Day 12: Nishiki Market, Kyoto

Previously:
Day 12: Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), Kyoto

When you guys visit Kyoto, please please do not miss this market!!  Nishiki market is loaded with variety of food and snacks that you are hardly get them combined all together in one market.  I had sample a few of those yummy snacks to the extent where my tummy can't handle food no more.  Here are some of the shots of the markets that I took including the food that we tried.  So enjoy and octie appetie.

Nishiki Market

Fresh Oysters 1,000yen/4 pieces

Unagi square sushi 250yen

chopstick rests

Deep fried stuff

Tofu doughnuts with chocolate topping 250yen/6 pieces

This the one snack that I've been looking forward the most from this market.  Doughnuts that are made from soy bean.  It's like eating junk food in a healthier way.  The texture is pretty much the same with normal doughnut but it tastes slightly lighter.  At first, I though that chocolate sauce on top would similar with any crappy chocolate topping sauce I always get in any cheap ice cream shop in Australia, however I was absolutely mistaken, it tastes really good and definitely goes very well with those doughnuts.

Omelettes 350yen

Salmon roe

There is a small temple at the end of the street of the market and we made a short visit to say thank you for the food that we ate just now.  All delicious.

Nishiki market

Stalls:

Mochiyaki Rice Crakers

Konnamonja Doughnuts

Miki Keiran Omelettes

and plenty more.

Opening hours: 09:00 - 18:00

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Japan:

Day 12: Gion, Kyoto

Day 12: Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), Kyoto

Previously:
Day 11: Dinner at Tenaga Ashinaga, Takayama

After explored the beauty of Takayama Old Town, now we are heading further south to another fascinating city named Kyoto.  This city is a blend between modernisation mix with old historic sites that lives in harmony. From Takayama, we need to make our way back to Nagoya station then transit to a different Shinkansen to Kyoto station.

Once we arrived at Kyoto station, we were blown away by how many restaurants inside the station itself.  We were landed in this one restaurant serving common Japanese food just for a quickie.  As we gonna have a long journey ahead discovering the charisma of Kyoto city.

Beef Curry Rice

Pork Donburi

Kyoto Tower

There is of course train that you can catch to go from one point to another covered by JRP.  However, it is not as convenient as if you take a bus.  You only need to pay 500yen for a day pass and most of the tourist attractions are just located a stone away from the bus stop.

The main bus stop is sited right outside Kyoto station and you can buy the ticket from information centre.  Just wait in the correct stand to wherever you want to go and wait the bus from there.  Our first stop is Kinkakuji or the Golden Pavilion.  The place is really really amazing, shining gold although nothing much else to see in here beside the pavilion, but it is definitely a nice site to visit, is something unique and enticing.

Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion)

Mango Ice Cream

Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), Kyoto

From Kyoto station take bus number 101 or 205 

It takes about 40 minutes

Entry fee: 400yen/adult

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Japan:

Day 12: Nishiki Market, Kyoto

Day 11: Dinner at Tenaga Ashinaga, Takayama

Previously:
Day 11: Shirakawa-Go

This is our last night in Takayama yet we haven't tried their delicacies, Hoba Miso Steak dish in a proper way in a proper restaurant.  So we did food hunting, in the middle of Takayama town in searching the would be nice restaurant to complete our wish list.  Then we spotted this not so big restaurant in one of small alley.  Their menu looks very tempting and the price is pretty reasonable too, even slightly less than standard I guess.  

Sukiyaki 2,880yen

Hoba Miso Steak (50gr) 1,480yen

The food was great, it exceeds our expectation.  We really had a good beef meal here.  Their Sukiyaki was absolutely delicious, the broth was sweet and full of flavour.  For my dish the Hoba Miso steak was also sensational, the meat itself was fatty and marbling, just melt-in-your-mouth.  Miso paste and beef are definitely married well together.  What else can I say, tonight meal were totally yum.. yum... yummmm.

Tenaga Ashinaga

3-58-11 Hommachi, Takayama

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Japan:

Day 12: Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), Kyoto

Day 11: Shirakawa-Go

Previously:
Day 10: Dinner at Takayama


Early morning we went to the same bus stop with yesterday, but this time we were heading to Shirakawa-Go.  Only about 50 minutes away from Takayama by bus.  This town is very unique, unique with their house shape.  Only less than 2,000 local people populate in there, very very quite town.  A day tour is probably enough, but if you want to indulge deeper with the way people live there and sample their local food cooked by the local people, do stay in one of their minshuku.  It would be one of your memorable experiences.

Since Shirakawago became a UNESCO site, the number of tourists visiting this place grew rapidly, therefore it also helps increasing their economy.  However, in the down side, there was an outbreak of damage to the area from tourists entering people's homes to see how they lived, taking pictures and other such manners.  There is also a fear growing that the change to catering to tourists will harm the charm of the area's simplicity and fundamental Japanese scenery.

Therefore, Please do care of the environment and surroundings when you are visiting anywhere!!  Help in protecting and preserving the World Heritage sites, so others still have a chance to see this beautiful scenery.  And respect the ancestors and local people who actually build this magnificent place with their own hand and hard work.

Hidagyu Kushiyaki (Beef Skewers)

They smartly use the natural spring water flow from the mountain to keep the bottle of drinks cool.  Fridge is not needed around here. 

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Japan:

Day 11: Dinner at Tenaga Ashinaga, Takayama

Day 10: Dinner at Takayama

Previously:
Day 10: Gujo Hachiman (Part 2)

I'm not too sure what was the name of the shop, but it always busy around lunch and dinner time.  Expecting a very long queue and bit of wait.  Luckily, we went there outside the eating hour, nearly 9pm, the restaurant only have a few people dining in there.  However, the one dish that I'd been looking forward since yesterday afternoon is sold out, the sliced roast pork with raw yolk on top of rice.  That's why we ordered Gyudon and Roast beef noodle soup instead.

Beef skewers 500yen/each



Gyudon 750yen



Roast beef noodle soup (large) 1400yen

Takayama's ramen is a little different from ramen in Kanto region.  The noodle here is thinner and more like egg noodle texture.  I honestly enjoy more with this type of noodle.  Plus those medium rare roast beef on top were absolutely gorgeous.  The soup was clear and flavoursome as well.

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Japan:

Day 11: Shirakawa-Go