I arrived at around 1:40 PM and was able to enter without waiting in line. The restaurant is pet-friendly, and there was a dog there when I visited. The vegetarian dishes were all delicious, especially the white sesame seasoned mountain vegetables which were amazing. I also ordered some grilled rice cakes with sweet soy sauce as I was planning to do some hiking at Kurama Temple and Kifune Shrine. The outside of the rice cakes was crispy while the inside was chewy, and the light sweetness of the soy sauce was perfect. The atmosphere of the restaurant was very welcoming, and it felt like a place loved by regulars and locals. I will definitely visit again when I go to Kurama!

I visited Kurama-dera during my sightseeing in Kyoto. I chose a shop in front of the gate that looked the most delicious and went in. The interior of the shop had a traditional Japanese house style, with a sunken hearth in the center creating a nice atmosphere. I ordered the grated yam soba set. To be honest, the soba was just average, but the white miso dressing that came with it was incredibly delicious.

The restaurant is located on the way to Mount Kurama, just a short walk up the stone steps of Kurama-dera Temple. It has been around for about 15-16 years. The restaurant serves Shojin cuisine, which is a simple and satisfying meal made primarily of rice and soba noodles. The menu remains the same throughout the year, with dishes increasing in number depending on your hunger level. The cozy wooden interior offers a warm atmosphere, and the meal starts with a strong roasted tea followed by hot rice and soba noodles. The highlight is the rice dish with wild vegetables, which is a rare treat and always a favorite. The meal is simple yet delicious, consisting of various dishes like white miso salad, simmered vegetables, and sesame tofu. It's a leisurely dining experience that is best enjoyed during the quieter seasons, away from the crowds. Overall, it's a charming spot to relax and enjoy a traditional Shojin meal.

Next to the gate before boarding the cable car to Kiyomizu-dera Temple is a Japanese restaurant. Both the exterior and interior had a calm atmosphere with a traditional Japanese feel. We had a seat by the window on this day, so the view was especially nice. The soba set and the Mitarashi dango were both delicious. I just wished there was a bit more in terms of portion size.

Hojicha is very delicious. It's clear that they pay attention to detail. The sesame tofu has a refreshing sesame aroma. The mitarashi dango, with its sauce on freshly grilled rice cakes, felt distinctly Kyoto. The staff were also very polite and made me feel at ease.

Cloud Pearl Soba for 1,100 yen. It was a bit cooler today with overcast skies, a nice change from the heat of the previous day in July in Kyoto. I enjoyed a warm bowl of soba noodles. This restaurant's specialty soba uses 7 different condiments, and the soba dipping sauce was delicious as well. I also had Kyoto roasted green tea made with Kannon water from Mt. Kurama, which was very refreshing.

Arrived at 11:30 on Saturday, November 13, with an overall rating of 3.52 on Tabelog. Before visiting Kurama-dera and Kifune Shrine, we searched for a place to eat in this area on Tabelog. There are many shops in the Kifune Shrine area, but few in the Kurama-dera area. Among them, we visited the highest-rated place. It was almost full before lunchtime, and there were reservation signs all over the restaurant, indicating that reservations were possible. My husband and I waited for a while before entering as walk-ins. After that, more and more reserved customers arrived, giving the impression that there were many repeat customers. Perhaps due to the location, it seemed that Shojin cuisine was the main focus, so we ordered the following: Hana Shojin Set Meal for 2,200 yen x2, barley rice, grated yam, sesame tofu, side dishes, mountain vegetable salad, konjac sashimi, soup, pickles. According to my research, it seemed like this area was known for its wild yams, but the grated yam here did not have the strong stickiness characteristic of wild yams, so it was a bit disappointing. However, the barley rice was still delicious. The sesame tofu was incredibly delicious, as expected from the superb sesame tofu from Koyasan. Having known sesame tofu before, it didn't quite measure up, but it was still better than ordinary sesame tofu. The miso sauce used for the konjac sashimi and the seasoning for the side dishes were quite different from the image of the cheaply made products sold in tourist areas, and they were quite delicious with a sense of dedication. As a manifestation of this, the tea had a unique flavor and was very delicious, impressing other customers as well. The service was very polite and friendly, which explains why there are many repeat customers. Also, it seems that animals are allowed in this restaurant, as two dogs that appeared to be guide dogs were inside, so this might be a concern for some people.

◆Yoshu Road, Kyoto. Day 3 of solo trip to Kurama, Kyoto. At the entrance of Kurama Mountain, there is a temple restaurant that has been serving vegetarian cuisine for over 30 years. It is said to be favored by Kurama Temple. The interior is decorated in a traditional folk style and jazz music plays in the background, reflecting the owner's personal taste. Visited on a Saturday at 1 pm. There were 6 customers already seated and 3 more arrived after me. The kitchen staff consisted of 3 people. ◆Kurama Mountain Vegetarian Meal for 2,750 yen (tax included). I was served Kyoto roasted green tea, which was quite bitter. It is brewed using water from the Kannon well at Kurama Temple. The vegetarian meal included seasonal rice, sesame tofu, pickled vegetables, grated yam soba noodles, mountain vegetable salad, three-colored potatoes, pickles, clear soup, and various vegetables. Despite not using any animal products, the dishes had a rich and flavorful taste. Personal favorites were the three-colored potatoes, mountain vegetable salad, and seasonal rice. I left the restaurant feeling satisfied and ready for my hike up Kurama Mountain. Delicious meal!

On a sunny holiday, I visited Kurama-dera Temple and Kifune Shrine. First, I took a bus to Kurama-dera Temple and had a meal here before climbing the mountain. The atmosphere was very nice. There is a parking lot and dogs are also allowed, so there were many people with cars and dogs. The shojin cuisine is famous here, so I tried the shojin cuisine and homemade warabi mochi. The shojin cuisine was fresh and I enjoyed the gentle flavors that brought out the taste of the ingredients. The tororo rice, in particular, paired perfectly with the seaweed and was very delicious. The warabi mochi had a smooth texture and a taste that reminded me of summer. Thank you for the meal!

Next to the main gate of Kurama-dera Temple, I had lunch at a restaurant recommended by Kurama-dera Temple. The restaurant had a folk craft style with a hearth and table seating near the entrance, tatami seating in the back, and even seating on the second floor, making it quite spacious. I was seated by the bright window where I could see the mountain gate of Kurama-dera Temple. The menu offered meal and dessert options, with meal choices including a vegetarian course and soba noodles. The most popular dish, "Kurama Mountain Vegetarian Meal," arrived surprisingly quickly. It consisted of 7 items on a round tray, including seasonal rice, sesame tofu, seasoned vegetables, mountain vegetable salad, soba noodles with grated yam, simmered vegetables, and pickles, along with three-colored fu tempura and a clear soup on the side. Each dish had a gentle yet flavorful taste, satisfying and substantial. Despite being vegetarian, the dishes were well-seasoned and delicious. Considering the price, this vegetarian course meal was a great value. It's a great place to enjoy vegetarian cuisine in a power spot like this.

Kyoto Kurama Mountain Kurama Temple is a shop that looks like a folk craft shop in front of the mountain gate. There are many folk craft items and souvenirs, and the interior of the shop is just like the exterior. Surprisingly, there are quite a few table seats, making it a large shop. Indeed, there are few shops around here, so when tourists gather, this size may be considered small. Moreover, the café menu is centered around sweets and includes substantial meal options, making it a go-to place in this area. As it was close to lunchtime on that day, I decided to have a meal. The main dishes seemed to be soba noodles and Shojin cuisine, so I chose the Shojin cuisine. [Kurama Mountain Shojin Meal] seemed to be the most popular course at this shop, and the price was quite reasonable at 2500 yen. After a while, the meal was placed in front of me. It seemed quite substantial. Sesame tofu, colorful seasonal vegetables, mountain vegetable salad, and fish nanban were the side dishes. They all had a gentle flavor and were delicious. Later, they also brought me three-colored tofu dengaku. They recommended eating it while it's hot and fresh. Initially, I was skeptical about having Shojin cuisine here, but it was surprisingly delicious. I was very satisfied. In addition to these dishes, the meal also included grated yam soba noodles and seasonal mixed rice. With these two main dishes, you will be satisfied and full. And to top it off, dessert was also included. All of this for 2500 yen, isn't the value for money too good to be true? Encountering such cuisine at Kurama Mountain is wonderful.

It was a very cold day! I climbed up to the main hall and golden hall of Kurama-dera, and then came down. It was still early, but they said takeout was available, so I bought mitarashi dango and karasu Tengu man (sweet and savory sauce flavor with okonomiyaki ingredients) for 300 yen. I forgot the price of the mitarashi dango, but I got 5 pieces. They were piping hot. I ate them while waiting for the train. Freshly baked, the burnt parts were so good - sweet and salty, very delicious! Most of all, they were delicious when freshly baked. I didn't go on the mountain path course from the main hall to Kibune this time because I had a reservation for lunch, but I definitely want to walk that course next time.

This is a dining spot in Kurama, Kyoto. I decided to visit Kurama Temple, so I took the Eizan Railway from Demachiyanagi to Kurama Station. From there, I transferred to the cable car and visited Kurama Temple. On the way back, as soon as I got off the cable car, I found this dining spot. I had planned to have lunch at a different place that day, but I noticed a sign outside saying that you can get a Tengu Man bun to go, so I decided to check it out. The interior of the shop has a nostalgic feel like a tourist spot cafeteria. The Tengu Man bun contains okonomiyaki base ingredients. The Tengu Man bun comes in mentaiko flavor, pink color, and the Karasu Tengu Man bun is in sweet and savory sauce flavor, black color. I chose the Karasu Tengu Man bun just based on the visual. Since it's a takeout-only item, I ate it in front of the shop. The okonomiyaki base flavor is typical of Kansai, but surprisingly delicious! Kurama is a cold place, so warm steamed buns make you feel even more delicious and eating in front of the shop makes it more enjoyable. If you want to get into the mysterious mood of the Tengu legend in this area, start with the Tengu Man bun here! Inside the shop, you can also enjoy Shojin cuisine and sweets, making it a convenient place to take a break.

I went on a field trip to Kibune and Kurama in Kyoto♫ I usually walk a lot, but my body was feeling worn out from a hangover and muscle soreness from working out (lol) It was toughᵒᵐᵍᵎᵎᵎ٩(⌯꒦ິ̆ᵔ꒦ິ)۶ On days like that, I decided to treat my body to some "shojin ryori" (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine). Eating shojin ryori in Kibune can be quite expensive, so I made a reservation at "Yoshujiro" located at the entrance of Kurama Temple. I had informed them in advance which course I wanted, so they could serve it smoothly. Since I had made a reservation, they guided me to a lovely room that is not often used~( *˘ ³˘)♡♡♡ ◎Tsuki Shojin Zen 3150 yen - Seasonal okowa (sticky rice) or yukari rice - Sesame tofu - Soy mince - Mizuna and shimeji mushroom salad - Tororo soba (buckwheat noodles with grated yam) - Mountain vegetable salad - Takiawase (simmered vegetables) - Red konjac and yuba sashimi - Matsutake mushroom steamed in a pot - Shojin tempura assortment - Incense offering - Dessert: strawberry ice cream and agar jelly To be honest, there was no feeling of "eating shojin ryori" at all. The image that comes to mind first is simplicity, but this meal was an incredibly luxurious feast that allowed me to savor the blessings of the mountains. The sesame tofu was chewy, the soy mince tasted just like meat mince with amazing seasoning! Especially the mountain vegetable salad felt so luxurious, with its freshness and rich umami flavor. The yuba sashimi was layered and moist, with a milky sweetness when you put it in your mouth. The soba had nameko mushrooms and tororo mixed in, and it was so smooth and delicious! The tempura included shishito peppers, pumpkin, wheat gluten, and fried tofu!? The wheat gluten had a strong flavor and was crispy and delicious. And even at this price, the steamed matsutake mushroom was (♡>艸<) thinly sliced, but the rich aroma of the matsutake combined with citrus was wonderful•*¨*•.¸¸♬︎ With so many dishes to choose from, it was a nutrient-packed yet healthy meal that left me feeling completely satisfied! It was a fantastic shojin ryori experience. I highly recommend trying delicious shojin ryori in Kurama, in addition to exploring the Kibune area.

Today, I took the Eizan train and visited Kurama. Kurama is known for its Kurama Tengu legend and is a popular spiritual spot called "Sacred Mountain." I visited Kurama Temple on the mountain, which has a solemn atmosphere. Before entering Kurama Mountain, I stopped by a shojin ryori (vegetarian cuisine) restaurant called Yojuji. The restaurant also serves soba noodles and sweets. Inside, there was a traditional Japanese tea house ambiance with a hearth. I ordered a sweet treat since they also offer a cafe service. I wanted to try the summer limited "tokoroten," but unfortunately, they had already stopped serving it in September. I ordered the "warabi mochi" listed as "homemade." It had a lovely presentation with a white topping that seemed like sugar. The staff explained to mix the sugar and kinako (soybean flour) and eat it together. The kinako easily crumbled with a spoon. The warabi mochi was large and had a nice chewy texture. It was delicious and refreshing. I enjoyed a sweet treat at the shop recommended by Kurama Temple. The atmosphere of the shop was also nice.

During summer vacation, enjoy a relaxed meal at Yoshoji, the temple's official vegetarian restaurant located next to the Niomon Gate of Kurama-dera Temple. The most popular set includes rice with vegetables, grated yam soba noodles, sesame tofu, white miso salad, fried gluten balls, vinegar-pickled turnip, assorted seasonal vegetables, and pickled radish leaves. The vegetarian cuisine is also delicious!

After visiting Anma Temple, we went to have lunch. About ten of us showed up unannounced. I wonder if it was a vegetarian meal? It was light and very delicious! I wonder if the monks eat this kind of food every day? I will visit again.

It is said that the Yosho Road is a road that leads from Echizen Wakasa to Kyoto. After visiting Kurama-dera Temple, I decided to enjoy a healthy longevity meal along the Yosho Road. While it may be a bit light for younger people, the Zen-flavored dishes smoothly entered my body. Thank you for the meal.

I went on a little trip to Kurama-dera and decided to have lunch before visiting the temple. I went to this restaurant near Kurama Station, close to the entrance of the mountain. It was a cold day, even though the snow had melted. The restaurant had a calm atmosphere with black wooden decor. Looking out the window at the entrance to the mountain, I wished this moment could last forever. I ordered the "Unju Soba" as I had already had a big breakfast. The warm broth with soba noodles and vegetables was soothing and comforting. It was a mysterious space where even after eating, I felt lighter. I would love to visit again someday.

After visiting Kurama Tengu at Kurama Temple and Yuki Shrine, we stopped by this pet-friendly soba restaurant. It had been 5 years since our last visit, but I remembered this place well! We sat in the same seat as before. The soba was warm and had been boiled in a pot, and we dipped it in warm broth with condiments. The soba was soft and lacked firmness. The zenzai dessert had a light, sweet broth with two grilled mochi pieces and one chestnut. The beans were firm and whole, not mushy. It was delicious, and I even had to order another zenzai because I couldn't get enough. The Kyoto roasted green tea served at the beginning had a smell that was off-putting, like soaking a cigarette in water, so I couldn't drink it.