I took so many photos and there were so many dishes that it took me a year to upload this review article from the meal I had at the temple Kangetsuan in Kyoto. I thought no one would be waiting anymore, but thank you sadasuke for waiting for a year. I want to share this as my own memo. The setting was like a foreigner's view of Japan, with tatami mats, tables, and chairs. The elegant red ambiance and unexpectedly, we ended up in a private room even though we didn't request one. It was a perfect setting for an adult date. Have you heard of Fucha cuisine? It seems to be a type of vegetarian cuisine, but it was not plain or tasteless. The presentation and flavors were quite elegant and refined, perhaps due to the Kyoto-style touch. The meal started with Kyoto sweets and matcha, serving as an appetizer. Then, 12 dishes were served one after another, taking about 3 hours to finish. The first dish was a luxurious simmered dish called "Shunkan" with seasonal vegetables beautifully arranged like an ikebana. There were various dishes like red konjac resembling sashimi and a heart-shaped eggplant. Even the flowers on top were edible, made of kombu. The meal also included sesame tofu, yuba, vinegared dishes, soup, rice, and dessert, all creatively presented and delicious. We had the basic course called Chikuzen, which cost 8000 yen. Stay tuned for the continuation of the review at a different location where we enjoyed some drinks.

There is a temple called Kanga-an on Karasuma-dori, near Kurama-guchi in Kyoto. It is a Zen temple of the Obaku sect, where you can enjoy shojin cuisine. I had previously stopped by a bar there, and the idea of a bar in a temple was quite memorable. Kyoto is bustling with cherry blossom viewers, with crowds of tourists everywhere. But this place was perfect for driving to Kyoto with elderly parents, offering delicious food, a quiet atmosphere, and a chance to enjoy the cherry blossoms. I was glad I made a reservation. The lunch course was 6,500 yen, and we arrived on time for our reservation. The road was busy, so we went straight there without stopping for lunch as planned. However, the cherry blossoms here were in full bloom and absolutely beautiful. We took off our shoes and entered the restaurant, where we could see the garden, creating a nice ambiance. We ordered drinks, which were promptly served. A large plate with appetizer-like dishes for three people was brought to us. They looked beautiful and the vegetables were cooked with care. They were delicious. Next was "Ume Hoshi no Hinodeage," which was a plum tempura. It was surprisingly my first time trying it, but it was delicious. The sesame tofu and yuba were familiar, but also very tasty. There was also "Kurimodoki," which was somen noodles made to look like chestnuts. They were crispy on the outside and the sweet potatoes inside were delicious. All the dishes were artistic in appearance and tasted great. They were healthy, with a variety of dishes that left us feeling full. Thank you for the wonderful meal!

Today is Friday, the day before a three-day weekend. I took the day off and came to Kyoto, which was bustling with the Yoiyoiyama of the Gion Festival! After enjoying a wonderful time at the Western restaurant Ogata, I hopped into a taxi at the invitation of a tour guide and headed to a temple near Kurama-guchi Station... What could possibly be there? This is the Zen temple of the Obaku sect, Zuijusanzenganan! As I walked through the beautifully illuminated grounds, I was surprised to find... a bar! Apparently, bringing a woman to a place like this is a sign of being a bad man, according to the guide's daughter who was brought here for moral education. Completely putting himself on a pedestal! Σ(ﾟДﾟ) We enjoyed some Bowmore highballs while chatting about such things, and then it was time to leave. If you're looking to surprise a woman on a date, this location would surely make her happy. The next day, I continued my food adventures, but I have to wake up early... I should have made a reservation myself, but... Good night!

I visited the temple bar that I couldn't find last time because I confused Kurama with Kurama-guchi. I was told that there are about 2-3 people like me who make the same mistake every year. It's a space called THEKYOTO that I wouldn't have known about if I hadn't seen the reviews on Tabelog! I arrived too early, but they kindly opened up for me. Thanks to that, I was able to enjoy the beautiful garden from dusk to the evening illumination. On the way back, I was also allowed to visit the main hall at night to pray. I could see treasures like a handwritten calligraphy by Emperor Gosai, which is amazing! The current head priest is a woman. They mainly serve shojin cuisine (shared-style vegetarian cuisine), so I would like to try that next time.

Purple Meal (lunch only) 6500 yen A shop that seems to be attached to a temple. When I entered, there was a path on the left, but there was a sign saying "No entry for non-related persons", so I thought this wasn't the right way? I was wandering around when a driver nearby told me that if I wanted food, it's this way. - Bamboo shoot soup, simmered dish - Fried food - Sesame tofu - Kuzuhiki (shredded yam) - Pickled dish - Vinegared dish - Clear soup - Rice - Pickles - Seasonal dish - Other: Dried plum tempura, chestnut-like dish, seasonal dish I visited after seeing it on Rocket News. It's a vegetarian meal, so no meat or fish is used. I was guided to a beautiful room with a view of a lovely garden. There was an air purifier-like device placed in the back. It seems like each room has one. It was fun to see flowers being fried, sweetened salted plums, and a pickled dish made from potatoes soaked in water and cut into stick shapes (resembling daikon). The staff's introductions were interesting, and when I asked why they made the dish with potatoes, they said, "I don't know, but maybe the person who made it thought it was fun." They also mentioned that during group visits, they don't talk about the potatoes because the servers are too busy, so some people go home thinking it was daikon. The staff left a lasting impression, especially with the chestnut-like dish. It really looked and tasted like chestnuts.

We came here for dinner during the autumn leaves light-up tour. The restaurant is also wonderful. Since it was a tour, we had a simple box lunch. I heard they have a course of vegetarian cuisine, so I would like to try it if I have the chance. Thank you for the meal.

It has become an annual tradition to take a trip to Kyoto with my daughter in the autumn. This year, we started our trip with lunch here. Along Kuramaguchi-dori on the way to Shimogamo Shrine, we enjoyed a course of Chinese-style vegetarian cuisine called Fucha cuisine at a temple of the Obaku sect. We were seated in a private room with a view of the garden just starting to turn red with autumn leaves, creating a serene atmosphere in the middle of the city. We started with matcha and sweets, followed by a variety of dishes made with ingredients avoiding meat and fish. The menu included dishes like Shunkan, a simmered assortment of seasonal vegetables resembling plants and stones in the garden, and Yanu, tempura of vegetables and flowers (Dendrobium orchids). The meal was rich in sesame and ginger flavors, which were used creatively throughout the dishes. The meal was not only visually appealing but also satisfying and warming, perfect for the autumn season. After the meal, we paid our respects at the main hall and then headed to Shimogamo Shrine. It was a very satisfying start to our trip. Thank you for the wonderful meal.

Eating shojin (Buddhist vegetarian) cuisine in the temple grounds. We were led to a tatami room with tables and chairs, so even those who are not good at sitting seiza can feel at ease. The dishes consisted only of vegetables and gluten, but there were quite a lot of them, so you will feel quite full. It was disappointing that the third dish, a fried dish, was served cold instead of freshly fried. The chestnut-like dish was particularly delicious. It is made by rolling sweet potato paste into balls and sticking short somen noodles in them. The reason for using sweet potatoes is that they can be served year-round regardless of the season. Also, the plum sunrise fry that came after the appetizer was delicious. Frying plums is a novel idea! It looks like a chestnut and tastes great. (It was the same fried dish, but I think it would have been even tastier if it had been warm) The kuzuhiki had too much thickening agent and was difficult to eat. I wonder if it's really all kuzu? The speed of serving the dishes was fast, and the customer service was good, but the quality of the food was average. It's a good place to experience shojin cuisine itself. It may not be easily accessible as it is located in a residential area. After the meal, you can also visit the inside of the temple without paying the admission fee.

I enjoyed a traditional vegetarian meal at a historic Zen temple. Despite no animal protein or oil, the meal was satisfyingly filling. The rich flavors, achieved with kudzu and vegetable oil, reminded me of Chinese cuisine. The peaceful garden added to the overall experience, leaving me completely satisfied.

A restaurant near Kyoto Municipal Subway Kurama-guchi Station. [Premium Restaurant Guide Exclusive Special Meal] 7,800 yen - Matcha and dried sweets - Before the meal, matcha and dried sweets are served. The matcha is mild in bitterness and easy to drink. The dried sweets are Rakugan and Kinpaito. The sweetness of Rakugan goes well with matcha. - Bamboo shoot soup - A simmered vegetable dish that is inspired by a dry rock garden. It is well seasoned and has a slightly strong sweetness, perhaps due to being a simmered dish. - Sunrise pickled plum - Salted and then sweetened and fried pickled plum. This pickled plum is sweet and delicious like fruit! It goes well with the ginger-flavored kudzu. - Fried vegetables - Deep-fried vegetables. There are apples and edible flowers. The warm items are only apples and avocados, while the others are cold. The pink pickled ginger is meant to resemble sakura shrimp. - Sesame tofu - Tofu with matcha. It is lighter than regular sesame tofu due to the matcha flavor. Enjoy it as is at first, then change the flavor with wasabi and soy sauce. - Cloud flakes - Vegetable scraps. It is heavily flavored with ginger and spicy!! - Shinsai - Shiga's mustard-flavored fu with edible chrysanthemum and boiled komatsuna. - Chestnut dumpling - Sweet potato kneaded and shaped into balls with tea soba skewers to resemble fried chestnuts. It is also served cold. It has a dessert-like feel due to the sweet potato. - Eel-like grilled tofu - Tofu made to resemble grilled eel. The taste is subtle. - Fresh yuba - This also has a strong ginger flavor. - Pickled vegetables - Red and white pickled potatoes and carrots. The potatoes are washed in water for hours to remove starch, making them completely white. They do not have a starchy taste, and the vinegar is strong. - Clear soup - A delicious clear soup with a good dashi flavor. - Rice - Shiny and delicious rice! It is not too soft, but has a slightly chewy texture. - Pickled vegetables - Pickled radish, kelp, and cucumber. The pickled vegetables, except for the kelp, are not very tasty. - Fruit and vegetables - Normally, seasonal fruits are served, but this time they are serving Zenzo, a special dish. The salted kelp served with it is quite salty, complementing the sweet Zenzo broth. There is a small piece of mochi that is crispy and delicious. The restaurant is located within the grounds of a temple called Kanga-an. The garden is illuminated at night, making it very beautiful. Fucha cuisine is Chinese vegetarian cuisine. Compared to Japanese vegetarian cuisine, the flavors are stronger overall. It is quite filling, but since it is made of vegetables, it does not cause indigestion.

I attended a lunch meeting with my classmates from high school, who were all wearing kimonos while I was in Western clothes. We went to a temple that I discovered during a previous visit to Kyoto, which served Shojin Ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine) from the Obaku sect. We chose the most affordable option, the "Murasen" set menu. The room was a private tatami room with tables and chairs, and the sliding doors were red with a view of the garden. The menu included a variety of colorful dishes such as seasonal vegetable simmered dish, fried plum, sesame tofu, apple tempura, and more. The meal started with dried sweets, gold sugar candy, and matcha. The vegetarian dishes were surprisingly delicious and visually appealing. After the meal, we were shown around the temple grounds and inside the hall. The service was excellent, and the experience left us feeling satisfied and eager to return.

I visited this place in Kyoto in December. I had been wanting to go here for a long time and had bookmarked it. However, there are so many places to visit in Kyoto, and the limited space in my stomach during my stay makes it difficult to go to all of them. Also, the location is not very convenient. I wanted to have dinner somewhere close to my hotel, where I could have some drinks and take a leisurely walk in the bustling Kyoto streets before returning to the hotel slightly tipsy. The nearest station is Kurama-guchi, which is quite far from the usual dinner spots I frequent. Nonetheless, the idea of having a meal at a temple, with the option of drinking alcohol and trying shojin cuisine, was intriguing. So, I made a reservation through Tabelog. The nearest station is Kurama-guchi, but my mother wanted to walk along the Kamo River, so we ended up walking from around Nijo. The weather was not great, with rain and wind, which put me in a slightly bad mood. However, upon arriving at the entrance of the restaurant, my mood lifted. The room we were seated in was luxurious, and we opted for the "Premium Restaurant Guide Limited Special Course 12 items per person for 7,800 yen" listed on Tabelog. The shojin cuisine was delicious and filling, despite my initial misconception that it would be light and unsatisfying. The meal left us both very satisfied. We took the subway back from Kurama-guchi, which was a quick and easy journey. I recommend this place to those who want a calm and satisfying dining experience away from the bustling areas like Sanjo, Shijo, and Pontocho. Just be aware that the dishes are well-seasoned and there are many fried items, so it may not be suitable for those who prefer light flavors or dislike fried food. Since the main ingredients are vegetables, you will feel comfortably full, but those who do not enjoy fried food may find it challenging.

I went to Kanawa-an again and I feel like saying, "I went to Kyoto for lunch \( ˆˆ )/" It was just me and my friends this time, so we were lucky to have the place to ourselves. The lunch course was called Murasen, but I forgot to take a picture of the menu so I don't remember the names of the dishes... but every dish was meticulously prepared, bringing out the natural flavors of the ingredients, and they were all incredibly delicious (๑≧౪≦)ｵｲｼｰ The azalea tempura was only available at this time of year, so we were lucky to try it. Even without meat or fish, we were fully satisfied and enjoyed the comforting dishes. I would like to come back next time to enjoy the evening light-up. Thank you for the wonderful meal!

This is a Zen Buddhist temple of the Obaku sect located a little east of Karasuma-dori at the Anma-kuchi in the Kita Ward. You can enjoy Shojin cuisine here. There is a counter in one corner of the temple with a bar-like atmosphere, where you can enjoy your meal while looking at the garden. The meal starts with a sweet bean jelly and green tea, followed by a visually stunning assortment of vegetables such as boiled gluten, pumpkin, rolled yuba, and koya tofu, all cooked perfectly with impeccable flavors and textures. The salt-free pickled plum with kudzu sauce is surprisingly sweet. The fried dish with miso sauce includes eggplant, shimeji mushrooms, apple, and avocado, which are all incredibly delicious. The sesame tofu dish made from leftover vegetables in a sweetened sauce is a testament to the artistry of Shojin cuisine. The vinegar miso soup with diced gluten and komatsuna greens, the sweet potato paste with tea noodles, and the red and white namasu salad with potatoes and carrots are all delightful. The creativity and attention to detail in each dish are truly impressive. The simple yuba dish is delicious, and the red and white namasu salad made by rinsing starch in water for several hours is surprisingly crunchy. The rice, clear soup, and pickles are all excellent. Overall, the Shojin cuisine here is not only delicious but also visually stunning and a joy to experience.

Japanese whiskey goes well with the atmosphere of the temple. It has a good and emotional taste. The master is also good and has a unique flavor. It seems he is not a Zen master. I come here once a week.

Four kimono-loving ladies visited the restaurant. It was the first time for all of us to try Japanese traditional cuisine, but we really enjoyed it. The portion size was just right and we thoroughly enjoyed our meal.

I thought "shojin ryori" would be a simple and tasteless menu, but it was completely different. The ingredients, creativity, and seasoning were all excellent, and it was a whole new world. We moved to the bar for dessert, and enjoyed it in a stylish atmosphere.

I had my first experience of enjoying a traditional Japanese tea kaiseki meal. The portion size was generous, which was a bit too much for me as I don't eat a lot normally. The location was quiet and away from the hustle and bustle, with private rooms where I could relax and enjoy my meal in peace.

The visually beautiful and creatively crafted dishes, along with the stunning view at the bar after dinner, are perfect during the autumn season with the colorful leaves. Reservations for the bar only are also available. A hidden gem! ✨