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
The Miho Museum
If you fancy a day out of Kyoto and a bit of fresh country air, a trip into Shiga to visit the Miho Museum might be a nice little adventure for you. This is a most extraordinary private art collection, held in a most extraordinary building, and in an extraordinary location! The building itself is remarkable, designed by I. M. Pei (he's the guy that designed the glass pyramid … [Read more...] about The Miho Museum
りほう
There's a tree-lined canal that runs between Shirakawa and Higashioji Dori that is one of Kyoto's best kept secrets. Follow it south and then east and it leads on to the far more famous 哲学の道 ("The Path of Philosophy"), but follow it north in the springtime and you can enjoy the cherry blossom here minus the crowds of tourists, and in June it's also a good area to spot … [Read more...] about りほう
The Wellers Club
The Weller’s Club is a spacious bar/club venue on Takoyakushi Dori. The owner, Yamamoto-san is a big fan of Paul Weller (hence the name) and also of British pub culture, and in 1998 opened this club with the intent of creating a space where people could meet and have a drink while listening to British music. The array of musical events that go on each month are not … [Read more...] about The Wellers Club
Chikyuya
Chikyuya serves cheap and cheerful izakaya style booze and nosh a short walk to the south of the Kawaramachi/Shijo intersection. The atmosphere is super casual here; everyone crowds in together and the evidence of many a good night is left pinned to the walls in the form of photos, business cards and obscure notes. Chikyuya has always been popular with students in … [Read more...] about Chikyuya
Tsurugi
On a quiet backstreet, just west of Kawaramachi, sits Tsurugi, a shabby little bar with bad plumbing and uncertain opening hours that I love. Two years ago I strolled into this bar quite by chance and was immediately struck by how friendly both the master and his customers were. People can be a bit stuck-up in Kyoto so this was no small thing. The master, … [Read more...] about Tsurugi
Flea Market at Chionji
"Tezukuri Ichi" is a fleamarket held at Chionji Temple on the 15th of every month. Here you can by all kinds of handicrafts, ethnic clothing, food, pottery... what I tend to think of as "nice-stuff-I-don't-really-need". However, I like the atmosphere there (crowded yet curiously relaxed) and I like people watching, so I went along today with my camera to give you a glimpse of … [Read more...] about Flea Market at Chionji
