Though the journey could have been completed in 36 minutes, we prefer to take things slow when travelling. Our 2.4 km walk took 4.5 hours, with numerous stops along the way.
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Kyo Yuba Mitakyu was an unexpected find in Kiyomizu
When soymilk is heated in a large pot, the lipids and proteins contained in the soybeans form a film on the surface and harden. By scooping it up, it becomes yuba.
Continue readingPilgrimage to Higashiyama for Studio Ghibli merch
The highlight for most people is the majestic Kiyomizudera Buddhist temple. But for us, it was the two Ghibli stores in Ninenzaka and Kiyomizu.
Continue readingTwo very different Yasaka Jinjas in Namba and Gion
A large, ominous-looking lion glared at us menacingly, with a fierce and imposing expression that threatened, “Enter at your own risk!”
Continue readingSake bingo at Asano Nihonshu Ten in Kyoto
That night, we had Kaze no Mori (風の森) from Nara, Yuki no Bosha (雪の茅舎) from Akita, Zaku (作) from Mie, Daishichi (大七) from Fukushima, Mimurosugi (みむろ杉) from Nara and Tamajiman (多満自慢) from Tokyo.
Continue readingSix Kaze no Mori sakes in one sitting
“Sumimasen, Kaze no Mori onegaishimasu,” I requested. Pointing to the menu that featured tasting flights of sake by breweries from all over Japan.
Continue readingThe chunky and yummy yakitori of Yanagi Koji Taka
Ironically, yakitori wasn’t even on our radar for Kyoto. But I’m glad we ended up having some anyway, even though it was totally by accident.
Continue readingComparing seven rice polishing ratios of the same sake
If only there was a Japanese brewery that made the exact same sake, the exact same way but changed only the seimaibuai for different bottles.
Continue readingGion to Ginkakuji via the Philosopher’s Path
The 5.7-kilometre walk was quite an achievement for us, and easily one of the longest we’ve ever completed while on vacation.
Continue readingElegant tofu kaiseki at Rengetsujaya in Higashiyama
Tofu may seem like a humble ingredient but centuries — no, millennia — of refinement in Kyoto has elevated it to a delicacy.
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