Kyoto is usually associated with lantern-lit streets, traditional teahouses and centuries-old temples. But above a narrow street near the Kamo River, one of the city’s most unusual cocktail bars feels as though it belongs in another century. L’Escamoteur is part old-fashioned apothecary, part magician’s workshop and part serious cocktail bar. Inside, antique bottles line the … Read more
Kyoto is famous for traditional kaiseki dinners, delicate seasonal cuisine and centuries-old restaurants. But not every memorable meal in the city involves quiet dining rooms and carefully arranged tasting menus. For travellers looking for something more indulgent, Kyoto also offers an all-you-can-eat experience combining Japanese Wagyu beef, king crab, snow crab and sukiyaki. At Wagyu … Read more
Kyoto changes quickly after midnight. Pontocho becomes quieter. Restaurant doors start closing. The last trains disappear. Streets that were packed a few hours earlier can suddenly feel almost empty. But Kyoto does not completely shut down. The mistake is expecting every part of the city to stay awake equally. If you want to keep drinking … Read more
Finding a great bar in Kyoto is easy. Finding one that actually works for a group of friends takes a little more planning. Many of Kyoto’s most atmospheric bars are tiny. Some have only a handful of counter seats, while others are designed for couples or solo drinkers. Arriving with six or eight people at … Read more
Kyoto doesn’t have the dramatic skyscraper skyline of Tokyo or Osaka. Instead, the city’s best views reveal something far more distinctive: traditional tiled rooftops, the five-storey Yasaka Pagoda, the Kamo River and mountains rising beyond the historic streets. And some of the most beautiful places to appreciate those scenes happen to serve excellent drinks. You … Read more
Kyoto’s most memorable luxury bars rarely announce themselves with flashing signs or elaborate entrances. Some sit behind discreet doors along centuries-old streets, where the bartender’s attention is devoted entirely to the drink. Others occupy beautifully designed hotels overlooking temple rooftops, traditional gardens or the city’s evening skyline. What makes Kyoto particularly interesting is the contrast. … Read more
Kyoto isn’t the first city most travellers associate with Japanese whisky. Tokyo has the famous cocktail bars, Osaka has a bigger late-night scene, and Yamazaki Distillery sits outside the city. But Kyoto is an excellent place to actually drink Japanese whisky. Around Kiyamachi, Sanjo and Pontocho, you’ll find everything from established whisky counters to tiny … Read more
Kyoto is a surprisingly easy city for a proper whisky night. You don’t need to cross the city chasing famous bars. Several worthwhile places sit around Kiyamachi, Sanjo, Kawaramachi and Pontocho, close enough that you can start with a broad whisky selection, have dinner, then finish somewhere specialising in Japanese bottles. The trick is not … Read more
Finding the best cheap eats in Kyoto is easier than you might expect. Kyoto is famous for kaiseki, traditional restaurants and elaborate multi-course meals, but you don’t need a huge food budget to eat well here. Ramen shops, udon counters, conveyor-belt sushi, curry restaurants, gyudon chains and department-store food halls make it possible to find … Read more