Today I would like to introduce the Kyoto Insider Sake Experience; a wonderful brewery tour and sake tasting that Mewby and I recently enjoyed with our friendly guide, Kotaro Hashimoto, in the historic Fushimi district of Kyoto. These days Kyoto's Fushimi district is best known among international travelers as the location of Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine and the … [Read more...] about Kyoto Insider Sake Experience – Discovering Nihonshu in the Fushimi Brewing District
Villa Pontocho – A Luxury Two-Roomed Hotel in Kyoto’s Geisha Quarter
The narrow alleyway of Pontocho is one of the most atmospheric and best-preserved traditional areas of Kyoto. One of five geisha quarters in Kyoto, it lies between the Kamogawa River and leafy Kiyamachi Street and is a popular spot in which to imbibe the scenery and mood of the old capital. In March 2018 a new luxury boutique hotel opened in this prime location: the Villa … [Read more...] about Villa Pontocho – A Luxury Two-Roomed Hotel in Kyoto’s Geisha Quarter
Hotel Material – A Stylish New Hotel in the Heart of Kyoto
Hotel Material is a stylish new boutique hotel tucked away in a quiet corner of the Higashiyama sightseeing district. Newly opened in December 2017, the hotel already has a good reputation for its comfortable rooms, friendly staff, and optimal location. Guest rooms This hotel has just six rooms, all of them tastefully decorated and equipped with a fridge, flat-screen … [Read more...] about Hotel Material – A Stylish New Hotel in the Heart of Kyoto
Seimei Jinja Shrine
Last summer I happened to be up in Kamigyo-ku Ward in north-west Kyoto and took the opportunity to visit Seimei Jinja Shrine. This is a little shrine, and easily missed, but it has a very special character and history, and I had long wanted to take a look at it. You will notice as soon as you arrive here the ubiquitous design of the five-pointed star or pentagram. This … [Read more...] about Seimei Jinja Shrine
Kyoto Brighton Hotel
Kyoto Brighton Hotel is a lovely, old-style, upscale hotel close by Kyoto Imperial Palace Park. This hotel is renowned for its hospitable service and top-notch dining facilities. To be honest, this hotel doesn't look so impressive from the outside, but step inside and - - Whoa! Check out that massive interior atrium! Six floors high and flooded with natural light, the … [Read more...] about Kyoto Brighton Hotel
Craft Beers at Kyoto Brewing Company Taproom
Here's a pleasant way to spend a lazy weekend afternoon. Head down to Kyoto Brewing Company's Taproom and enjoy the very freshest craft beers in a super relaxed and casual space. If the weather is good you can sit outside, and if not, you can chat to the friendly brewery staff indoors as they pull your pints. In the colder months they will also set up a tent outside with … [Read more...] about Craft Beers at Kyoto Brewing Company Taproom
Ramen Factory Kyoto
Ramen Factory Kyoto is a new place near Tofukuji Temple where you can experience both making and eating your very own Kyoto style ramen. This shop is a side project of Menbakaichidai, a famous "fire ramen" restaurant that has been serving and entertaining ramen fans in Kyoto for the last 30 years. Check out the video for Ramen Factory below. Updated Details Ramen … [Read more...] about Ramen Factory Kyoto
Dough – Kyoto’s Best Bread Shop & Bakery
Back when I lived in central Kyoto I was frequent visitor to the bakery Bread Room and happily recommended that fine little shop on Deep Kyoto in 2009. A few years ago though I moved down to Fushimi, invested in a bread making machine, and naturally lost touch with that fabled purveyor of fine baked goods. As it turns out, in the intervening years the owners of that shop have … [Read more...] about Dough – Kyoto’s Best Bread Shop & Bakery
Shinkamanza Machiya Resort Named “Village Kiramachi”; New Photos from Our Stay
A few months ago I wrote about an innovative machiya townhouse revival project in the Shinkamanza district of central Kyoto. Under the supervision of local architectural company, Good Design Works, not just one traditional townhouse but a whole group of houses has been renovated and reinvented as a single integrated resort hotel. I have now been informed that the resort has … [Read more...] about Shinkamanza Machiya Resort Named “Village Kiramachi”; New Photos from Our Stay
Hyatt Regency Kyoto
The Hyatt Regency is a lovely hotel on Shichijo Dori Street that occupies the affordable end of luxury. Mewby and I have a special fondness for this hotel because we stayed there on our wedding night. Imagine this - after a very happy, but of course very busy and honestly quite nerve-wracking day, we arrived at the hotel tired and relieved to be greeted with warm smiles and … [Read more...] about Hyatt Regency Kyoto
Speak Easy – American Style Diner by Shugakuin Station
Speak Easy is an American style diner up by Shugakuin Station which is famous for its great range of burgers, breakfasts, and Mexican style food. There used to be another branch of this shop in the town center that Mewby and I would regularly frequent back when we lived in that area. I was a big fan of their vegetarian gluten burgers and their crispy onion rings and I was most … [Read more...] about Speak Easy – American Style Diner by Shugakuin Station
