Our last trip to Kansai was in October 2018. We barely scratched the surface of what the region had to offer, which is why we’re heading back to Osaka and Kyoto again next year. To return to some favourite spots, as well as to visit new and interesting places.
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Eleven days in Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto
After you’ve been to Tokyo and Hokkaido, the next logical region to visit in Japan is Kansai, where the cities of Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto are all within a short train ride of each other.
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Different shades of Kaiseki in Kansai
Kaiseki-ryōri (懐石料理) is a Japanese culinary tradition that dates back centuries. It is a multi-course meal that highlights local ingredients through different tastes, textures and techniques.
Each restaurant will have its own take, while still keeping within the broad confines of what constitutes a kaiseki meal. They don’t repeat, but they often rhyme.
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A leisurely day trip to Arashiyama
Arashiyama is a popular tourist spot in western Kyoto and made for a nice and easy day trip from our downtown hotel.
Our two main objectives of going there were to ride the Sagano Romantic Train and to take a walk through the famous bamboo forest.
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Dinner and drinks in Pontocho alley
A trip to Kyoto would not be complete without a night out in Pontocho alley, a long and narrow stretch lined with numerous restaurants and bars.
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Kyoto soba three ways
From their menu, you can infer that they get quite a lot of gaijin tourists, because there’s a helpful guide in English on how to eat soba.
What is missing from the guide though, is the most important fourth step: slurp the noodles as loudly as possible, preferably until someone turns around to look at you.
It’s a whole lot of fun, and don’t worry, it’s a sign of respect for the chef and totally acceptable behaviour.
Even the locals do it.
Really.
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The complete ryokan experience at Shiraume Kyoto
Tomoko-san is an impeccable host and runs her beautiful inn perfectly. I’ve heard the term omotenashi used many times before, but nowhere is this more evident than at Shiraume.
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Green tea pilgrimage to Ippodo Kyoto
I’m addicted to coffee but I do enjoy an occasional cup of tea, especially if it’s from Taiwan or Japan. Since we were spending a few days in Kyoto, it would have been incomplete if we didn’t pay a visit to the Ippodo Tea main store on Teramachi Street.
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Kyo Kaiseki in the heart of Gion
Having a Japanese kaiseki meal is an experience in itself, and there is no better place to enjoy it than in Kyoto, where it originated.
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