Day 12: Gion, Kyoto

Previously:
Day 12: Nishiki Market, Kyoto

Pontocho is a narrow lane full of restaurants and bars running from Shijo-dori to Sanjo-dori, just one block west of Kamogawa River.  But we didn't have our dinner in here as it is more for tourist trap, so pricey.

Pontocho

Gion

Goin is another place that you need to visit while you are in Kyoto.  This place is very famous with their Geisha.  If you are lucky enough, be here around the Hanami Koji or Gion Corner area in the evening after 6pm, you may encounter with one of the genuine Geisha that only have about 250 Geisha in Kyoto.  You are allowed to take photo of her but do not stop or interrupt her, it is considered as rude and inappropriate behaviour.  They also tend to walk very fast and it is just the nature of them and they have been trained that way.  

We saw a few Geisha actually around this street, but didn't get a single nice shot of them.  As the light was very low and I didn't want to use flash, so all of my pictures are blurry and the one I post is so far the clearest I could get.

Cold soba set with tempura 1,400yen

Tempura assorted 1,000yen and rice with salmon cod roe 300 yen

In Gion, you feed your eyes with the enchanted beauty of Geisha and your mouth with the delicious crispy golden Tempura.  This one that we got were delicious, the vegetables and prawns tempura were deep fried to golden colour and the batter was very light and extremely crispy.  Then we got the choice to sprinkle some matcha salt on it as well.

Kyoto Tower

We stayed at APA Hotel for 2 nights while we're here in Kyoto.  You actually need abit of walk from Kyoto station to the hotel, is about 10 minutes walk but price per night is considerably cheap.  So far, I think, this is the smallest hotel we have stayed, yet still clean and staff are friendly as well.

Hotel APA Eki-Horikawadori, Kyoto

1 Aburanokoji-cho, Shiokoji-nishi

Aburanokoji-dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Japan:

Day 13: Kiyomizudera, Kyoto

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