Tofu Donuts

OM NOM NOM

 One of my favorite snacks back when I was in college was Tofu Donuts from the shop "Konnamonjya". Light, fluffy and sold by the dozen, these tasty treats are an inexpensive and authentic Kyoto experience. Buying them also takes you through Kyoto's Nishiki Market, also known as the "kitchen of Kyoto", where many fresh ingredients and local delicacies are on sale. You start your trip on one of Kyoto's largest shopping arcades, Shinkyogoku.

Shinkyogoku- Empty because it's 8 AM

Shinkyogoku runs parallel to Teramachi St., the other large shopping arcade downtown. Starting at the Shijo St. end of Shinkyogoku (cross street will be Shijo/ Shinkyogoku) walk up the shopping arcade. You're starting at the very beginning of the arcade, so there's only one direction to go. You'll pass one of my favorite shops on the street, The Mighty Soxer (yep, they sell socks).

Walk about one block and you will come to a shrine on your right. This is Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine.

Lanterns in the entryway

Fun things to do at Nishiki Tenmangu include:

*Get your fortune from the automated dragon-dancer machine. While drum music plays, the mechanical dragon dances, picks your fortune and bows.
*Check out the amazing flower arrangements placed around the shrine.
*Rub the head of the large cow statue. This is supposed to make you smarter!
*If you have a water bottle, fill it at the shrine well. This well is very famous and there are almost always people stocking up on its water, filling tons of bottles and containers.

                                                                                                              

Leave the shrine and go straight on the street that crosses the shopping arcades (Shinkyogoku and Teramachi). Once you pass both streets you will find yourself in Nishiki Market.

Nishiki Market may be known as the kitchen of Kyoto, but food isn't the only thing you will find sold there. A mix of souvenir clothing, practical household goods and freshly-made local specialties, Nishiki can be almost overwhelming, so take your time. You might get a chance to watch mochi being made, or get a chance to sample some interesting foods, like these boiled eggs stuck on tiny octopi:

 

Keep walking- "Konnamonjya" will be on your left, 6 intersections after you leave the shrine. The front of the shop sells Tofu, but the donut stand opens on the side street. They're pretty small, so they are sold y the dozen, 300 yen a pop. Don't worry, yo won't have any trouble finishing them off. Enjoy!