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
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
