We visited Kyoto to see Japanese old temples & shrines and enjoy Kyoto's special cuisine. First we went to Arashiyama, the west of Kyoto. We had a reservation for lunch at
Shouraian, a wonderful Kyoto-special
Tofu Kaiseki restaurant. The restaurant had an unique architecture that clung onto the cliff looking down on
River Hozu, hidden in deep woods. We even had a private dining room! It was homey and peaceful.
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| Colorful Autumn leaves and river view from our dining room |
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| Sakizuke: Plum Sake as aperitif & Fresh Tofu with Yuki-shio, salt from Miyako-shima |
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| Hassun-mori - Kyoto special ingredients and cooking |
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| Egg yolk with Kyoto red pepper paste representing an autumn sunset moment, which was the theme of the lunch course |
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| Tofu with Awabi (Abalone) |
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| Kabura-mushi with red snapper, crab & a lily bulb |
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| Tofu gratin with Namafu (wheat starch) and Kyoto vegetables |
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| Yu-doufu (boiled Tofu in Kombu soup) |
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| Agedashi Tofu (fried tofu in Dashi coup) and rice & pickles & Chirimen-sansho (tiny fish spiced with Sansho) |
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| Tofu ice cream with Nama-Yatsuhashi, a famous Kyoto sweets |
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| Finished with Hojicha, roasted green tea - so happy! |
After visiting some temples, it was a tea time. There was a traditional Japanese Tea house in the beautiful garden of Kinkaku-ji. We sad down on a red cloth-covered bench and relaxed with Japanese tea and sweets.
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| Kinkaku-ji, Golden pavilion |
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| Ousu (frothy green tea) & Petite Ocha-kashi filled with sweeten red beans |
Since the
Tofu lunch was satisfying, a light supper sounded good. On our way to the place where we would stay, around
Sannen-saka (Three year steps) in the east of Kyoto City, we found a
Soba restaurant. Sounded perfect!
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| J's pick: soba soup with Nishin (herring), a Kyoto's specialty |
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| My pick: cold soba with Tororo (grated yam) |
Kyoto is famous with
Wagashi, Japanese traditional sweets. There are many
Wagashi shops serving for more than hundred years. Near the soba restaurant, There was such a shop,
Mangetsu that was established in 1856. Their best-seller,
Ajyari-mochi is one of my favorite Japanese sweets. How could I pass by the shop without buying any? I bought 5 pieces of
Ajari-mochi, Mochi-chewy sponge buns filled with sweeten red beans.
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| Ajyari-mochi was neatly displayed at Mangetsu's storefront showcase. |
We started the second day in Kyoto early, visited some temples, and walked a lot. After visting Heian-jingu (Imperial shrine) and its beautiful garden, we happened to drop by a small old Japanese cafe,
Roppou-ya. Three generations has been running this cafe and hand-making Japanese sweets for 100 years! I had Japanese green tea (coffee for J and my mother) and
Warabi-mochi,
racken-starch dumplings. We also bought four pieces of the cafe's flagship sweet,
Roppou-yaki, simple sweeten red bean cakes.
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| Heian-jingu's garden - quiet and graceful. |
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| Warabi-mochi, cold roasted green tea & foamy rich green tea |
After visiting
Nanzen-ji temple, it was time for lunch! Luckily we were close to a historically famous restaurant serving traditional Kyoto cuisine for 400 years,
Hyotei. Luckily we could get a table without a reservation in advance.
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| Looking out a neat Japanese-style garden from our table at Hyoutei |
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| Beautiful and delicious Syoka-dou Bento |
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| Maitake (dancing mushroom) rice, pickles, & Owan |
