Even dogs have their share of food at Nishiki Market (錦市場, Nishiki Ichiba), a food market that stretches along five blocks in the heart of downtown Kyoto. You can walk there in less than five minutes from Shijo Station on the Karasuma Subway Line or Karasuma or Kawaramachi Stations on the Hankyu Line.

Small packs of tidbits can be put into the beautiful gift boxes and presented as gifts. No one can beat the Japanese when it comes to packaging.

I couldn’t resist and bought myself a skewer of unagi (eel) to munch on.

The Kamo River runs through Kyoto and in downtown Kyoto, restaurants and bars next to it are popular chow spots and watering holes where people go there to be seen. Geishas perform at some of these restaurants at night (the place is dead in the day) so this is a good place to go if you want to spot these Japanese icons.

The words on top of the mirror are an advertisement for a plastic surgeon’s clinic. Harsh but cost-effective ad. Yes, that’s me in the mirror.

Definitely no discrimination whatsoever here.

Colourful pieces of origami strung together – a common sight in Japanese temples

The ubiquitous cones in Japan – white for vanilla, green for matcha (my favourite!).

A must-have accessory to survive in the hot summer.

The post box outside the General Post Office building next to Kyoto Station. Kawaii.