Before boarding the Shinkansen, I wandered around Kyoto Station looking for a station bento. The sandwiches were almost 1000 yen, which seemed a bit expensive, so I chose the Tempura Rice Balls for 570 yen! It came with five small tempura rice balls and a side dish. In terms of cost performance, it was delicious! The fact that the seaweed wasn't seasoned was also a high point. Good food is essential for a trip. I think it was a pretty good choice!

Kyoto Station, the station bento is always at the usual Shinkansen ticket gate, Grand Kiyosk. I chose the salmon bento. It includes salmon, rolled omelette with broth, simmered shirataki noodles, simmered hijiki seaweed. The rice has bonito flakes, and in the middle, there is seaweed. I don't wish for anything more than this. The brand bento and the bento here have the same taste, but the price is cheaper.

Kyoto Station is a representative station in Japan. There are many station bento boxes available for sale. When leaving from here, it is common to peek into the bento shop, but there are not many outstanding options. In the first place, station bento boxes are expensive. In addition to being sold within the station premises, station bento boxes are generally priced over 1000 yen, which seems high considering the contents when looking at sample photos. I have purchased a bento box from a renowned Kyoto restaurant before, which included traditional Kyoto dishes such as obanzai, dashimaki, and Saikyo-yaki, and naturally it was priced accordingly. Unfortunately, it was not as satisfying as expected. There is a kiosk inside the Shinkansen ticket gate that sells bento boxes. Despite being a kiosk brand, it seemed cheaper compared to other station bento boxes. I then discovered the "Kyoto Color Bento" for 864 yen and purchased it. I enjoyed it on the train, and it consisted of three types of rice with chirimen, grilled dishes, simmered dishes, fried dishes, etc., all of which were perfectly fine. It reminded me of a similar Kyoto bento box I bought for three times the price in the past. It made me realize that there are various options for station bento boxes.

When I visited Kyoto in 2022, I always made a stop at this place. It was my last shopping before boarding the Shinkansen! I mainly bought beer and snacks like Karl. Many people seem to have the same idea, so the checkout lines were quite busy, but they had multiple registers, so I was able to pay faster than I expected. This time, I stopped by after having tea at the neighboring shop and bought a cold beer. I enjoyed a toast with my husband on the Shinkansen. (The bento next to the beer was purchased from a different store) I often find myself carrying bags and feeling rushed, so I didn't take any photos of the store, but I couldn't resist snapping a picture of that popular hamster-shaped pastry that is apparently a popular Kyoto souvenir. (We didn't buy it, but it looked cute). They also sell bento boxes and Karne, so it's convenient if you missed buying something or want to eat on the Shinkansen or after returning home. It's a very convenient store for the last-minute shopping. I recommend stopping by with some extra time considering the boarding time.

Matcha pudding brought back to the office for a snack. Purchased at a kiosk near the Kyoto Station ticket gate. The matcha flavor is not too strong, which is nice. The pudding is firm and has a mochi-like texture. The matcha taste is rich but not bitter, and it goes down smoothly. There are no red beans or toppings, which is nice and simple. If you like matcha lattes, you'll probably enjoy this. It's a crowd-pleaser.

"The 'otsumami set' had such a big impact that I immediately picked it up when I saw it. The red hot dogs, you don't see them often these days. I used to cut them into octopus shapes and when I opened my lunchbox, I would think 'oh yeah, these!' The taste... the hot dogs nowadays are delicious. But these red hot dogs somehow make me feel like they taste good (laughs). The kamaboko set had a lot of satisfying bites (laughs). But I managed to finish everything, even after drinking all the way to Shin-Yokohama. Having a meat bento box as otsumami... ahh, I'll do my best again tomorrow!"

In mid-September, during a busy business trip from Osaka to Nagoya to Kyoto to Tokyo, I had a rushed schedule. I had limited time, so I had udon at "Matsuba Kyoto Station" and then quickly bought a matcha jelly from Nakamura Fujikichi Honten at Grand Kiosk Kyoto Store. The jelly was a bit too sweet for my taste, and the matcha flavor was a bit overpowering and slightly fishy. It had a clear jelly layer on top with red bean paste, and a matcha jelly layer with red bean pieces inside. I don't think I would buy it again (lol).

I visited the store in May 2022. It is located in front of the Hachijo exit at Kyoto Station. The must-try here is definitely the Ajari, grilled rice cakes. You can buy Ajari cakes without waiting in line. I purchased 5 Ajari cakes for 604 yen, 3 grilled rice cakes for 375 yen, and 2 young ayu fish for 486 yen. I ate them at home right away. They were very delicious. I highly recommend them.

■Visit Date: February 24, 2022■Received Item: Pepper Carne■MEMOVisited on February 24, 2022 during a business trip to Tokyo. Arrived around 2 PM and purchased one Pepper Carne. I really love Shitsuya's Carne, it's so delicious. Enjoyed it while traveling on the Shinkansen. It was snowy around Maehara, cloudy in Nagoya, and sunny in Tokyo. Japan is truly vast.■Bloghttps://ay-style.net/

I bought a milk gelato dessert, but wait, I haven't had ice cream. I remembered that I hadn't eaten ice cream during my stay in Kyoto, isn't that a must? I bought milk gelato from a kiosk because I wanted something refreshing. It was hard so I ate the other things I bought first before enjoying it, which was just right. It's not creamy, it's gelato, so it's refreshing and doesn't feel heavy on the palate. It spreads smoothly and disappears quickly. It's just right, with about 120 calories.

Happy New Year, everyone. I hope we can continue to have a good relationship this year. My first review is from the Shinkansen ride back from Kyoto. With only 10 minutes until departure, I was frantically searching for a certain sweet treat I had set my heart on. Where could it be? Finally, I found it - Nakamura Tokichi's matcha jelly. They also had gyokuro, but I went for the classic matcha. They even gave me dry ice at the checkout. Time to enjoy it as we depart. The matcha jelly, red bean paste, and shiratama were all perfectly balanced in sweetness, creating a soft and harmonious taste. This delicate deliciousness can only be found in Kyoto sweets. The gentle flavor of the red bean paste was particularly good. I felt both satisfied and happy at the same time.

Kyoto Station's Shinkansen concourse has a kiosk that is open early in the morning, which is always very helpful. It is a "grand" kiosk that makes you want to add a "The" in front of it. The kiosk's level far exceeds that of a regular kiosk in terms of appearance and variety of products. It functions like a convenience store and also offers clever souvenirs. It's a reliable shop.

I did some shopping at Kyoto Station and hurried to catch the Shinkansen. Even though my reserved seat was for 15 minutes later, I was able to board the train one earlier and sat in the unreserved seat. Since it's not crowded this time of year, all the passengers are sitting one by one. I enjoyed a delicious black coffee from Ogawa Coffee that I purchased at the kiosk.

Today marks the end of my business trips for the year. The return Shinkansen seems to be empty. I haven't had breakfast, so I wanted SIZUYA's "Karne" and ended up buying their "Salmon Bento" for ¥886. I couldn't resist the salmon bento. Kyoto has a wide variety of bento options, making it a tough choice. The fatty grilled salmon on top of the rice was a perfect match. I was lucky to find seaweed hidden in the middle of the rice. The tamagoyaki, simmered white radish, and hijiki were all delicious. No need for any extra side dishes. It was truly delicious! Now, let's head back to Yokohama!

I went to the kiosk to buy souvenirs from Kyoto. It's nice that it's inside the Shinkansen ticket gate. I always buy this souvenir from Kyoto. Seigoin Namafu Yatsuhashi (40 pieces) for 594 yen (tax included). When I ask people from Kanto about Yatsuhashi, they think it's the one with sweet bean paste inside. That's actually called "otabe." Yes, the one without sweet bean paste, the thin square sheet... Is that just the outer skin? Do people eat that? This kind of conversation always happens. For me, originally from Osaka, the one with sweet bean paste is the wrong way. In the past, there was no such thing. The thin sheet like in the photo, with a line in the center for easy splitting, is called "namafu yatsuhashi" and it's the most delicious. This time I bought the one from Seigoin, which is white and has a strong cinnamon flavor. Another one I like is from Izutsu, which is yellowish-brown and has a milder cinnamon flavor. I buy either one depending on my mood at the time. Thank you for the meal.

Grand Kiosk Kyoto is truly amazing. They have my favorite green tea jelly available early in the morning. Before getting on the Shinkansen, I made sure to stock up. The "Autumn Green Tea Jelly" (450 yen including tax) was similar in color to the yuzu bean paste that impressed me in June, but this time it was sweet potato bean paste. The paste has a strong sweet potato flavor and contains sweet potato pieces, making it exquisite. The jelly is matcha flavored. I love it so much that one wasn't enough, so I also got the "Green Tea Jelly (Matcha)" (390 yen including tax). I enjoyed them both on the Shinkansen, and I didn't get tired of the flavors at all.

On the day when Typhoon No. 19 was approaching, I was worried because the travel agency had arranged the trip, but the trip itself went ahead. However, the Shinkansen trains to the west from Kyoto were only running in the morning, so I had to buy a bento for the trip. Even though it was only around 6 am, I was grateful that they were already selling bentos. The selection was limited, so I ended up getting the safest option, a grilled mackerel pressed sushi bento. I thought I could only pay with a transportation IC card, but they also accepted Quick Pay, so I ended up getting a 20% discount. I ate the bento on the Shinkansen, and even though I didn't expect much because it was under 500 yen, it was surprisingly delicious.

Kyoto's Shinkansen ticket gate area is amazing! They have a great selection of souvenirs in the Kyoto area. I always thought the high-end bento boxes from famous stores were amazing, but this time I bought some Karl snacks from Grand Kiosk instead. In Kanto, you can't find Karl snacks anymore, so I didn't mind paying 129 yen even though they were on sale for 68 yen at a local drugstore. The light flavor of Karl snacks is no longer limited to Kansai. I bought both the cheese and light flavor varieties and enjoyed them on the Shinkansen because they are so convenient to eat as a snack. I also found Nakamura Tokichi Honten's green tea jelly, which I always stop by to get when I visit Uji. This jelly must be eaten on the same day, so it's a bit challenging. But being able to buy it before boarding the Shinkansen means I can enjoy it on the train or share it with my family later that day. There were green tea and roasted green tea flavors, as well as a seasonal chestnut flavor, but I personally recommend the standard green tea flavor. It costs 390 yen for one, but it's a satisfying treat with refreshing green tea jelly, chewy white balls, and elegant red bean paste. The shopping options at Kyoto Station's Shinkansen area are truly impressive. I used to arrive at Kyoto Station 40 minutes before my train departure at 551 Time, but now I need to arrive at least an hour earlier to fully explore the shopping options. Even at the last minute, Kyoto keeps tempting me to spend more money. There are also ATMs near the Shinkansen central ticket gate, so I feel secure. Despite being familiar with Kyoto, my family still can't resist the temptations of the city. I look forward to more indulgent experiences in Kyoto in the future! Thank you for the delicious treats! by Sunao

After finishing work in Kyoto, I hurried back to Nagoya. Despite being short on time, I stumbled upon a corner of the Grand Kiyosk inside the Shinkansen station, where they were selling bread from Shizuya. Since I was in Kyoto, I thought I should treat myself to a Carne sandwich on the train ride back. They were only selling four types of sandwiches: Katsu Mix Sandwich for 530 yen, Original Beef Cutlet Sandwich for 550 yen, Carne for 190 yen, and two jumbo potatoes for 300 yen. I decided to go for the Carne, a well-known Kyoto specialty. The Carne is a German-style French bread made from Kaiser Semmel, which is cut in half and filled with margarine, sliced ham, and sliced onions. Despite its simple appearance, it is incredibly delicious. The boneless ham is tender and flavorful, the crunchy onions add a nice texture, and the bread itself is soft and fluffy with a unique texture. The homemade margarine also adds to the overall deliciousness of the sandwich. Each bite is enjoyable and addictive. The way the ingredients are layered inside the sandwich is crucial to its taste, ensuring a consistent flavor with each bite. Despite its unassuming appearance, the Carne from Shizuya is a must-try, scoring 84 points in my book.

■Visit Date: July 10, 2019 ■Items Received: Bucket Sandwich Steamed Chicken and Golden Sesame Burdock ■MEMO I visited on July 10, 2019. They open at 6:30 in the morning, which is very convenient for early risers and business travelers. In addition to souvenirs, they also have Shizu-ya bread, which is a nice touch. Since the first train is around 6:50 directly to Hakata, I will enjoy my meal leisurely inside. This time, I purchased the Bucket Sandwich with steamed chicken and golden sesame burdock. The combination of steamed chicken and burdock is perfect, and it goes well with lettuce. The Bucket Sandwich has a crunchy crust but a moist interior, with a delightful sesame flavor. I will enjoy this delicious bread while the Shinkansen passes through Shin-Osaka. I plan to spend my time studying until we reach Kokura.