3 Days in Kyoto
In the garden of our Airbnb home (linked below in the city guide section)
COS Sweater, Proenza Schouler Skirt, The Row Shoes, Maison Michel Hat, Gucci Sunglasses, CVC Stones Necklace
Tara Jarmon Trench, Maison Labiche Sweater, Chanel Bag, Eric Javits Hat, Oliver Peoples Sunglasses
Oldest soba house in Kyoto (553-years-old), Honke Owariya
Heard there is usually a line, but arrived at 11am (opening time) and we were seated right away.
Fish cake for appetizers
Cold Hourai soba that comes with 8 toppings of shiitake mushrooms, shredded omelet, shrimp tempura, nori, wasabi, grated daikon, sesame seeds, and green Japanese leeks
Green tea and black sesame soft serve
We (party of 5) arrived without making a reservation and was turned away being told they are completely booked for the entire month. Plan ahead if you want to experience a traditional tea ceremony!
Tara Jarmon Trench, Maison Labiche Sweater, Moussy Denim, Golden Goose Sneakers, Chanel Bag, Eric Javits Hat, Oliver Peoples Sunglasses
Bought a box of rice cake (mochi) from a street vendor!
One-Michelin Star restaurant specializing in unagi (freshwater eel). We arrived a half hour before their 5pm opening time without a reservation and were luckily told we could be seated exactly at 5. There was a line forming already so a reservation is definitely recommended. If not, come around 4:30 and see if you can get on the list!
Their biggest offering for 5 people. Definitely more than enough food per person! It was really yum.
Took the train to Nara! First meal of the day at Tonkatsu Ganko.
One of Japan's most famous and historically significant temples and a landmark of Nara. Also has inside the Great Buddha Hall.
Deer are considered a national treasure and run freely in Nara.
Lehho Jacket, Proenza Schouler Skirt, Balenciaga Sneakers, Valentino Bag, Maison Michel Hat, WWAKE Necklace and Earrings
Roasted green tea / floatie break after Nara Park
Forever Museum of Contemporary Art for the Yayoi Kusama Exhibit!
Also came for the Kusama treats at NORTHSHORE (inside the museum)
Cotton candy seems really popular in Japan. Jeremy & Jemimah had some really great flavors such as matcha, sakura mochi, cherry blossom, roasted green tea, soy powder…
Really great lattes as well as baguettes w/ cheese and proscuitto (I may have enjoyed the sandwich even more than the coffee!).
Entering the park was super crowded and we followed what felt like an assembly line through the main path, but we tried to turn at different parts and discovered some quieter areas. It’s really amazing to look up and feel the vastness of the bamboo trees.
Kuho Coat, & Other Stories Dress, Golden Goose Sneakers, Kuho Bag
On line for when the restaurant opens at 11am. They are known for chazuke, a simple Japanese dish made by pouring green tea or dashi over cooked rice.
Finally in, and it was delicious.
There was a Rilakkuma “shrine” at the back of the Rilakkuma store and cafe (haha).
Miffy Sakura Bakery
The prettiest foot massage at Arashiyu after a long day.
A ride on the Sagano Romantic Train to view the autumn foliage
Quick last meal at Kyoto Station – really good conveyor belt sushi at Sushi no Musashi
Picking up snacks for the train ride from 551 Horai (at Kyoto Station). Originally from Osaka, these were legit the best pork buns I have tasted in my entire life.
Amazing bento boxes to-go (seriously on another level) and other snacks to try here.
Taking the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Tokyo!
Kyoto was magical! This was my third time to Japan and I felt like we were able to enjoy the culture a lot more without being so rushed. My first time to the country was about 10 years ago with my family and we did a Japan tour to all the major cities, and the second was three years ago to Kanazawa (you can read about it here). This year, we made the trip to Kyoto to celebrate my mother-in-law’s 70th birthday. We stayed in a really, really nice Airbnb home, where the set up was perfect for our family of 5. There was a spacious living area, dining space, full kitchen, three bedrooms, and two bathrooms (with full tubs). It was a really nice mix of modern and traditional, and our host was super accommodating. We cooked a few meals at home after shopping at the local supermarket (and let me tell you – you end up wanting to buy everything at Japanese supermarkets). I felt like this set up just made more sense than getting three rooms at a hotel somewhere; it gave us a lot of quality time to talk even late into the night and made it feel real. We spent two of the days exploring the city (lots of temples) and one day out in Nara – about a 40 minute train ride from Kyoto Station. I feel like we did so much in the few days we were there, but as always, there is never enough time when you’re traveling and exploring an amazing, amazing place. Below are the places I’ve visited on this trip, as well as some additional recommendations from others. Stay tuned for my Tokyo diary coming up next!
*Indicates I have not been yet, however have been recommended
Stay
Airbnb – where we stayed – local traditional-style townhouse
Perfect for our family! Houses up to 6 people and has everything you could possibly need.
Four Seasons Kyoto*
東山区妙法院前側町445-3
Kyoto, Kyōto
605-0932
The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto*
中京区鉾田町543
Kyoto, Kyōto
604-0902
Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Shinmachi Bettei*
中京区六角町361 (新町通六角下る)
Kyoto, Kyōto
604-8212
Sakura Terrace The Gallery*
東九条上殿田町39
Kyoto, Kyōto
601-8002
Villa Sanjo Muromachi Kyoto*
375, Ennogyouja-cho, Nagakyo-ku
Nakagyō, Kyōto
604-8174
Hotel Kanra Kyoto*
下京区北町190 (烏丸通六条下る)
Kyoto, Kyōto
Hotel The Celestine Kyoto Gion*
東山区八坂通東大路西入る小松町572
Kyoto, Kyōto
Kyomachiya Hotel Shiki Juraku*
東大路西入る小松町572 Yasaka Dori
Kyoto, Kyōto
605-0933
Caffeniate
% ARABICA KYOTO 嵐山
中京区晴明町650 (二条通柳馬場東入)
Kyoto, Kyōto
604-0951
% ARABICA KYOTO 東山*
東山区星野町87-5
Kyoto, Kyōto
Ippodo Tea*
中京区常盤木町52 (寺町通二条上ル)
Kyoto, Kyōto
604-0915
Cafe Bibliotic Hello!*
中京区晴明町650 (二条通柳馬場東入)
Kyoto, Kyōto
604-0951
Vermillion - cafe.*
伏見区深草稲荷御前町85
Kyoto, Kyōto
612-0881
Weekenders Coffee 富小路*
中京区骨屋之町 (富小路六角下ル西側コインパーキング裏)
Kyoto, Kyōto
604-8064
Sweets
Rilakkuma Cafe
右京区嵯峨天龍寺北造路町15
Kyoto, Kyōto
616-8374
Miffy Sakura Bakery
20番27 Sagatenryuji Tsukurimichicho
Ukyō, Kyōto
616-8384
NORTHSHORE kyoto gion museum店
東山区祇園町南側570-2 (フォーエバー現代美術館 ミュージアムカフェ)
Kyoto, Kyōto
605-0074
JEREMY&JEMIMAH
５１−４ Shimobentencho
Higashiyama Ward
Kyoto, Kyōto
605-0823
Eat
Honke Owariya
中京区仁王門突抜町322 (車屋町通二条下る)
Kyoto, Kyōto
604-0841
Uokeya U
祇園町南側570-120
京都市東山区, Kyōto
605-0074
Tonkatsu Ganko Nara
東向中町19
Nara, Nara
630-8125
Taishou HANANA
右京区嵯峨天龍寺瀬戸川町26-1
Kyoto, Kyōto
616-8376
Sushi no Musashi
下京区東塩小路高倉町8-3 (アスティ京都1F 京都おもてなし小路)
Kyoto, Kyōto
600-8214
Visit
Sanjūsangen-dō Temple
東山区三十三間堂廻り町657
Kyoto, Kyōto
605-0941
Ryoan-ji Rock Garden
右京区龍安寺御陵下町13 (龍安寺)
Kyoto, Kyōto
616-8001
Kinkaku-ji Temple
北区金閣寺町1
Kyoto, Kyōto
603-8361
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
右京区嵯峨小倉山田淵山町
Kyoto, Kyōto
616-8394
Forever Museum of Contemporary Art
東山区祇園町南側570-2 (八坂倶楽部（祇園甲部歌舞練場 別館）)
Kyoto, Kyōto
605-0074
Nara Park
登大路町30
Nara, Nara
630-8213
Todai-ji Temple
雑司町406-1
Nara, Nara
630-8587
Daibutsu-den (Great Buddha Hall)
雑司町406-1 (東大寺境内)
Nara, Nara
630-8211
Togetsu-kyo Bridge
右京区嵯峨天龍寺芒ノ馬場町 / 嵯峨天龍寺造路町 / 嵯峨中ノ島町 (府道29号)
Kyoto, Kyōto
616-8383
Sagano Romantic Train
Torokko-Kameoka Station
篠町馬堀 (嵯峨野観光鉄道)
Kameoka, Kyōto
621-0823
rest
Arashiyu, foot massage & foot spa
右京区嵯峨天龍寺造路町35-40
Kyoto, Kyōto
616-8384
Shop
URBAN RESEARCH DOORS 京都店
三条通柳馬場東入中之町1-2
Nakagyō, Kyōto
ISSEY MIYAKE KYOTO
Nakagyō, Kyōto
604-8112
JINS京都寺町通店
Nakagyō, Kyōto
604-8035
JR Kyoto Isetan
下京区東塩小路町901 (烏丸通塩小路下ル)
Kyoto, Kyōto
600-8555
The CUBE
下京区東塩小路町901 (京都駅ビル B2F/1F-2F/11F)
Kyoto, Kyōto
600-8216