Kuheiji Sake Brewery@Nagoya ★★★

VIP Kuheiji Sake Personal Private Tour. 九平次 Kuheiji since 1647. First Japanese sake ever served in 3 Michelin Stars restaurant in Paris (2006). Mr. Kuheiji Kuno is the 15th generation of Kuheiji. He is the mastermind and legend behind my favorite Kuheiji sake. His philosophy and innovative approach to sake is mind-blowing. He came up with the idea of serving premium sake in wine glasses. He entered into the terroir and planted his own rice by himself for his sake. He's the Top 100 Most Respected Japanese People in 2007. Despite of his fame, he's very down-to-earth and friendly. He's also quite an art collector.

Kuheiji-san invited me to visit his Sake Brewery in Nagoya. I was so thrilled. When I saw him again in Nagoya, I had tears in my eyes. I am a big fan of his sake. The building about 200 years old used to be the family house. Matei-san showed me the brewing process and toured the facility in detail. I also got to exclusively taste the unpasturized Betsu Atsurae, which was just bottled today. It's fruity with notes of pear. Everything was mind-blowing. I really appreciate the fine premium quality sake, but after the tour, I get to appreciate all the hard work behind it even more. Tour is by invitation only and not open to public.

Authentic Kyoto Garden

Nama Betsu Atsurae (unpasturized)
bottled the same day

Nama Betsu Atsurae (unpasturized)
bottled the same day

Kuheiji-san & Matei-san

Take Home Gift

Kuheiji-san has a lively personality

Itsuki Chaya 五木茶屋青水店@Kiyomizudera Kyoto ★★★

Beautiful Presentation w/ Fantastic Price Point. As seen on Instagram. Only 4,000 yen per person. Make sure you book and go to the right location. I made a reservation with the help of my Japanese friend, but I made a mistake and went to the location. Main Arashiyama location needs to be booked on the web days in advance. If you want to beautiful scenic window seat 0verlooking the river will need at least a month in advance. The one I went, Kiyomizudera location, will have the busy street view for the window. Reservation only via web or phone:
https://www.tablecheck.com/en/shops/itsukichaya/reserve

Sakura Sea Bream Shabu Shabu

Kiyomizu Itsukichaya
349-18 Masuyacho, Higashiyama Ward,
Kyoto, 605-0826, Japan
+81 75-600-9610

Gion Kankandeli Rei 祇園 かんかんでり 麗@Kyoto ★★★

Korean Food with Japanese Influence. Cute mini rice bowls presentation as seen on Instagram. It's a bit too much rice. Ultimate Ochoco Don Mini Rice Bowl Set 2,980 yen, with Wagyu Sukiyaki Hot Pot 4,980 yen, with Wagyu Sukiyaki plus Sake Pairing (3 glasses) 6,980 yen. A la carte menu also available. Oolong Tea 418 yen. Reservations via phone or web recommended. (My Japanese friend helped me make the reservation via phone.)

Ultimate Ochoco Don Mini Rice Bowls Set w/ Sukuyaki & 3 glasses of Sake Paring options $6,980
1st row: 1. Yuba w/ Uni, 2. Kyoto Pork w/ Gold Leaf, 3. Kyoto Duck, 4. Simmered Beef
2nd row: 5. Toro, 6. Unagi & Dashi Tamago, 7. Tai (Red Snapper), 8. Amaebi (Sweet Shrimp)
w/ Tofu Soup, Sawara Dashi, Sansho Pepper, Wasabi, & Soy Sauce

3 Glasses of Sake Pairing for additional 2,000 yen

Menu w/ Illustration

Matsumoto

Tsuki no Katsura

Inemankai

Wagyu Sukiyaki that comes w/ the Combo Meal

Duck Kinpa w/ Cheese $1,298 yen

祇園 かんかんでり 麗
〒605-0083 京都府京都市東山区新橋通大和大路東入ル2丁目橋本町391
Authority of Shinbashi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 2, Higashi-iru, Yamatooji 391, Hashimotocho, 605-0083
+81-75-744-1063

(THISIS)SHIZEN / (THISIS)NATURE@Kyoto ★★★

Absolutely Beautiful Presentation. As seen on Instagram. Wow factor on the presentation but not on the taste. The ice cream itself seemed to be rice flavor and strawberry flavor with crispy pops inside. Worth a try.

Pink Bouquet (Seasonal) 1,650, Takashimaya Premium Limited Edition 1,850 yen

(THISIS)SHIZEN / (THISIS)NATURE
Kyoto Takashimaya S.C.[T8]
1F 35 Otabicho Shimogyo-ku
Kyoto 600-8002 Japan
+81 (0)75 708 5422

Maikohan@Gion Kiyomizu-dera ★★★

Amazing Tempura Presentation. 16 pieces of bite-sized Tempura. Delicious & exquisite. As seen on Instagram. Vegetarian menu available. Has a few branches. Walk-in only for this branch. No reservations accepted.

Seafood Tempura 3,300 yen

Complimentary Souvenir Salt from Kyoto

Maikohan (Gion, Kiyomizu-dera)
〒605-0073 Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward,
075-541-8574

Umekoji Kadensho Onsen Ryokan@Kyoto ★★★

Most Affordable & Decent Onsen Ryokan in Kyoto. Highly recommended. Convenient location by the train station/ Kyoto Railway Museum. Reasonably priced. I booked directly on the Japanese site for about $250 per night, which was much cheaper than Agoda. Have public onsen bath as well as 5 first-come first-served private onsen bath. I tried all of them and was extremely satisfied. Complimentary Yukata rental for your onsen bath. Complimentary Dango Snack, Popsicles and late night soba. Have unlimited Marinated Ikura if you get the breakfast. No shoes as soon as you enter the hotel with the tatami floor. It could get a bit crowded with the tourists and tourist groups. They only hold the luggage on your check out day until 3pm. Would love to return again.

Complimentary Dango Snack

Paid $10 more for a larger 29㎡ room

Private Onsen Available

Complimentary Popsicle

Complimentary late night noodles

Unlimited Marinated Ikura if you get Breakfast

Impressive Breakfast Buffet

Kyoto Umekoji Kadensho
41-10 Sujakuuchihatacho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8843
https://dormy-hotels.com/resort/hotels/umekoji_kadensho/