On The Road ~ Kyoto, Japan #20

Natsuko (our very special guide) had an adventure scheduled today, an hours ride to a place that many tourists don’t go to, but should.

Miyama-Kita Village is where you will see a traditional Japanese landscape which became a cultural heritage site in 1993. This includes the houses, forest, rice fields, vegetable gardens, stonewalls, walkways etc.The entire village has to work together to preserve the village.

These thatched roof houses are called Kitayama style farm houses. There are 50 in Kita Village, 38 of them have thatched roofs. most were built 150-200 years ago. One of the buildings is the Miyama Folklore Museum, where you can have a tour and see exactly what it was like all those years ago. Here are a few photos for example.

Natsuko sharing all her knowledge as we walk the village.

After spending time in the village, there is a great lodge-style restaurant “Kitamura” on the river. The food was fantastic.

Local Venison, Amazing

Pork Katsu

On The Road ~ Kyoto, Japan #18

Restaurant Le Plat Plus:

We headed out to a neighborhood restaurant, a French Restaurant recommended by the concierge of Kyo-Suiran where we were staying in Arashiyama, Japan. The food was excellent, the environment so French, we highly recommend if you are in the area.

Fresh Pea Soup

Charcuterie Platter

Confit of Duck

This wine was delicious

On The Road ~ Kyoto, Japan #17

More Photos from Arashiyama, Kyoto

Waiting for a bus

Local Train Station

On The Road~ Kyoto, Japan #13

Getting around Kyoto:

When we got off of the train from Tokyo, with two heavy bags, the person in the taxi line was this adorable little woman. She argued with Steven about who was going to get the heavy bags in the trunk of her car…. she won. On the ride to the hotel, we discovered that her English was great. Wonderful, we asked if we could hire her as our driver and guide… She became a very important part of our travels through Kyoto. Her name is Natsuko. If you need a knowledgeable driver/guide in Kyoto, send me an email.

She is also a bit of a celebrity around town, because she is young, a woman, and speaks English, she has been in a few TV shows, and gets interviewed in the paper for her support of woman in the driver/guide workplace.

You will see her in other posts as we move along.

 

On The Road ~ Tokyo, Japan #9

Here we are on the amazing Shinkansen (Japanese bullet train) heading to Kyoto. This train goes about 200 mph…..

Below is a picture of Mt Fuji, a highlight on the trip from Tokyo to Kyoto, the ride is a little over 2 hours.

These are beautiful Bento Boxes we had for lunch.

On The Road ~ Tokyo, Japan #8

Eating In Tokyo:

I’ve waited days for this one, we were told this was the BEST Raman and Gioza in Tokyo, in fact we were also told it’s Jackie Chan’s favorite. They were right, it was ordered a second plate of Gioza. But get there early for lunch otherwise a line starts out the door.

Menu

Regular Pork Raman

Spicy Raman

Pork Gioza

Where The Line Starts

 

 

On The Road ~ Tokyo, Japan #6

Where to eat in Tokyo:

Union Square Tokyo, yes! Being from NYC we were excited to have a change in menu, especially since we knew it well.

They are celebrating their 10th year in Tokyo this year.
Union Square Tokyo opened in 2007 as a modern fine dining restaurant inspired by the Union Square Cafe, bringing to Tokyo the same warm hospitality, seasonal cooking, and high standards of excellence as the original. Founded in 1985 by Danny Meyer, Union Square Cafe has continued to thrive for 24 years in the highly competitive New York City restaurant industry.

Squash Soup -Amazing

Lobster salad in Brioche – Amazing