Thursday, December 8, 2016

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

There were some other places we visited, but for the life of me I cannot find them now. Note to self: write your posts sooner! We did go past what seemed to be a pop-up market with a very multi cultural flavor. You could get anything from American style burgers to Indian to Vietnamese. And then there were 2 awesome little Japanese coffee vendors. Both served really great drip coffee. And this seems to be the trend in Kyoto and Osaka: less espresso and more full immersion coffee. I have not really had so much exposure to this type of coffee making so I’m grateful for the experience.

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There were some other places we visited, but for the life of me I cannot find them now. Note to self: write your posts sooner! We did go past what seemed to be a pop-up market with a very multi cultural flavor. You could get anything from American style burgers to Indian to Vietnamese. And then there were 2 awesome little Japanese coffee vendors. Both served really great drip coffee. And this seems to be the trend in Kyoto and Osaka: less espresso and more full immersion coffee. I have not really had so much exposure to this type of coffee making so I’m grateful for the experience.

There were some other places we visited, but for the life of me I cannot find them now. Note to self: write your posts sooner! We did go past what seemed to be a pop-up market with a very multi cultural flavor. You could get anything from American style burgers to Indian to Vietnamese. And then there were 2 awesome little Japanese coffee vendors. Both served really great drip coffee. And this seems to be the trend in Kyoto and Osaka: less espresso and more full immersion coffee. I have not really had so much exposure to this type of coffee making so I’m grateful for the experience.

There were some other places we visited, but for the life of me I cannot find them now. Note to self: write your posts sooner! We did go past what seemed to be a pop-up market with a very multi cultural flavor. You could get anything from American style burgers to Indian to Vietnamese. And then there were 2 awesome little Japanese coffee vendors. Both served really great drip coffee. And this seems to be the trend in Kyoto and Osaka: less espresso and more full immersion coffee. I have not really had so much exposure to this type of coffee making so I’m grateful for the experience.

Big in Japan: Part II

Kyoto, Japan. Sentido was a coffee shop that came highly rated. That being said I don’t remember where I got the name from but we kept it starred in Google maps and when we got to Karasuma Oike Station, dropped by. The place was small, well lit and simple. There were some coffee products for sale as well as some pastries. We did not have any food but they apparently have some sort of set menu. Lots of Japanese reading material around. Its less warm and comfortable than some of the cafes I have been to and would not spend half a day there like I do in some. One thing that was possibly a bit of a negative was our initial ‘interaction’ with the staff - I felt they were a bit rude. But then again it might have just been a cultural thing or misunderstanding. I’ll give them the benefit. So the most important bit: The coffee. It was great. Well prepared . Both my wife and I had a cappuccino and it more than made up for my initial perception of the place. If you're in the area definitely drop by to get a good cup.

BIG IN TAIWAN·FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2016 Kyoto, Japan. Sentido was a coffee shop that came highly rated. That being said I don’t remember where I got the name from but we kept it starred in Google maps and when we got to Karasuma Oike Station, dropped by. The place was small, well lit and simple. There were some coffee products for sale as well as some pastries. We did not have any food but they apparently have some sort of set menu. Lots of Japanese reading material around. Its less warm and comfortable than some of the cafes I have been to and would not spend half a day there like I do in some. One thing that was possibly a bit of a negative was our initial ‘interaction’ with the staff - I felt they were a bit rude. But then again it might have just been a cultural thing or misunderstanding. I’ll give them the benefit. So the most important bit: The coffee. It was great. Well prepared . Both my wife and I had a cappuccino and it more than made up for my initial perception of the place. If you're in the area definitely drop by to get a good cup.
The last cafe I want to mention is the Vermillion Espresso Bar. Please note that there are 2 Vermillion shops: one cafe close to the 伏見稲荷本教間力教会 Shinto shrine and the one we visited close to the Fushimi-Inari Station. This is a logical first stop before you visit the Fushimi-Inari Temple, Kyoto, Japan. We went before the crowds but unfortunately the cafe only opened up at 10am. On weekends its 9am. The cafe is trendy with some Japanese reading material and fairly comfortable. We had a very friendly Australian barista who served us some great coffee. Flat white and latte. Fine tasting coffee in a viby atmosphere. The barista was very talkative and made our visit even more enjoyable. This place seemed to attract a few foreigners. So chances are you could strike up an English conversation here if your Japanese isn’t to good. The shop is situated just a short walk from the station and the temple. Take a look at Vermillion cafe link to see the locations. The second location seems to have a balcony or terrace and a coffee there would probably be an awesome choice. Reviews look excellent.