Downtown Kyoto - Kyoto - page 138

proachable kaiseki fare in a variety of rooms, both private and common. Their kiku set
(¥1890) includes some sashimi, a bit of tempura and a variety of other nibblies. Kaiseki
dinner courses start at ¥6300 and you must make reservations in advance. This is a good
spot for those who want a civilised meal downtown in relaxing surroundings. There's an
English sign.

MISHIMA-TEI¥¥¥
OFFLINE MAP
( 三嶋亭 ; 221-0003; 405 Sakurano-chō, Sanjō sagaru, Teramachi-dōri, Nakagyō-ku; sukiyaki lunch & dinner
from ¥8700; 11.30am-10pm, closed Wed; ; 5min walk from Kyoto-Shiyakusho-mae Station, Tōzai subway
line) This is an inexpensive place to sample sukiyaki. The quality of the meat here is very
high, which is hardly surprising when you consider there is a butcher right downstairs.
There is an English menu, a special lunch (¥4505) served until 3pm and a discount for for-
eign travellers! It's in the intersection of the Sanjō and Teramachi covered arcades.

| SUKIYAKI

CAFÉ BIBLIOTEC HELLO! ¥
OFFLINE MAP
( カフェビブリオティック ハロー ; 231-8625; 650 Seimei-chō, Yanaginobanba higashi iru, Nijō,
Nakagyō-ku; meals from ¥850, coffee ¥450; 11.30am-midnight; ; 10min walk from Kyoto-Shiyakusho-
mae Station, Tōzai subway line) As the name suggests, books line the walls of this cool cafe loc-
ated in a converted machiya (traditional Japanese town house). You can get the usual
range of coffee and tea drinks here, as well as light cafe lunches. It's popular with young
ladies who work nearby and it's a great place to relax with a book or magazine. Look for
the plants out the front.

| CAFE

HINAKA¥¥
OFFLINE MAP
( 旬肴ひなか ; 231-5525; Nakagyō-ku, Nabeya-chō 214-1, Asahi Pontochō Bldg 1F; dishes ¥700-1000;
5pm-11pm, closed Mon; 3min walk from Kawaramachi Station, Hankyū line) Hinaka is a small locals' fa-
vourite on Pontochō, one of Kyoto's most atmospheric walkways. The menu includes
Kyoto specialities like tofu and yuba (tofu skim), as well as fresh seasonal vegetables and
fish. The chef hails from one of Kyoto's best known restaurants. He opened here in the
spring of 2010 and has already attracted a loyal following, who come here to dine at the
counter or at tables with sunken floors (no knee strain here).

| JAPANESE

TSUKIMOCHIYA NAOMASA¥
OFFLINE MAP
( 月餅家直正 ; 231-0175; Nakagyō-ku, Kiyamachi-dōri, Sanjō agaru, Kamiōsaka-chō 530; tsukimochi ¥150;
9.30am-7pm, closed Thu; 5min walk from Sanjō Station, Keihan line) This classic old sweet shop,
about 50m north of Sanjō-dōri on Kiyamachi-dōri, is a great place to get acquainted with

| SWEETS