Mochiidono Shopping Street | Review by Gina C

At Kyoto Station, besides catching a train and shopping, another food you shouldn't miss is the 551 HORAI pork bun! This time, I visited ASTY Kyoto at Kyoto Station and found plenty of food and souvenir shops. It's a great place to browse before catching a train and pick up something tasty to take with you.

551 HORAI is a famous, long-established Osaka food brand, best known for its piping-hot pork buns! The plump white exterior looks so tempting, and when you bite into one, it's packed with meat filling. The pork and onions are savory, sweet, juicy, and full of flavor.

The most appealing thing about Osaka takoyaki is the slightly crispy exterior and the soft, moist inside. Paired with rich sauce, mayonnaise, and bonito flakes, every bite is full of Japanese flavor. They're piping hot when freshly made, so you have to be careful when biting into one—the inside can burn your mouth if you're not careful. They're delicious but really test your patience!

This time I visited Kyoto’s famous Minamiza Theatre. Just seeing the historic exterior made me stop and take photos.

Located near Gion in Kyoto, Minamiza is one of Japan’s most iconic kabuki theaters and an important venue for traditional Japanese performing arts. The exterior retains a distinctly Japanese style, with eye-catching signage and traditional decorations that create an interesting contrast with the modern shops around it, making you feel as if you’ve stepped into another era.