Date visited: Wednesday, September 23, 2026 (National Holiday) — Sunny
27 minutes until the next train.
Enough time for a bowl of station udon?
Somehow, I ended up catching an earlier train.
Today, I’m heading to Mount Hiei.
I take the Special Rapid train to Kyoto Station.
According to the route I’d checked online, I have 27 minutes until my connecting train.
That’s plenty of time.
So—
Could I grab something to eat?
I’ve been on the move since morning, so I’d like to have a meal that serves as both breakfast and lunch.
But there’s not enough time to leave the station and look for a restaurant.
That’s when I spot a shop on the platform.
Menya Kyoto Agamo.
An udon and soba shop.
Since it’s right on the platform, why not eat here?
A Breakfast Set for ¥440
I look at a poster outside the shop.
Breakfast Set — ¥440
That’s cheap.
I’ll have that.
With my decision made, I head to the ticket vending machine.
But then…
I can’t find the breakfast set.
Instead of displaying every dish on one screen, the machine requires you to select a category and work your way through the menus.
Maybe here?
Nope.
Go back.
Then perhaps here?
Nothing.
Back again.
I try several times.
…
I have no idea.
Then I sense someone standing behind me.
I can’t keep wandering through the menu forever.
I give up on the breakfast set.
Instead, I choose something displayed on the screen.
Kashiwa Onigiri Set — chicken rice ball set.
Well, that looks good too.
Decision made.
A Few Weeks Later, I Noticed Something in My Photos
While preparing this article, I was looking back through the photographs I’d taken.
There was the poster advertising the breakfast set.
And written clearly in large letters:
“Available from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. only.”
…
Huh?
What time had I arrived at Kyoto Station that day?
Just after 10 a.m.
…
Well, no wonder it wasn’t on the machine.
Apparently, I’d been desperately searching the vending machine for a breakfast set that was no longer available.
And when I checked the official website, I discovered something else.
The Kashiwa Onigiri Set I’d chosen instead was available from 10 a.m.
Here’s the official announcement:
Menya — 2026 New Menu Item: Kashiwa Onigiri Set
I’d arrived right when the menu changed over.
Dear ticket vending machine,
I’m sorry I doubted you.
All I Did Was Hand Over My Meal Ticket. But the Man Beside Me?
Somehow, I finally manage to buy my meal ticket.
I hand it to the staff.
My entire ordering process consists of:
Hand over the ticket.
That’s it.
Then a man nearby hands over his ticket too.
“A large bowl of plain noodles. Add some tenkasu.”
…
A large bowl of plain noodles.
He already sounds like he knows exactly what he’s doing.
And then, the tenkasu—crispy bits of tempura batter.
At the time, the staff added them for free when requested.
They might not always be available, depending on the timing.
I didn’t even know you could order like that.
While I simply handed over my ticket and considered my job done, this man completed his order without the slightest hesitation.
A true station-udon veteran.
Quite a contrast to someone who’d just spent ages searching for a breakfast set that was no longer on sale.
The Food Arrives in Seconds
My order arrives almost immediately.
That was fast.
Exactly what you’d expect from an udon shop on a station platform.
Time to eat.
I don’t expect luxury from station udon.
Fast.
Affordable.
Warm.
But there’s more to it than that.
Many station udon and soba shops serve a flavorful dashi broth, just the way I like it.
Today’s udon is no exception.
The dashi has a lovely, distinct flavor.
Exactly my kind of taste.
It’s not a luxurious meal filled with expensive ingredients.
But it’s the kind of food that makes me think,
“Ah, that’s delicious.”
And once I’ve finished eating, I can move straight on.
Meals like this are a welcome part of traveling.
Wait, There’s a Train Coming
Thank you for the meal.
I should still have plenty of time.
…Or so I think.
But when I look across the platform, a train is arriving.
Huh?
Could I catch this one?
It’s one train earlier than the one I’d found online.
There’s just one problem—
The destination is different.
The destination displayed on this train isn’t the same as the one I was planning to take in 27 minutes.
But I think it’s heading in the right direction.
Will it stop at Hieizan-Sakamoto Station?
I hesitate for a moment.
Then—
Oh, let’s just get on!
I jump aboard.
Oh. Did I Get on the Wrong Train?
The train departs.
Yes!
I caught an earlier train.
…
Wait.
Oh. Was that a mistake?
Suddenly, I feel nervous.
The destination was different, wasn’t it?
Normally, you’re supposed to check these things before boarding.
But the train is already moving.
I hurriedly check the route.
…
It’s the right train.
What a relief.
The final destination is different, but it’s traveling in the same direction.
It will stop at Hieizan-Sakamoto Station.
And so—
I managed to catch a train earlier than planned.
How Did I Manage to Catch an Earlier Train?
The connection I’d found online allowed plenty of time.
And the udon shop was right on the platform.
There was no need to pass through the ticket gates or search for a restaurant outside.
The food arrived almost immediately after ordering.
And when I finished eating, there was a train right in front of me.
Several little things came together.
Even after stopping for breakfast and lunch, I managed to leave earlier than planned.
Although that last-minute decision to jump aboard was a little questionable.
Gaining a Little Time with Station Udon
One of the pleasures of traveling is taking time to enjoy the local food.
But sometimes, while moving between destinations, all I want is:
Something quick to eat.
Something warm.
And then, to keep moving.
A bowl of udon on the platform at Kyoto Station.
I was too late for the breakfast set.
Beside me was a true station-udon expert.
But I enjoyed my udon with its flavorful dashi broth.
And then—
Somehow, I left on an earlier train.
I filled my stomach and gained a little time.
Now then.
My next destination is Mount Hiei, where I’ve never been before.
And as it turns out, those few extra minutes would become surprisingly valuable.
This day’s journey is far from over.
YUMEVOJA Food Radar
Menya Kyoto Agamo — Kashiwa Onigiri Set ¥600
Sweetness: ★☆☆☆☆
Saltiness: ★★☆☆☆
Dashi Flavor: ★★★☆☆
Oiliness: ☆☆☆☆☆
Spiciness: ☆☆☆☆☆
Aroma: ★☆☆☆☆
Portion: Light
Ease of visit: ★★★☆☆
【YUMEVOJA Satisfaction】 ★★★☆☆ Depends on personal taste This is my personal impression, including the food, atmosphere, and people.
Located directly on the station platform, with food served very quickly. However, please note that the available menu changes depending on the time of day.
📍 For the latest opening hours, closing days, crowd levels, menu items, and prices, please check Google Maps and the official website. Information may change.
📍 Google Maps 👇 Menya Kyoto Agamo
【Google Maps link】
🌐 Official page 👇 Menya Kyoto Agamo
【Official website link】
👉 Related illustrations here
(Free to use)
▶︎ 🎨View illustration page