Kyoto Travel Guide 🇯🇵 | DoubleTree Hilton Review, Kura Sushi Gluten-Free Food & Sanjusangendō Temple
[Music] Sharon, where are we off to? We are currently at Odawara Station, which is sort of a little bit west past Yokohama, and we are going to Kyoto today. So, it’s a 2 and 1 half, threeh hour journey from here. We’re taking the Kama, which is a slower train, but it’s direct. Oh, cool. Thanks. These trains stop here, but some of them just shoot right through. And when I say uh they’re going fast, I mean they’re going fast. Oh, [Music] there she goes. Oh. Oh my god. That scared the crap out of me. We settled in for our quick Shinkconen ride from Odawara to Kyoto. Even after 10 trips to Japan, I’m still amazed every time at how fast, smooth, and precise the Shinkansen service is. Quick tip. If you can use a luggage forwarding service called Takuh Highen in Japanese to send your larger bags ahead. It makes traveling so much easier and lets you enjoy the ride without hauling heavy luggage. [Music] And who cares cuz when you’re drinking glutenfree beer in Japan all wired up and collected Oh, spectacular and oniri salmon and appetizers. My dessert. Kieran Nagoshi Nama is a smooth, refreshing Japanese beer alternative made with soy instead of barley or wheat. While not officially gluten-free, Andy drinks it safely and loves grabbing a cold can after a long day of walking. It’s tasty and easy on the wallet, too. [Music] We just arrived at the Double Tree by Hilton Kyoto station. It’s about a 5-minute walk from the station to the left when you go to out the Hot Joe exit. Room 902. We were upgraded from a premium room reward to uh executive premium room. Premium deluxe room I think it’s called. Let me take you inside. So this room is on the executive floor. You have your obligatory mirror. I think this hotel is only a year maybe 2 years old at most. Let’s see what we have in the closet. An extra pillow. Have some bath towel bathrobe. Nothing much in there, but it is a nice big closet, which we’ll probably need because our luggage was forwarded from Tokyo to here the other day. And we have it all. It’s a huge screen TV. Uh here’s the desk. Like I said, you want to say hi, hun? Hi. Like I said, this is an executive premium deluxe room, so it’s a little bit bigger. It’s almost like a junior suite. Got some chairs there. We’ve got the bed. And then we also have in here. The bathroom is a little bit small and dark, but it is fine. That basin looks nice. Oh, it has a Dyson hair dryer. And it does have shower and bath. I wasn’t sure about that. It looked like a small shower in the dark. Nice decor. Um, I don’t think there are too many good view rooms here. Not on the executive floor level. Uh, this is what we see. And if I’m correct, the station is over that way somewhere. I don’t I think we just miss it. I think if I zoom into about here, right through there, that’s where the station is. So, not any view really to speak of, but big windows and pleasant enough. And we do have lounge access. So, hooray. Every morning at Double Tree Kyoto Station’s Harvest Kitchen, the buffet serves a mix of Japanese and Western dishes, including grilled fish, scrambled eggs, fresh pastries, and gluten-free bread rolls on request. The main dining area can get very busy, but Diamond members have a separate, calmer seating area. Just be ready to line up at the espresso machine for your morning coffee. It certainly wasn’t the same as the Conrad, but it was solid nonetheless, if a bit crowded. [Music] [Laughter] [Music] The executive lounge at Double Tree Kyoto Station on the 9th floor offers sweeping views of the Shinkansen platforms and Kyoto’s skyline. Guests can enjoy a breakfast buffet with pastries, eggs, and fresh fruit, all day snacks like cookies and matcha treats, and evening cocktails with light bites such as fish and chips, grilled chicken, and pasta. It’s a great place to relax and watch the bustling station below, though it can get quite crowded during peak hours. One convenient feature at Double Tree Kyoto Station is the guest laundry room on the second floor, equipped with two washerdryer units. We use this as a washing location to travel lighter. However, it can get quite crowded, so some forward planning is needed to find a time to use it. It’s a handy option for longer stays or if you need to freshen up your clothes during your trip. [Music] If you love matcha, don’t miss Ganon Sujiri at Kyoto Station’s Hachi Joe exit. Super convenient from the Double Tree. They serve all kinds of matcha treats from soft serve to parfes. And I couldn’t resist their espresso style matcha shot. It was absolutely heavenly. Perfect for a quick pickme up or a sweet treat while exploring Kyoto. Sanjjo Matangai on the west side of Kawaramachi near Sanjo Bridge is one of Kyoto’s oldest shopping arcades. Its dome roof and unique granite mosaic pavement make it a visual treat. While inside you’ll find a mix of historic shops and modern boutiques. If you’re looking for gluten-free options, check out Kurushi for gluten-free plates. So, we’ve come to Kura Sushi today. I don’t know how this is going to come out cuz their music is loud. I don’t know why they’re playing the graduation theme. It’s probably not copyrighted, so that’s the good news. This is like conference circumstance. And uh we’re just waiting for our number to be called. 18 minutes at 2:30 in the afternoon. Wow. And that’s for the counter. It would be an hour if we wanted a table. So, we’ll talk to you when we get there. So, we’re a little bit separated by a divider. This is like eating ramen would be. But anyway, we’ll give it a start. Sending around some actual sushi on the conveyor belt, which you don’t see very often anymore. They have a display on here. Happy day. This is hilarious. Customer order for table 16. They must be having a birthday. So, right behind me there is the water and there’s glasses up the top for your green tea. This was a little bit hard to sort out because you actually have things like this where you do have green tea powder and all of your sauces and I was trying to figure out what to do with them and I’m dropping my phone. I might order some more and we’ll see. This is basically a garlic crouton. A garlic toast with smoked salmon on it and a little bit of cream cheese and some red onion. I love it. Here is tuna and green onion. One of my personal favorites. This is the tuna yuko with the quail eggs. Again, doesn’t look as good as yesterday’s or the one we had in Hakone, but still it’ll be good. Okay, something that’s always a big winner for Japanese hamburg steak. I’m going to try that. Looks interesting. Let’s dig in and see how it is. Got to use my chopsticks the right way. I had them backwards just then. It’s like a meatball. I really like it. And the demiglaw sauce is quite good. Next up, seared salmon with cheese. [Music] The cheese is interesting. Yesterday’s cheese was more like cream cheese. And this is, [Music] more like a sharp Mexican queso. Interesting. Sticking with the cheese theme. This is, I think, mayo and cheese on shrimp. So, let’s give that a try and see how it is. Whatever their cheese stuff is, I like it. Crab and mayo. Okay. Real crab. Nice. [Music] Mhm. This is a new one to me. Roast beef with truffle sauce. Let’s see how their idea of truffle sauce hits me. I love truffles. Oh my god. Yes. [Music] I would have 12 of those. That was sensational. Sukiyaki style. So, this is quail egg and sukiyaki beef, I guess. Looks like it’s got onion in it, too. I’m going to like this. [Music] Yes, it’s good. I was watching Andy watch somebody else’s sushi go by. Like honestly, I think the reason that I like Kura sushi is because it got so much sugar in it. Everything is sweet. It’s so bubbly and I like it. But I really enjoyed this. I enjoyed my plum wine and soda. I enjoy my green tea. And I admit I do like to add some sweet soy sauce in. And their wasabi is sensational. Why don’t you tell the people what you got? I got a drink. It’s got ice cream in it. I guess it’s melon soda. I think with grape sherbet in it with a Pokemon. Oh, is that a card? Yes. Okay. Well, there you go. At Kura Sushi, each plate you return lets you play the insect game for a chance to win a prize. These days, it seems like wins are rare, which was definitely the case for us, but it’s still a fun, interactive part of the experience while enjoying your sushi. So, I’m going to wrap it up there. But good times, all reliable. We’re going to go out to the shopping mall after this. There’s like an open arcade show guy and just have a look around. It looks interesting and fun. So, I’ll probably just do that for a while and then go back to the hotel. Oh my gosh, we can barely walk. So that was that was what? 20 plates of food and it worked out to $41 US all up. Well, is that what you said? Oh, and plus drinks. You had drinks, too. Plus I ordered three drinks. And I had a plum wine. And I ordered a platter that had five tuna sushimi on it. Yeah. So 21. It was good value. Everything’s good value and the end’s going up, so that’s cool. All right, we’re going to wander around the Show 10 guy and try and find a bathroom. Okay, bye. Oh my god. Oh my So, I’ve always wanted to do this a fish spa. These are like baby cod and they eat all the dry skin off of your feet and it feels like bubbles. It It actually tickles, but it feels like it it feels like a spa. Oh, this is hilarious. So, I get 10 minutes of this. This is so funny. Oh my god. If the crowds at Kyoto’s famous sites wear you out, a visit to a shoe offers a perfect escape. Wander like a local. Enjoy the everyday rhythm of modern Japan and still soak in the culture along the way. [Music] Every trip to Kyoto, I make sure to visit Sanju Sanangendo Temple, just a 5-minute walk from Shicho Station, one stop from Kyoto Station. Its vast main hall, the longest wooden structure in Japan, holds 101 life-sized statues of canon, the goddess of mercy, a breathtaking site that unfortunately you can’t photograph. So, I can’t show it here. The temple’s night and gale floors chirp softly to warn of intruders. And each January, the Toshia Archery Festival fills the 120 m hall with archers from across Japan. Pick up a Yanagi noamori charm for protection and good fortune before you leave. Popular but far less crowded than Fushimi Anari, Sanju Sanindo offers a calm, unforgettable Kyoto experience. Thanks for joining us on this Kyoto adventure. From relaxing at Double Tree Kyoto Station to enjoying Kurissushi and gluten-free treats, exploring Sanjjo Menangai, and marveling at Sanju Sanangendo Temple, we hope you’re inspired to experience the city like a local. See you in the next video.
✈️ Kyoto Travel Guide 🇯🇵
Planning a trip to Kyoto, Japan? Follow us as we ride the Shinkansen from Odawara to Kyoto, check into the brand-new DoubleTree by Hilton Kyoto Station, and explore the city’s best eats and sights—from gluten-friendly conveyor-belt sushi to the serene Sanjusangendō Temple.
🌟 What You’ll See
• Shinkansen travel tips & luggage-forwarding service https://www.global-yamato.com/en/hands-free-travel/?_gl=1*123zqey*_gcl_au*NTYzNDM5MDQ4LjE3NTg5MzQxNjk.
• DoubleTree Kyoto hotel tour https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/itmksdi-doubletree-kyoto-station/?WT.mc_id=zPADA0JP1GI2PSH3paid_ggl4INTBPP_Apr5SiteGGL_ObjROAS_TacBPP_TarKeyword_SMUS_FrmtRSAs_CrNText_DvceAll_LPOHW6ITMKSDI7EN8acctid=9080505058-campid=21095188690-adgrpid=161402296922&&&&&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21095188690&gbraid=0AAAAADnjLGPl6iDnZmpTO0iBx7EK903fl&gclid=CjwKCAjw89jGBhB0EiwA2o1OnyGEc9RbSn3bffGvl3mq1tToLjP8KpIwb9oKX7dBRXO5b70IZNkuoRoCX-UQAvD_BwE – executive room, breakfast buffet & lounge
• Gluten-free friendly food – Kura Sushi https://www.kurasushi.co.jp/menu/?utm_source=&utm_medium=gmb&utm_campaign=gmb_access&utm_content=gmb_, gluten-free beer, matcha desserts
• Sanjo Meitengai shopping arcade http://www.kyoto-sanjo.or.jp/english.html – local shops & hidden gems
• Sanjusangendō Temple https://www.sanjusangendo.jp/ – Kyoto’s 1,001 Kannon statues
Perfect for first-time visitors, celiac or gluten-sensitive travelers, and anyone searching for Kyoto hotel reviews, food guides, or unique experiences. Use the chapter list below to jump to your favorite moments!
⏱️ Chapters
00:00 – Intro
00:13 – Departing Odawara Station for Kyoto
00:47 – Bullet trains speeding through the station
01:31 – Shinkansen ride & luggage-forwarding tip
02:20 – Gluten-free beer & onboard snacks
03:16 – Arrival at DoubleTree by Hilton Kyoto Station
03:37 – Executive Premium Deluxe room tour
05:20 – DoubleTree breakfast buffet & gluten-free options
06:31 – Executive lounge views, snacks & laundry tips
07:18 – Matcha treats at Gion Tsujiri, Kyoto Station
07:36 – Exploring Sanjo Meitengai shopping arcade
07:54 – Kura Sushi visit & wait time
08:31 – Conveyor-belt sushi fun & ordering tips
09:31 – Favorite sushi plates & tasting reactions
12:34 – Drinks, desserts & final thoughts at Kura Sushi
13:12 – Plate-return prize game & value for money
14:34 – Fish spa foot treatment experience
15:08 – Relaxing in Kyoto’s everyday neighborhoods
15:26 – Sanjusangendō Temple history & highlights
16:08 – Outro: Kyoto recap & travel inspiration
AloJapan.com