The "Kyoto Exhibition" has begun at the event hall on the 6th floor of the main building of Isetan Shinjuku. For six days, until January 12th, visitors can enjoy Kyoto's flavors and traditional techniques. This year's theme is "Tradition Meets Modernity," and the "Young Master's Teahouse," a collaborative project by young owners of long-established Kyoto restaurants, offers dine-in options and live demonstrations, including Kyoto delicacies (¥4,500). Many items will also be available exclusively at the venue. Shinpuku Saikan, a renowned soy sauce-flavored ramen shop, is offering a striking "Bamboo Charcoal Salt Soba" (¥900, limited to 100 servings per day), featuring jet-black noodles. The refreshing salt-based soup is garnished with roasted Kyoto Akajidori chicken thigh and breast meat, offering different textures. With the addition of mizuna (Japanese mustard greens) and green onions, this simple yet rich bowl allows you to fully enjoy the soup.
A selection of the cafe menu from the main store of "Yayoi," known for its dried baby sardines and sansho pepper, will be available at the event's eat-in area during the period. The Ojakodon (1,500 yen), made with Kyoto vegetables topped with dried baby sardines, sansho pepper, and hot ginger paste, is a menu exclusive to this store. It has a gentle flavor that warms the body with each bite.
The "Yuba Stick" (315 yen), made with yuba from "Yuba Sho," a long-established yuba shop founded in 1885, and adapted by the pastry chef of the Hyatt Regency Hotel, is a novel sweet treat with the fragrant aroma of almonds and the firm texture of yuba. This is also exclusive to this store.
In addition to the flavors of Kyoto, there is also a corner showcasing the skills of young masters who are evolving traditional crafts with a modern sensibility. "Kouchosai Kosuga" offers bamboo products that enrich your life. Bamboo household items such as wine coolers, shoehorns, and chopsticks will be on display, along with bags made from bamboo and leather. Kaikado, a maker of handmade tea caddies, is offering a name engraving service for tea spoons to customers who purchase one of its tea caddies during the event. The engraving can be completed in just a few minutes, using either kanji or the alphabet. Also near the entrance to the venue, there will be handwoven baskets and grills from Kanaami Tsuji, allowing visitors to experience Kyoto craftsmanship firsthand. As one of the most popular events, lines formed at each booth immediately after the doors opened on the first day, and some items, such as the "Namacha Jelly" (360 yen) from Nakamura Tokichi Honten, a shop in Uji, were seen to sell out quickly by lunchtime.
