Looking forward to pickle buffet in Kyoto
Yuzu Daikon (ゆず大根)
Sesame Daikon (ごま大根)
Yam Shiso (長芋しそ)
Komatsuna (小松菜): Japanese mustard spinach
Shibushi (柴漬): a traditional pickle in Kyoto, chopped eggplant and cucumber, leaves of red shiso are added and salted
Mibuna (壬生菜): an annual grass. One of the Kyo vegetables, it is certified as “traditional vegetables in Kyoto”
i++ When I went to Waterloo, I probably walked through Atrium on Bay a hundred times on my way to the bus station but never really took note of anything; he really likes this space so we make a point of meandering through it during our coffee walks
i++ BBQ with Benise (Benny + Denise) on the patio; so many Neo cakes to try … black sasame is really good too!
i++ Catching up with Mathieu @ Sabai Sabai; potato chip story!
i++ Catching up with Yiyi @ Café Boulud (summerlicious)
i++ Catching up with Marco @ Fat Lamb Kouzina
i++ Finally checked out the Inuit Art Museum; I see bike racks around the TD center everyday when I come to the office but, because it’s an elevated section within the lobby, the view of the bike rack is different
i++ Adelaide Eats with Jess/Pamela/Christina/Nimmie: I got five spice duck which is like duck confit with pickled mustard greens; Nimmie’s tuna looked good too!
i++ RGA Summer Event: Backyard Axe Throwing League + Cherry Street BBQ
i++ RGA Skating Event: I got too excited and almost wiped out and Jess/Jasper tried to save me
It was very clear from the beginning that we have different approaches to travel. Instead of pushing him to do all the things that I want to do, I figured it would be easier to start with his preferred approach and make changes slowly.
In 2012, our first ever trip together was a 9 day architecture tour of Chicago with three stops in Wisconsin.
In 2013, our 10 day visit to San Francisco included a bike trip around Napa.
In 2015, our 11 day trip around the Pacific Northwest included biking around Mt Hood and hiking along the People’s Coast.
In 2016, our 12 day trip to Germany and Austria included biking around Salzburg lakes, biking along the Mosel river and castle walks. The fact that we had an amazing trip despite getting off at the wrong train station and me suggesting that we walk to the next train station gave us a huge confidence boost.
This year, we are doing a 16 day trip to Japan with a stop in Vancouver. I don’t love big crowds but, having lived in Shanghai and Beijing, I have my ways of finding serenity in a sea of people. This is his first trip to Asia so not quite sure how he will respond.
For the three days in Kyoto, I’m thinking we can break it down into six segments. This way, if we get run over by tour groups, we will just tough it out knowing that a quiet break is right around the corner.
Segment #1: We are staying in an apartment in Nakagyō-ku (中京区) so I’m thinking we can kick off our first afternoon adventure at Cao Cafe Ishikawa (picture above) which is open from 11:30 to 3 am on Sundays. Nishiki Market followed by Nishiki Tenman-gū (天満宮). Pickle shopping at Murakamijyu Honten. Pontocho Alley followed by Shirakawa-minami Dori.
Segment #2: 6 am bamboo forest stroll followed by coffee at % ARABICA (picture above). Walk across Togetsukyō Bridge (渡月橋) followed by exploration of Tenryū-ji (天龍寺): “The main 14th-century Zen garden, with its backdrop of the Arashiyama mountains, is a good example of shakkei (borrowed scenery)” (lonely planet). Looking forward to comparing and constrasting with Humble Administrator’s Garden, which is also famous for 借景. Followed by all you can eat lunch at Gyatei.
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Segment #3: Coffee at efish followed by pottery admiration at Kawai Kanjiro Memorial Hall. A stroll around Ninen-zaka, Sannen-zaka, Ishibei-koji (picture above).
Segment #4: 6 am Hōnen-in (法然院) visit. Climb to the viewpoint above Ginkaku-ji followed by lunch at Omen. Paper shopping at Kamiji Kakimoto followed by tea at Ippodo.
Segment #5: Walk around Nijō Castle from 3 pm to 5 pm (supposedly this place is very busy in the middle of the day). Tour Sanjo-kai Shotengai. Gotta see the Matatabi-sha Shrine which is right inside the shopping arcade.
Segment #6: 6 am walk around Inari-yama
i++ Last Sunday, magazine reading @ offsite, one of “10 new coffee shops with the best interior design in Toronto” per blogto
i++ Last Saturday, people watching @ dark horse canary, another one of the 10
i++ Les pains au chocolat La Fournée Dorée
i++ Excellent STL dinner @ Bristol Seafood Grill
i++ Citrus BBQ party featuring pickled plum with lime zest, carrot sauteed in orange juice, fried lemon, kumquat and Jess’ super amazing Bergamot cake
