Discussion
Off to Japan for a whistle stop 4 night trip in a few weeks, just one night in Kyoto and 3 in Tokyo.
This is my 40th birthday trip so we've got some great restaurant reservations on a couple of evenings though we do want to try "Piss Alley" one evening, any recommendations once there?
Anything else we should do whilst there?
Finally, if I was in the market for some new knives, where would I go specifically?
Cheers
This is my 40th birthday trip so we've got some great restaurant reservations on a couple of evenings though we do want to try "Piss Alley" one evening, any recommendations once there?
Anything else we should do whilst there?
Finally, if I was in the market for some new knives, where would I go specifically?
Cheers
Mrs H and I did 4 days in Kyoto last year. Loved it.
Restaurants - we ate in several - mostly sushi but one night we ate in a Kobe beef restaurant. If I can find out their names I'll let you know but old age is catching up I'm afraid ! However we did not have a bad meal whilst in Japan.
We visited the old castle in Kyoto, Gion, the geisha district which was fasinating and lots of temples !
Before I bought my knife, I researched and spoke to a friend of mine who happens to live in Kyoto.
The two "best" shops are the Shigeharu, Aritsugu and Kikuijimonji shops. We visited all 3, and "chatted" with people who work in stores (Aritsugu and Kikuijimonji both have a level of English where as Shigeharu you draw pictures of the various things you want to cut, chop or slice).
I chose for Shigeharu. Allegedly the oldest knife / sword shop in Kyoto, and the owner custom fits the knife for you - moulding and changing the fit of the handle to suit your grip, blades sharpened specifically for left handed people. Amazing experience and by far and away the sharpest knife I have ever owned, and a pleasure to sharpen with a whetstone.
I only bought one knife as I wasn't sure about bringing them into the country (The Netherlands) but wish I had done some investigation beforehand as would certainly have bought a couple more.
A quick iPad snap for you.
Restaurants - we ate in several - mostly sushi but one night we ate in a Kobe beef restaurant. If I can find out their names I'll let you know but old age is catching up I'm afraid ! However we did not have a bad meal whilst in Japan.
We visited the old castle in Kyoto, Gion, the geisha district which was fasinating and lots of temples !
Before I bought my knife, I researched and spoke to a friend of mine who happens to live in Kyoto.
The two "best" shops are the Shigeharu, Aritsugu and Kikuijimonji shops. We visited all 3, and "chatted" with people who work in stores (Aritsugu and Kikuijimonji both have a level of English where as Shigeharu you draw pictures of the various things you want to cut, chop or slice).
I chose for Shigeharu. Allegedly the oldest knife / sword shop in Kyoto, and the owner custom fits the knife for you - moulding and changing the fit of the handle to suit your grip, blades sharpened specifically for left handed people. Amazing experience and by far and away the sharpest knife I have ever owned, and a pleasure to sharpen with a whetstone.
I only bought one knife as I wasn't sure about bringing them into the country (The Netherlands) but wish I had done some investigation beforehand as would certainly have bought a couple more.
A quick iPad snap for you.
Tokyo
Andy's Fish is a great pub for a less formal meal - we went on our first night - loved the snow crab with vinegar and crab stuffed chicken legs. If you're nice he'll even do a tour of the fish market the next day.
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g10...
Also, for a uniquely intimate chef's table experience, try Amoroso;
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g10...
Kyoto
There is a good knife shop in the mile long market street, about half way down - I didn't buy, but it looked the business.
Andy's Fish is a great pub for a less formal meal - we went on our first night - loved the snow crab with vinegar and crab stuffed chicken legs. If you're nice he'll even do a tour of the fish market the next day.
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g10...
Also, for a uniquely intimate chef's table experience, try Amoroso;
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g10...
Kyoto
There is a good knife shop in the mile long market street, about half way down - I didn't buy, but it looked the business.
I started a topic a couple of months ago regarding visiting Tokyo that gave some great advice.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I'll update it now with some pics and a quick write-up of my visit so as not to derail this thread, but if you need to ask anything of a first time visitor, then feel free to ask
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I'll update it now with some pics and a quick write-up of my visit so as not to derail this thread, but if you need to ask anything of a first time visitor, then feel free to ask
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