Todaiji Temple | Review by BobbyJenny

If you're traveling around Kyoto on your own and have questions about transportation, attractions, or planning your itinerary, I highly recommend stopping by the Kyoto Tourist Information Center “Kyo-navi” first. It's located near Kyoto Station, making it very convenient for first-time visitors to Kyoto. As soon as you arrive, you'll experience professional and friendly service.

Kyo-navi provides all kinds of Kyoto travel information, including introductions to attractions, transportation options, maps, and various sightseeing brochures. The staff also offer suggestions based on travelers' needs, which is really useful for anyone who isn't sure how to arrange the order of attractions on their itinerary.

What I found most convenient was being able to ask transportation questions directly, such as which line to take to Arashiyama, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, or other popular attractions, and where to transfer. Compared with constantly looking things up on your phone, having someone explain everything in person is much clearer and makes it easier to plan your itinerary smoothly.

If it's your first time in Kyoto, or if you suddenly want to adjust your itinerary while traveling on your own, I highly recommend using Kyo-navi as an information stop during your trip. Pick up a map and get clear directions before heading out to explore Kyoto. You'll feel much more at ease throughout your trip and reduce the chances of getting lost or going the wrong way.

Hozenji Meoto Zenzai, next to Hozenji Temple in Osaka, is a historic sweet shop best known for its signature red bean zenzai. The name “Meoto Zenzai” symbolizes a couple together and a happy relationship, so coming here isn’t just about eating dessert—it also represents wishing for happiness, a good match, and harmony in the family.

When served, the zenzai comes in two bowls. The portions don’t look very large, but each bowl contains piping-hot red bean soup and sweet, soft shiratama dumplings. The red bean soup is rich and warming, with just the right amount of sweetness. Paired with the chewy shiratama, it’s very satisfying—simple, but something you won’t get tired of eating.

After visiting Hozenji Mizukake Fudoson, having a serving of Meoto Zenzai felt like a very Osaka experience to me. The surrounding stone-paved alleys are filled with Showa-era charm, and together with the traditional Japanese dessert, the whole atmosphere has a special character. Even if you just sit down for one bowl, you can feel the unique nostalgia of Osaka’s old streets.

Nakamura Tokichi Main Store's Namacha Jelly is a Japanese dessert that's perfect for matcha lovers. It looks simple and refreshing at first, but the flavors and textures are actually quite layered. The clear, green-tinted tea jelly has a light tea aroma and is smooth yet springy. Its cool, refreshing texture is especially enjoyable in hot weather.

What I like most is that it isn't overly sweet or heavy, so you can really taste the matcha's refreshing flavor and subtly sweet finish. The tea jelly itself has a delicate texture, and eating it with red beans, shiratama, or other toppings adds different levels of sweetness and chewiness. Every bite has the delicate quality of a Japanese dessert.