City Guide
Let's Go To Kyoto
15 November, 2023
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Kyoto sunset.Kyoto is one of our favourite places in the world! From shrines and historical wonders, to natural wine and paddock to plate food, to some of the world’s best shops, here are the places we visited recently.
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Alkaa.03
Archi.Food/Coffee/Wine
Archi
Located in the back streets, this little wine bar and café is in an old machiya house. Keeping all the original details, they’ve added a coffee bar. The vibe is peaceful and welcoming.
Coimo Wine
This place is a little far out but worth it! Delicious little snacks made with local ingredients, with a pleasant wine list. The owners were so kind.
Alkaa
A fancy natural wine bar with a moody atmosphere and some yummy plates of food.
Monk
If you can book Monk, I would go. He’s a wildly talented chef and it’s located on the beautiful Philosopher’s Path. He makes his own sourdough pizza in front of you.
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Monk.05
Food & Wine at Archi.06
Sugari.07
Tarel.Sugari
The best ramen we had (we even went twice in one day) and the old house it’s in was incredible. You order on the machine downstairs and take your ticket up. Each seat has a draw full of spices under the tabletop.
Tarel
We went for lunch and drank nice wines and ate some really yummy snacks. It’s in a shipping container.
Farmoon
A delightful place for lunch that serves homemade tofu and fermented food.
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Farmoon.09
Enjoying ramen at Sugari.Shops
Sowgen
A lovely antique store.
Beams Japan
This store is Beams’ project which curates items across a broad range of categories based on the keyword of "Japan". Famous and traditional brands will collaborate with Beams like soap, traditional ceramics, textile manufacturers etc.
Kapital
Always a must.
Lader
A cool little kitchenware store.
Workshop Records
A record store located upstairs in a random building. They have a good selection.
Shichimiya Honpo
A shop just for spices.
Hatsuka
A little antique shop.
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Lader.Things to do
Ride a bike up the Philosopher's Path.
A trip to Arashiyama is always fun.
Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine - while it's touristy, it's pretty cool.
Kyoto University Museum - we didn't make it here, but it was on our list of places to visit.
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Philosophers Path.12
Arashiyama.13
Ki: The chicken plate.[Ki:]
This Lebanese restaurant is found down a back street on a stream. The smell of charcoal wafts out from the small space. The food comes as a plate with pitas, meat, pickles and dips. Yum!
Sumi Wine
At Sumi you pay for tokens and then you serve yourself. Each wine is natural and there’s a tier in quality. There’s also a wine shop upstairs.
Kumano Wine House
A vibey little wine bar that has an extensive natural wine list, tasty food and a fun atmosphere. Make sure you book.
Songbird Coffee
We visited Songbird Coffee on our very first trip to Japan over a decade ago. It’s still just as delicious. The curries are so tasty!
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Yoshihara outside.15
Yoshihara inside.Yoshihara.
Down a few side streets, Yoshihara is the sweetest café hidden between houses. The inside is a renovated machiya house, the coffee is top notch and the couple running it are delightful.