Kyoto is known as the ancient capital of Japan. It is said to be the place where quintessential Japanese culture started, and has charmed the world over with its incredibly rich 1,200-year history.

Autumn is a popular season in Japan, especially amongst tourists and travellers. While in spring you have the bright pink cherry blossoms, when autumntime rolls around, the trees turn into enchanting reds and yellows. People from around the world flock to see this incredible sight, with Kyoto being a very popular location.

KYOTO SIDE, a regional information website run by Kyoto Prefecture, has listed a number of must-visit places around the city for seeing the autumn foliage, which is known as koyo in Japanese. Of course, viewing the beautiful colours of the trees and their leaves is a must during the daytime, but seeing them in the evening has become popular in recent years too. It offers you an entirely different experience and atmosphere. Here’s three places you should jot down for your Kyoto trip this autumn.

Jitokuin Temple: A place of rest created by the chief priest and locals

Jitokuin Temple is located in the town of Yosano in Yosa District. Maple trees were planted almost 11 years ago with the help of locals and the chief priest to create local ties. Every autumn, the trees behind the mountain bloom in vivid hues, leading the temple to be nicknamed “Koyo-ji,” or “Temple of Autumn.” The locals work hard in the surrounding gardens day by day, so the sights change a little bit every year.

The maple trees are planted in a way that it looks like they take an entire side of the mountain. They are a sight to be hold during the day, but for one week in November there will be illuminations in the evenings, creating a magical scene under the night sky.

Light-Up Period: November 9, 2019 – November 16, 2019

Light-Up Time: 17:00-20:00 (Temple is open 09:00-20:00)

Autumn Foliage Peak Period: Early-Mid November

Address: 2250 Akeshi, Yosano, Yoza-gun, Kyoto

Support Fund: ¥300

Official Website: http://jitokuin.com

Nariaiji Temple: The 5-storey pagoda comes together with the autumn colours

Nariaiji Temple, located in Kyoto Prefecture’s city of Miyazu, is an ancient temple betwixt mountains overlooking Amanohashidate, one of Japan’s “Three Scenic Views.” It’s home to a grand 5-storey pagoda which is surrounded by hundreds of maple trees, offering an incredible, quintessentially Japanese view during autumn.

During the day, you can snap some gorgeous photos with the Sea of Japan and Amanohashidate in the back. For two nights only, on Saturday November 9 and Sunday November 10, the entire area will be beautifully lit up with warm illuminations.

Light-Up Period: November 9, 2019 – November 10, 2019

Light-Up Time: Sunset – 21:00 (Temple is open 08:00-16:30)

Autumn Foliage Peak Period: Early-Late November

Address: 339 Nariaiji, Miyazu, Kyoto

Price: ¥500

Official Website: http://www.nariaiji.jp/

Kasagiyama Prefectural Natural Park: A bright-red landscape from the mountain peak

Kasagiyama Prefectural Natural Park: is located atop Mt. Kasagi and is also home to Kasagi-dera, a temple with a 1,300-year history. During autumn, one entire side of the park is dyed in autumnal colours.

This November, the area will be lit up for a limited period, offering a gorgeous view from the mountain peak of the trees below as well as the flowing Kizugawa river.

Light-Up Period: November 1, 2019 – November 30, 2019

Light-Up Time: 17:00-21:00 (Temple is open 09:00-16:00)

Autumn Foliage Peak Period: Early-Mid November

Address: Mt. Kasagi, Kasagi, Soraku District, Kyoto

Price: Illuminations – Free / Temple – Adults ¥300, Children ¥100

Official Website: https://www.kasagidera.or.jp

See Japan’s autumn colours in an entirely new way this year at one of Kyoto’s many autumn-time illumination events.

Starbucks Coffee Japan has announced a new beverage called the Halloween Dark Night Frappuccino® which will be released at Starbucks branches (*1) across Japan from 17:22 (*2)―the time of sunset when night begins―on October 18, 2019. The coffee chain is also releasing its new “Halloween Masquerade” filter on Instagram (*3).

*1. Select branches not participating.
*2. Roll out time may differ at select branches.
*3. Instagram is a service owned by Facebook, Inc. The above-mentioned filter is not backed or managed by Instagram in any way nor is it affiliated with the service.

The Halloween Dark Night Frappuccino® is themed on an evening masquerade party. It will go on sale when the sun sets at 17:22 on October 18. As the name suggests, the drink itself is black and mysterious like the night, blending together black cocoa powder with white chocolate brownie.

The jet black beverage also has a red hue to it which comes from a sweet and sour red berry sauce made from raspberries, cranberries and strawberries. It’s topped with a squirt of fluffy whipped cream, sprinkled with black cocoa powder, and drizzled with more of that red berry sauce to create that Halloween aesthetic. The black cocoa adds a delicious bitterness to the sweetness of the brownie and the sweet and sour mixed berries, creating a mouth-watering flavour combination.

The Halloween Masquerade filter was developed by Starbucks for people’s Instagram stories this Halloween. There are four masks to choose from which can be changed by just tapping on the screen. There are other cool Halloween effects on the filter to find too. Something might even pop out of your mouth if you open wide…

Starbucks Japan will also sell the above-pictured Halloween cup stands when the drinks go on sale. Limited in stock, the stands come in black and white, titled Halloween Red Night Frappuccino® or the Halloween Dark Night Frappuccino® respectively. You can buy them separately or as a set.

Experience a spooky masquerade party at Starbucks this Halloween.

THE MACHIYA SHINSEN-EN is a new hotel that just opened on Tuesday (October 15) located just a five-minute walk from Kyoto’s world heritage site Nijō Castle. Renovated from an old Kyoto-esque townhouse, this 21-room hotel fuses traditional Japanese architecture with the modern, complete with a lounge on the first floor decked with an open space where guests can enjoy a gorgeous breakfast if they choose the option. The friendly staff will be waiting to welcome guests to the hotel like friends.

The hotel’s name derives from Shinsenen, a Japanese Buddhist temple and Kyoto sightseeing  spot located just a one-minute walk from the site. The temple is home to Japan’s only “ehomaki shrine” where Toshitokujin, the goddess of auspicious directions for the current year, is enshrined. The temple is also home to an enormous and beautiful lake, and is said to provide good luck with marriage ties, something which is known to everyone in Kyoto. The “machiya” part of the hotel’s name means “townhouse” in Japanese.

The hotel combines the traditional with the modern effortlessly, with four types of suite rooms available including the spacious corner suite rooms, as well as suite rooms that focus more on traditional Japanese architecture, namely that of the old-fashioned townhouse. All suite rooms have a kitchen, washer/dryer, and other convenient amenities for those looking for a longer stay, as well as for families and larger groups.

THE SHINSEN-EN Deluxe Suite

Located on the top floor, this corner suite room offers a spacious environment and enjoys plenty of natural lighting for the window which takes up an entire wall. There are both beds as well as a tatami area with futons so you can pick how you want to sleep. There’s also a roomy washroom as well as a dining space with a fully-equipped kitchen and washer dryer. The room also has a sofa, TV, refrigerator, free WiFi, and more for your convenience.

THE MACHIYA Deluxe Suite (Dragon)

This suite room has a Japanese aesthetic with its paper sliding doors and hanging scrolls. Natural light seeps in from the ceiling window fitted to the high ceiling. As well as the Japanese-style bedroom, it also has a western-style bedroom and living room, as well as both beds and futons, so you can pick if you want a Japanese sleep or a western sleep. There is a fully-equipped kitchen and washer dryer. The room also has a sofa, TV, refrigerator, free WiFi, and more for your convenience.

THE SHINSEN-EN Suite

The entrance to this suite room has lattice doors and stone paving, welcoming you with that traditional Japanese aesthetic. The spacious room basks in natural lighting from the enormous windows. There is a fully-equipped kitchen and washer dryer. The room also has a sofa, TV, refrigerator, free WiFi, and more for your convenience.

In addition to suite rooms there are four other types including Deluxe Twin, Superior Hollywood Twin, Hollywood Twin, and Classic Hollywood Twin. The rooms enjoy indigo blue and orange colouring for a relaxed and modern feel. Each have their own washrooms, toilets, sofas and desks. Additionally, all first floor rooms can be connected, so you can turn them into full 2-3 or 4-5 people spaces.

Guests can use the first floor lounge space freely and at their own leisure. And if they choose so they can also enjoy breakfast there.

The front desk staff can speak both English and Japanese so can support foreign travelers. The hotel is situated in a great place for sightseeing, so be sure to consider booking at the all-new THE MACHIYA SHINSEN-EN if travelling to Tokyo.

“Suiran, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kyoto” has ranked as the number one hotel in Japan for the second year in a row in the Japan’s Top Hotels category of Readers’ Choice Awards 2019 in Condé Nast Traveler.

The Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards lists the world’s best travel experiences as ranked by international travellers. Over 600,000 people voted Suiran as Japan’s best hotel for the second time.

Suiran is located in Arashiyama, Kyoto and first opened in March 2015 under a brand of luxury hotels known as The Luxury Collection®. The hotel’s concept is to make full use of Arashiyama’s appeal, lauded for its deep culture and history, while paving the way to the future. It houses guests from around the world who can enjoy a view of Arashiyama’s lush natural landscape which changes beautifully with the seasons, and who can experience a fusion of the traditional and the modern while being served classic Kyoto hospitality.

Speaking about the award, the hotel’s general manager Hiroyuki Hatori said the following: “I am greatly honoured that we have been given the number one spot two years in a row in this internationally-recognised poll. To all the people in the region who continue to support Suiran, and to all our guests who use the hotel, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. These results are an incentive to further work hard with our associates to ensure this is a hotel that people will love even more.”

If you are travelling to Kyoto and looking for a place to stay, why not consider the city’s best: Suiran, a hotel which continues to pass down tradition while embracing the modern?

Saryo Fukucha has unveiled new Japanese herb tea and dessert pairing sets as well as a batch of seasonal autumntime menu items.

Kyoto is a city where history and tradition come together, and where every single day, people from all around the world come and go, each encountering new experiences. Saryo Fukucha opened inside Kyoto Station back in April this year. It is managed by long-running tea company Fukujuen.

▼Japanese Herb Tea & Dessert Pairing Menu

Herb Tea & Dessert Sets: ¥900 Each (Before Tax) *Herb teas by themselves are ¥500 each
Running: From October 10, 2019 (Available all year round)

Hibiscus Blend Houjicha x Crème Brûlée Chocolate Berry Confiture

The tea is a luxurious and fragrant blend of light-roasted houjicha, hibiscus and rose hip. It’s perfectly paired with a rich chocolate crème brûlée and refreshing berry confiture.

Cinnamon Blend Kukicha x Mascarpone Cream & Apple Tatin

This kukicha, or twig tea, has a distinct refreshing flavour to it. It has been blended beautifully with cinnamon and chamomile. The kukicha is paired with a caramelised apple tatin which is topped with a dollop of rich mascarpone.

Peppermint Blend Kukicha x Seasonal Fruit Tart

Peppermint and chamomile are the blending ingredients for this kukicha tea. It comes with a tart with a full-bodied almond taste topped with seasonal fruits like strawberries and raspberries.

Ginger Blend Genmaicha x Tart Ricotta with Orange

Genmaicha is combined with roasted brown rice, giving it its characteristic sweet-smelling quality. Blended with ginger and dandelion leaves, it’s been matched with a fromage blanc cream-topped ricotta cheese tart with a side of orange.

▼Autumn Menu

Running: October 10, 2019 – Late February 2020 (subject to change)

Sasamaki Okowa (Matsutake Mushroom & Daggertooth Pike Conger/Minced Chicken & Yama no Sachi) Houjicha Set – ¥1,200 (Before Tax)

This set was created by Hisato Nakahigashi from Miyamasou, a highly-rated inn in Kyoto. Enjoy the combination of the houjicha tea with the bamboo leaf-wrapped okowa steamed rice.

Chestnut Houjicha Wafer Cake – ¥350 (Before Tax)

Not only does this wafer cake look cute, it’s packed full of autumnal ingredients too, including astringent chestnut and coarse sweet red bean paste.

FUKUCHA Specially Made Matcha Koji Sweet Sake Red Bean Soup – ¥700 (Before Tax)

The koji sweet sake used in this dessert has a gentle flavour and a strong aroma. Added to it is matcha, chestnuts, sweet potato, and rice flour dumplings, all set into a mizu manju sweet water jelly.

Japanese confections are always best paired with Japanese tea, so be sure to stop by Saryo Fukucha when travelling around Kyoto.

isetan Urban Market is a popular fashion store located inside LUCUA 1100, an apparel building directly connected to the JR side of Osaka Station. The shop is set to depart Osaka and head northeast to a traditional townhouse in Kyoto where it will open a new store named isetan Urban Market KYOTO which will open on October 12 for a limited time.

“Have Fun, Be Happy” is the concept of this shop, where a diverse range of items from some of Japan’s popular brands will be sold including clothing, accessories, food lingerie, cosmetics, and more.

More than half of these brands are setting up shop in Kyoto for the first time

little $uzie

A long list of brand names will make an appearance at the pop-up shop, such as little $uzie and ch!iii which are huge at isetan Urban Market, as well as other talked-about brands like MALION vintage, Paso, Celvoke, and many more.

BELPER

The shop will also see the likes of BELPER, an up-and-coming brand established by Yuichi Ozaki who won the top prize at the Bilbao International Competition. A confectionery store from Shizuoka will also make an appearance which is so popular it has people lining up outside it two hours before opening.

ASOKO

ASOKO is selling the above-pictured line “TODAY AND.” made exclusively for Kyoto.

FARMAN KITCHEN MARKET

As well as designers, Osaka’s fruit and vegetable store FARMAN KITCHEN MARKET will also be in attendance selling produce from contracted farmers from around Japan. There will also be a fruit and vegetable market on October 13 and 27 where sandwiches and other delicious foods will be sold.

Tradition and contemporary come together at the townhouse

Visitors will be able to relax and enjoy a mix of traditional and contemporary design at the townhouse, including with its garden and courtyard. The design was carried out by NOTA&design which is managed by NOTA_SHOP, a select shop in Shigaraki, Nagano.

Enjoy a fun and relaxing time this autumn at isetan Urban Market KYOTO.

Starbucks Japan is opening the portal to a whole new realm of flavour from October 11, 2019. Premonitions reveal that two devilishly delicious masquerade-themed drinks are to emerge for the Halloween season and infiltrate the menus of Starbucks branches across Japan. The two drinks called Halloween Red Night Frappuccino® and Halloween Masquerade Raspberry Mocha, are sure to give you an out-of-body experience. 

Just one sip of the Halloween Red Night Frappuccino® will pull you into a masquerade party world. The mysterious full red appearance of this devilish drink is tinged red with a tangy sauce which is a blend of raspberries, cranberries and strawberries. White chocolate brownies have been blended to make the frappuccino base. This is topped with a ghostly cloud of whipped cream sprinkled with dark cocoa powder. Red sauce can be seen trickling down the sides of the cup, tainting the white whipped cream. You will immediately be tricked into treating yourself to this irresistible drink. 

Like a luxury dessert, not only do the colours of the frappuccino contrast, but the sweet fruity tang makes for the perfect contrast with the white chocolate brownie

If your regular Starbucks order is the White Mocha, then make way for your new Hallow-queen: The Halloween Masquerade Raspberry Mocha. This is made with a startling shot of espresso which has a sweet yet tangy mixed berry flavour. This is masked with a white mocha flavour. 

Starbucks has brewed the perfect potions to steal your heart this Halloween. Dare you try one?

* The above image is an illustration.

Two chocolate shops themed on American cartoonist Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts character Snoopy are set to open simultaneously in Arashiyama and Kiyomizu-zaka in Kyoto on October 9, 2019.

Tablet Chocolat – From ¥1,200

Named SNOOPY Chocolat, the shops have many delicious treats lined up for fans of Snoopy, including these tablet-shaped chocolates. There are 8 in total, each telling a story of love, friendship and family that serve to give you courage.

Tablet Chocolat Japan – From ¥500

These cute heart-shaped tablet chocolates are made with Japanese ingredients like wasabi, yuzu, shiso, sesame, matcha, adzuki, shichimi, houjicha and more.

BonBon Chocolat – From ¥800

Made with rich, fragrant cocoa and Japanese flavours like yuzu, wasabi, roasted soy flour, matcha, houjicha and Japanese sake, these luxurious chocolates are like little pieces of art featuring Snoopy in his many different looks.

Both shops will feature an interior design reminiscent of Japanese-style houses. The Kiyomizu-zaka branch will have a luxury white chocolate colour tone while the Arashiyama branch will have a brown-coloured milk chocolate tone.

Tablet Chocolat (Arashiyama Exclusive)

Tablet Chocolat (Kiyomizu-zaka Exclusive)

Both shops will also have their own individual exclusive items too like the ones above, all original to SNOOPY Chocolat.

There will of course be plenty of original merchandise to get your paws on too, like plush toys, takeout cups, mugs, tote bags, freezer bags, and more, all perfect for use at home or as gifts to a friend.

Here at MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON, we have never failed to provide you with the essentials: updates on the best bubble teas around Kyoto. However, today we have a special sweet treat for you. After consulting expert Instagrammer kyoto cafe life tiara, we have compiled a list of Kyoto’s top purin that will fill you with satisfaction and as well as nostalgia. Purin is a type of Japanese custard pudding loved by the Japanese for generations. When it comes to searching for the best desserts in the Kansai region, kyoto cafe life tiara leaves no stone unturned . 

Cafe Yamamoto, Higashiyama

Pudding (Set): ¥750

The bitter and fragrant caramel sauce of this purin is to die for. This purin has a rich eggy flavour and is stiffer than a traditional purin. Enjoy your purin served in a silver plate which will fill you with the nostalgia of the retro Showa Era.

Starbucks Japan has unveiled the second batch of drinks in its ongoing Artful Autumn @ Starbucks® promotion: the “Sweet Potato Gold Frappuccino®” and the “Sweet Potato Gold Macchiato.” Both will go on sale on September 10.

The concept for this year’s Artful Autumn is “Be Colourful,” and that shines true with this golden, autumnal coffee line-up.

The Sweet Potato Gold Frappuccino® contains a rich syrup made from cured sweet potato. It retains the rich, full-bodied aroma, sweetness and deep flavour of the Japanese sweet potato (satsumaimo). The drink’s main characteristic is the crunchy texture left behind from the potatoes. Its golden appearance comes from the honey and sweet potato blend sauce. This sauce swirls around the beverage which can be seen through the cup, giving it that artistic flavour required to be considered for the Artful Autumn selection. The cold coffee beverage is drizzled in this same sauce, rich in flavour and fragrance.

Each cup of the Sweet Potato Gold Macchiato is made delicately in a mix of foamed milk, sweet potato honey, and a shot of freshly extracted espresso. The combination of the sweet and rich sweet potato and full-bodied espresso roast coupled with the caramel-y flavour is a coffee match made in heaven. The hot beverage is topped with more of that incredible sauce drizzled in the classic way of a macchiato.

Warm yourself up this season with the latest in the Artful Autumn collection.

Capsule hotel Anshin-Oyado Premiere Kyoto Shijo Karasuma introduced a new plan on September 6 which gives guests the chance to go and see sacred places across Kyoto associated with Japanese swords.

October 4th is known as “Japanese Sword Day” in Japan. In Kyoto alone, the number of people visiting from distant places to see sacred sword places, as well as collect goshuin stamps from shrines and temples, is on the increase－as is the number of people staying at Anshin-Oyado Premiere Kyoto Shijo Karasuma. That’s where this new guest plan comes into play.

The plan will take guests around different parts of Kyoto, so the hotel as prepared three options to cater to all guests’ needs: one that offers a rental bicycle, a ticket to use the subway or bus, or the normal plan. You will receive a map which shows you the most efficient way to get around all the locations. There is also a QR code on the map which not only shows where you can park your bicycle if you go for that option, but also where to collect goshuin stamps.

Moreover, to really slash home those sword memories, guests will be lent a free selfie-stick which also acts as a tripod. There is also a separate powder room for guests wanting to dress up in full sword cosplay gear too which can be used until checkout.

Guests can also rent a portable power bank for their phone so they don’t have to worry about their battery running out when snapping photos amongst other amenities, and have free use of the massage chairs, foot baths, open-air baths, and more to rest up after their long pilgrimage around Kyoto seeing the different swords.

At MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON, we have introduced a lot of kawaii bubble tea drinks you can in enjoy in Kyoto. However, we have much more to offer you than just bubble tea news! Today we have summarised the top soda drinks you can enjoy in Kyoto which both look and taste amazing. With the help of kyoto cafe life tiara ‘s phenomenal photos, we will be introducing you our top six picks.

SHIN-SETSU /Nakagyō-ku

Blood Orange (left)  Blue Curaçao (right): ￥690