Day trip to Kyoto

Today I got day off so decided to go to Kyoto with my mom.
Destination is Nijo castle area.

Last night I checked lunch place on internet.

il pozzo

 

They renovated very old traditional house into restaurant.

They have interesting antipasto and nice house made pasta.

 

White in center is daikon something, I have no idea how they cooked daikon like this.

First bite, I thought kind of cheese because it's very creamy, no fiber, second I noticed radish scent.

Like Italian restaurant, tripe is tender, salami is great.

Maybe we should come back for dinner.

 

After lunch, stopped by Mikane shrine.

This is located in residential area and small but famous for their benefit.

It is believed visitors can earn money!

Mikane is written 御金, that means money.

Many foreigners also visit here.

 

Then we went to interesting store.

 

Can you believe this was really house?

Now first floor is creators' store and workshop space however designer of this building lives second floor!

Store is creative studio & shop ooo, owner is curating interesting stuff from all over the world.

It's small shop but very unique goods are displayed.

Current pop up shop is Don Fisher, who is making cute fish pouch.

But today, honestly, owner's baby is the cutest!

 

We headed to next goal where is Japanese sake distiller.

My mom was wanting to visit there.

 

Sasaki Shuzo

 

This distiller got very famous because their family has a famous actor Kuranosuke Sasaki.

Of course their sake quality is great but the more popular the actor becomes, the more famous here is.

Even today is weekday, customers keep coming.

We bought 2 of small sake.

I'm looking forward to drinking(*´艸`)

 

We passed Nijo castle.

Actually it was closed already.

No problem, we are not so interested in castle, but this area.

 

We walked a lot and enjoyed Kyoto!

 

 

Yayoi Kusama Exhibition

The other day, my friend posted Yayoi Kusama Exhibition in Kyoto on instagram.
I remembered it ends in 2 weeks!(Actually it's started in June, I kept forgetting(^^;)

This exhibition is hold at Forever Museum of Contemporary Art in Gion, Kyoto.

Speaking of Yayoi Kusama, most famous art is Pumpkin.
This welcomes you in front of gallery.
Like other museums, basically taking photo is prohibited, but some area, we can.

"Yellow Trees"

This is big painting, combined 3 panels.
One of most unique things here is these arts are displayed in tatami rooms, we take off shoes at entrance.

There is really nice garden, we can look around.

As you see, this building is very traditional property.
This is founded in 1913! Now this is registered as a tangible cultural property.

On second floor, this is displayed.

"A Boat Carrying My Soul"

 



Before seeing this, you'll see her 2D art named sprouting or something.(sorry, I don't remember(T_T))
After seeing that etching, you may have something different feeling.

There are other pumpkins, high-heels, butterflies etc.
I saw her exhibition in NY gallery, those are more abstract, I feel.
And years ago, another hers, that was even more abstract. (personal perspective)
These have obvious motif, maybe good for first visitors or people who is unfamiliar with her (like my dad).
Still, I enjoyed pretty much and got some inspiration.

Someday, I'd like to make her pumpkin design pendant!