Pre-departure dining choices: Soba inside the ticket gates, sandwiches and chazuke outside
With the departure time set, I do not want to wander outside the station searching for a restaurant. Yet it also feels disappointing to rush through my final meal in Kyoto. Before boarding the Shinkansen, deciding first whether to eat inside or outside the ticket gates, alongside what to eat, puts the mind much more at ease.
A hot bowl of soba, a sandwich paired with coffee, or sea bream rice finished with broth poured over it. While all three spots are close to the station, the waiting experience differed at each. Rather than squeezing into a tight pocket of time right before boarding, I prefer to leave myself the leisure to sit and savor the flavor when making a choice.
Matsuba Kyoto Station BranchMatsuba Kyoto Station Branch (松葉 京都駅店)
When you do not want to miss out on the flavors of Kyoto dashi even after passing through the Shinkansen ticket gates.
Between sweet-savory herring and clean, delicate broth
For the soba topped with herring, the sweet and savory taste of the fish lingered first in my memory. As I sipped the broth and picked up the noodles, the flavor of the herring gradually infused into it, making the impressions at the beginning and the end subtly different. Even though it was just a bowl eaten inside the station, the feeling of having visited Kyoto remained vivid.
On days when I did not crave a rich, sweet fish flavor, my eyes were drawn toward the soba with tofu and yuba. Tender tofu paired with a generous portion of yuba made for a satisfying meal that did not feel lacking, even starting out light.
A pairing of egg and pork cutlet found at a soba shop
What I liked about the katsudon was how the softly cooked egg coexisted with the freshly fried, crispy edges of the cutlet. With a gently sweet seasoning enriched by the flavor of dashi, it felt unmistakably like a meal from a proper soba restaurant, even while eating a familiar rice bowl.
Adding a small soba also brought the simple pleasure of alternating between bites of rice and noodles. Although I have had the experience of finishing a quick meal here on a Sunday evening, I do not assume that kind of ease can always be enjoyed at the same pace. It is better to keep in mind from the start that this restaurant is located inside the ticket gates.
Location Kyoto Station 2F, inside the Shinkansen concourse beyond the ticket gates. Since it is located inside the Shinkansen boarding area, it must be distinguished from restaurants outside the gates.
Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, Japan · Kyoto Station 2F, Shinkansen concourse inside the ticket gates · Map Search
Inoda Coffee Hachijoguchi BranchInoda Coffee Hachijoguchi Branch (イノダコーヒ 八条口支店)
The choice to slow down the pace before departure over sandwiches and coffee.
Heartiness tucked inside small triangles
In the mixed sandwich, the ham, egg, and vegetables each offered distinct flavors. The savory note of thick-cut ham was followed by the gentleness of the egg, and biting into the piece with tomato and asparagus left the palate feeling distinctly refreshed.
I had thought of it as merely a simple bite of bread, but it felt unexpectedly substantial and filling. When I am not particularly hungry, I tend to look at the portion size of a sandwich first. There was no need to insist on a hot, formal set meal just because I was about to board a train.
A brief rest left behind by coffee
Arabian Pearl had a distinct, deeply roasted aroma without letting its acidity stick out excessively. Unlike my usual preference, it was a coffee that made me want to add milk. Taking my time to slowly finish the cup after eating the sandwich made for a pleasant break.
Even though the location is convenient to stop by before a Shinkansen departure, seats were not always available right away. Having experienced a wait in the afternoon as well, I prefer to choose this spot on days when I have ample time, including time to sit and drink coffee.
Location Kyoto Station Hachijoguchi side, ASTY ROAD Kyoto 1F. This is a location to look for outside the Shinkansen ticket gates.
Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, Japan · Kyoto Station Hachijoguchi side, ASTY ROAD Kyoto 1F · Map Search
HashitateHashitate (はしたて)
When you want a calm Japanese meal of sea bream rice and somen even before departing.
Sea bream rice enjoyed as is, then transformed with broth
With the sea bream rice served with sesame sauce, it was wonderful at first to eat the fish and rice just as they were. After savoring that nutty richness, pouring the warm broth transformed the bowl’s character entirely. The comforting finish, where warm broth soaked between the rice and fish, was deeply soothing.
Having the somen alongside created a lighter rhythm compared to eating rice alone. While the accompanying seasonal dishes varied, what remained memorable was a meal centered around the pure taste of dashi rather than pungent flavors.
Even for a nearby restaurant, I consider the wait separately
It was a wonderful experience to enter without waiting early in the evening and dine at a relaxed pace. The lotus root sweet, saiko, served at the end left an impression with its chewy texture, leaving me glad not to have missed even that small sweetness after the meal.
On the other hand, I have also had the experience of turning back once during lunchtime because of a long queue. Rather than leaving things to a tight schedule simply because it is inside the station, checking both the desire to eat here and the remaining time felt best suited for this meal.
Location In front of Kyoto Station JR West Gate, Isetan Annex Eat Paradise 3F.
Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, Japan · In front of Kyoto Station JR West Gate, Isetan Annex Eat Paradise 3F · Map Search
If you have already passed through the ticket gates, Matsuba comes to mind first; if you want to rest outside over coffee, Inoda; and if you wish to savor rice and broth in calm surroundings, Hashitate. Whichever you choose, factoring in the waiting time beforehand allows you to check your watch far less right up until the final spoonful.