Welcome back to MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON’s “Tokyo Stroll” series that recommends you travel destinations! Today, Hikari Shibata and Yuri Suganuma are leaving Tokyo and heading to the old capital Kyoto.
Together, Hikari and Yuri took the 07:00AM shinkansen train to Kyoto, arriving at 10:00AM. The first thing on their list was to fill up on some Kyoto gourmet! Sifting through Instagram and other SNS sites for the most popular spots, they decided to try some rare Kyoto confectionary at “Otabe Honkan”.
Having set their hearts on eating before sightseeing, they visited “Otabe Honkan”, a place they researched prior to their trip. After taking the subway to Jujo Station then walking for about nine minutes, they arrived.
They ordered according to what was popular online – “Kuchidoke Aisu” ( melt-in-the-mouth ice cream, ￥500 including tax), and the “Soufflé Sandwich” (￥162), which is new on the menu.
The melt-in-the-mouth “Kuchidoke Aisu” is an adzuki bean and milk shaved ice dessert which is topped with fluffy fresh cream and matcha. The Japanese word “ookini” (meaning “thank you” Kansai dialect) was written in matcha on the dessert – how cute! ♡
Hikari: The fresh cream wasn’t too sweet. Yummy!! Every now and then, I got a mouthful of adzuki beans. I really liked the variety of flavours ◎.
The new soufflé sandwich was made by adding velvety cream cheese to the bread dough.
Yuri: The soufflé was soooo fluffy! The cream cheese flavour and the sandwich is a match made in heaven!
Otabe Honkan works with a factory as a joint establishment. The factory produces a variety of popular brand confectionaries from different parts of Kyoto. Fresh Yatsuhashi is one of the famous products made by Otabe.
The factory also holds handmade sweet-making classes and allows visitors to the view the factory, so if you’re interested, check the link to the website below.
■Information
Otabe Honkan
Adress：35,2, Nishikujo Takahatacho, Minami Ward, Kyoto,
Opening hours: 09:00 〜 18：00
Off to Kyoto Tower – the symbol of Kyoto!
Stomachs full, the girls return to Kyoto Station and make their way to Kyoto Tower, which is the tallest building in Kyoto. The observation room is elevated 100 metres above the ground, and offers a stunning view of the streets. The many souvenir shops make it all the more popular with tourists.
On the 3rd floor of Kyoto Tower, there is a Makizushi sample-making event! (Makizushi: sushi rolled in seaweed with a filling). There are many classes running here that allow visitors to experience Japan to the full. Yuri and Hikari decided to try out something very unique to Kyoto. They headed to the Otabe dojo to learn how to make fresh Yatsuhashi sweets by hand.
Before preparation, they got changed into specialist clothing and then took a commemorative photo…but what is this photo really for?
To make these fresh Yatsuhashi by hand, the girls made a steamed flour dough, stuffed it with anko red bean paste et voila! The thick and chewy texture of the mochi made the kneading process hard work! Yuri and Hikari were silently working all the way through, kneading and kneading and kneading until their work was approved by their sensei.
Here’s a picture of their highly praised Yatsuhashi. Our confectionary chefs made plain Yatsuhashi, matcha Yatsuhashi and Murasaki Imo (purple sweet potato) Yatsuhashi! Now it’s time to enjoy the snacks with a tea ceremony!
Yuri: We made these ourselves and to no surprise, they’re delicious!
Hikari: The dough is chewy and has a gentle flavour!
At the end, the girls received a souvenir gift and a certificate, and with that, class had ended. Inside the souvenir package, there was the photo taken at the start of the class! This put a smile on their faces.
■Information
Kyoto Tower Sando Otabe Taiken Dojo (京都タワーサンド おたべ体験道場)
Address：Kyoto Tower Building floor 2, 721-1, Higashishiokojicho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto
Reservations: https://otabe-ktt.dt-r.com/
*Reservation possible for up to the previous day at 15:00
>>next page Go to Kiyomizu-dera
A stroll around Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Looking for somewhere to enjoy the wonderful atmosphere of Kyoto to take photos, the girls headed to the area around Kiyomizu-dera temple. They made their way to Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka – two of Kyoto’s most beautiful streets. Whilst peeping around the souvenir shops on Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka, they soaked up the beautiful atmosphere.
You can find many of the most beautiful street views of Japan in Kyoto – wherever you choose as your photo spot, your photo will look good! If you want to take a really wonderful photo, check out Yuri and Hikari’s photo spots!
The girls pause to catch their breath – after coming all the way to Kyoto, of course you have to try the tea!
Kyo Baum Kiyomizu is located near Ninen-zaka. Here, the girls took a break to drink some green tea, which they felt was moderately sweet. Kyo Baum Kiyomizu was the perfect place to cool down after all that walking!
If you have room in your stomach then you might want to try a matcha-flavoured Baumkuchen (log cake) at “Kyo Baum”. The girls recommend the Kyo Baum Cornet (￥540), which is full of “Kyo Baum”. The log cake is coated in matcha fondant and coated with sugar. This is a popular Kyoto souvenir.
Yuri: The combination of fresh cream and the Kyo Baum is delicious〜
■Information
Kyo Baum Kiyomizu store 京ばあむ 清水店
Address：2-229, Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto
Opening hours: 09:00 〜 18:00 (Opening hours vary each season)
A hidden gem of a photo spot!
A quick stop at the shop to take a photo and they’re off again!
With the scenery of the streets of Kyoto and the Tower of Yasaka in the background, this photo spot is a very valuable discovery by YuRi-chan and Hikari-chan!
To end the day: A stroll along Kamo river, Gion
When you ask of a typical “Kyoto” spot, the answer would be Gion. Before returning home, our two travellers stopped by Gion, absorbing the typical Kyoto street view and walking along the Kamo river.
It doesn’t matter where you take a photo in Kyoto, it will always come out as a beautiful image. Check out Hikari-chan and YuRi-chan’s SNS threads to see pictures of their time in Kyoto.
Hikari: This is the second time I have been on a stroll around Kyoto but this time I had a completely new experience. I looked around the Otabe factory, experienced making traditional Otabe sweets by hand and much more – I made the most out of a day in Kyoto! I’ve always been a fan of matcha and I eat it a lot, but to actually eat matcha treats in the homeland of matcha makes me feel extremely satisfied!
Yuri: Kyoto is the best place for matcha treats! There are so many different types of delicious sweets! The freshly made Yatsuhashi and the Kyo Baum were so delicious – I could easily keep eating and loose track! Making Yatsuhashi by hand was a fun experience! Although we only spent one day in Kyoto, my heart and stomach were completely satisfied! I love to eat – this was the best girls holiday ever! I want to visit Kyoto again 〜♪
From tasting Kyoto-limited sweets and making Yatsuhashi to visiting tourist spots, Kiyomizudera temple and the Kamo river, this day was packed with adventure! What did you think? After spending a day with the girls in Kyoto, how about going yourself?
Model：
Hikari Shibata Instagram：@_sbthkr
Hikari-chan is active in many popular fashion magazines. She has both a transparent and fresh impression and her own individual fashion sense. She shares a variety of different aspects of her lifestyle on Twitter, Instagram and other SNS sites. She receives a tremendous amount of support from young girls of the same generation. Alongside her modeling career, she is also a photographer. She holds photo exhibitions in regions outside Tokyo and within Tokyo. As a creator, she also runs her own portrait website called “HIKARICAMERA”.
Yuri Suganuma Instagram：@yurippa93
Yuri has good fashion sense and has featured in a variety of magazines. She is more commonly known by the nickname Yurippa. She receives a tremendous amount of support from girls of her age group and her SNS posts are highly influential. She has amazing makeup skills and is engaged in the development of cosmetics. She has recently made an appearance on TV and has performed in music videos. Her talents stretch further than just modeling.
Photograph ：Kayo Sekiguchi
Writer：Sayuri Mizuno(ASOBISYSTEM)
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Hikari Shibata
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