Food destinations within easy reach of Kyoto, worth the early start.
Food destinations within easy reach of Kyoto, worth the train, the rental car or the early start.
Famous for Mochi-pounding demonstration at Nakatanidou and Nara Park deer
An hour from Kyoto on the JR Nara Line. Watch Nakatanidou's high-speed mochi pounding outside Kintetsu Nara, eat the kusa-mochi straight from the mallet.
JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station to JR Nara Station
Famous for Kuromon Market, Dotonbori takoyaki and okonomiyaki
30 minutes from Kyoto on the JR Kyoto Line, Osaka's kuidaore eating-day. Walk Kuromon Market at lunch, Dotonbori for takoyaki and okonomiyaki at sunset.
JR Kyoto Line from Kyoto Station to Osaka Station
Famous for Sake brewery tastings at Gekkeikan, Kizakura, Tsukinokatsura
Kyoto's sake brewing district, 20 minutes south by Keihan. 30 working sake breweries; tasting bars at Gekkeikan and Kizakura, Fushimi-Inari at the north end.
Keihan Line from Sanjo to Chushojima Station
Famous for Kobe beef teppanyaki and Mosuke wagyu
Kobe is 60 minutes south on the shinkansen from Kyoto. Lunch at a Sannomiya teppanyaki counter for A5 Kobe beef; pair with a Nada-area sake brewery tasting.
Shinkansen from Kyoto to Shin-Kobe; transfer to Sannomiya
Famous for Enryakuji shojin-ryori with monastery vegetables
Mount Hiei rises northeast of Kyoto with the Enryakuji monastery on top. Shojin-ryori lunches in the monastery kitchens, a Heian-era Tendai tradition.
Eizan Line to Yase, cable car and ropeway to Enryakuji
Famous for Kawadoko summer river-stream kaiseki
Kibune is the river-stream dining village an hour north of Kyoto. May to September, restaurants build tatami platforms over the cold mountain stream.
Eizan Line from Demachiyanagi to Kibune-guchi, then bus
