Date visited: April 30, 2026 (Showa Day)
Menya, a station udon shop I found at Yamashina Station.
At the end of the journey, I took a break with a warm bowl of udon.
I jumped onto a local train at Kyoto Station.
Just one stop.
I arrived at Yamashina Station.
“Why does the Special Rapid Service stop at Yamashina Station?”
I wondered about that as I passed through the ticket gates.
I had only just eaten Kyoto cuisine, but I was still a little hungry.
The Comfort of Station Udon
Near the ticket gates was a shop called Menya.
I bought a meal ticket from the vending machine.
Chicken tempura set meal, 730 yen.
I handed over the ticket and took a seat.
About two minutes later, my order was called.
Fast.
That is one of the attractions of station udon.
Eating It While Blowing on Every Bite
Three pieces of chicken tempura.
A rice ball.
And udon.
Hot.
Blow, blow.
For someone like me who is sensitive to hot food, it was a little difficult.
But it was delicious.
It was not an elaborate dish.
Nor was it a special feast.
Even so, it was enough for me at that moment.
A feast is not something to be eaten in a hurry.
At the end of a journey, something this simple feels just right.
Delicious Dashi
Some people may imagine station udon as strongly seasoned.
But this bowl was different.
The dashi flavor came through clearly.
It was not overly salty.
It had the gentle taste often associated with Kansai.
Even after eating Kyoto cuisine, it did not feel out of place.
I was able to end the day with one more taste that still felt distinctly Kyoto.
The Reassurance of Having People There
You buy a meal ticket from the vending machine.
You collect your food.
When you finish, you return the tray to the designated counter.
It is an efficient system.
Even so, there are still people working in the kitchen.
Because they are there, I can eat a warm meal.
Even if places like this become completely unmanned one day, I think I would still use them.
Rather than resisting the times, I would like to accept change with flexibility.
Still, this bowl seemed to carry not only warmth from the food, but also the warmth of the people who made it.
A set meal of chicken tempura udon and a rice ball.
It was a comforting bowl at the end of a long day of walking.
Thank You for the Meal
After finishing, I returned to the ticket gates.
The Special Rapid Service would arrive in five minutes.
The timing was perfect.
In the end, I walked 22,252 steps that day.
Although rain had been forecast, not a single drop fell.
I walked a lot.
I ate well.
Tomorrow, I would return to everyday life.
Back to a world where younger people keep me on my toes.
But that was fine.
Because I had fully enjoyed this one day, I felt ready to do my best again.
🍵 YUMEVOJA Food Radar
Menya Yamashina Station | Chicken Tempura Set Meal — 730 yen
Sweetness: ★☆☆☆☆
Saltiness: ★★☆☆☆
Dashi Flavor: ★★★★☆
Oiliness: ★★★☆☆
Spiciness: ☆☆☆☆☆
Aroma: ★☆☆☆☆
Portion Size: Average
Ease of Use: ★★★★☆
YUMEVOJA Rating
★★★★☆ Satisfied
Personal evaluation including the food, atmosphere, and people.
📍For the latest opening hours, holidays,
and other updates,
please check Google Maps and the official website.
Information may change without notice.
📍 Google Maps here 👇
Menya Yamashina
🌐Official Website 👇
Menya Official Website
🚉 Related Article | Stopover Journey
This was the bowl of station udon that brought the day to a close.
At Tō-ji and Kanchi-in, I had encountered many unexpected discoveries.
👉 🚉 Stopover Journey｜Walking from Kyoto Station to Tō-ji Temple: Discovering an Unexpected Side of Kyoto
🍵 Related Article | Beauty & Taste
Before the station udon, I enjoyed Kyoto cuisine and sake near Kyoto Station.
It became a memorable dinner after I returned to the restaurant that had caught my attention earlier.
👉 🍵 Beauty & Taste｜Kyomon: A Kyoto Restaurant Worth Returning To Near Kyoto Station
👉 Related illustrations here
(Free to use)
▶︎ 🎨View illustration page
👉Choose Kyoto by mood.
▶︎☆View the Kyoto guide