Nishiki Market 錦市場 ♥ ♥ ♥

 

If you find yourself in Kyoto and are a lover of food, a visit to Nishiki Market is in order.

More than one hundred shops and restaurants selling everything food-related - edibles and non-edibles - like fresh seafood, pickled vegetables, freshly roasted chestnuts, sushi magnets, macaron charms, knives, unagi, slippers… You name it, they've got it. 

It is a great place to sample local delicacies and buy gifts to bring home. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Baby octopus, anyone? 

 

Nishiki Market 錦市場 - one block north and parallel to Shijo-dori, and west of Teramachi-dori.

Nishiki Market Website (Japanese Only)

Gion District ♥ ♥ ♥

 

Gion is Kyoto's most popular geisha district.

The streets and its side alleys are lined with well-preserved traditional machiya wooden houses, many of which now serve as teahouses and restaurants where guests are entertained by geisha and maiko (geisha apprentices). 

Unfortunately, we didn't see any of them walking around the area that afternoon, but looking at the beautifully rustic machiya houses was enough to keep us happily entertained.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the other hand, we spotted some very non-geisha-ish subjects.

 

 

 

 

 

 HA HA HA!  Hahahahahaha!!!!!! :P

 

"Perhaps it seems odd that a casual meeting on the street could have brought about such change. But sometimes life is like that, isn't it."

"I don't know when we'll see each other again or what the world will be like when we do. We may both have seen many horrible things. But I will think of you every time I need to be reminded that there is beauty and goodness in the world."

- Arthur Golden, Memoirs of a Geisha

Kiyomizuzaka Yatuhashi Syu ♥ ♥ ♥

 

After walking up and down the Kiyomizu Temple, the sight of this cream puff shop was such a welcome treat! I was so excited I let out a squeal! :D

 

Creeeeeaaaaaaaammmmmmmmmm ppuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuffffffffffffffffffff ♥ ♥ ♥

 

 

There was matcha, custard, and the season's limited edition chestnut

 

 

The choux pastry was made in-house so each piece was as fresh as could be

 

 

The matcha puff was beautiful! A little sweet, a little bitter, and very, very grassy.
This is what all matcha puffs dream to be!

 

 

The chestnut puff was delicate and complex at the same time. I felt like I was eating
Autumn and Christmas :) 

 

Kiyomizuzaka Yatuhashi Syu: 262-2 Kiyomizu 1 Chōme, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Japan. Tel: 075-531-6956

Higashiyama District ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

 

 

It was such an enjoyable walk up and down the Kiyozumi Temple. The Higashiyama District is filled with narrow streets lined with rustic Japanese houses converted into cafes, restaurants and shops, all retaining their traditional design to preserve Kyoto's glorious past. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course, it really is a tourist area where you can find everything from pottery, porcelain, crafts, little Japanese snacks, mochi, and Hello Kitty.

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

And of course, where Jin is, there is always eating!

 

We had tofu, soba and unagi at Shibazaki (See post here)

 

 

Then we had matcha latte with red beans, mochi and sweet potato at Caffe Oggi (See post here)

 

 

And then we had matcha and chestnut cream puffs at Kiyomizuzaka Yatuhashi Syu (See post here)

BURP!!!!!!

 

 

And then, Geisha sightings!!!

 

 

I kept running after them for a photo op (pant, pant, pant)

 

 

Finally, they noticed and stopped for me. Lol!

 

 

There!!! A proper geisha souvenir! :)
Geishas are often described as "willows" because of their subtlety, strength and grace.

 

 

Next time l come to Kyoto, I'm gonna dress in a kimono like these tourists

 

 

This purple one is perfect!

 

 

And this man will be my date!

 

 

Spotted this Red Bull car on our way out