Dating Simplicity Through Traditional Shopping Streets Of Kyoto
Kyoto’s side streets offer an intimate glimpse into the old world of Japan. Here, tiny heritage shops provide niche products and homes double as workshops for traditional craftsmen. Surprisingly close to the bustling tourist centres of Nishiki market and Kawaramachi-dori, this shopping loop date is perfect for dating couples on the hunt for something special to wander hand-in-hand without the crowds.
Starting and ending at Ace Hotel, the relaxed version of this itinerary which includes time to peruse the boutiques, should take around 90 minutes to traverse. With Kyoto being a sleepy city, and many places not opening until 11 or 12, a late morning start or an after lunch stroll would be recommended.
Location:
Starting from Ace Hotel, travelling along Aneyakodoji, through Teramachi, and returning via Sanjo dori, Kyoto.
Nearest station:
Karasuma-Oike subway station
Good for:
- Treasure hunters
- Photographers
- Cultural explorers
- Autumn and spring dates
Quick points:
- Relaxed walking
- Cafe options
- Late morning or afternoon start preferable
Hints Of The Old World
Seen from the side-streets: a row of townhouses with udatsu, an architectural feature where the edges of the walls protrude to prevent fires from spreading. The kanji on the wall reads: tatami.
Over a thousand years old, decimated by war and disasters numerous times, Kyoto is a city shaped by constant change. Yet, in the 21st century, it retains pockets of a bygone era, where craftsmens’ workshops and local eateries service the neighbourhoods around them. Strolling east along Aneyakodoji street from Ace Hotel towards Teramachi Shopping Arcade, perceptive partners may notice some preserved Kyoto machiya townhouses that survive alongside contemporary apartment blocks. Look closer and they may also spot a busy tofu kitchen and a home-based tatami factory.
When renovated and cared for properly, the traditional Kyoto machiya enhance the charm of the city’s streets. Sadly many of the older houses become burdens upon their owners, and are left to decay, or turned into car parks.
Tofu and fried agedofu made fresh daily. Enjoy with a little soy-sauce and wasabi.
Inside the tatami shop/factory/home of the Fukui’s.
The Fukui family have been making tatami mats for over 100 years. While couples may yet be too early in their relationship to be considering preferred types of flooring, they are welcome to stop by, ask questions, and appreciate the increasingly rare sight of a family run factory in the centre of town. Tatami off-cuts are fashioned into various shapes – perfect as platforms to display vases, tea bowls or other commemorative objects.
The greener types are made with straw and exude a more typical “tatami” smell, while the beige coloured platforms use paper and have no smell.
Weaving The Past Into The Future
ブティックハナ (Boutique Hana) sells upmarket and tasteful clothing with a traditional twist.
Recently, there has been a resurgence in the popularity of natural fibres as more people seek sustainable and eco-conscious alternatives in their clothing. The 100% cotton and beautifully patterned Kurume kasuri, is a Japanese textile hailing from Fukuoka with a history of over 200 years. Though once considered more everyday in usage, the delightful creations sold at ブティックハナ (Boutique Hana) are definitely for special occasions. They offer a range of items from elegant outfits to scarves and cat patterned quilted bags.
Once reserved for hard-working daily wear, these fabrics have become more precious as the numbers of craftsmen producing them dwindles.
The cat motif is apparently very popular with visitors.
Tucked into a corner and framed with a shelf of ceramics, Toyo secondhand shop is a fun place to explore.
For lovebirds looking for a deal, or those who like to sew themselves, the nearby secondhand shop Toyo sells vintage kimono, indigo dyed denim and other fabrics, alongside second-hand Japanese tea sets, ceramics and handmade hair accessories.
The exciting clutter of a second-hand shop – fun to dig through together!
A Touch Of Teramachi Shopping Arcade
Exploring the full extent of Teramachi shopping arcade and its connected retail labyrinths could be a date outing in itself. However, as this itinerary begins its west-ward loop back towards Ace Hotel, it passes through a small section of the shotengai.
One particular place of note to a romantic duo is Yamashita’s Art and Frame shop. Not only do they sell gorgeous wood-block prints portraying the sights of Kyoto, but they will also inscribe a favourite kanji as a keepsake of a special day.
Evocative woodblock prints that capture the essence of Kyoto
A lovely character full of depth and meaning.
Whimsical Extravagances
Walking west along Sanjo street, couples will notice that brand behemoths dominate over the smaller, family owned shops. Despite being only one block south, this is a more luxurious part of town, closer to Kawaramachi downtown and its department stores. Gone are most of the humble wooden townhouses, replaced with arched stone, brick, and glass facades.
Touches of affordable luxury are fun to indulge in however, and an upmarket chocolatier, Chocolat BEL AMER, offers seasonal sweet treats and soft serve ice creams to share.
Couples seeking sweet touches of refinement in their lives will want to visit Ishiguro Koho, a nioi bukuro or perfumed bag shop. The only product this 170-year-old retailer sells are tiny silken scent sacks designed for cars, handbags, and clothes drawers. In a world where personal touches often get overlooked, this shop reminds a discerning duo to embrace the philosophy that luxury can be found in the details of life.
A set of chairs placed side by side, invites sweethearts to take a moment together, choosing their favourite fragrances, each carefully crafted to linger in the air and stay with them long after the date has finished.
The pre-made bags are also incredibly cute.
Coffee-time
Returning to Ace Hotel, Stumptown Coffee Roasters is the perfect place to linger over the last moments of the date, exchanging favourite moments of the day and revisiting treasures found along the way. Ace Hotel itself has many unique stores and a fascinating history. Originally Kyoto’s telephone exchange, the brick building was “reinterpreted” by famous architect, Kengo Kuma, who mixed the traditional wooden lattice style of Kyoto machiya with modernist touches like concrete and exposed tubing.
Final Thoughts
Kyoto’s side streets brim with charm and history, allowing couples a romantic escape from the busier shopping arcades and department stores. This gentle shopping loop showcases traditional craftsmanship that still exists in the city and reminds us that shared experiences and discoveries enrich our relationships. While many couples choose to stick to what they know and enjoy while dating and working out whether they each have what is needed to be the perfect life partner for each other, it is usually through change and doing different things that we learn most about each other and ourselves.
Exploring different things and places adds fuel that inspires the heart and mind, and can yield vital clues into character and whether you can develop a truly healthy relationship which will last. So head off into parts of lesser known Kyoto, or other places, and see what you can learn about your dating partner.