Kyoto Trains

Further on the Japanese railway theme, we saw these two posters in Kyoto in October, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Kyoto City Subway.

Embroidering the trains onto "gama-kuchi" (frog-mouth) purses cleverly ties the subway system to Kyoto's history.

These are just adorable:

Yōkan (羊羹) is a thick jellied dessert made of red bean paste, agar, and sugar. It is usually sold in a block form, and eaten in slices. Kyoto is famous for it.

From the low number of views, it seems that not many people were interested in the train videos in our post a week ago. To show that we don't cave to popular opinion (or lack of it) here are two more.

A view of Kyoto rooftops on the way to Arashiyama (25 seconds)

Going from Osaka station to Shin-Osaka, the first leg of the trip from Osaka to Kyoto. We cross the huge Yodo-gawa river at 55 seconds (2:32):

For anyone who made it this far, click the map below to see the distance and route covered (blue line):

View Osaka to Shin-Osaka in a larger map

Okay, no more trains. Back to food and wine for a while.

Katsu Curry Lunch in Kyoto

Need a quick, filling, delicious meal in Japan, something at the opposite end of the scale from sushi?

Look for the most adorable piglet mascot logo around.

You don't have to be able to read the menu, just find the photo of the meal you want at the price you're willing to pay.

Coins in the slot, push the button, take your ticket; just like taking the train. The delicious curry train. To Lunchville.

Human interaction has been minimized to save time, money and embarrassing eye-contact. Look away as your rice is weighed on the scale.

Look back and hurray! It's ready!

Breaded pork cutlet, rich, spicy curry, white rice and pickles. This cost about seven dollars and was hugely satisfying, especially with a cold pint of Kirin Lager.

Now if only the delicious train stopped for about twenty minutes in Nap Town.

*Edit (Jan 8/12):
We have been reminded that there was a very famous system like this called Automat in New York City back in the early 20th century. This site gives a good impression of how different it must have been at the time.