CAFE > Goodman Roaster, Kyoto

Goodman Roaster opened in Kyoto in 2019, it is a small cafe and coffee roaster with 85 different coffees from all over the world. One of the key differences is the Taiwanese coffee, owner Ito-san travelled from Kyoto to Taiwan and was introduced to coffee from the Alishan mountain area. His…

ByEd ItorApril 8, 2024

STAY > KYOTO

STAY > Hotel IMU, Kyoto

Finding a hotel in Kyoto for a reasonable price in the middle of Sakura season is hard. Not surprisingly the selection of incredible hotels and ryokans all increase the cost to stay or are booked out early and you are left with some other choices. One of those choices is the IMU Hotel, its…

ByEd ItorApril 6, 2024

CAFE > KYOTO

CAFE > Blue Bottle, Kyoto

Yes it is a chain store. American even. But yes, they do make great coffee. They just tend to be very slow and have a very limited selection of food or snacks on offer, it is all about the coffee. So if you are in need of caffeine, this is…

ByEd ItorApril 6, 2024

EAT > KYOTO

EAT > Wajoryomen Sugari, Kyoto

Ramen. You love it, or you don’t. Hot, spicy, full of flavour. The best ramen is something of a work of art (see the quote below from the incredible 1985 movie Tampopo). Sugari has something of a following in a classic Matcha house, hidden on a narrow lane off a side street,…

ByEd ItorApril 6, 2024

EAT > TOKYO

EAT > Fujimaru, Osaka

Osaka is well known for its street food, with 222 listings in the Michelin Guide (3 for 3 star, 9 for 2 star and 80 for 1 star) you know that they are serious about food. But what about wine, well that is a little harder to find, especially if like us on…

ByEd ItorApril 4, 2024

CAFE > TOKYO

CAFE > Verve Cafe, Roppongi Hills

Over in Roppongi Hills right next door to the excellent design store ‘Living Motif’ you will find an outlet for the popular Verve Coffee (and roasters) chain. Here they do an excellent range of pour over coffee’s (some of them are quite specialised and they are priced in line ~¥1,500 for a…

ByEd ItorApril 1, 2024

CAFE > TOKYO

CAFE > Kitasando Coffee, Kitasando

Not far from the Meiji Jingue Temple in Yoyogi Park and sandwiched between the Shinjuku Goyen National Garden you will find the small suburban area of Kitasando (there is even a Kitasando station there on the Fukutoshin Line). In amongst the apartments and small shops you will find a coffee oasis Kitasando (it has…

ByEd ItorApril 1, 2024

EAT > TOKYO

EAT > Menchirashi, Shibuya

Udon, the under rated noodle. Its chewy and tasty, fresh and filling and at Menchirashi it is made into an enormous range of wonderful dishes, from traditional Udon (noodle) soup dishes to a Japanese twist on Carbonara. You do need to line up and yes it will probably take about 20-40 minutes to get a…

ByEd ItorMarch 31, 2024

STAY > TOKYO

STAY > All Day Place, Tokyo

Located just off Meji Dori Avenue in Shibuya, the All Day Place Hotel is hidden away above a cafe / craft beer bar in a tower building. A simple place with rooms that are functional with smart design at a reasonable price. SLEEP > Rooms come with the usual Pyjamas, reusable…

ByEd ItorMarch 30, 2024

CAFE > TOKYO

CAFE > About Life Coffee Brewers, Shibuya

About Life is a funky coffee shop close to Shibuya station, probably the best coffee in that area. A simple menu the shop sells espresso, brews (hot and cold) and cold drip coffee. They have a small food menu and the space is ‘funky’ in that classic Tokyo way somewhere between design…

ByEd ItorMarch 30, 2024

Ed Itor

Best Choice for Creatives