KPIC is a free resource and information center for foreign tourists and residents in Kyoto. The friendly staff speak fluent English and there is also a free counselling service available in five different languages for those needing advice about employment, housing, medical care or... pretty much anything really. Whether you need to find an English speaking … [Read more...] about Kyoto Prefectural International Center
Yamatoya
This delightful cafe first opened in 1970 and has since become another of Kyoto's much loved "legendary places". I guarantee you will be pleased as punch to find this cafe. Though the menu is not especially pricey, the interior is absolutely gorgeous. No expense has been spared on the state of the art audio equipment, the elegant furniture or its upkeep. And you may find … [Read more...] about Yamatoya
Rokuyosha
Listed in the “Kyoto Music Spots” guide book (京都音楽空間 ) as one of the “legendary places" of Kyoto Rokuyosha (六曜社) is a old-style café on Kawaramachi. A handy location to pop into for a breather if you are shopping, Rokuyosha is famous for it’s delicious home-roasted coffee beans and tasty home-baked donuts. In fact so famous are these old-style donuts that people of a sweet … [Read more...] about Rokuyosha
Mole
On Gokomachi Dori, just a little north of Oike Dori and just removed from the hubbub of the city, is a little corner of peace-of-mind: the ambient cafe Mole. The entrance is wreathed in greenery and looks for all the world like a flower shop. Enter and be greeted by the sound of chimes. Everything here; the plants, the decor, the music and the softly spoken staff, all are … [Read more...] about Mole
Gospel
GOSPEL is in a word: posh. It's the sort of place you would bring your mum or a favorite aunty when she comes to visit. I'd recommend treating her to the scone set with a hot pot of orange pekoe tea. She'd like that. This beautiful old western-style building sits on a corner of Shishigatani Street looking like something out of a fairy tale. Step in through the rose … [Read more...] about Gospel
In Search of… Natural Food
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
