An Israeli restaurant I met in Kyoto! Falafel Garden(Updated in December 2020)

 Good morning

The restaurant we are introducing today is an Israeli restaurant.

Store name: Falafel Garden

Location: 15-2 Tanaka Kamiyanagi-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

It is an Israeli restaurant located about a 2-minute walk north along the Kamo River from Demachiyanagi Station.

Product name: Falafel ball

Price: 420 yen

It's a croquette-like dish of chickpea paste kneaded with coriander (pakuchi), and is a vegan dish that doesn't use dairy products or eggs.

The spices work a little, and the fluffy texture inside is surprisingly new, and the snack sensation is irresistible.

Product name: Hummus paste

Price: 506 yen

Dish of chickpea paste (also known as galvanzo chikupee)! !!

It's seasoned with spices, but it's delicious enough for those who don't like spicy food.

Product name: Half Pita

Price: 150 yen

Bread that is a little thicker than naan is broken into bags.

I put hummus paste and falafel in half pita and ate it. A little recommended! !!

Product name: Couscous

Price: 1,470 yen

The sourness of the orange herb carrot salad makes you appetite.

I ate granular pasta (a rag of wheat) and chicken with chickpeas and seasonal vegetable soup.

The spicy chicken is balanced with the tenderness of the granular pasta, and the soup with a faint turmeric scent mixes with the exotic atmosphere! !!

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Trip to Türkiye 17【Istanbul Trip】Why a Bosphorus Cruise on a Public Ferry Was Better Than Expected

 If you visit Istanbul, one experience I highly recommend is a Bosphorus cruise on a public ferry (Şehir Hatları).

Tourist-oriented luxury cruises have their appeal, but taking a ferry used by locals lets you experience both the everyday life of Istanbul and its breathtaking scenery at the same time.

In this article, I’ll share what it was like to cruise the Bosphorus on a public ferry and why it left such a strong impression.

■ Affordable, Easy, and Absolutely Scenic

One of the biggest advantages of the public ferry is how affordable and convenient it is.
You can board it just like a metro or tram, yet the views are nothing short of world-class.

As the ferry departs, the cityscapes on the European and Asian sides slowly drift away.

Mosque minarets, hillside neighborhoods, waterfront restaurants, and historic palaces appear one after another—every angle feels like a postcard.

I honestly found myself thinking, “People commute on this? That’s unbelievably luxurious.”

■ Discovering Istanbul’s History from the Water

Istanbul is impressive from land, but seeing it from the sea offers a completely different perspective.

Palaces and fortresses from the Ottoman era, along with centuries-old mosques, line the shores of the Bosphorus.

One particularly memorable moment was passing beneath the Bosphorus Bridge connecting Europe and Asia.

It truly hits you that you’re traveling between two continents.

It felt less like sightseeing and more like physically experiencing geography and history at the same time

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■ The Relaxed Atmosphere Onboard

The ferry isn’t just for tourists—it’s a part of everyday life for locals.

Some sip tea while gazing at the view, others scroll through their phones, and there are families and elderly passengers as well.

There’s no special entertainment, yet that ordinariness is what makes it so pleasant.

Step out onto the deck and you’ll feel the sea breeze, with seagulls flying alongside the ferry—an unmistakably Istanbul scene.

A small warning: if you’re holding bread, the seagulls will absolutely target you.

■ Why This Cruise Is Perfect for Travelers

A Bosphorus cruise on a public ferry offers:

• Great value for money

• Sightseeing while in transit

• A mix of Istanbul’s everyday life and extraordinary scenery

If you have time, I highly recommend taking a late afternoon or sunset ferry.

Watching the city change colors as the sky and sea shift hues is simply breathtaking.

■ Final Thoughts: For Those Who Prefer the “Local” Experience

It may not be flashy or luxurious, but it’s one of the most honest ways to experience Istanbul

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That’s what makes the Bosphorus cruise on a public ferry so special.

For travelers who enjoy stepping into local life rather than just checking off landmarks, this experience is a perfect fit.

Trip to Türkiye 16 (Introducing unusual Turkish cuisine!)

 This time, I’d like to introduce Turkish cuisine, focusing on two memorable and slightly lesser-known dishes:

Perde Pilavı and Bulgur Balls.
Both dishes are rich with traditional Turkish ingredients and cooking methods, leaving a lasting impression.

What Is Perde Pilavı?

Perde Pilavı is a traditional dish commonly found in southeastern Turkey.
Its name literally means “curtain pilaf.”

What makes this dish truly special is its appearance.
Fragrant pilaf is generously packed inside a buttery dough—similar to a thin pastry—then baked in the oven to create a luxurious, dome-shaped dish.

Inside, you’ll find:

• Spiced rice

• Chicken

• Pine nuts

• Raisins

The balance of sweetness, saltiness, and aromatic spices is exquisite.

When you cut into it with a knife, steam rises and the pilaf spills out—a presentation that’s as enjoyable as it is delicious.
It’s often served on celebratory occasions, and one bite makes it easy to understand why. This dish truly feels like a feast, both visually and in flavor.

Bulgur Balls

Next up are Bulgur Balls, a classic Turkish home-style dish and popular appetizer.

These are made by mixing finely ground bulgur wheat with:

• Tomato paste

• Spices

• Herbs

• Onions

The mixture is shaped into bite-sized balls.
Though simple in appearance, each bite is packed with deep, savory flavor.

Most versions are not fried, making them surprisingly light and healthy.
They’re especially delicious with a squeeze of lemon or served alongside a yogurt-based sauce—refreshing and incredibly addictive.

While Turkish cuisine is often associated with hearty meat dishes, Bulgur Balls highlight the cuisine’s rich tradition of grain-based dishes as well.

Final Thoughts

Perde Pilavı and Bulgur Balls perfectly showcase both the depth and the home-style warmth of Turkish cuisine.

• For a sense of tradition and celebration → Perde Pilavı

• For simple, wholesome comfort → Bulgur Balls

Though still relatively unknown in Japan, both are must-try dishes for anyone interested in Turkish food.

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Introducing the mansion of a conglomerate representing Japan! Former Mitsui Family Shimogamo Bettei(Updated in December 2020)

 Good morning

Today, I would like to introduce the 2nd and 3rd floor gazebos of the Old Mitsui Family Shimogamo Bettei (Important Cultural Property) in Kyoto.

Historic Site: Old Mitsui Family Shimogamo Bettei (Important Cultural Property) 2nd and 3rd floor gazebo special exhibition

Location: 58-2 Shimogamo Miyakawa-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

It was made by relocating the main building of the Meiji era and expanding the entrance building at the villa of the former Mitsui family, a wealthy merchant completed in 1925. It is designated as an important cultural property.

Price: 900 yen (up to the 3rd floor)

Period: November 19th (Thursday) -December 15th (Tuesday), 2020 (Special opening period on the 2nd and 3rd floors)

The Shimogamo Bettei consists of three buildings: the main building, the entrance building, and the tea room.

A magnificent scroll of Ito Jakuchu, an important cultural property of Japan, "Saichifu" (a full-scale replica) was on display, but the image could not be saved. (I'm sorry)

You can overlook the garden from the 3rd floor! !!

It is said that you can also see the capital ware.

No ~ It ’s a superb view ~

The pond in the garden has a clear cleanliness and enhances the atmosphere.

The 2nd floor will be open for a fee during periods other than the special exhibition (8,000 yen all day !!)

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