Kyoto Japan 2024

Here is my rudimentary food version of Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion). The vision in my mind was much better than it is in reality. I had trouble with the shapes, especially the roof shapes. I had other things going on at the time of making this (my central air conditioning unit died and I was dealing with quotes for replacement – big $$) so I did not spend a lot of time with this creation. Hopefully you can tell what it is supposed to be before seeing the inspiration photo below.

Pavilion: polenta, Bottom of Pavilion: cheddar brushed with espresso powder and water, Roof Pieces: tortilla brushed with espresso powder and water, Background: spinach

Inspiration photo for Kinkakuji Bento

We stayed at the Hotel Granvia Kyoto Station hotel for 4 nights but we only had 2 days to tour the city. We arrived at night and one of the days we toured the Lake Biwa area with my language partner Yuri and her family. I have been to Kyoto many times but we were able to do some things for my first time and several were only my second time seeing them.

Thursday July 4 – AM Arashiyama

Bamboo Forest
Kimono Forest
Sit by Katsura River
Monkey Park

Thursday July 4 – PM Arashiyama and Kyoto

In the afternoon a language partner, Ayumi who I have known for over 10 years and met in person in 2017 toured with us and showed us her city. We reserved a taxi to take us around for the afternoon. It was the best way to see many sites in a short time and easier with the heat and potential rain (we had almost no rain!). We topped off the day with a delicious pizza dinner with Ayumi’s family at a beautiful restaurant!

Friday July 5 – Nara and Kyoto

We spent the morning in Nara, the afternoon walking around Kyoto, and in the evening my Niigata friend’s daughter Erisa who lives in Osaka joined us in Kyoto for dinner and shopping.