If you're looking for a truly peaceful dining experience, you couldn't be with more luck when you stumble across Savory. A masterful collaboration with Comme Chinois, dine on farm-to-table food on the rooftop merely steps away from the garden.
This trendy concept store is housed in a 13th-century Bukkoji temple with its own Japanese café next door. This is a great place to score some unique designer home accessories and products from local small-batch food producers, after a light lunch and a cup of Japanese, freshly brewed tea. The Torasaru cake is an absolute must: citrusy, velvety, and every so tasty
7T+ presents matcha in a contemporary, design-led setting while maintaining a strong focus on quality. Single cultivars are available alongside their house blend, which is a great starting point before moving onto richer flavours. The team are helpful and can guide you through origins and intensity levels if you’re unsure of what to order. Oat milk is used to add a sweetness without the need for any flavourings. You can also purchase teas here, which makes a great gift.
This is a terrific and diverse five block traditional food market known as Kyoto's Kitchen, with most of the items being locally sourced and prepared in Kyoto. Start at the intersection of Nishikikoji Street and Takakura Street, before slowly working your way down the blocks until you end up at the Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine.
Kanetaka Hamono is a small specialist knife shop offering precision-forged blades for both professional and home use. The selection ranges across materials and price points, with stainless steel blades easier to maintain, and carbon steel offering a sharper cut but requiring more upkeep due to rust. Do your research before heading in as the staff speak limited English. Engraving is available for a personal touch, but for only up to three letters. The shop also sells nail clippers of the same high quality that come with a lifetime guarantee.