Old Kyoto: The Updated Guide to Traditional Shops, Restaurants, and Inns

Since the first edition appeared in 1986, this lovingly written travelogue-cum-guidebook has become de rigueur for knowledgeable travelers seeking to find "the real Kyoto" behind the modern face of the city's constantly changing boulevards. OLD KYOTO focuses on the family establishments that have been in business for at least a hundred years, and in some cases for over ten generations. Astonishingly, many of the old shops and inns of Kyoto can still be found on narrow backstreets, under the heavy, tiled rooftops of traditional machiya dwellings. Here, the adventurous traveler will uncover treasures: the way in which a hand-crafted calligraphy brush is bound, a miniature garden tended, a bamboo basket woven.

For critics and travelers alike, OLD KYOTO has long been regarded the essential guidebook to Japan's most cherished city. This second edition of OLD KYOTO is completely updated. Shops have been added, and maps, prices, directions, descriptions, and general information have all been thoroughly revised.

If foreigners go to Japan, I recommend Kyoto. Though Kyoto is the big city more than 1000thousands people are living, but the scenery will be felt Japanese history to us, there are many temples or the Japanese statue etc.

For instance, in Kyoto the bulding like 10 floor is banned. Because the scenery will be bad for high building.

And Japan have four seasons, winter fall spiring summer,called to Siki. The place that we can enjoy the four seasons must be Kyoto.
In spring, cherry bloom here and there, in summer fresh green trees will help the contrast to Japanese temple color like the gold color of Kinakakugi. In winter snow will add shiny white color to the historical temples.

The historical foods in Kyoto is good too. For instance Yatsuhashi, that will be unfamiliar foods for foreigners. But that is very dericiouse and sweety. should eat that.

Thank you for reading poor English.


"Down the cobbled paths, and behind the tranquil curtain..."   May 3, 2005
Zack Davisson (Seattle, WA, USA)
27 out of 27 found this review helpful

Stepping off the train in Kyoto for the first time can be a disappointing experience for many travelers. People who have fallen in love with the fairy tale of Japan's old capitol, who have absorbed "Memoirs of a Geisha," and swooned at photographs of golden temples, paper lanterns, and beautiful, elusive Geisha fleeing quickly through close, wooded back-allies, are shocked to discover a modern, dirty city, overrun with power lines, buses and hotels. Furthermore, it is stacked to the gills with tourists, each seeking their own Kyoto-of-my-dreams. Where are the secret spaces, the ancient houses and quiet tea houses steeped in history? Diane Durston can tell you.

If you are anything like me, "Old Kyoto: A Guide to Traditional Shops, Restaurants and Inns" is the guide to the Kyoto you are looking for. A fascinating and delightful guide to the relics of old Kyoto, the stuff that you see on the post cards but can't seem to find in the city itself, Diane Durston has dredged the sludge of a modern city to find things like Nishiharu, a small tatami-room shop selling authentic Ukiyo-e prints with a proprietor who greets each guest with a cup a tea and a smile, or Ippo-Do, a 140-year old tea shop who's name ("One Promise") and business is based on a promise to an old customer that they would never sell anything but tea, and Tawara-ya, an inn so beautiful that when the King of Sweden stayed there, he was late for his official tour do to lingering too long in the morning light of the garden.

As a guide, "Old Kyoto" is divided into regions, Central Kyoto, Eastern Kyoto, Western Kyoto, Northern Kyoto and Southern Kyoto, and then showcasing a few treasures of each region, splitting evenly amongst craftwear, antiques, Japanese-style hotels, restaurants and food-sellers. Many of these shops are tiny, without even a sign out in front to advertise their business. Some carry ancient placards announcing them as official providers to the Emperor of their unique offering. All of them are tempting enough to include more than a few when visiting Kyoto.

Each entry is a loving, well-written essay, and Diane Durston paints an affectionate picture of the store and its proprietors. You can tell that she carries each of these shops in her heart, and one shop, a traditional bucket-maker, is included in fond remembrance, even though the craftsman himself has passed away with no one to pass his craft to.

In addition to the shop introductions, there are a few extras, such as a guide to walks through old Kyoto, and recommended day-trips to places such as Fushimi and Uji which are easily accessible from Kyoto city. While these are a nice addition, there are other, more-inclusive guide books for this kind of thing.

"Old Kyoto" is an essential guide to anyone seeking that city that they have read so much about. It is still there, you just have to know where too look for it. Fortunately for us, Diana Durston knows where to look, and has kindly shown us the way.


Kyoto's Finest   October 3, 2003
T. Hooper (Osaka, Japan)
25 out of 25 found this review helpful

Are you visiting Kyoto? You'll find that this book will help you to see the old traditional Kyoto. It gives some history, background, and cultural information on old Kyoto. The meat of this book gives information on shops, restaurants, and inns which represent old Kyoto. Each one covered gets about two or three pages of description, so you can get a lot of information about each place featured, and you can really understand why each place is special. Because the descriptions are so complete, you can enjoy reading about these places even if you aren't going to Kyoto.

I'm a resident of Kyoto, and I find that most of the places listed in this book aren't in the mainstream guides, so if you pick up this book in addition to a mainstream guide, there won't be much overlapping. Also the places list here really give you a feel for old Kyoto. If you have a few days in Kyoto, you should definitely stop by a few of these places.


If You are Looking for Traditional Japan, This is it!   April 4, 2000
Laura Lynne Ohata (Austin, Texas, U.S.A.)
22 out of 22 found this review helpful

Dealing primarily with food, lodging, and traditional shops, Diane Durston's guidebook is a good starting place when planning a trip to "the Old Capitol" of Kyoto. Maps divide the city into sections,which overlap and can be difficult to follow. Still, the restaurants and shops listed were some of the best I have visited in Japan. Used in conjunction with the "The Lonely Planet Travel Guides," containing information about temples, shrines and palaces, Diane Durston's book, "Old Kyoto," helps round out the Kyoto experience.


Kyoto's Best   April 6, 2001
Nancy F. Piianaia (Kamuela, Hi United States)
18 out of 18 found this review helpful

Old Kyoto is a gem of a book. On numerous visits, it has enabled me to discover shops, restaurants, and inns that I could never have found on my own. Through Durston's book I was able to find a small inn in Higashiyama where I have stayed on several occasions, enjoying the warmth and friendliness of the innkeeper and her delicious food -- at a cost much lower than other inns. It is not listed an any other guidebook. This book also has the best description of Fushimi, a wonderful place south of Kyoto which is rarely visited by tourists. If you are going to Kyoto and like to travel independently, this book is a must for your trip.