Eat & drink like a local: the Japanese izakaya dining edition

Kyoto has retained its 1000-year status as a culinary capital in Japan. With your host playing the dual role of ingredient explainer and menu decipherer, let the smells of street food guide you down a five-block marketplace filled with spectacular snacks – from seafood-stuffed dough balls under a blanket of unfurling bonito flakes, karikari takoyaki, to fresh beef sushi (yes, beef!).

The epitome of Japanese haute cuisine, kaiseki, is a must-try for any foodie. And if you’re feeling adventurous? Try Senmaizuke, a delicious, traditional Kyoto pickle made from Shogoin turnips, or slurp up fragrant green tea noodles in a city known for its uji matcha. Veggie lovers can dig into ultra-umami Issenyoushoku!

In Kyoto, the number of foods you’ll try is only restricted by the size of your appetite, so come hungry! Jostle your way through the 400-year-old Nishiki Market in downtown Nakagyo – a large, central district –  where you’ll find all of Kyoto’s famous street foods in one mouth-watering place.

Keep things moving with a quick trip to a 100-yen sushi bar and have a draft beer in an intimate izakaya. At this small local bar, you’ll share small plates of Hamo (Conger eel) or take your time at a traditional kaiseki (a traditional, multi-course meal) restaurant in Gion, Kyoto’s central geisha district.

For a uniquely Kyoto experience shared with your local insider, enjoy a steaming bowl of Nishin-soba and a cold drink as the sun sets over the Kamo River.