The origin of Kibune's riverside dining dates back to the Taisho era when priests and others would relax by the river, sitting at small tables with their feet in the water while enjoying tea and food. Every year around this season, I feel drawn to Kibune for some reason! This year was no exception - it was a cool and wonderful time. Aside from the food, I love the location. I'll definitely be back next year.

One of the summer traditions in Kyoto is dining at Kibune's riverside terrace. This year, I visited "Kyoto Kibune Hiroya" where they offer table seating, a rarity at riverside terraces in Kibune. The course meal featuring various ingredients such as conger eel, sweetfish, abalone, soft-shelled turtle, matsutake mushrooms, and wagyu beef was both visually stunning and delicious. I would love to visit again.

The riverside seating was very cool and comfortable! This is a place to enjoy the atmosphere, so the food is average, but I recommend the somen noodles here. It's child-friendly and you can enjoy Kyoto-style cuisine and atmosphere.

This is "Hiroya", located right next to Kibune Shrine, which truly embodies the essence of a riverside dining experience. Away from the hustle and bustle, surrounded by the soothing sounds of the flowing river, it is the perfect place to enjoy Kyoto kaiseki cuisine. I have visited Kibune Shrine before, but I was not aware of the many traditional restaurants in the area until now. The lanterns and bamboo blinds create a magical atmosphere. The dining tables set up over the river offer a refreshing experience. The seasonal dishes, such as the bamboo shoots and wild vegetables, served during the evening meal are a delight. The Matsutake mushroom course and the famous ice bowl are beautifully presented. The surprise of the night was the stunning presentation of the sweetfish, like a painting on a plate. The "stone garden" of sweetfish was a unique and memorable dish. After enjoying some sake, we ended the meal with somen noodles and conger eel. Despite the intense heat, the evening at the riverside restaurant was surprisingly cool and pleasant.

I splurged on the 19,800 yen lunch course at Kibune, which I always wanted to experience at least once in my life. It was farther from Kyoto city than I expected, so I recommend requesting the shuttle bus when making a reservation. I forgot to do so and ended up waiting for a regular bus due to the holiday crowds. The riverside setting was amazing, providing a natural cooling effect on a hot day. The food was not only visually appealing but also delicious. The staff, including Nakai-san, were friendly and made us feel comfortable. On the way back, we took the shuttle bus, which was a relief since Kibuneguchi Station was crowded. They even ensured we could get a seat by taking us to Kurama, the starting point. Why not experience it at least once in your life?

It was very delicious, but I wish they had brought the rice and miso soup later since I was drinking alcohol. The table and chairs were very comfortable. Kibune Kawadoko is a wonderful place with a cool and extraordinary atmosphere. I want to visit every year. There is a power spot, Kibune Shrine, nearby, so you can recharge your energy and leave.

On a hot day in September, I went with my colleague to eat child-bearing sweetfish at a restaurant by train. The riverside was very cool, to the point where I thought it might be okay to wear a jacket. The sound of the river completely drowned out the surrounding noise, creating a wonderful atmosphere that made me unintentionally feel at ease. The food and hospitality were both excellent. I would definitely like to visit again.

I visited Kifune Shrine and then had a riverside dining experience at Kibune Hiroya. Enjoying the sound of the river and the evening cicadas while dining was truly special. The coolness of the night by the river made me forget about the summer heat in Kyoto. I recommend having dinner instead of lunch during the summer. Among the various dishes like ayu and conger eel, the most delicious was surprisingly the cold somen noodles. The incredibly thin somen noodles had a fantastic texture that made me want more. I was told they were sourced from Nara, but I forgot to ask for the brand. I would love to eat them again. Kibune is a bit difficult to access, so I arranged for a hotel transfer this time, but I heard that Hiroya also offers shuttle service to Kibuneguchi. Due to the impact of COVID-19, the number of tourists has decreased significantly, but I believe that foreign visitors would be delighted to visit Kifune. Thank you for the wonderful meal♡

☑️ Kibune Kurama area's Kyoto kaiseki restaurant ☑️ Luxurious tranquility in a refreshing riverside setting ☑️ Shuttle service available to Kibuneguchi Station ------------------------------------- 【Today's Highlight】 ▶️ Hiroya Gozen: Impressive presentation, sashimi was incredibly delicious! ------------------------------------- 【Today's Dining Experience】 Continuing from yesterday, today we enjoyed a riverside lunch. Just 5 minutes by bus from Kibuneguchi Station, 2 minutes on foot from Kibune Shrine, Kibunegawa River at the source of Kamogawa truly feels like Kyoto's hidden gem. With the shade of blue maple leaves, the sound of water, we felt the coolness away from the hustle and bustle of the city. We indulged in a healthy kaiseki meal and experienced a taste of Kyoto's extraordinary charm. Thank you for the wonderful meal. ------------------------------------- 【Today's Menu】 ⚫️ Hiroya Gozen ------------------------------------- 【Today's Restaurant】 ■ Kyoto Kibune Hiroya (Kaiseki) ■ 5 minutes by bus from Kibuneguchi Station / Irregular holidays / ¥6,050 ■ Food Blog rating: ★★★☆☆ 3.47 ■ Hotaru Log rating: ★★★☆☆ 3.7 ------------------------------------- ◉ Introducing delicious restaurants recommended for people in their 20s and 30s mainly in Tokyo ◉ I appreciate your follow, like, comment, and save ◉ Requests for restaurants or areas are also very welcome

It was much farther than I thought, about 40 minutes by car from Kyoto city. We used a riverside dining area. The temperature was much lower than in the city, so unless it's midsummer, you might need a cardigan at night. We enjoyed our bento box while listening to the sound of the river. It was just cold.

【End of May '22】This is the first day's dinner of a 3-day trip to Kyoto. The restaurant for the first day's dinner was decided in advance. It was Kibune...Positioned as the backyard of Kyoto? Do you understand if I mention Mount Kurama where Yoshitsune trained or Mount Hiei with Enryaku-ji Temple? (I'm not very clear on this myself...) Kibune is known for its Kibune River, and it is a place to eat on a platform over the river, which is a summer tradition in Kyoto. We visited "Kibune Hiroya" to enjoy this riverside dining experience. From Fushimi Inari to Kyoto Station...we took the subway to the hotel, rested for a bit, then headed to Demachiyanagi Station from Sanjo Station, where we transferred to Eizan Electric Railway to Kibuneguchi Station. We had to change trains at Takaragaike Station as the train we boarded was headed towards Mount Hiei. At Kibuneguchi Station, we took a bus to the final stop, and since we had some time before our reservation, we visited both the main and rear shrines of Kibune Shrine, which is said to be the origin of the ema (votive plaques) tradition. When we descended from the rear shrine, we found "Hiroya" on the left. The hostess, a beautiful lady, was waiting for us outside the restaurant. We were guided inside where we descended the stairs and went outside again. Oh! Tatami mats were laid right above the river, with tables set up. The temperature was probably 5 degrees lower than in the city, creating a different atmosphere for our banquet. We were accompanied by a friendly waitress who was the mother of the hostess. The meal was a kaiseki-style Japanese course, which I, a picky eater, am not very fond of. But well, isn't this...nice? (^^;; I don't understand Japanese food terms very well, so I'll share my impressions while studying them...Drinks: Asahi Super Dry in a small bottle, table red wine (sub), highball. I wanted to have sake, but I was worried about the journey back...Appetizer: Assorted dishes with dried cod roe, river prawn, udo, sweet simmered chestnuts, chimaki, soybean tofu, and taro chips. The cod roe was delicious, and when you sprinkle poppy seeds and sesame seeds, it's called "pine breeze." (^^;; Soup: Clear soup with clam, shiraganegi (white leek), sansho pepper, chironji, bracken, and yuzu. The clam's flavor in the soup was excellent. Main dish: Assorted sashimi with sea bream, tuna, mackerel, and garnishes. Side dish: Simmered chicken with small potatoes, rolled yuba (tofu skin), simmered bamboo shoots, fu (wheat gluten), and kinome (sansho leaf). The yuba-wrapped chicken was amazing, with a delicate yet rich flavor. Sweet dish: Grilled ayu (sweetfish) with plum sauce and shiso leaf. The grilled ayu was delicious, but I couldn't handle the plum sauce...so it wasn't for me.

Today's lunch in Kyoto was at the popular restaurant Kyoto Kifune Hiroya, where you can enjoy authentic riverside cuisine. I visited to try their kaiseki course Matsuri. Located about an hour's drive from Kyoto Station in the northern part of Kyoto along the Kifune River, you can enjoy the ambiance of dining on a riverside terrace while listening to the sound of the river and feeling the breeze. One highlight was the salt-grilled ayu fish with eggs, beautifully arranged to resemble ayu swimming in a salt river. The abundance of eggs inside the fish was impressive and delicious. Another standout dish was the sashimi served on a stunning ice bowl, creating a refreshing and pleasant experience. I visited in mid-September, and although the riverside was already chilly and autumn foliage was approaching, the atmosphere was still lively with families enjoying the unique dining experience. The menu for today was priced at 50,000 yen for 2 people, with highlights including fried ginkgo nuts and sweetfish, shrimp-wrapped tofu skin, eel senbei, steamed sea bream, tender octopus, simmered abalone, and more. The meal ended with a variety of dishes including grilled Japanese beef, matsutake mushroom rice, and a fruit platter with matcha and red bean mousse roll cake. Additionally, there was a drink menu available for 1,600 yen, a service charge of 4,000 yen, and consumption tax of 4,400 yen.

I couldn't bear the heat and decided to enjoy a meal at a restaurant with a riverbed in Kibune, so I went to Hiroya. The seat is set above the flowing river, providing a refreshing feeling. It felt 3 degrees cooler than in the city. The dishes were as follows: Appetizers - fried small sweetfish, simmered scallops, gelatin, ginkgo nuts, Hamo and matsutake mushroom soup. It was delicious. Sashimi - fatty tuna, amberjack. Simmered octopus and pumpkin with matcha sauce. Grilled sweetfish with a special salt rubbed with waterfowl feathers, placed on a waterfall-like setting. Somen noodles with shrimp. Roast beef. Hamo's minced sea bream and corn rice, red miso soup, pickles, fruits. Overall, the food was not surprisingly delicious, but not bad either, just average. The best part was the cool feeling of eating above the flowing river, which was a refreshing treat.

In the summer of Kyoto, I had always dreamed of dining at Kibune Kibune's riverside terrace. On a muggy night at the end of July, I was surprised by the coolness of the place. I couldn't help but be enchanted by the atmosphere. From the appetizer to the main course, including a clear soup with conger eel, I enjoyed Kyoto cuisine even more with the sound of the river in the background. The most memorable dish was undoubtedly the grilled salted sweetfish (sweetfish swimming in the river with salt). I wonder if I can resist the charm of the ambiance next time?

I went mountain climbing from Kuramadera Temple to Kifune Shrine and as a reward, I visited the famous restaurant Hiroya. I opted for the lunch course, which is relatively reasonable compared to the usual expensive dinner courses. - Kaiseki Course: 4,840 yen I reserved the most affordable lunch course for May and June. The course included: - Assorted Appetizers - Steamed Egg Custard with Plum - Thick Sashimi of Sea Bream - Duck Dumplings in Sweet Bean Paste - Grilled Sweetfish with Salt, Conger Eel Sushi - Vinegared Dish with Conger Eel and Cucumber - Red Miso Soup - Rice with Fish Roe - Pickled Vegetables - Dessert: Matcha and Mango Pudding Cheesecake The food was delicious and beautifully presented. The view from the riverside seating was breathtaking. After enjoying the meal and exploring Kifune Shrine, the staff even offered to drive us back to our desired location, going above and beyond their usual service. It was a truly memorable and delightful experience. Thank you for the hospitality!

I used it during the autumn holiday. Thanks to the Go to Travel campaign, there were a lot of people in Kibune, which surprised me. The room was a private room facing the river, about 20 tatami mats, where I could relax and have a meal. The dishes were brought all at once. They all made me feel the autumn.

Every year, we have been loyal customers of this restaurant during the riverside dining season, and we have also stayed overnight in the past. This time, we made our first reservation through Tabelog, but when we arrived, they claimed they did not have a record of our reservation. They blamed it on not receiving a fax from Tabelog and made various excuses. After waiting for over 30 minutes, we were finally seated in a less than ideal location, but the service we received afterwards was polite and professional, especially from the experienced female server who took care of us. The food was consistently delicious, and the atmosphere was enjoyable, allowing us to fully appreciate the riverside dining experience. Our family was very satisfied with the meal, particularly with the beautifully fried dishes. We wished we could have had more of the eel sushi. Although we usually visit in August, this time we went in September due to scheduling conflicts. Surprisingly, it was not crowded, and the weather was pleasant, allowing us to relax and enjoy our meal. While Tabelog requires customers to comment on the food, I believe many people, like us, also value the overall atmosphere of a restaurant. That's why I highly recommend dining by the riverside in September.

In early September, on a hot weekend, I took the subway and bus to Kibune to enjoy the riverbed cuisine. First, I strolled around Kibune Shrine before visiting the restaurant. It seems that if you inform them in advance, they offer free shuttle service to the bus stop. The restaurant is actually a ryokan, and you can enjoy your meal indoors if it's raining. Cancellations are accepted up to one day before, so you can plan accordingly based on the weather forecast. Upon entering the restaurant, a waitress greeted me and guided me to the riverside seat, offering a cold towel and chilled tea. The tables were spaced out generously, creating a relaxed and uncrowded atmosphere. To my right, I had a view of the river's babbling. The meal I had included the following dishes: mushroom and green vegetable salad, black and white sesame tofu with sea urchin and wasabi, lotus root and chestnut with matcha paste, tempura of river shrimp and tomato, pumpkin chips, gingko nuts, scallop and shiitake mushroom soup, sashimi platter with tuna, amberjack, and sea bream, grilled ayu fish, simmered green plums, surinagashi with zunda, egg tofu, and mozuku seaweed, fried young sweetfish, eggplant miso, pressed sushi with conger eel, red miso soup, warm hojicha tea, seasonal fruits, and kiwi fruit jelly. The course cost 10,800 yen, which was the most affordable option at the restaurant, yet the quality and presentation of the dishes were exceptional. Each dish was meticulously prepared with high-quality ingredients. It was a delightful experience, and I felt the essence of Kyoto in every bite. The waitress was also very attentive and provided excellent hospitality. I am grateful for the warm and welcoming dining experience. They even offered a ride back to the bus stop after my meal, even if it wasn't a direct return. Amazing!

Celebrating my partner's birthday with a trip to Kansai, where my partner wanted to go to USJ and I wanted to go to a riverside restaurant. There was a generation gap! On a hot day at the beginning of September, we visited Kifune Shrine and were sweating a lot. As we got closer to the river, it was much cooler, like heaven and hell just a few meters apart. Due to the impact of COVID-19, it was quite empty, which allowed us to relax and enjoy the evening breeze. The atmosphere was lovely, with the natural scent and coolness. The food, especially the grilled ayu fish, was delicious and beautifully presented. Despite being a course meal costing around 10,000 yen, the portion was generous and we left feeling satisfied. The meal started around 5 pm, and as the sun slowly set, it created a wonderful ambiance. It's important to note that the last order, including alcohol, is at 7 pm, so be mindful of the timing! We were informed in advance by someone who knew well, so we started our meal early and it was the right decision. We were even given a ride back to the station, making it a very satisfying evening.

I visited for dinner in the middle of summer. Since it is a tourist spot, I didn't have high expectations for the food, thinking that most of the cost would be for the location. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I got there! The dishes were all delicious and of a high level. The highlights for me were the conger eel soup, somen noodles, and grilled sweetfish. The conger eel soup had a wonderful combination of conger eel and broth. The somen noodles were served at the perfect timing that made me think "This is the only place for this!" I can't go into details, but being able to pick up the noodles with chopsticks in one go was impressive! You have to experience it for yourself to understand. The sweetfish can be eaten whole, including the head! The liver part had just the right amount of bitterness and paired perfectly with beer. The atmosphere of dining by the river was also fantastic, and I was surprised by how cool it was when I sat down. Combined with the surrounding scenery, it was a very enjoyable time. The only thing that bothered me a bit was that the food was served a little too quickly. I was on edge waiting for the pickled vegetables to come out (laughs). But the staff were very friendly and made the experience enjoyable with their explanations of the dishes. It was my first time dining by the river, and I was truly impressed by the whole experience. Once you try it, you might want to come back every year... which means saving up every day! Oh, and be sure to check the train schedule for your return trip, as the trains only run every 30 minutes!