Takao Kawadoko Dinner with Maiko Dancing

Would you like to know one of the secret places in Kyoto?


Takao is located in the north of Kyoto, a bit remoted area, but very famous for its breathtakingly beauty with full of true nature. Surrounded by great natural beauty and the Kitayama cedars.



Just one hour of journey by train from the central Kyoto, you will be welcomed by these heavenly peaceful nature of beauty.

During the summer months, Takao becomes popular for people to escape from the heat.



The Momijiya, founded in Takao in 1907, is very traditional ryokan with Japanese style rooms.









What is the special feature of Momijiya is their summer dinner plan that includes dance entertainment by maiko.













Spread out through three floors for Kawadoko-style Kyoto special cuisine. You can taste the best of the local cuisine including one of their specialties, "river fish", such as the ayu (sometimes known in English as the sweetfish for the flavor of its flesh).



Enjoy dining on a "kawadoko" platform built out over a scenic river, listen to the sound of the stream and cool off from the summer heat.




Maiko and Kawadoko are almost symbols of Kyoto!

MUST EXPERIENCE that you can't be missed.





Even if you were walking throughout Gion-area for so long, you may need a super luck to come across a real maiko.


But here in Takao, you don't have to feel exhausted from chasing, nor frustrated to take a better view of photo of maiko-san.


After you enjoy a lovely dancing performance of Maiko along with the Japanese traditional Kaiseki cuisine. Maiko will come to your table one by one for pictures with you!
 Don't forget to carry your camera!! :)



Reservation Needed:
Momijiya Inn - Tel: 075-871-1005

"Dinner Meal with a Maiko"
Price: 12000yen per person.
Only Limited Season: from early June to middle of Sep.

Access
at: 17:25 - Momijiya's bus will pick up you at the bus stop in front of New Hankyu hotel in Kyoto station.

at around: 18:20 - Dinner starts, enjoy viewing maiko-san's lovely dancing performance along with taking pictures service at riverside pavilion (120min)

at: around 21:00 - Momijiya's Bus drop you off at New Hankyu hotel in Kyoto station.



As Autumn version;
This Maiko event will start again from November!

Takao area is very famous for its fire-like red-color maple scenery in Fall.

Dinner is served Not Kawadoko style (outside is too cold), but inside of the room, at their gorgeous banquet tatami room. Of course Maiko-san will give you a nice dancing performance along with a picture time as always :)
















Staying at Momijiya-inn would also give you a special experience. Enjoy their special beauty in each season!

Kamogawa Riverbank Yuka Restaurants Started!

After enjoying the gorgeous Sakura, the famous sign telling the next season, Summer has come up in the riverside of Kyoto!! Kamogawa Yuka, a riverside platform for dining, is one of the symbol of Kyoto.

When you see it's set up above the west bank of Kamogawa River, it reminds Spring's finished and the city has set up to welcome the Summer!!

In this season, the people are enjoying their relaxing time in the riverside, watching the beautiful view while listening to the sound of a stream.

Seeing that young couples enjoy their lunch in the sunny open-air riverside is very popular. Also people enjoy cycling in a gentle breeze along the river.

And at night, this riverside is turned to be the scenic site well-known for its gorgeous Pontocho! The traditional lantern light is really exotic. Now there are about 90 yuka platforms, meaning 90 restaurants are located along the river.

There are many kinds of cuisine available such as traditional Izakaya, Sumibi-yaki (charcol grilled), Kyoto Kaiseki, Sushi, Tenpura, Sukiyaki, Italian, French, Beef etc...

There is the theater of Geiko/Maiko at the end of the Pontocho street, so if you're lucky, you may come across the beautiful Maiko walking on the street or enjoy dining with their guests at the restaurants... Good Luck!

The riverside dining will last until the summer will be finished in September.

Enjoy Summer in Kyoto.

Kyoto Ramen Koji, All Ramen Noodle Floor!

Arrive at Kyoto before/around Noon?

Enjoy quick lunch at Kyoto station.

There are many restaurants here and there at Kyoto station, but almost all are fully packed during lunch time, you would be feeling exhauted to see a long queue.

Are you interested in "Ramen Noodle"? I think Ramen restaurant is the best choice to have a quick lunch.

We Japanese like Ramen very much. :)

There is a famous floor at Kyoto station, all about
"Ramen" restaurants called "Ramen-Koji (street)"
(京都拉麺小路).

It's on 10th floor of Kyoto Isetan Department Store. There are 7 different Ramen restaruants along with a coffee cafe. Each restaurant is featured with famous Ramen Brand throughout Japan like from Sapporo in Hokkaido through Hakata in Kyushu.
(open 11am - 22pm, last order is 21:30pm)

Sumire (すみれ) from Sapporo

Featured Soup - Miso ・・・　Thick Soup from fish, pork bone and vegitables
Recommend : Miso Ramen - 900yen  Click

TETSU (つけめんTetsu) from Tokyo

Featured Soup - Special Dipping Type ・・・　Pork bone based thick soup mixed with Bonito based fish broth.

Enjoy rich flavor of fish! Soup and noodle is served separately. Dip the noodle into the soup and eat.
Recommend: Hiyamori - 800yen  Click

I like "Tonkotsu Ramen", so I've tried Hakata Ikkousha(博多一幸舎) before starting the tour.

The soup is milky and smooth with a strong Tonkotsu flavor. It doesn't contain any raw smell of the pork, and they will only use the pork’s bones to boil the soup without the fat.

This is Ajitama-Negi-Chashu-Men 1050yen. Served with 4 pcs of very soft sliced pork called "Chash". You can order "Negi-Chashu-Men" without egg if you don't like egg.

With Australian couple

With Italian couple

Before join the queue, you need to buy the ticket in advance.  

(You can use only 1000yen bill, not 5000yen or 10,000yen bill)

Elevator of department store is very crowded, so why don't you enjoy taking open-air stairs just next to the building to go up onto the 10th floor.

Dai-Kaidan (big stairs) of Kyoto Eki-Bilu

This huge stairs is one of the MUST attraction to enjoy the view of the whole Eki-Bilu, kyoto station building! :)

Enjoyed your food? Okay, now let's start the tour from Kyoto station!! Where would you like to go? :)