Here is a short list of locations where you can get hold of natural food supplies and other earth friendly products while in Kyoto. It is far from exhaustive I’m sure, so if you know of any other places you think should be up here, write and tell me in the comments box below. Natural Foods Donguri is a small shop on Kitaoji that is packed full of goodies. In addition to … [Read more...] about In Search of… Natural Food
Kyoto Cycling Tour Project
Kyoto Cycling Tour Company offers a variety of bicycles for rent, ranging in price from ￥1,200 to ￥3,000 a day. For those who wish to go it alone, the friendly staff will be happy to suggest the best cycling courses and there is also a very handy K.C.T.P. cycling map available. In addition to its rent-a-cycle service K.C.T.P. also offers cycling tours of Kyoto with … [Read more...] about Kyoto Cycling Tour Project
Earth Kitchen Company
Earth Kitchen Company on Marutamachi offers Japanese “Obento” lunch-boxes that are completely natural, chemical-free and super-nutritious. They have a variety of lunch-boxes on offer; meat-based, fish-based and tofu-based and all are priced at 950 yen (except "today's bento" which is 930 yen). In addition to the tofu lunchboxes, vegetarians can also enjoy the veggie salad … [Read more...] about Earth Kitchen Company
Hōnen-In Temple & Gallery
法然院 is a lovely temple with carefully tended gardens nestled in the foothills of Kyoto's eastern mountains. It was founded in 1680, and named after the priest Hōnen, who devoted his life to seeking salvation for all, no matter what their station in life. Today this temple holds regular exhibitions of both local and international artists. At the time of writing, there are … [Read more...] about Hōnen-In Temple & Gallery
Mo-An
Boys and girls take note: this is an ideal spot for a date. 茂庵 isn't cheap (by any means), but such a lovely cafe in such a beautiful setting, can get away with the mick-taking prices. Set deep in the woods of Mount Yoshida, on the second floor of an old wooden building, it is a quiet spot in a sea of green. The windows on the west look out over dramatic views of the city, and … [Read more...] about Mo-An
Funaoka Onsen
Kyoto is littered with sento (public bath houses) but 船岡温泉 is perhaps the most famous. Opened in 1923, it still has some fabulous wooden relief carvings on the walls of the changing rooms depicting Japanese troops invading some part of the world or other (many sources say it's Manchuria but don't quote me on that). Unfortunately, I didn't quite have the nerve to get my big old … [Read more...] about Funaoka Onsen
NEGA・POSI
NEGA・POSI is a very cool live music venue a little way south of Marutamachi Dori on Ainomachi Dori (間之町通り). They have live music here several days a week and the entry fee ranges from ￥1500 to ￥3500 (cheaper if you book in advance). In addition to the well stocked bar (ice-cold draft beers at ￥600!) they also have a food menu which I haven't tried yet, but judging by the gusto … [Read more...] about NEGA・POSI
Gojo Guesthouse
Gojo Guesthouse is a clean and friendly English-speaking hostel conveniently located on Gojo Dori and so not too far from either Kiyomizu Gojo Station or the town center. A short walk north of here towards Gion, will take you into some of the traditional machiya streets of old Kyoto, and it also happens to be a very good maiko-spotting area. A short hike east will take you up … [Read more...] about Gojo Guesthouse
BAR Cafezinho
Bar Cafezinho owes its existence to it's owner's love of Brazilian music; Samba, Bossa Nova and Pagode. A cafe/bar, Bar Cafezinho's strongest point is the cheap, cheap menu. You can get good, strong, Brazilian coffee at only 200 yen a cup and the whisky here is also remarkably cheap at roughly half the price you'll find elsewhere. Here's my lunch; a vegetarian coconut curry … [Read more...] about BAR Cafezinho
Zanpano
Zanpano is on Higashioji Dori overlooking the railway crossing at Mototanaka. Take a seat by the windows, order a coffee and watch the cute little toy-like trains of the Eiden line busily rumble by. The café is decorated with instruments, lots of vinyl records and the owner’s own manga collection. It feels like a treasure trove. Spend a little time listening to the music here … [Read more...] about Zanpano
進々堂
Not to be confused with the chain of bakery/restaurants that litter Kyoto’s thoroughfares, but sharing the same name and founder, Shinshindo (進々堂) is a famous café/bakery just opposite Kyoto University that is well worth a visit if you happen to be in the area. Hitoshi Tsuzuku founded Shinshindo in 1930, a few years after becoming the first Japanese baker to study authentic … [Read more...] about 進々堂
