Kyoto Day 3: Candeo Hotels Kyoto Karasuma Rokkaku + Ninuki + Tatsumi Bridge + Maruyama Park + Gion Kitagawa Hanbee + Rokkakudō Temple. Kyoto. Japan. 3.31.2025.

After my required 2 days in Arashiyama, I moved hotel over to Candeo Hotels Kyoto Karasuma Rokkaku. I have to say that I like this one even better than the Candeo Hotels in Shimbashi in Tokyo. It's in Kurasuma which is centrally located within walking distance to Gion and also the other direction if you want to go to Nijo Castle and such. It's also right across the street from Amam Dacotan Kyoto. I definitely took advantage of their skyspa during my stay here. So again, check out Candeo Hotels if you are looking for a decent chain. I liked the 2 I stayed in during this trip and would go back again.

In case you haven't noticed, I debunked quite a few social media myths for you on this trip. Therefore I went to Ninuki to check out these egg sandwiches for myself. I don't love egg. I don't naturally cook it or order it myself. So when I do, I do expect them to be EXCEPTIONAL. And I do like a good egg sandwich when I am in Japan and I do make them Japanese style (with fresh wasabi and Kewpie mayo) when I crave one for breakfast. So when I saw that Ninuki made the social rounds, I had to go check this out for myself. Ninuki is known for their egg sandwiches and their sourcing of eggs for their sandwiches. They also play very Japanese egg (tamago) songs in the store (which almost drove me insane by the way). TAMAGO TAMAGO TAMAGO. LA LA LA TAMAGO. I would say that if you are going to try it, you should eat it there and have them heat it up for you, as that is the best way to consume these sandwiches. While I think it was a good egg sandwich, I would not recommend you going out of your way to check this out.









Then I headed over toward Tatsumi Bridge as it's by Gion for some great people and crane watching.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Amy Yvonne Yu (@amyyvonneyu)

Since I had some time to kill before my reservation for tea, I planted myself around Maruyama Park to enjoy the cherry blossoms and all the activities. I am typically moving around here from place to place to enjoy the scenery as it's one of the top places to enjoy cherry blossoms in Kyoto. They also have loads of food stalls too if you wanted food or drinks.  I often come here at different times of day and all the lanterns light up at night and people are drunk and it's lively!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Amy Yvonne Yu (@amyyvonneyu)

In my 4 trips to Japan I have been to Gion Kitagawa Hanbee 5 times. This is the top of my recommendation list for Kyoto for everyone and one of my MUSTs. Their cake sets are phenomenal and I have had almost the entire menu by now. I was delighted that they started making a hojicha cake set now. It's a relaxing environment but you will want a reservation for weekends. Be sure to check this out if you love tea and tea cakes like myself. I can't get anything close to that good anywhere else and I have certainly tried. In fact the hojicha cake set was so good that I was already scheming when to return on this trip. Which I did a few days later with a new friend and she was blown away. I still have a bunch of their tea leaves at home for making hojicha, but I still cannot make it as good as they do.





A block over from Candeo Hotels Kyoto Karasuma Rokkaku is the Rokkakudō Temple that has many weeping cherry trees.