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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.