyaki. When I do this dish at home, I try to get 10 or more cuts of chicken. If you are in Kyoto and like sukiyaki, consider giving chicken sukiyaki (tori-suki) a try. Here are two famous Kyoto chicken restaurants, both with a long history. Hachikian 八起庵 Hachikian is a restaurant that I have been to many times and it very, very good. The chicken and eggs are raised to their specifications -- very fresh and high quality. Hachikian is probably most known for their chicken kaiseki, which is very good, but if you are only in town for a short time, I would suggest that you have real kaiseki (not chicken) and have chicken suki or chicken nabe to see how Kyoto people usually eat chicken. price: 6,800 yen (per person, reservation required) location: Marutamachi Kawabata intersection (right around the corner from Sumibi Torito) dinner menu (tori suki at the very bottom): <a href="http://www.hachikian.com/dinner/index.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.hachikian.com/dinner/index.html</a> ingredients: <a href="http://www.hachikian.com/quality/index.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.hachikian.com/quality/index.html</a> Toriiwaro 鳥岩楼 I usually go here for lunch and have only had dinner here once. The price was 6,000 yen per person. The food was good, the atmosphere really good as it is in an old Kyoto-style building. The service was OK and the cost performance was also just OK. If you aren't on a tight budget and want to have tori suki in an old style Kyoto setting, Toriiwaro is a good bet. location: Nishijin (reviewed <a href="http://kyotofoodie.com/nishijin-toriiwaro-oyako-donburi/">here</a> on KyotoFoodie) <a href="http://www3.ocn.ne.jp/~mao_utty/toriiwa/" rel="nofollow">http://www3.ocn.ne.jp/~mao_utty/toriiwa/</a> pivote on "Sukiyaki and Yuba Reccommendations" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/sukiyaki-and-yuba-reccommendations#post-118 Thu, 16 Apr 2009 22:12:12 +0000 pivote 118@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Thank you so much for the recommendation peko - i've already asked my hotel to make a reservation for me for dinner at the Iroha North branch. It looks like exactly the type of restaurant I want to visit! And thank you for steering me clear of Mishima-tei! I had some sneaking suspicions but it actually sounds a lot worse than even I was fearing. Also, I would be very grateful if you could share some insight on your preferred unagi restaurants. I've read about Kaneyo in your blog and I've found that Zagat rates Gion U (570-120 Gionmachi-Minamigawa) very highly. btw - I am a big fan of your blog and have been using it extensively to plan my culinary itinerary in Kyoto. thanks for all the good work! peko on "Sukiyaki and Yuba Reccommendations" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/sukiyaki-and-yuba-reccommendations#post-117 Thu, 16 Apr 2009 04:41:04 +0000 peko 117@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hello pivote, Just a quick reply. Sukiyaki: Iroha (いろは) in Ponto-cho, on the south end near Shijo Street is my favorite place for sukiyaki. They use Omi Beef (from neighboring Shiga Prefecture) and do their sukiyaki Kansai-style which is fairly sweet. Kanto-style is salty. (Kansai is Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kobe and Kanto is modern day Tokyo) Iroha has two restaurants within a one minute walk of one another, I go to the one farther in Ponto-cho from Shijo. I think that one is the 'North' restaurant. The interior is great. It is very traditional Japanese architecture with minimalist hand colored paper screens, it always looks to me like oil pastel. I understand that the owner is a professor of art. Be sure to check out the male and female icons on the restroom doors. The sake selection is horrible (which is usual for nice restaurants and ryokan) so I always just stick with beer. website: (no English) <a href="http://www.sukiyaki-iroha.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.sukiyaki-iroha.com</a> You can see all the funky 'modern Japanese' paper screens here: <a href="http://www.sukiyaki-iroha.com/structure/gallery/" rel="nofollow">http://www.sukiyaki-iroha.com/structure/gallery/</a> Menu and Prices <a href="http://www.sukiyaki-iroha.com/structure/menu/" rel="nofollow">http://www.sukiyaki-iroha.com/structure/menu/</a> *5,000 yen for sukiyaki in Kyoto is about average. You can find cheaper places but it is probably not 'wagyu' (Japanese beef) tel: 075-221-0403 Closed Thurs Mishima-tei Mishima-tei is crap. (While the over-priced beef is fine quality, you can get similar beef in Kyoto at countless restaurants.) Mishima-tei's reputation has gone to it's head in a very large way. (This is common with about half the famous old restaurants and shops in Kyoto, that is why we started this site.) The worst 'good' meal that I have ever had in my life was at Mishima-tei. It is the pinnacle of the stingy and arrogant service the Kyoto is known for in other regions of Japan. This was when I was in graduate school here, my girlfriend and I wanted to have a nice New Year's dinner at Mishima-tei. She called and asked asked about the prices and then asked if they had a table charge. They said no. At dinner we asked for more tare (sukiyaki shoyu sauce) -- and they said that they charge extra for it!! Can you believe that? Charging extra for soy sauce at a Japanese restaurant!?! Unbelievable. Then we wanted more eggs which they charge for. OK, maybe. How much? I think it was 700 yen for a single egg! That is a complete ripe off! 200 or 300 yen is kind of expensive, but if they are good eggs at an exclusive restaurant, fine. The worst was yet to come. The bill. The bill had an additional 7000 yen on it and we were like, ah, what is this? The wait staff says, oh, that is the service charge. We protested, my girlfriend said she called and asked if they have a table charge. They reply, that is a service charge. If we are in a court of law, fine, we lose. But come on, we call and are trying to find out how much it is going to cost. The point is not semantics! Sh'eesh! The service was less than friendly as well. This all made Mishima-tei a horrible experience for me. With all that unpleasantness, their famous sukiyaki doesn't even taste good. I have eaten at Mishima-tei since and sometimes bought their beef for Japanese New Year's sukiyaki. The service was cold and the beef overpriced. I have been to Iroha countless times and never experienced anything unpleasant. I doubt that Meishima-tei really tastes any better than Iroha. Also, inside, Mishima-tei is pretty rundown. So, I recommend Iroha for dinner and recommend Mishima-tei for the Hall of Shame. Teppanyaki: Sou I very rarely eat teppanyaki. Teppanyaki isn't real Japanese food in my book and I hate getting covered in cooking oil while I wait for them to cook my dinner. I did discover this teppanyaki restaurant in Gion called, Sou, that is very, very nice. Excellent food and excellent service. My friend has been teaching the manager English for a year now, so foreign visitors should have an easy time communicating. Though in Gion, the cost performance is quite good too. <a href="http://kyotofoodie.com/gion-teppanyaki-sou/" rel="nofollow">http://kyotofoodie.com/gion-teppanyaki-sou/</a> (Wait for Miwa to tell you about Yuba) pivote on "Sukiyaki and Yuba Reccommendations" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/sukiyaki-and-yuba-reccommendations#post-116 Thu, 16 Apr 2009 03:31:56 +0000 pivote 116@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hello - First I want to thank everyone for the information I've found on this blog/forum. I've been able to plan a fine culinary itinerary based on the shared knowledge here. I will be in Kyoto for 3 days this May and have already booked a lunch at Kikunoi Roan and a dinner at Spoon, but want to dedicate the rest of my available meals to more casual fare. In general, I am willing to pay for a world-class dining experience, but in general I'd like to keep meals around the 5K-7K range. I was hoping to sample the following: Great Steak/Beef, either in the form of Sukiyaki or Teppanyaki (whichever provides the most bang for the buck): - Mishima-tei seems a bit pricey to me, but the only other notable potion I could find mentioned online is Kanoko... - In terms of Teppanyaki, the option I came across on bento.com is Misono. I also see Grill Miyata come up on alot of travel sites. Yuba: Seems like the establishment that keeps coming up is Komameya, which i'm happy to go to if its a definitive Yuba experience... Unagi: Please let me know if there is a standout Unagi experience in the Kyoto area. So far, I have come across Aoba and GION UMENOI. Thanks in advance for your help! 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> peko on "Handmade Ice Cream in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/homemade-ice-cream-in-kyoto#post-114 Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:10:43 +0000 peko 114@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ While Häagen-Dazs is ubiquitous in Japan, in convenience stores and supermarkets and Häagen-Dazs ice cream parlors, there aren't many independent handmade ice shops here. That is too bad, and odd, because Japanese love ice cream and eat plenty of it. This is the country that gave the world ice cream tempura! Chibeta (ちべた) Chibeta is located in Nishijin, the old weaving district of Kyoto. Chibeta offers high quality ice cream for eat in, take out and they even sell online. Chibeta offers novel riffs on traditional Japanese flavors, ingredients and sweets. As always in Kyoto culinary culture, the seasons are important and Chibeta offers numerous seasonal fruit flavors. Recent KyotoFoodie Articles: <a href="http://kyotofoodie.com/sakura-mochi-ice-cream/">Chibeta Sakura Mochi Ice Cream</a> <a href="http://kyotofoodie.com/soba-boro-cookie-ice-cream/">Chibeta Soba Boro Cookie Ice Cream</a> location: Chibeta is located on in the Nishijin district of Kyoto on Senbon-dori, just south of Imadegawa-dori. From the intersection of Senbon and Imadegawa Streets, you just go three (short) blocks to the south and Chibeta is located on the east corner of Senbon and Sasayacho Streets intersection. business hours: open 11am to 7pm (Closed Mon and Mon and Tues once a month. If Mon is a national holiday, closed Tue.) website (no English): <a href="http://www.kyo-ice.com/welcome/head.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.kyo-ice.com/welcome/head.html</a> tel: 075-414-8688 京都市上京区千本通笹屋町東北角 Map <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=115039365892753127164.000445cff35fa2bfc5a51&ll=35.02903,135.742843&spn=0.002109,0.002575&z=18&source=embed">Chibeta - KyotoFoodie Map</a> peko on "Kyoto Souvenir: Original Handbag, Tote Bags, Purses, Wallets and Rucksack Makers" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/kyoto-souvenir-original-handbag-tote-bags-purses-wallets-and-rucksack-makers#post-92 Sat, 14 Feb 2009 18:05:10 +0000 peko 92@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Oh, I found some photos I snapped at a photoshoot several years ago of Cream's Italian Leather, Japanese Linen, Nishijin Weaving Bags. They are pretty awesome! (I haven't been over to Cream for a few years so I don't know if they are still making exactly the same bags. The few, tiny photos on their website look the same to me though.) <img src="http://www.openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/media/kyoto-cream-bag-1.jpg" title="Kyoto Cream Bags" alt="Kyoto Cream Bags" /> <img src="http://www.openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/media/kyoto-cream-bag-2.jpg" title="Kyoto Cream Bags" alt="Kyoto Cream Bags" /> <img src="http://www.openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/media/kyoto-cream-bag-3.jpg" title="Kyoto Cream Bags" alt="Kyoto Cream Bags" /> <img src="http://www.openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/media/kyoto-cream-bag-4.jpg" title="Kyoto Cream Bags" alt="Kyoto Cream Bags" /> <img src="http://www.openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/media/kyoto-cream-bag-5.jpg" title="Kyoto Cream Bags" alt="Kyoto Cream Bags" /> <img src="http://www.openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/media/kyoto-cream-bag-6.jpg" title="Kyoto Cream Bags" alt="Kyoto Cream Bags" /> peko on "Kyoto Souvenir: Original Handbag, Tote Bags, Purses, Wallets and Rucksack Makers" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/kyoto-souvenir-original-handbag-tote-bags-purses-wallets-and-rucksack-makers#post-90 Sat, 14 Feb 2009 15:40:48 +0000 peko 90@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ High-quality, unique and fashionable bags make an excellent souvenir from Kyoto. There are several producers in the city that offer various styles to choose from. Here are two famous ones, an up-and-coming one and an undiscovered one. Ichizawa Hampu vs. Ichizawa Shinzaburo Hampu 'Hampu' means canvas in Japanese. The Bad Guy: Ichizawa Hampu 一澤帆布 The legendary bag from Kyoto is from Ichizawa Hampu. However, we recommend that you DO NOT patronize Ichizawa Hampu for the reasons below. <img src="http://www.openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/media/kyoto-ichizawa-hampu-badge.gif" alt="Kyoto Ichizawa Hampu" /> Ichizawa Hampu started business in 1905 making very sturdy canvas bags for milk, sake, ice, and newspaper deliver companies in town. Many of the bags were used by ice making companies that supplied the drinking establishments in Gion, which explains why Ichizawa Hampu is located in Gion. These were very tough and durable and utilitarian bags and not sold to the general public. The story that I heard (that I have not confirmed) is that in the 1950's a major American newspaper, I think it was the New York Times did an article about Ichizawa Hampu bags, which they thought were really wonderful. A few other newspapers did and well and Western travelers to Kyoto sought out the company and purchased bags for souvenirs. Word spread to professors and others that could read English in Japan and when they came to Kyoto, they too sought out Ichizawa Hampu to emulate their Western colleagues. Then Japanese school children visiting Kyoto on school excursions got in on the action and a real brand was born. These apparently were the children of the professors. Ichizawa Hampu only sold their bags at their store, located across the street from the gate of Chion-in temple. If you wanted one, you have to come to Kyoto to buy it. Also, they were made after the customer paid and they were delivered via mail. The Problem: The eldest son of the Ichizawa family, Ichizawa Shintaro, who worked as a banker in Nagoya all his career is now the owner of Ichizawa Hampu. He gained control of the company by very dubious circumstances. The original staff of 65 craftsmen that made Ichizawa Hampu's bags for decades no longer work there and the company that supplied the canvas fabric for Ichizawa Hampu's signature bags also for decades will not deal with the company anymore. So, the bags that made Ichizawa Hampu what it was can no longer made there. The bags that are made by the company are replicas of the classic. The third generation owner of Ichizawa Hampu died in 2001 and his third son, Ichizawa Shinzaburo, who had worked in the company for 25 years, was the heir to the company. The third generation owner of the company wrote his will and left it in the care of his lawyer. Four months after the father died, the eldest son, the banker in Nagoya who had never worked in the company said that he had a will that stated that he would he would inherit the company. And that it was dates after the will left in the care of the lawyer. Four months! The second will was extremely suspicious. It was written in ball point pen and the inkon (personal seal) was not the father's hand-carved, official, registered seal but a plastic one available from any discount seal shop. The will in the possession of the lawyer was written with a brush and stamped with the father's registered seal. A lawsuit ensued and quite unbelievably the incompetence of the Japanese judicial system prevailed -- a system still without jury trials -- sided with the eldest brother and his ball point pen written, unofficial seal will! This lead to the end of Ichizawa Hampu and the creation of Shizaburo Hampu. Ichizawa Shinzaburo, the third brother who lost in court, started his own company and the entire stuff of craftsmen abandoned Ichizawa Hampu to follow Shinzaburo. Additionally, the canvas maker refused to supply canvas to Ichizawa Hampu, instead only dealing with Shinzaburo. So, the older brother got his company and prime location on Higashi-oji Street but had no staff, no products and no materials. Quite an entrepreneur! Ichizawa Hampu is still in business and managed to hire some new staff. The signature label and chain stitching is the same, but the heart and soul is definitely not there. Ichizawa Hampu is perpetually trying to hire skilled craftsmen willing to work there but apparently not having much luck. Doshisha Elementary School, a very famous school in Kyoto used to have the school bags of all their students made by Ichizawa Hampu, but they also switched to Shinzaburo Hampu. Ichizawa Hampu website: <a href="http://www.ichizawa-hanpu.co.jp" rel="nofollow">http://www.ichizawa-hanpu.co.jp</a> The Good Guy: Ichizawa Shinzaburo Hampu 一澤信三郎帆布 Ichizawa Shinzaburo set-up shop in the same neighborhood, a few doors down and restarted the family business with his own new style but with the traditional canvas fabric and staff of craftsmen. <img src="http://www.openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/media/kyoto-shinzaburo-hampu.gif" alt="Kyoto Shinzaburo Hampu" /> Shinzaburo has added patterned prints to his line up and does collaborations with other artists. Perhaps his most famous collaborator is AstroBoy. If you are a fan of the manga you can score a really unique, handcrafted bag with Shinzaburo. Shinzaburo Hampu offers an interesting assortment of products in various color schemes and patterns, mostly bags but there are also hats, pencil cases, aprons and so on. Shinzaburo Hampu website: <a href="http://www.ichizawashinzaburohanpu.co.jp" rel="nofollow">http://www.ichizawashinzaburohanpu.co.jp</a> (lots of great photos, Japanese language only) Different Canvas As the two retail stores are right next to each other, you can check out both. It is said that the canvas fabric of Shinzaburo is thick, hard and has the paraffin smell of canvas. The Ichizawa Hampu fabric is soft and thin and doesn't smell like canvas. A second court case was concluded several months ago and the high court reversed the ridiculous decision of the Kyoto court. A graphologist (handwriting analysis expert) testified that the second will was a fraud and not written by the father. However, it seems that Ichizawa Hampu will stay in the hands of the elder brother. Nearly 10 years have now passed, the damage has been done and Shinzaburo Hampu has the name recognition now. So it seems that Ichizwa Hampu will just continue to wither. The only people that seem to purchase Ichizawa Hampu bags these days are foreigners. The publishers of guide books haven't heard the news yet, it seems. Somehow the news hasn't filter overseas yet. One of our intentions with OpenKyoto is to improve the city and it's culture. Patronizing a fraud like Ichizwa Hampu is certainly not good for Kyoto or the world. Help spread the word abroad that Ichizawa Hampu is not the brand and products that it used to be. Up-and-Coming: Tanaka Hokyo 京都・田中豊享の帆布＆デニムバッグ Tanaka Hokyo is the third generation owner of this bag company in Kyoto. He born in 1944 and his father and grandfather were designers too. Tanaka Hokyo studied design under a famous designer and then struck out on his own. He worked as an creator with more than 200 stores of Japanese traditional wear, Western clothing stores, fashion goods, and so on. About 30 years ago he discovered the fabric that was used when filtering Japanese sake which, after years of use is extremely durable and has a texture and feel that is unlike anything else. It is impregnated with sake mash! With this fabric from used sake bags (sakabukuro), he produced about 30,000 bags over the years. But as sake production changed getting the sakabukuro bags became increasingly difficult. Tanaka Hokyo developed a 'new' sakabukuro fabric that has the 'lived-in' quality of the authentic bags but could be obtained easily. With this new fabric in hand, Tanaka Hokyo started their original brand of bags in 1996. Tanaka Hokyo bags have become quite famous for their original fabric, canvas and denim that they have developed in recent years. All the bag fabrication is done by hand. website: <a href="http://www.hokyo-bag.jp" rel="nofollow">http://www.hokyo-bag.jp</a> (lots of great photos, Japanese language only) The Undiscovered:Cream Company (Harada Shoten) 原田商店 Cream is a small company in Kyoto that make some very unique and interesting bags. The owner of the company designs everything and really loves leather. Cream mainly sells their products wholesale, but they do have a little showroom on the second floor of their office. While not quite a store, it does have a show window and customers are welcome. The owner has always been very friendly with me, often travels abroad and speaks some English. My Favorite Leather Bags, Purses and Wallets in the World This series is made of Italian leather that has been woven in a Kyoto Nishijin weaving workshop with high quality Japanese linen into a mesh that the world has probably never seen before. The handles are made of Japanese cherry branches, with the bark still on, this material was common with traditional bags and crafts. Mesh Products <a href="http://www.cream-kyoto.com/cream_024.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.cream-kyoto.com/cream_024.htm</a> Products <a href="http://www.cream-kyoto.com/cream_013.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.cream-kyoto.com/cream_013.htm</a> Cream homepage (circa 1995 site and no English) <a href="http://www.cream-kyoto.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.cream-kyoto.com/</a> You can probably email Cream in *simple* English if need be, email address is on the site. peko on "Lunch near Houkyouji and Nishijin-ori Kaikan" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/lunch-near-houkyouji-and-nishijin-ori-kaikan#post-87 Wed, 11 Feb 2009 07:32:26 +0000 peko 87@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Rina, Thanks to you I discovered a new an excellent shinise in Kyoto for lunch. I visited Toriiwaro yesterday with a friend and really enjoyed it. The Food The oyako donburi was excellent, I think that it is the only thing that they offer for lunch. I did think that it was a little on the small side, but it is pretty heavy and 'soupy', I felt plenty full afterward. It came with a nice little cup of rich chicken stock. The accompanying takuan tsukemono was very run of the mill. But, for ¥850, I know of no better shinese lunch. The Atmosphere The atmosphere is really old Kyoto. We had lunch in a large, open room on the second floor overlooking a delightful and quite overgrown garden. This is a beautiful and quant machiya interior. You do have to sit on the floor, at low, tiny tables. After lunch we talked and sipped tea for another hour or so. Where to Eat in Nishijin: Toriiwaro Nishijin actually does not have many good restaurants, so this is a great place to go if you like chicken. I didn't see the dinner menu, but I understand that it is mizudaki, chicken nabe. I am sure that it is really good. miwa on "Lunch near Houkyouji and Nishijin-ori Kaikan" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/lunch-near-houkyouji-and-nishijin-ori-kaikan#post-84 Wed, 04 Feb 2009 14:00:06 +0000 miwa 84@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hello and welcome to this forum! There is a nice and traditional shinise chicken restaurant, called Toriiwaro (鳥岩楼), dinner can be expensive, but they serve very nice oyako donburi for 840 yen, it is a bit East, probably less than 10 minutes from Horikawa street. I think 2 hours for the lunch between the 2 places will be more than enough to walk to Toriiwaro and back and have leisurely lunch. Please enjoy! 西陣・鳥岩楼 Toriiwarou <a href="http://www3.ocn.ne.jp/~mao_utty/toriiwa/" rel="nofollow">http://www3.ocn.ne.jp/~mao_utty/toriiwa/</a> <a href="http://maps.google.co.jp/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=ja&geocode=&q=%E9%B3%A5%E5%B2%A9%E6%A5%BC&sll=36.5626,136.362305&sspn=45.719683,56.425781&ie=UTF8&z=13&iwloc=A&cid=35030871,135746665,6977823613938839834&ll=35.055435,135.754623">View Google Map</a> Kyoto-shi Kamigyo-ku Gotsuji-dori Chiekoin Nishi-iru Minami-gawa tel 075-441-4004 Closed on Thursdays 西陣・鳥岩楼 京都市上京区五辻通智恵光院西入南側　 tel（075）441-4004 FAX（075）441-4500 　 営業時間　昼12時～21時まで定休日　毎週木曜日 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.