Kifune Kawadoko at Kibunejaya 貴船の川床 貴船茶屋

This morning, once again, Tanigawa-san from Kichisen called and asked me to accompany him on a little culinary adventure up to Kibune. Kibune is a village in a mountain gorge in the north mountains above Kyoto, it is a top foodie (and date) spot, especially in the sweltering Kyoto summer. In Kibune…
Archive for the ‘shinise (老舗)’ CategoryA long-established restaurant or store, of which there are many, many in Kyoto. Always an experience to visit.
Kifune Kawadoko at Kibune Chaya
Spring Wagashi: Sakura Yomogi Gyuhi Mochi
Sakura Yomogi Gyuhi Mochi 桜と蓬のもちひ 仙太郎

Itadakimono: The sakura cherry season is about upon us again. The ‘early’ variety of sakura are just starting to bloom in Kyoto. So, that means sakura everything, including food for about the next month or so. I was given this box of sakura and yomogi gyuhi mochi by a dinner guest the…
Sake Blossoms: The World’s Greatest Sake and ‘Ume’ Plum Blossoms
The World’s Greatest Sake and ‘Ume’ Plum Blossoms 上原酒造 不老泉・杣の天狗

Sake Blossoms: On a late winter morning in Kyoto you can find delicate flakes on a stone pavement and pause to investigate whether they are snow or plum petals. Of course the presence of a penetrating fragrance tips you off. Several years ago, while walking my dog on…
What is Ryorishu? Japanese Cooking Sake
Itadakimono: Recently I visited my favorite sake brewery, Uehara Sake Brewery in rural Shiga prefecture. Before I left, Mr Uehara, the owner, gave me a bottle of the brewery’s cooking sake, which is not sold in retails stores, but to exclusive, ‘hidden’ restaurants. Most cooking sake contains salt so that it can be sold in grocery stores, but not this…


