I went shopping at a large store in the city center a little west of Horikawa Marutamachi at the request of my family. This long-established store sells various oils, but this time I was looking for Lemon Olive Oil. It is a masterpiece made by squeezing Sorrento lemons and olives together. The appearance is a mix of the green of extra virgin olive oil and the yellow of lemon. When tasted as it is, you can definitely feel the lemon flavor. It's a shame to use it for cooking, so I mix it with dressing or tomato juice. It goes really well with balsamic vinegar too. It's expensive, so I'm enjoying it little by little.

In this day and age, the business of oil merchants has become rare. This is a long-established oil merchant in Kyoto that has been operating since the Bunsei era (1818-1830). The shop is located on the site of the Heian Palace, the former residence of the Emperor, and the current building is a charming machiya (traditional townhouse). Next to the shop, a waterwheel is turning, creating a refreshing atmosphere. The area flourished during the Muromachi period when Ashikaga Yoshimitsu built the Muromachi Palace, blending history and daily life, as is typical of Kyoto. Surrounding the shop are remnants of the inner citadel corridors and the Asado-in Daigokuden palace. While they do not produce oil themselves, they offer a wide variety of products, from industrial oils to sesame oil, peanut oil, rapeseed oil, and olive oil. They seem to collaborate with producers nationwide to develop their products. The chosen item was "Tamadome squeezed sesame oil" 450g for 1,350 yen. It has a refined aroma and a delightful taste. The elegant scent of sesame is prominent, stimulating the appetite in a refreshing way. When tasted, it not only has the aroma of sesame but also a hint of sweetness. It would be a waste to heat it and lose the flavor. It is best used as a finishing touch for grilled dishes or salads. I have tried several traditional sesame oils before, but I found this one to be of exceptionally high quality.

I visited Yamaka Abura-ten after hearing about it from the restaurant Noro. This shop has a history dating back to the late Edo period, specializing in oils for over two hundred years. They offer various oils for cooking, skincare, and construction purposes. The exterior of the shop exudes a sense of history. While they had a wide selection of imported olive oils, I decided to purchase three types of oils made in-house: 1) Yamaka Deluxe Corn Oil, made from non-GMO corn germ, perfect for frying shrimp and donuts. 2) Domestic Rapeseed Oil, roasted with firewood and free of scientific processing, ideal for stir-fries and dressings. 3) Tamajime-squeezed Sesame Oil, extracted using traditional methods for a rich aroma and elegant taste, perfect for any dish. I found it to be the most delicious sesame oil I've ever had. Since I was traveling alone, I opted for small bottles this time, but I look forward to getting larger ones on my next visit. Thank you for the wonderful experience!

I found a specialty oil shop in Kyoto called Yamana Oil Store, so I decided to check it out. I've been looking for a shop like this - they had sesame oil with a mild scent, elegant chili oil, and the peanut oil I've been curious about, all in just the right sizes. I was pleased with the selection. I also bought a scallion oil by Il Giottone, supervised by a favorite Italian chef in Kyoto. It's a garlic-based oil that I can't wait to try in a pasta dish. Looking forward to experimenting with different recipes!

It's been a while since my last visit. I went to a long-established oil shop in Nishijin. The large building has a lot of history, and I still think it's nice. I didn't buy oil this time, but balsamic vinegar. I chose a 6-year-old Modena-produced Saporoso. I like its thick and rich texture. You can buy it online, but I somehow end up going to Yamanaka Oil Shop.

Yamanaka Oil Store near Nijo Castle in Kyoto is a long-established shop dating back to the Edo period, offering a wide range of oils from essential oils to natural finishing oils. When you share your preferences, they will introduce you to various oils. I went to buy sesame oil this time, and after listening to the explanation, I received the "Tamashime Squeezed" extra virgin oil, which is made by pressing sesame seeds in a mortar with a stone. Additionally, they recommended the olive oil, which will have a price adjustment starting from September 1st. Both oils had an excellent taste!

I really like Zephyro olive oil and I keep repurchasing it through mail order. I wanted to visit the store once, so I went there. Although Kyoto is known for its cultural heritage, this building also has a charming feel from the late Edo period. I couldn't taste the oils I was interested in through mail order, so I had to buy them without trying. But at the store, I was able to sample them and ended up buying sesame oil and green onion oil. The counter area seemed to double as an office, and the customer service didn't seem particularly emphasized, but I was happy to make new discoveries. I visited as part of sightseeing, but since there is no public transportation nearby, it's better to go by car. There is also a related accommodation facility across the street.

I saw the restaurant introduction on TV and it looked very delicious, so I immediately ordered it. The sesame oil has a very good fragrance, with a sweet and nutty aroma and flavor like peanuts. I have never tasted sesame oil like this before. The taste is deep but light on the palate. I quickly tried tofu with rock salt and sesame oil. I was impressed that there is such a wonderful way to eat it even without soy sauce. I definitely want to visit the store when I go to Kyoto next time!