Nishiki Market is an essential sight-seeing spot for food lovers visiting Kyoto. This 400 year-old market extends for 400 meters between Teramachi and Takakura and has the reputation of being a place where you can find anything! Almost everything here is locally produced and reasonably priced. Filled with all kinds of colorful sights, unusual smells and the cries of the market … [Read more...] about Strolling Down Kyoto’s Nishiki Food Market
Hiking & Haiku on the Uminobe-no-Michi Trail
For the last 3 years or so I have been joining the Hailstone Haiku Circle on their annual autumn hike. Always good outings, in previous years we have gone further afield to Mount Daisen in Tottori, and Tateyama in Toyama, but this year's hike was closer to home： along the Lakeside Way (湖ノ辺の道 Uminobe-no-michi), in Northern Shiga. These are haiku composition hikes, so we take … [Read more...] about Hiking & Haiku on the Uminobe-no-Michi Trail
Craft Beer in Kyoto
Craft beer is trending in Kyoto with craft beer festivals twice a year, many bars stocking varieties and some bars dedicating their business completely to promoting craft beer culture. There are two craft beer breweries in Kyoto, and another starting next year. Here I talk to Tadg McLoughlin who runs the eponymous Tadg's: a craft beer specialty bar in Kyoto, about being on the … [Read more...] about Craft Beer in Kyoto
On Herbs, Serendipity & Fair Trade in Kyoto
Za'Atar is an Arabic spice mix "made from mixing dried za'atar leaves together with varying combinations of other spices such as sesame seeds, thyme, marjoram, sumac and more." We bought a jar at the IDRO Japan charity sale last year, and then found ourselves wondering what to do with it. I can't remember who donated it, but they suggested we mix it with olive oil and use it as … [Read more...] about On Herbs, Serendipity & Fair Trade in Kyoto
Kyoto Tanabata Festival
Last weekend Mewby and I visited some of the Tanabata festival events now ongoing along the Horikawa and the Kamogawa rivers. Tanabata is the annual star festival celebrating "the meeting of the deities Orihime and Hikoboshi (represented by the stars Vega and Altair respectively)" (see more on Wikipedia!). The festival is celebrated on July 7th according to the modern calendar, … [Read more...] about Kyoto Tanabata Festival
Hydrangeas at Mimurotoji Temple
Here are some pictures from Mimurotoji Temple, in Uji which we visited last weekend. We were both very impressed with the expansive and very lovely gardens here. And the hydrangeas in all their many splendoured colours and varieties were amazing. These flowers are on display until July 15th (Monday) so there is still time to see them and the opening hours are 8:30 - 16.30. … [Read more...] about Hydrangeas at Mimurotoji Temple
Gelato @ Ristorante Strada, Kyoto
Here's a cool tip for the summer. Ristorante Strada has a gelato stand on Oike Street - and every flavour is intense. There are ten ever changing flavors to choose, which you pay for by the scoop. Mewby is a big fan of the rum raisin, but for me it's a toss up between the refreshing lemon or the juicy blueberry. Not that it's a problem if you order a double! You can find … [Read more...] about Gelato @ Ristorante Strada, Kyoto
Kyoto Kaleidoscope Museum ~ 京都万華鏡ミュージアム
Though small, this is certainly one of the most charming museums I have been to in Kyoto. Entry for adults is a mere 500 yen, and for that you get to play with around 50 of the 250 varied, inventive and frankly quite wonderful kaleidoscopes the museum has thus far collected. A sweet old gentleman and lady were very happy to show us how each instrument worked and once an hour … [Read more...] about Kyoto Kaleidoscope Museum ~ 京都万華鏡ミュージアム
Crossfit Kyoto
Last month Mewby and I completed an 8 lesson "Elements" training program over 4 weeks at Russell Trott's Crossfit Kyoto. I have to say that Russell is an excellent trainer, who takes everyone's personal abilities/needs fully into account during training and always with good humour. If you want to get fit, or at least start to feel fitter than you are now, you can't go wrong … [Read more...] about Crossfit Kyoto
Baird Beer & Oysters at Dining Room You
Many thanks to Robert Yellin for introducing us to Dining Room You, earlier this month. Hearing that they had both oysters and Baird beer there I was eager to give the place a try. We found it casual, and relaxed with a tiny garden at the back. Snow was gently falling to set the mood. Here's Robert in his element with a bottle of Angry Boy Brown Ale. Realizing that the … [Read more...] about Baird Beer & Oysters at Dining Room You
Bocca del Vino
Yesterday, Mewby & I celebrated five years together with dinner at Bocca del Vino. We ate there once before, about four years ago now, and I am happy to say that the food and service remain excellent. If you like Italian and you are looking to celebrate a special occasion with something a little bit special, then I definitely recommend splashing out at Bocca del … [Read more...] about Bocca del Vino
