Wacoal Corp, the owners of Kyo no Ondokoro―a chain of traditional townhouses turned into hotels―are opening a new branch in the Nishijin area of Kyoto on October 1, 2019. Kyo no Ondokoro Nishijin Bettei will be the fifth branch of their hotel chain. It was designed by Akira Minagawa―the owner of Japanese clothing label Minä Perhonen―and architect Yoshifumi Nakamura. The Nishijin area is located a little distance away from the city centre meaning one can avoid the hustle and bustle of the busy streets. The hotel is renovated from a luxurious 95 year old townhouse which was originally set up by merchants in Nishijin silk fabrics to house guests.   It has been renovated to make it feel as if guests are living there and thus feel like they are living in Kyoto. The first floor features a fully-equipped kitchen with wine cellar as well as a spacious dining area where one can cook up and feast on meals made with ingredients and produce from Kyoto. Dotted throughout are various art pieces selected by Minagawa to elevate that at-home feeling. The townhouse also offers lots of convenient services including bagging storage, transport service, guidebooks catered to each season, and more. Staff can also offer information about shops and restaurants in the surrounding areas, and they can also sign you up to food plans packed with Kyoto flavours, and more.   If you want to feel like you're living in Kyoto then book now with Kyo no Ondokoro Nishijin Bettei.

Japan is a haven for bubble tea and tapioca-based beverages. Here on MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON we have covered many shops selling these tasty drinks in Harajuku―the town which started the tapioca boom in Japan―but today we will be heading to the ancient city of Kyoto.   We are joined by Kyoto café life tiara who posts photos of the best drinks and desserts they have tried around the Kansai region of Japan. They have provided us with photos of two must-try bubble teas and two must-try desserts in Kyoto.  

ROCCA & FRIENDS PAPIER KYOTO in Shijo

ROCCA & FRIENDS PAPIER KYOTO is just a 5-minute walk from Shijo Station. The cafe is made from a traditional townhouse along an old-fashioned Kyoto-esque street.   It takes a little while for your drink to arrive placing your order, but that's because each beverage is carefully handmade from fresh. I ordered the mango smoothie soda and the strawberry smooth soda. Both are fruity and super refreshing and full of chewy tapioca pearls.   ▼ROCCA & FRIENDS PAPIER KYOTO Address: 735-2 Shinkamanzacho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture Opening Hours: 10:00-18:00 Closed: Mondays Official Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/rocca.papier/  

&Hana in Shijo

&Hana is located at the back of Kyoto Daimaru. The cheese rose tapioca milk tea I bought is a cute pink colour. It's a mix of rose which is good for skin and relaxation, sweet brown sugar tapioca, and sour cheese. Draped at the back of the cafe are bunches of dried flowers which provide an Instagrammable background for your drinks.   ▼&hana Address: 619 Nishiuoyacho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture Opening Hours: Weekdays 11:00-22:00 / Weekends & Holidays 10:00-22:0 No Fixed Holidays Official Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/and_hana_/    

KISSHOKARYO KYOTO in Gion

This honey and tea parfait is special because they only serve 20 of them a day. Tapioca pearls go well not just in drinks but in desserts like this one too♡   The fluffy shaved ice is a perfect match with the homemade Earl Grey tea syrup. The rest of the parfait is made up of milk tea flavoured jelly, tapioca pearls, tea ganache, and other delightful surprises. I enjoyed mine with lots of syrup and roasted soybean flour!   ▼KISSHOKARYO KYOTO Gion Honten Address: 306 Ishibashicho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto Opening Hours: 10:00-19:00 (Last Orders 18:30) No Fixed Holidays Official Website: https://kisshokaryo.jp/  

MASHOLA in Kawaramachi

MASHOLA is a South Korean-style cafe which of course sells tapioca pearl drinks, but also this delicious capo egg brulee tart as well. As soon as you put the order in their fire up the tarts fresh along with hot tapioca pearls for a heavenly melt-in-the-mouth experience. They also sell bottled strawberry milk packed full of fresh strawberries, and for an extra ¥80 you can top if off with tapioca.   ▼MASHOLA Address: 406 Sakuranocho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture Opening Hours: 11:00-20:00 No Fixed Holidays Official Website:  https://mashola.business.site/   Did you enjoy this list? Kyoto café life tiara has lots of other tempting recommendations of drinks and desserts on their Instagram page too, so if you're looking for something to try while in the Kansai region of Japan be sure to give them a follow.   Text & Photos: ＠happy_pinkrose_tiaraTranslation: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga

Konkaikōmyō-ji, also known as Kurodani Temple, is set to open its doors to the public from November 4 for its autumn illuminations. Kurodani Temple has a long history, best known as serving as the Kyoto Shugoshoku―the office of the Tokugawa shogunate―during the Bakumatsu period. It has relations to the Shinseigumi, a military force which was active during this time which was dedicated to suppressing anti-shogunate activities. It is also the first place that Hōnen, the founder of Japanese Pure Land Buddhism, spread his teachings.   For the special opening, you will be able to see the famous chicken painting Tori-zu Oshiebari Byobu by Itō Jakuchū as well as treasures associated with Hōnen and more. The number of tigers on the famous tiger doors of the temple changes as you slide them. From the temple grounds you can enjoy a breathtaking scene of the gardens where the autumnal colours of the trees reflect from the surface of the pond. Kurodani Temple is also home to the Gokōshiyui Amidabutu Statue, which became the talk of the town in the media when it was dubbed the "Afro Buddha," and looks deep in contemplation. There will also be performances three times a day in the evening using traditional Japanese instruments like the koto and shinobue. If you pay for the premium entry plan you can enter 30 minutes earlier and will be guided by one of the official gardeners or expert of the gardens.