City Guide
Directions: Explore Kyoto
2 August, 2024
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Tara in Kyoto.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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Ace hotel.03
Kyoto.Stay:
Ace Hotel Kyoto
When Kengo Kuma designs a space you know it's going to be good. The ace is just so cool and it's in Sanjo, which is a fun little area. On this trip we did out very first candle making workshop at the Ace Hotel, which was an absolute dream come true. A stay here is well worth it!
Machiya Inn
Traditional Japanese townhouses.
Tsuga Shares Hotel
Great place to stay in the heart of Kyoto.
Nol Kyoto
Perfectly located, large rooms and wooden baths.
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Nol Kyoto.Eat
Suba
A very cool, very delicious soba restaurant.
Tadka2
We know it sounds strange to say that this was the best Indian meal we have had so let's say it was the best Indian fusion meal we've had. It was blow-your-mind good! They had a yummy curry leaf cocktail and lots of good natty wines.
Noodle Shop Rennosuke
Michelin star ramen! We came about this place by total accident - we were mapping whee to eat for dinner and it was a 4 min walk from our accomodation and what a happy accident it was! It was so yummy and well priced! You can book through their website.
Dupree
This is always on our list but it's such a good spot! The food is amazing, and their wine comes from their other business/bottle shop Ethelvine.
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Suba.06
Tadka2.Kumano Winehouse
Make sure you book before you go. It's French and the wine is great! One of our favourite meals.
Honke Owariya
Top notch traditional soba noodle house.
Mul
This tiny Korean restaurant is where it's at! Small shared plates packed with flavour and run by the sweetest woman.
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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Honke Owariya.08
Kumano Winehouse.Apartment
Apartment feels like you're in an apartment. It's open for lunch and then 4-6 is light snacks and 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.
[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.
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Food & Wine at Archi.10
Drinking wine at Apartment.11
Ki: The chicken plate.12
Tarel.Dupree
A delicious paddock to plate dinner.
Mon
An art gallery, mixed with a wine bar. A must while you are in Kyoto!
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.14
Enjoying ramen at Sugari.15
Yoshihara inside.16
Yoshihara outside.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!
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.
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T.T Gallery.18
Kew.Shop
D&Department
We go to every D&Department store, we are a big fan! This is the first time we ate there and the curry we had was sooooo good! We also purchased some "mozzie coils" and trying to explain to the girls who worked there that that is what we call them in Australia, made us realise that Aussie Slang is hilarious.
T.T Gallery
This is a clothing brand by Taiga Takahashi, with the most phenomenal fit out ever. It makes you wish you had an income to buy into what they are selling. All their clothes and denim and naturally dyed and locally made. There is a tea ceremony on top you can book as well.
Tezomeya
This cute little shop and workshop operated from an old machiya. Tezemeya uses the natural power of plants to dye complex colours and you can see it all happen here.
Books and Things
A hidden gem of a bookstore filled with vintage books.
Graphpaper
Great basics and simple but elevated pieces.
Kyo
This delightful space was renovated keeping the structural integrity of the building. They have covered the staircase and walls with washi paper and built stunning shelves and joinery. The shelves are filed with beautiful homewares from Japan.
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T.T Gallery.20
Tezomeya.Record Shop GG
Spend some time sifting through and find yourself some gems.
DonKou / Kissa Fang
While it takes awhile to get to, this place was magical. You have to reserve one of the six spots per session (three sessions each day) which run for 90 minutes. You get a coffee or tea while you read their wide selection of rare books from architecture, to fashion to art and crafts. The view is out to the forest. It's super quite though so be prepared to zen out for a bit
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Kissa Fang.22
Kissa Fang.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.Do:
Kamigamo Shrine
A lovely place to spend some time wandering around.
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.