[2024 Kyoto Attraction] Travel Guide for Shijo Kawaramachi (Updated Sep)

Twilight Stroll in Kyoto's Kawaramachi

Kyoto's Kawaramachi is a place where ancient charm meets modern vitality, exuding a unique allure both day and night. One of the most delightful experiences in this city is an evening stroll along the banks of the Kamo River. As the sunset casts its glow on the river's surface and the breeze gently blows, everything around seems to pause, leaving only the gentle sound of water lapping. This walk allows one to let go of worries and fully immerse in the tranquility. 🎉 A Culinary Paradise in Kawaramachi Leaving the Kamo River, you arrive at the bustling Kawaramachi, filled with shops and restaurants that exude a strong sense of life. Strolling through the alleys, you can discover many hidden gourmet restaurants and cafes. Whether it's a Japanese ramen shop, exquisite kaiseki cuisine, or exotic dessert shops, there's something to satisfy every food lover's palate. Highly recommended is an eel rice specialty store hidden in an alley, where the freshly grilled eel's aroma fills the air, and the crispy skin and melt-in-your-mouth meat create an astonishing taste. As night falls, Kawaramachi lights up, with the lively sounds of restaurants and street music performances making it hard to leave. 👍 Nishiki Market's Food and Culture Not far from Kawaramachi is Nishiki Market, known as Kyoto's "kitchen." Here, you'll find a variety of fresh seafood, vegetables, wagashi, and traditional Kyoto delicacies. Walking into the market, you'll be greeted by a dazzling array of stalls, a colorful display of ingredients, and the enthusiastic shouts of vendors, adding a rich local atmosphere. Be sure to try the fresh sashimi, grilled squid, and Kyoto's unique pickles, each bite reflecting the freshness of the ingredients and the care of the vendors. Whether you're looking to buy souvenirs or experience Kyoto's local culture, Nishiki Market is a must-visit. 📍 Tenmangu Shrine's Pilgrimage Continuing along the streets of Kawaramachi, Tenmangu Shrine is a serene haven. Dedicated to the deity of learning, Sugawara no Michizane, this shrine often attracts many students praying for academic success. Inside the shrine, you'll find many ema (wooden plaques) filled with people's hopes for their studies, work, and life. Walking under the shade of trees and seeing the sincere prayers of visitors, you can feel a sense of spiritual calm and peace. If you visit in spring, the blooming plum blossoms here are a sight to behold. 🚩 Kyoto's Kawaramachi: A Blend of Ancient and Modern Charm Kyoto's Kawaramachi is not only a bustling city center but also a place where ancient culture and modern life blend perfectly. The leisurely evening stroll along the Kamo River, the diverse offerings of Nishiki Market, and the tranquility and sanctity of Tenmangu Shrine all showcase the endless charm of this city. Whether it's a brief stay or an in-depth exploration, Kawaramachi will leave you with unforgettable memories. We look forward to you experiencing the unique flavor of Kyoto's Kawaramachi firsthand. 🔴 Travel Tips: Take the Hankyu Line or bus 🟠 Must-Visit Spots: Kawaramachi Shopping District, Kamo River Stroll, Nishiki Market, and Tenmangu Shrine 🟡 Recommended Hotels: Sotetsu Fresa Inn 🟢 Must-Try Foods: Kawadoko Cuisine, Izakaya 🔵 Shopping Guide: Handicrafts, Electronics, and Cosmetics

When strolling in Kyoto, don't forget to take a photo with the giant Mario at Shijo Kawaramachi

Shijo Kawaramachi is the main shopping district in the center of Kyoto City, gathering numerous shops, department stores, and dining places, making it a paradise for shopping enthusiasts. Here are my shopping recommendations in this area, including some of my personal experiences and interesting discoveries. Takashimaya Department Store 🛍️ Takashimaya is one of the well-known department stores in Japan, located in the heart of Shijo Kawaramachi. Not only does it offer a variety of high-end brands and Japanese specialties, but it also has an array of food and gifts. • Recent Highlight: The first floor of Takashimaya has set up a giant Mario decoration using the space of one shop! This decoration is really fun and has attracted many tourists and Mario fans to come and take pictures. 🎮👾 • Brand Recommendations: • Shiseido: A famous Japanese cosmetics brand known for its high-quality skincare and makeup products. • Issey Miyake: Known for its unique fashion designs and innovative materials, it is one of the top fashion brands in Japan. Hankyu Department Store 🌟 Adjacent to Takashimaya, Hankyu Department Store is also a great place for shopping. It offers a rich selection of fashion apparel, beauty products, and home goods. I especially like the dining area here, which offers a variety of delicacies, making it an excellent place to rest after shopping. • Brand Recommendations: • MUJI: Popular for its minimalist design and high-quality products, offering everything from home goods to fashion apparel. • Uniqlo: Offers cost-effective fashion clothing suitable for consumers of all ages and styles. Teramachi Kyogoku Shopping Street 🛒 This is a shopping street full of history and traditional charm, with many specialty shops and handicraft stores, perfect for taking home as souvenirs. • Handicrafts: There are many shops selling Kyoto-specific crafts, such as washi paper, ceramics, and lacquerware. I particularly like a shop that sells handmade fans with beautiful Kyoto landscape paintings, which are definitely worth a look. • Food Recommendations: If you're tired of walking, take a break at a traditional Japanese restaurant on the street and taste the local cuisine. 🍣🍵 Kyoto BAL 🎨 This is a trendy shopping center that gathers many international and designer brands, very suitable for young people and fashion enthusiasts. • Brand Recommendations: • Matsumoto Kiyoshi: One of the largest drugstore chains in Japan, offering a variety of skincare, beauty, and health products. • Comme des Garçons: Known for its avant-garde and unique fashion designs, it is a fashion pioneer in Japan and around the world. • Bookstores and Cafés: In addition to shopping, you can relax in the bookstores and cafés here, enjoying leisure time. I particularly like to buy a few travel guides in the bookstore and then slowly browse through them in the café. 📚☕ Transportation Information 🚉 Shijo Kawaramachi is located in the center of Kyoto City, with very convenient transportation: • Tram: You can take the Keihan Main Line to Shijo Station, or take the Hankyu Kyoto Line to Kawaramachi Station, and then walk to the main shopping area. • Bus: Multiple bus routes pass through Shijo Kawaramachi, making it convenient to reach from various parts of Kyoto City. Tips 💡 1. Avoid peak hours: The area is crowded during weekends and holidays, so it is recommended to avoid peak times for a more comfortable shopping experience. 2. Bring a shopping bag: Japan promotes environmental protection, and some stores do not provide free plastic bags, so it is advisable to bring your own shopping bag. 3. Pay attention to promotions: Takashimaya and other department stores often have promotional activities, so keep an eye on their official websites or in-store announcements to enjoy more discounts.

Japan Travels: Food hunting in Kyoto

#myfoodies Kyoto is home to many Japanese traditional local food and has one of the best street food in Japan, you will never get hungry travelling around the city. For our 1st night in Kyoto, we decided to explore the streets of Kawaramachi, the area is one of the most popular food destinations to get the best food out of Kyoto, they are located next to Nishiki Market. It’s also popular for night life too as many locals will have a drink in the bars after work. 1. Marion Crepe: Arguably the best crepe in Japan among locals and tourists, they served many variety of hot and fruity crepes, it has more than 50 options to choose from. We got their recommended strawberry with chocolate sauce and cream. It’s so fresh and sweet, a good dessert to start off our food journey. 2. Ichiran: The most popular ramen chain in Japan, we have to try it out and lucky enough, they have a branch nearby in the area and we only need to queue a while for the seats on 2nd floor, they have a seating chart to see which seats are available and how to get around, their counter seats are in individual setting arrangement but we can fold the wall in the middle to eat together. After ordering at the machine, we can choose how we want our ramen to be cooked on the paper and once done writing, we give it to the staff behind the wooden blinds to prepare and serve to us through it. We can even request for no talking request so that they serve us in silent, it’s a good place for one person to eat alone. 3. Nikishi Warai: We discovered this restaurant specialised in Okonomiyaki and we still have stomach for a second round, this food is also one of our list to cross off in Japan, it’s a favourite among locals to have a meal and drinks, we were the only locals but we were treated very well by the staff. We ordered a pork meat okonomiyaki and a yuzu highball drink. It was superb and full of flavours! We really love it and it goes well with the alcohol drink because it’s refreshing and wash off the heavy food taste. We love it so much that we came back the second day to have it again, a recommended spot by us to give it a try!

Kyoto, Japan: Quiet Christmas Eve A few days in Kyoto, Japan, coincident with Christmas, when the red light was waiting in front of the Kyoto City Hall, the roar of more than ten motorcycles was far and near, only to find the riders one by one. It is the costume of Santa Claus. Opposite the hotel, it is the Kawaramachi church, there is no carnival, only the believers are quiet self-salvation. Kyoto, also ancient and modern. Here you can watch the history of moving to tears, you can also go to the market to get excited, in the temple, the new Jingji, Jin market, Kyoto's business prosperity is so low-key.