Higashiyama District, Not To Be Missed When Visiting Kiyomizu-dera


After an impressive visit to Kiyomizu-dera, it was time for us to enjoy the mochi and ice cream along Higashiyama District, the lane full of snakcs, souvenirs, restaurants and crafts between Kiyomizu-dera and Yashaka Shrine.

It's a beautiful lane, all the buildings are made froom wood, I felt like walking through a movie scene.


Welcome to Higashiyama District



The Location of Higashiyama District


To give you an idea where the lane is located, let me start with a map I got from Japan Guide. Higashiyama District is the one with orange line seen in the below map.

Source: Japan Guide

On our way to Kiyomizu-dera, we choose to walk on a lane heading to Yasaka Pagoda. But of course, we wouldn't miss to experience Higashiyama District on our way back from Kiyomizu-dera.



Free Ocha and Mochi Along The Lane!

What I love the most about Higashiyama District? The opportunity to eat mochi (Japanese rice cake) and drink ocha (Japanese green tea) for free! Just follow the crowd and enter one of the mochi shop, and you may try all kind of mochi!

Whether you are planning to buy mochi or not, you are welcome to try! 

Let's try the real Japanese Mochi



Matcha Ice Cream Seller Is Everywhere

Other snack than mochi that you will find on Higashiyama District is the "Soft Ice Cream" counters. There were many of them! On average the ice cream cost JPY350. 


One of the Soft Ice Cream counter


Our Kiddos requested to try the vanilla and chocolate ice cream. They got one scope and a stick of Cinnamon.

It was the first time for our Kiddos#2 to try Cinnamon stick, look at his face:D



For me and mr.husband, we tried the Matcha (green tea) ice cream on a puff cake. It looks yummy, but actually we didn't like the taste of the cake:D When I told mr.husband that I didn't like it, he said, "Let's buy a normal ice cream for you". But I didn't want to spend another JPY350 for my next ice cream! Hahaha...


Matcha Ice Cream on a puff cake



The other 15 minutes, we walked along the lane but didn't buy anything. We were focused to hold our Kiddos, afraid to loose them in the crowd. I think I would spend two hour at minimun to enjoy the Higashiyama District, there were so much to see!






The crowd when we visited Higashiyama District



Takoyaki Seller At The Entrance of Higashiyama District

After Mochi and Matcha Ice Cream, we were full but could not resist Takoyaki! We found a Takoyaki seller on our way from Higashiyama District back to the bus stop. From its smell, I knew that it would taste awesome:D

I posted a video on our Instagram @tesyasblog how this man made the Takoyaki wholeheartedly. Take a look using the hashtag #JPFamTrip.

It was the best Takoyaki I had in Japan

8 pieces for JPY500


By the way, it was very challenging to walk from Higashiyama District to this Takoyaki seller. The street heading to Kiyomizu-dera (and vice versa) was really crowded! 

Going back to Kyoto, after our visit to Kiyomizu-dera and Higashiyama District



Things You Should Buy: Kiyomizuyaki-Pottery

Fell in love with the pottery I found in our airbnb at Kyoto, I was really happy to find the pottery along Higashiyama District, and even when we walked along the street to Kiyomizu-Gojo station.

I stopped for a while, and bought one small glass and a teapot for myself. "Why didn't you buy two glasses?" mr.husband asked me. Hahaha... I only need one, I knew he doesn't drink tea.

Walking towards the train station
Stopped to buy the pottery


If you visit Kyoto, the Kiyomizu-dera and Higashiyama District should be on your list! Even if you have to struggle with the crowd like we did.


written on January 24, 2016 by @tesyasblog


Next Post:
Miraikan, The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation


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Kiyomizu-dera, The Most Beautiful Temple in Kyoto



6 comments:

  1. Takoyakinya.... sungguh menggoda

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Iya Mba Muna, aku juga tadi pagi jadi pengen Takoyaki setelah posting tulisan ini:D

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  2. Di manaahh itu ada free ocha?? ga nemu maasaa waktu itu :(( :((

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    Replies
    1. Aaaah Mei, di toko pertama Mochi yang aku temui (jalan kaki dari Kiyomizu ke bawah), sebelah kanan. Itu tokonya foto ketiga di atas.

      Delete
  3. Higashiyama district rame banget ya mba? Btw rasa matcha sama takoyaki jepang sama di Indonesia enakan mana mba ? :) apa takoyaki Indonesia sudah ngikuti lidah Indonesia

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hai Vika, thanks udah mampir:)
      Matcha dan Takoyaki-nya enak di Jepang, Vika, atau cuma sugesti ya? Hahaha, entahlah... Coba Vika yang bandingin deh nanti kalau ke Jepang ya:D

      Delete