The rain started in the early hours of the morning but I needed to clear my head and an early morning run was just the thing. It’s not like it’s cold, so a rain run up to the Imperial Palace and back was fun.
Luckily for us an exceptional bakery is located right next to our accommodation. 2/7 Bakery is its name and it’s the best. With brekky sorted there were three items on today’s agenda: knives, kimono and the Philosophers Path.
Our lovely friend Laura had talked about an amazing knife shop in the Gion area of Kyoto where they sell beautiful super sharp hand made knives that will hopefully last a lifetime. We visited and were extremely impressed with the quality of their products… and we may possibly never be back here again so…
Afterwards we staggered on doggedly through the heat and humidity to the Philosopher’s Path. The walk took us through lots of the most visited shrines and temples in the Gion area but most of them were overrun with bus loads of mainly Chinese tourists – so we skirted around many of the sights. We’d seen them last time we were here and in any case it really was very hot so we kept our eyes on the prize.
After multiple rehydration breaks we made it to the Philospher’s Path which is is a pedestrian path that follows a cherrytree-lined canal in between Gingkaku-ji and Nanzen-ji. Of course the cherrry trees bloomed a month or so ago but the walk was still quite pretty and mercifully cool.
One last task remained and Jules tackled it with renewed enthusiasm. A tiny jam packed shop in Gion (god help anyone if there’s ever a fire) selling truck tons of lovely very reasonably priced lovely vintage kimonos. Jules found a super cute one and one of the lovely staff helped her put it in and then bound her up tightly with a properly tied “obi” which is the band that goes around the kimono.
We capped the day off with a simple cheap and delicious meal at a little restaurant called Spice Chamber. The place had a great vibe, playing quality music through an old sound system. They serve one dish – chicken keema – which was super spicy and simply one of the best things I’ve eaten on the trip so far. The owner was a super cool dude called Jin. We talked Japanese music and he told us the lead singer from Otoboke Beaver was his friend (they are from Kyoto after all). “She once told me to fuck off” he said grinning proudly. He also told us about a gig on Sunday night, so you never know. Great end to a great day.
Morning run shot. Imperial Palace grounds Kyoto.
Delicious coffee. Delighted customer. Weekenders Coffee Tominokoji.
Sharp and pointy. Shinto knife store Gion Kyoto.
Engraving names on knives. Shinto knife store.
En route to the philosopher’s walk. Feeling hot but not too philosophical.
Hanging with all my friends. The sensible people were all in the shade.
At last, the philosopher’s walk, Gion Kyoto. I resisted the urge to quote Satre.
Vintage kimono shopping, Gion.
Dinner at Spice Chamber, Kyoto. One thing on the menu only – and that was all we needed. This place was ace.
Chicken keema, pickled vegetables and a shochu lemon sour. Like I said – ace.
Look both ways.
Nightcap at a bar by the river called Atlantis. Didn’t mention it above because it was a tourist trap and it sucked. We didn’t even order a strawberry daiquiri.
flyeelookee 