Home to Ki-Yan’s dynamic mural ‘The Kings of Beasts and Flowers’ , Wine Kura Shiori is a dining bar serving over 90 types of wine alongside inventive international and Japanese inspired dishes. Located in a renovated kyo-machiya (traditional Kyoto townhouse), the bar provides a variety of seating styles, including the popular horigotatsu seating style (seating at a table over a sunken floor) in the private room. Ki-Yan’s paintings of red lions and peonies that dominate the staircase walls represent the artist’s signature style of ‘painting without boundaries’. Don’t forget to check out Ki-Yan’s ‘Grape Terrace’ on the second floor-a blue mural on the white walls surrounding a miniature Japanese rock garden.
If you are looking for fresh and high quality meat in Kyoto, opt for the yakiniku (authentic Japanese BBQ) restaurant Gyū Ōta. The restaurants superior flavours come from its choice of quality meat-the best Japanese wagyu beef of the day, regardless of region of origin. And don’t forget to try the misuji (oyster blade) and sankaku (chuck ribs), both highly recommended by the owners. Along with carefully selected meats, the restaurant also offers various Korean side dishes including steamed oxtail and harusame noodle salad. The idea of the red tiger painting for this yakiniku restaurant comes from a popular association in Japan among grilled meat, Korea and tigers, as well as Ki-Yan’s desire to paint the tiger in warm colours in order to enhance guests’ dining experience. Following a friend’s suggestion, the artist later repainted the tiger’s tail over the corner pillar.
Specializing in kyo-yasai (Kyoto vegetables) and shabu-shabu, Miyabian features an elegant staircase lined with red and black bamboo. Just after Ki-Yan began painting, he spontaneously deviated from his initial plans and completed this mural in a very short amount of time. Before walking up to the second floor to enjoy your shabu-shabu, sukiyaki or buta-shabu, take a minute to admire the impressive ‘Lucky Bamboo’ from the best vantage point: the bottom of the stairs. Don’t miss out on Miyabian’s all-you-can-eat courses and free refill service. The restaurant also has one private tea house-style room that is very popular among couples.
