February 28, 2018
by Sae Kawabata, Mayu Matsumoto and Mayumi Otsuka
Hi! We are students of Kyoto University of Foreign Studies. In this article, we are going to explain about the Saiin area in which we live and where our university is located. Saiin is in the west-central part of Kyoto city and is part of the Ukyo Ward. Nearby are three train lines, so Saiin is a high-traffic location and therefore has many commercial facilities. The number of incoming and outgoing passengers of Saiin was 37,896 people in 2016.
Café Branche
In Saiin are, there are a lot of cafes. So, we will introduce one cafe that we would like to recommend you for lunch: Branche. Branche is both a cafe and gallery where you can eat lunch and buy products such as clothes, furniture, bags and eating utensils. It is near Saiin station on the Hankyu line, so it takes about 10 minutes to arrive on foot from the North Gate of Saiin station. At the lunch time, the cafe is bustling with young people like university students and housewives. It is especially popular with young ladies.
There are three set menus for lunch. The first is a rice set. It costs 1,050 yen and includes a main dish, five side dishes, a salad, miso soup and white rice. The main dish is changed every ten days. The second is a white bread set. It costs 950 yen and includes a club sandwich with pork and burdock salad, two side dishes, and some clear soup. The third is a curry set. It costs 950 yen and includs well-stewed curry with vegetables and chicken soup, three side dishes and a salad. In addition, these set menus include one drink. You can choose either hot or iced coffee or hot or iced tea. Therefore, you can have dessert for an additional 250 yen. Reservations can be made by phone call.
Pagong
Pagong is a clothing store in Saiin that sells Aloha shirts, bags, cardigans and so on. The main selling point of this shop is that designers make all the clothes using Kyo Yuzen, a Japanese traditional dyeing technique. The distinctive feature of this craft is that we can use more color in Kyo Yuzen than in the ordinary way of dyeing.
The history of Pagong is as follows. A man named Mr. Kameda started a dyed clothing shop in 1919. Around that time, Japan was waging war and its people lived a harsh and brutal life. He hoped that peace will come to Japan again. After the war, he made luxurious Kimono using dyes of red, yellow and so on. This is the origin of Pagong. In 2001, present owner wanted to use designs of Kyo Yuzen, which was made past by craftspeople. He wanted foreign people know this Japanese traditional craft. Therefore, he made aloha shirts using the skill of Kyo Yuzen.
Kiku and Matsu are Japanese plants, and their meanings are to wish for long life. Botan is also a Japanese flower, and it represents the gain of wealth and status. You can make your choice using this information when you buy clothes in this store. In addition, you can buy clothing as a souvenir for your friends, family, and so on.
Daimonji Ame Honpo
Daimonji Ame Honpo is a traditional kyoame store in Saiin founded in 1919. Kyoame is a one of the most popular traditional products of Kyoto, it is a kind of candy. Their refined candy which is made in Kyoto contain Kyoto vegetables and fruits flavor. By the way, do you know the Daimonji event in Kyoto? On the night of August 16th each year, the Kanji “大” appears on the mountains. Furthermore, there are other words and shapes on four other mountains surrounding the city of Kyoto. All of them together are called Kyoto Gozan Okuribi. By the way, why did the store named Daimonji come to sell one of the most famous products in Kyoto? The store founder has idea of connection of Daimonji, Daimonji Kyoame will become seasonal tradition. They have main products which name is “Daimonji”. There are 9 flavors in it, strawberry, green tea, sesame, soy, black sugar, chocolate, orange, arare which means hailstone and Kyoto’s soup which means gravy or juice of Kyoto products. In addition there are many kinds of Kyoame for example using kyoto specific products like Kyoto vegetable and seasonal things, throat candy, tea flavor candy and so on. Furthermore, you can order special kyoame at this store on the internet, for wedding gifts or birthday presents. Also, children can experience making kyoame with craftsman in this store for only 2,000 yen. Children can feel the achievement and pleasure of giving their own handmade kyoame to other people.
Good Information on Saiin
There are many good spots in Saiin. Saiin is a comfortable area for students to live in for several reasons. First, there are many transportation options. There are two main train lines: the Hankyu Kyoto line and the Keifuku Denntesu Arashiyama line. For example, you can get to Kawaramachi on the Hankyu line in 7 minutes, go to Arashiyama on the Randen line in 25 minutes, and also can go to Osaka for 40 minutes on the Hankyu line.
Also, if you have gone sightseeing in Osaka the day before, and you want to come to Kyoto today, you can take the Hankyu line from Umeda station straight to Saiin.
Also, Saiin is a miniature city of students. Kyoto University of Foreign Studies and Kyoto Koka Woman’s University are the main universities in Saiin, but some students of Ritsumeikan University, Hanazono University, Bukkyou University and Kyoto Saga University of Arts live in Saiin, too. Therefore, apartment rental prices are little lower than in other places in Kyoto.
In the spring, people enjoy cherry blossom parties under the cherry blossoms along the Tenjin River in Saiin. There are many cherry trees along the Tenjin River, from Gojo Street to Sanjo Street. This spot is not so famous for tourists, but rather is only known by the locals. We recommend a stroll along the river to take it easy and enjoy the beautiful colors.
As you can see there are many attractive places and things in Saiin area. Why don’t you visit Saiin area and makes special memories in Kyoto? We recommend you to come Saiin area after you enjoyed popular Kyoto sightseeing spots, beacause Saiin has a local attraction.
Access Information
Branche
Tel: 075-925-8133
Adress: 4-Jo-machi, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto city, Kyoto 615-0066, Japan
Time: 11AM-6PM (day off: Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holiday)
Access: Hankyu Kyoto line Saiin station North Gate 10minutes walking
HP: http://www.branche-web.com
Pagong
Tel: 075-322-2391
Address: 17, Saiin Nishimizosakicho, Ukyo-ku Kyoto city, Kyoto, 615-0046, Japan
Time: 11AM-6PM
Access: It takes 15 minutes from Saiin station to this shop on foot.
HP: http://pagong.jp/shopinfo/pagong_honten/
Daimonji Ame Honpo (大文字飴本舗)
Tel: 075-312-1568
Address: 28, Saiin, Higashizyunnnainncho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto city, Kyoto 615-0011, Japan
Time: 9AM-5PM (day off: Sunday and holiday)
Access: Hankyu Kyoto line Saiin station 2 minutes walking
Bus from Kyoto station: bus station B3, Number 205 bus, at bus station “Nishi Oji”