Best Parts of Christmas in Japan

A very popular part of Christmas (at least in Kyoto) is Christmas cake. Many of the hotels, bakeries, and small shops sell a variety of cakes. As you can see in the photos, they sort of look like what was once a traditional style cake (the two above being a yule log and cheesecake), but with their own Japanese twist. 

Christmas is also the Valentine's day of Japan, so it was common to see hearts and romance marketed through the seaon. 

A little service gift from the bakery. A petite, gingerbread cookie, complete with rock hard icing. 

The other equally tasty, best thing of Christmas in Kyoto was our amazing dinner with H-san. He brought an amazing bottle of 2002 Robert Mondavi wine (this is generally a no-no in restaurants, they do not usually allow outside wines, plan to offer to pay a corkage fee to get a yes)

 A small Italian restaurant in Nishiki market, Nishiki Matsumura was excellent and willing to adapt the menu to non-mammal eaters! They request a day or two notice, but happy to oblige. 

New Year's Day in Kyoto

As was the case with New Year's Eve, New Year's Day was relatively quiet. The big shebang all took place at Heian Shrine. We were told almost a million people go through the Shrine around New Year's, so it was no surprise when we found the streets lined with food stalls.

A popular New Year's tradition is to eat like a gluten on New Year's Day. If you, like us, love Japanese junk food, then this is your day! Okonomiyaki the size of your head, take-what-you-want yakisoba, and so much more!

Veggie okonomiyaki! 

Toji Temple Market

 A few photos from our recent trip to the Toji Temple market. This once a month market is not to be missed by tourists! Many tourist goods are sold along side tasty Japanese stall food (like the mochi balls being made in the photo). There was a large asortment of bonsai, house plants, fabric for yukatas, and all kinds of other things. many websites warn you to go early, and they are right! We went around 10am and it was a mad house!

*The market is on the 21st of every month

This is the first time we have see pine nuts for sale at the markets. I'm sure they were not any more cost effective than in the U.S. 

We know what the fox says...Ohaiyo! Samui desu ne! 

Amidst the bustle of the market, temple men walk through the crowds, reminding everyone of why the market is happening. 

Training kids to love pachinko! These antique pachinko machines are for kids to play for prizes. 

bonsai for sale, some of which were in the $150+ range! 

Colorful spray painted succulents for holiday decorations

Kyoto City International Foundation Open House

We recently attended the Kyoto City International Foundation's (aka KOKOKA or Kyoto International Communication House) Open Day. Unfortunately a rainy day, they still had a great turn out. 

If you are unfamiliar with KOKOKA and intend to live in the Kyoto area, we highly recommend going by! Although not as welcoming as we think they want to be, it can be a great place for basic resources. They do have some staff who speak some English, offer low-cost, crash course Japanese, and immigration support. Here is a link to their website. 

Food from around the world lined the outside entry way to KOKOKA. 

Live music and other performances were held in the main hall of KOKOKA. There was an enthusiastic Irish violinist while we were were at the festival, and right before him an all female Eastern European flute troupe!  

Halloween in Japan (continued)

The never ending topic, we know. Halloween was a lot of fun in Japan, and we found some extra shots of the holiday. 

Although yummy, this is not like the pumpkin ice cream you get at home. There is a swirl of what tastes like actual pumpkin puree. It's pretty tasty, just not what you would expect from pumpkin ice cream. 

Porta in Kyoto station had a free photo station set up, complete with staff to take your photo with your cell phone! 

We went as a Korean couple, obvious isn't it? Korean couples are notorious for their twin-like dress. Unfotunately in Japan people just thought we were twins or not dressed up at all...

The Hub was a Halloween central! Well decorated and populated by many costume-clad Japanese people. For once it was actually a great place to be. Also to be noted was the awesome waiter who came to my (Meg) rescue when while Kev was in the bathroom, a drunk guy sat down at our table and wouldn't leave! Thank you to the Hub and their awesome staff (even if you are a chain)

Yes, it's totally fine to bring your precious baby to the bar...and yes it's totally fine to let them wander the bar. 

Black face DJ at Butterfly! Because it's totally fine to be racist here...(just kidding...sort of)

Our tiny little pumpkins...Sharpie pen decorated as they were too small to actually carve...