Catching noodles in kibune

When it's hot in Kyoto, one of the very best solutions is to take the tiny train up to Kibune in the mountains north of Kyoto, where there are restaurants on platforms over the river. One restaurant specializes in somen, delicate white noodles, served cold, which you need to catch with your chopsticks as they whiz down a bamboo shoot. entertaining, refreshing and delicious.

sweets, modern, part 1

there's such a range of "western style" sweets here, from the spare and fabulous french treats at le petit mec [our favorite] to the plastic, fantastic over-the-top cake-y settos. we're documenting them all.

Sweets, traditional, part 1

the wagashi [traditional japanese sweets] are beautiful and witty, and always subtly refer to the seasons. they're
sometimes a little disappointing to western tastes unless red bean paste, mochi, or pressed sugar is your thing. as an incurable sweet tooth, i'm able to indulge happily.
note: peony and maple leaves are made of sugar!

Bikes, etc

There's a serious bike and moped culture here. Everyone from the tiniest kids to the oldest grannies ride bikes. And they are used to carry everything: mail, kids, deliveries, girlfriends...

Toji flea market, round 2

Brocade cowboys, the movie v2

preparing for the archery races

Brocade cowboys, the movie v1

aoi matsuri festival, shimogamo

more pics of the shimogamo aoi matsuri festival. such amazing costumes and colors.

More brocade cowboys

more cowboys from aoi matsuri, shimogamo shrine

Brocade cowboys, Shimogamo shrine

one of my all time favorite festivals here is part of aoi matsuri,shimogamo shrine. they have dashing men in silken robes and lacquer hats doing archery while racing on horseback. we've dubbed them the brocade cowboys. the races date back to the heian period as do the robes.swoon.

hand made food from silk

i have been amused by this tiny shop in nishiki market, tucked in among all the food shops. it sells beautiful veggies and sushi hand made from chirimen silk crepe.

Teens at night

Japanese school kids #1

Street finds #6