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Kyoto Support » Recent Topics http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Sad to say, but this lovely old town requires some support. en-US Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:53:42 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/search.php drdave on "Buying vinegar starter (mother of vinegar) in Japan..." http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/buying-vinegar-starter-mother-of-vinegar-in-japan#post-279 Mon, 31 Oct 2011 07:01:38 +0000 drdave 279@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ A tough one... I have decided to try my hand at homemade wine vinegar making and was hoping to get some of the precious bacteria commonly known as "mother of vinegar" (Mycoderma aceti). My research so far indicate that the common Japanese name might be 酢酸菌, but none of the variations on any of these names (katakana/no-katakana etc) comes up with anything on Rakuten (my usual last-ditch destination for hard-to-find items). From my understanding, I would do fine with *any* vinegar that has not been pasteurised (and therefore still contains some of the bacteria), but I doubt that applies to any of the ones I can find in a supermarket. Any suggestions? Jeff Aasgaard on "Ryokan Stories" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/ryokan-stories#post-277 Tue, 04 Oct 2011 16:23:50 +0000 Jeff Aasgaard 277@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Does anyone have any good or bad stories about their stay at a ryokan? 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> [Now Closed, Nov. 2011] 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) Silke on "Ramen-ya (Ramen Shops in Kyoto/Arashiyama)" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/ramenyas#post-274 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 22:58:34 +0000 Silke 274@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hi Michael (and everybody else) - what are your favorite Ramenyas in Kyoto? And bonus question: Any Ramenyas in Arashiyama as that's where we'll be staying? Thanks! JessTwiga on "Kyoto Yatsuhashi: delicious bridge cookies" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/delicious-bridge-cookies#post-161 Fri, 29 May 2009 11:44:20 +0000 JessTwiga 161@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ I'm looking for the name of an amazing cooking I have in the neighborhood of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka. I think it is baked mochi. They are about an inch long and half an inch tall and they look like little brown bridges or half a hollow log. They are crispy, slightly sweet, with a faint spice that I can't quite place. If you know what I'm talking about and could tell me the name that would be amazing!! They are truly one of my favorite cookies!! Thank you! berroci on "Abura soba in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/abura-soba-in-kyoto#post-267 Sun, 26 Jun 2011 08:25:18 +0000 berroci 267@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Does anyone happen to know of any good places to find abura soba in Kyoto? I've tried searching online, but my Japanese is nonexistent, so I haven't had much success (the best I found was a seasonal offering from a ramen place, circa two years ago). Thanks for any ideas you might have. blkprnc on "Donabe Seasoning" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/donabe-seasoning#post-268 Fri, 08 Jul 2011 20:20:31 +0000 blkprnc 268@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ My donabe has developed a black crust inside. Should I keep that or clean it out? slobin on "Food tours in Kyoto?" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/food-tours-in-kyoto#post-265 Tue, 08 Mar 2011 00:21:30 +0000 slobin 265@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ In preparation for an upcoming week in Kyoto, I've been spending a lot of time on this site... and loving it! However, its occurred to me (several times) that my wife and I are likely going to have a hard time finding some of these dishes / items - we don't speak any Japanese. Are you aware of anyone that does individualized "food walking tours" in Kyoto - e.g. bringing us to some of their favorite hole-in-the-wall places? We've been to Kyoto before... this time, we want to discover some more places off the tourist map. Thanks in advance for any suggestions! J Evenie on "Chiyogami factory in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/chiyogami-factory-in-kyoto#post-262 Tue, 22 Feb 2011 01:35:22 +0000 Evenie 262@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hello everyone, I am new on this forum and I find it's very useful! especially the foddie part:) I'd love to support Kyoto, this is the most beautiful town in the world (better than Paris where I live). I am currently in Kyoto until the end of March, and I want to visit a factory that makes chiyogami 千代紙 or katazomegami 型染紙. I am fond of japanese papers and I've already visited some of the paper shops in Kyoto (included Rakushi kan, where I did some washi stuff last week). But I'd like to know if some of you knows a way to visit the paper factories. Thank you a lot for your help! Hope to meet you here in Kyoto :) 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> 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! umeboshisan on "eating in large groups!" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/eating-in-large-groups#post-259 Mon, 01 Nov 2010 19:49:52 +0000 umeboshisan 259@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Has anyone ANY places where we can fit 16 people in to eat that relatively cheap? 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: Nihonshu Bar Asakura, Jizake Bar Zen, Sake Bar Yoramu. How about you? I highly recommend Nihonshu Bar Asakura and Jizake Bar Zen, and highly don't recommend Sake Bar Yoramu. 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. OpenKyoto article: <a href="http://openkyoto.com/dining/sake-bar-asakura.html" rel="nofollow">http://openkyoto.com/dining/sake-bar-asakura.html</a> 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) map: <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&lr=lang_en&msa=0&msid=115039365892753127164.000445cff35fa2bfc5a51&ll=35.011475,135.771092&spn=0.007179,0.007167&z=17&iwloc=00046c792533c44415caa">Nihonshu Bar Asakura@KyotoFoodie/OpenKyoto Map</a> 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: Near subway Oike Station. From the Sanjo-Karasuma intersection walk west on Sanjo Street to Muromachi Street, the first street on the left. Look for the ugly building on the south-west corner. Most of the buildings in the neighborhood are ugly, but they are short and ugly, not 5 stories tall. 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- 241-4007 (no English) mobile: 090-3494-7214 (no English) address: Kyoto-shi, Nakagyo-ku, Muromachi-dori Sanjo Nishi-iru, Koromonotana-cho 61-1 Mikasa Bldg 5F (京都市中京区室町通三条西入衣棚町61-1 三笠ビル5F) map: <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&lr=lang_en&msa=0&msid=115039365892753127164.000445cff35fa2bfc5a51&ll=35.00836,135.758722&spn=0.003585,0.004855&z=18&iwloc=00049310ce57c90742147">Jizake Bar Zen@KyotoFoodie/OpenKyoto Map</a> 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. 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! kcox on "Boba Tea" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/boba-tea#post-256 Thu, 23 Sep 2010 11:58:43 +0000 kcox 256@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hi, are there any places in Kyoto to get a boba tea? Or the drinks with tapioca pearls in them? Thanks! jborsecnik on "restaurant supply stores" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/restaurant-supply-stores#post-254 Tue, 21 Sep 2010 03:34:37 +0000 jborsecnik 254@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Are there any restaurant supply stores in Kyoto that are open to the public? I'd be looking both for bakeware/cookware/glassware and possibly bulk ingredients (e.g., vinegar). thanks, jb jborsecnik on "Where to buy flour?" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/where-to-buy-flour#post-250 Thu, 09 Sep 2010 04:45:52 +0000 jborsecnik 250@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Can anyone tell me where to buy anything other than white wheat flour in Kyoto? I'd like whole wheat flour and maybe rye, and I'd prefer un-bleached while flour. I'd also be interested in where to buy baking supplies. (fyi: One can buy semolina at Vivre on Kitaoji.) thanks, jeff b marimu on "Garden tools and seeds" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/garden-tools-and-seeds#post-249 Sun, 15 Aug 2010 14:12:15 +0000 marimu 249@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ I will visit Kyoto in october and want to buy some garden tools and seeds (flowers and vegetables). Where can I find them? peko on "Kyoto Incense Stores: Shoyeido, Yamada Matsu, Kyukyodo, Lisn" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/kyoto-incense-stores#post-248 Sat, 17 Jul 2010 17:41:44 +0000 peko 248@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Here is a run down on the major incense stores in Kyoto. With the exception of Lisn, all are shinise (old, traditional stores). Japanese incense makes for excellent gifts and souvenirs to take home. Shoyeido (松栄堂) Shoyeido, also spelled Shoeido (and pronounced ‘shoeido’) started in 1705 and offers a huge variety of the highest quality traditional Japanese incense, incense burners and other related traditional tools and accoutrements used to burn and appreciate incense in Japan. Shoyeido is a purveyor to the head temples of all the major Japanese Buddhist sects. Shoyeido has two locations in Kyoto, several in Tokyo and one in Hokkaido. Shoyeido is where I buy my incense for burning at home, usually horikawa and genroku. In my experience, Shoyeido is the most stuck-up shinise in all Kyoto. But, their customer service is very polite and the staff is usually quite nice. Kyoto Honten (main store) 松栄堂京都本店 tel: 075-212-5590 website: <a href="http://www.shoyeido.co.jp" rel="nofollow">http://www.shoyeido.co.jp</a> address: Kyoto-shi, Nakagyo-ku, Karasuma-dori, Nijo-agaru, Higashigawa(京都市中京区烏丸通二条上ル東側) map: <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=115039365892753127164.000445cff35fa2bfc5a51&ll=35.015042,135.759982&spn=0.003524,0.003718&z=18&iwloc=00048b8452ad6a539d5e3">OpenKyoto/KyotoFoodie Map</a> The Kyoto Main Store is located on the east side of Karasuma Street 2 1/2 blocks south of the Karasuma-Marutamachi intersection. Marutamachi Station on the Karasuma Subway Line is the closest station. Shoyeido is about a 5 minute walk to Kyoto Gosho Imperial Palace to the north and to the Kyoto International Manga Museum to the south. Yamada Matsu (山田松香木店) Yamada Matsu began around 1790 and is a purveyor of very fine incense and implements used in the burning and appreciation of Japanese incense. My experience with Yamada Matsu much more limited than the other stores mentioned in this post. It seems to me that if you know something about Japanese incense you can find what you are looking for here. I never quite know what to buy here and have never been really impressed with the incense that I bought. The showroom is very nice. At friends' houses though, I have experienced Yamada Matsu incense that impressed me. (I will keep shopping there and update this with more insight, hopefully.) Yamada Matsu is located on Muromachi-dori street a short walk to the west from Kyoto Gosho Imperial Palace. tel: 075-441-1123 website: <a href="http://www.yamadamatsu.co.jp" rel="nofollow">http://www.yamadamatsu.co.jp</a> address: Kyoto-shi, Kamigyo-ku, Muromachi-dori Shimodachiuri-agaru, Kageyukoji-cho 164 (京都市上京区室町通下立売上ル勘解由小路町164) map: <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=115039365892753127164.000445cff35fa2bfc5a51&ll=35.021667,135.757976&spn=0.003523,0.003718&z=18&iwloc=00048b848bd7be153fc10">OpenKyoto/KyotoFoodie Map</a> Kyukyodo (鳩居堂) Kyukyodo started in 1663 as an apothecary, the business soon expanded to incense and painted and calligraphic stationary. Kyukyodo is a one-stop shop for all manner of traditional tools and art objects related to calligraphy and painting, incense, tea ceremony, fans, washi paper and so on. Many beautiful and seasonal illustrated postcards, stationary sets, calendars and so on are also available. Kyukyodo is a great place to purchase some Kyoto-style souvenirs! There is also a store in Ginza, Tokyo. My favorite incense at Kyukyodo is not the variety that is burned but a kind of sachet, not at all 'girly'. They can be put in a wardrobe to give clothing a wonderful fragrance and under your pillow, for sublime dreams. tel: 075-231-0510 website: <a href="http://www.kyukyodo.co.jp‎" rel="nofollow">http://www.kyukyodo.co.jp‎</a> (Japanese only) address: Kyoto-shi, Nakagyo-ku, Teramachi Anekoji-agaru, Shimohonnojimae-cho 520 (京都市中京区寺町姉小路上ル下本能寺前町520) map: <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=115039365892753127164.000445cff35fa2bfc5a51&ll=35.011545,135.766382&spn=0.003524,0.003718&z=18&iwloc=00048b84765d32ba4e9fb">OpenKyoto/KyotoFoodie Map</a> Kyukyodo is located in the Teramachi Street Shopping Arcade at the north-west corner of Teramachi and Anekoji streets. It is about a 2 minute walk south from Oike Street. The closest station is Shiyakushomae (city hall), on the Tozai Subway Line. Lisn Lisn is a relatively new company started by Shoyeido whose tagline is "Sophisticated incense for listeners by Shoyeido Incense Co." Listeners? At first (some years ago) I thought that this brand was intended for people serious about music appreciation or something. But, to 'listen' to a fragrance is an expression for classical Japanese court life. I guess that if you have time to 'listen' to smells, life must be great! Lisn’s line on incense has never impressed me. It is all about presentation. I would guess that the scents are chemically created and not especially novel as compared to what is available in Western countries. Lisn does offer a plethora of scents to choose from, they have more than 200! The white, minimalist store is quite interesting. All the multicolored incense varieties are spread out on wavy glass sheets and you go make your way through the store with a self service tray that a staff member at the door has forced into your hands - whether or not you want to shop or just browse. (Not very Kyoto-style service.) Lisn also has stores in Tokyo and Helsinki. Hokey fragrance names include: Virginal, Hit My Soul, Since, Mother's Chest, Chuckling Wool, Visible. Did someone spend too much time flipping through a dictionary, and not enough time actually learning English? Prices are fairly reasonable, compared to Shoyeido. However, you only get 10 sticks rather than 20. The Kyoto store is located in the Cocon Karasuma shopping center located just south of the intersection of Shijo and Karasuma streets. A 1 minute walk from the Karasuma Station on the Hankyu Railway or Karasuma Subway Line. website: <a href="http://www2.lisn.co.jp" rel="nofollow">http://www2.lisn.co.jp</a> tel: 075-353-6466 address: Kyoto-shi, Shimogyo-ku, Karasuma-dori Shijo Sagaru Cocon (京都市下京区烏丸通四条下ル古今) map: <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=115039365892753127164.000445cff35fa2bfc5a51&ll=35.004067,135.75965&spn=0.003524,0.003718&z=18&iwloc=00048b859da14bb235e40">OpenKyoto/KyotoFoodie Map</a> Take Away: You might like Lisn, but the other incense companies mentioned above are have been loved by the people of Kyoto over the centuries and offer quality traditional fragrances that ought to be very difficult to find abroad. If you are a designer or marketer, the Lisn store, and all of Cocon ought to be of interest to you. jazz on "Kyoto Kaiseki Restaurant that Welcomes Kids" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/kaiseki-restaurant-that-welcomes-kids#post-244 Sun, 16 May 2010 02:32:59 +0000 jazz 244@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hi, I have two young pre-schoolers. Can anyone please recommend a kaiseki restaurant that welcomes kids? If possible, please include directions. Thanks. nowpot on "Mochi Making Lessons in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/mochi-making-lessons#post-240 Sat, 08 May 2010 01:55:26 +0000 nowpot 240@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hello! Is there a place where I can learn to make mochi? Maybe a school that specializes in making different kinds? I'm keen on making these at home :) And is there a place where I can buy sakura extract or flavoring? Thanks a lot! :) 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 "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.