Kyoto
FEAST
January 15, 2018
Leaving on a Bullet Train
I got up and headed to a nearby park only a couple of blocks from the Buddhist Temple that I saw yesterday. Unfortunately, this park, only the size of a city block, is walled and was closed this morning. I guess that's one way of keeping your parks clean.
So long, Kyoto! Until next time! I regret not seeing more of you!
The outdoor stairs and escalators to the huge Setan department store next to Kyoto Station.
Kyoto Tower
Chashu ramen at one of the 10 or so places in "Ramen Row" on the 10th FL of Setan.
Not you, again! Just kidding, it made for great eating for lunch.
Higashi Honganji Temple, and like so often, the photos don't do it justice.
Kyoto Buddhist Temple
It was an overcast day today, unfortunately. Luckily, the rain held off. After asking the concierge for help booking a seat at the kaiseki joint, Kikunoi Roan, I went to the same ramen joint I'd tried last night, just to get a quick lunch in before walking over to the nearby Higashi Honganji Temple, a beautiful Buddhist temple with very nice grounds right in the middle of town.
The day ended perfectly with dinner at Kikunoi Roan! The food, the service, the atmosphere were all superlative.
January 14, 2018
On the Town
The ride to Kyoto was barely 30 minutes, again never losing sight of neighborhood and neighborhood, development after development. I caught sight of my hotel as the train pulled in, so I was happy knowing my digs were so close for a change. I decided to wander around the station just to see what was around. Boy, I shouldn't even be surprised anymore! Atop the station were two malls, a hotel and a 10-story department store, the top two floors of which were, surprise, surprise, restaurants and food stalls. I ducked in to a tonkatsu joint for a very nice early dinner.
After checking in and relaxing for a couple hours...and struggling with trying to connect to the hotel's Wi-Fi, I headed straight back to the department store and mall to see what was available for dinner. And like clockwork, I got to the eateries at 9:30 PM (on a Saturday, no less) only to find they were all closed. I walked a different route back to the hotel when I stumbled upon a ramen joint, so I did that for dinner. It was very good.
January 13, 2018
"Kyoto, I've a feeling we're not in Osaka anymore."
Miso soup w/tiny clams.
Tonkatsu dinner at Setan department store.
Chashu ramen for late dinner near hotel and Kyoto Station.