隠れたヴィーガン京都と地元の食の旅を地元民と

Nice going around the neighbourhood and seeing and meeting local producers of some naturally vegan food items. Arrive hungry!

This was an absolutely unbelievable tour! We spent the day with Chie-san, and it was just my husband and I, so we had lots of time to talk and listen to her share her experience with veganism as a Japanese woman. It was a rainy day in Kyoto, but Chie-san’s friendly disposition from the very beginning brightened our day. We visited several local family-owned shops together, where we got to meet the owners and picked up ingredients for us to sample later. At the tofu shop, we sampled the best soy milk I’ve ever had and some fried tofu. We also learned about the tofu making process from the owner who has been making tofu the traditional way for 70 years. Chie-san interpreted between Japanese and English for us all, and the communication flowed great. Then, since we had mentioned we love a Japanese soy product called yuba, she adjusted the tour to visit a yuba shop and meet its owner. We also visited a rice cracker shop that’s been in business since 1886. The owner showed us his family abacus and some family photos! A final stop at a sweets shop, and then we headed back to Chie-san’s B&B for an extravagant multi-course traditional Japanese meal, all vegan, which we enjoyed on the floor in front of a peaceful private garden just the two of us. It was pouring raining out but with the sliding doors cracked open we could see the garden and listen to and watch the rain. Then Chie-san returned with the sweets we’d picked out and performed a traditional matcha tea ceremony. She took so much pride in serving us and sharing this element of her culture with us, it was so clear. When we left, Chie-san sent us on our way with a bag of goodies left over from the stops we’d made. This was miles away and hands down the best food tour we have ever been on. Thank you again, Chie-san! It was a pleasure to spend an afternoon with you. And remember what they say in Wisconsin, Go Pack Go!