Kyoto Tofu Seller with his Bicycle

自転車で回る京都豆腐やさん

Every once in a while one can spot a tofu seller on a bicycle in Kyoto.

They are a dying breed.

We have spotted, or rather heard, this older man in and around Nishijin.

The other day he was setting out along the pavement on Imadegawa Dori, west of Horikawa.

He usually rides or walks, slowly, on neighborhood streets bleeping his old horn.

People who hear the doleful wail of the horn, and are in need of tofu, come out and buy from him.

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Tofu Seller Kyoto

豆腐自転車の伯父さん

It was akin to finding a spotted owl deep in a virgin forest.

We are no ornithologists, but experienced a frisson when we heard the plaintive bleat of the tofu seller coming unseen from the next block over.

We finally caught up with him as he was pedaling slowly in front of Jofukuji Temple, in the Nishijin area of Kyoto.

In the past, vendors plied the streets on big sturdy bikes selling, among other items, tofu, potatoes, fish, vegetables, laundry poles, and more. With the exception of the fall yaki-imo (roasted sweet potato) sellers, many of them are now no more.

This old boy did not seem in much of a hurry, slowly moving forward with his cart full of tofu behind him.

In his right hand is a tin horn he blows to alert the neighbors that he is close by.


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Tofu Seller on Bike in Kyoto

自転車乗っている豆腐やさん

Just east of the Imperial Palace, a tofu seller held onto to his goods as he slowly pedaled north towards Imadegawa Dori.

He did not have the baleful horn that the traditional sellers honk to alert customers as they ride around town.

We are thus guessing that he was merely making a delivery to a nearby restaurant.

His bike clanked along as he moved gingerly forward.


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Tofu Seller