Guests from other hotels come here just for dinner because it's so delicious. Located just a minute's walk from Kurama Station, this traditional restaurant in Kurama has been around for over 50 years. It feels like coming home to your family, and you can enjoy a delicious seasonal meal in a traditional Japanese setting. First, take a look at the photos. Aren't they all appetizing? The quality of the food here as a restaurant surpasses that of a hotel. The course meals flood you with an overwhelming amount of deliciousness, bringing out the flavors and aromas of seasonal ingredients. It's so delicious that you'll want to eat every last bite, even though the portions are generous. Be sure to try their homemade plum and shiso soda. It's a must-have for a refill. Even non-guests can come here for dinner at a reasonable price. The taste and value are far superior to dining options in Kyoto city. It's recommended to make a reservation in advance if you're planning to visit Kurama. Even international visitors come back for more. I ate so much that I'm completely full... I'll definitely come back to eat again.

Located just a minute's walk from Kurama Station on the Eizan Electric Railway Kurama Line, there is a cozy inn called "Kuramanso" by the riverside. They are known for their "hot spring eggs," "somen noodles," "charcoal-grilled live sweetfish," and "tadezu vinegar."

I stopped by for lunch without making a reservation during my trip. The eel grilled in the Kansai style was fragrant. It was a perfect way to pass the time while waiting for the train.

Kyoto is known for its intense summer heat, but tourists can escape the unusually crowded streets of the city center and head to Demachiyanagi station to take the Eizan train to Kurama. Right by the station, next to the river, you will find this restaurant which also operates as a ryokan. Located right next to Kurama Temple, the menu caught my eye with its summer dishes. I couldn't resist ordering the "hamo somen" dish. When it arrived, it was presented in a glass bowl that looked refreshing to the eyes. The dish included somen noodles topped with steamed conger eel with plum, simmered shiitake mushrooms, beautifully shaped fresh wheat gluten, boiled shrimp, kinusaya (a type of green vegetable), and green maple leaves. The set also came with conger eel sushi and onsen tamago (hot spring egg). The dipping sauce for the somen included green perilla, grated ginger, and myoga (a type of ginger). The dish had a refreshing taste that helped alleviate the harsh summer heat. The somen noodles were mostly white with a hint of pink, which was visually pleasing. The conger eel sushi with teriyaki sauce was delicious, with the sushi rice being slightly soft. The flavor of the teriyaki sauce and the thickness of the conger eel were just right, making it a very enjoyable dish. The lady running the restaurant had a charming and mysterious appeal. I definitely felt like I wanted to visit again!

Kuramanso is a culinary inn located by the Kamo River. It is just a 2-3 minute walk from Kurama Station on the Eizan Electric Railway. The inn is surrounded by the trees of Mount Kurama at the back and the Kamo River flowing in front, offering a natural and serene view different from the hustle and bustle of Kyoto city. I visited for lunch and tried their signature "Kuramanso Bento (2625 yen)". It is a meticulously crafted seasonal kaiseki bento box. The sashimi included Kanpachi and tuna. The simmered dishes featured shiitake mushrooms, taro, green beans, pumpkin, wheat gluten, and minced meat wrapped in yuba. The main dishes included simmered shrimp, rolled omelette, grilled chicken skewers, grilled salmon, eggplant and cucumber with sesame miso, edamame, and small fish, showcasing a variety of flavors and colors that evoke the arrival of autumn. The soup contained winter melon, tofu, and wheat gluten in a well-balanced broth with a refreshing yuzu aroma. The rice had a chewy texture with a hint of sweetness, making it quite delicious as well. The staff provided attentive service, maintaining a comfortable distance while ensuring a smooth experience with tea refills and such. We enjoyed our meal in a tatami room on the second floor with a view of the river and trees, surrounded by the nature of Mount Kurama. If the lunch was this good, I can only imagine how enjoyable dinner would be. I left with the thought of returning for an overnight stay with a companion next time.

I had a "Kurama bento" on a regular sightseeing bus tour (with meal included). I didn't have high expectations because it was a meal for a group on a bus tour, but it turned out to be delicious with good seasoning. Maybe because I didn't expect much, it tasted even better. The atmosphere was typical for a group tour, with many elderly people, but having to sit on tatami mats was a bit inconvenient. Also, the service felt rushed and hurried, almost like a quick job. This might be because it was a group tour after all.

In an interesting guest book, there was also a comment from Mr. Ji with beautiful handwriting. It was indeed a restaurant with delicious and warm service that makes you want to write carefully. **Taste & Value:** Everything was homemade and delicious. In Kyoto, I often find the rice disappointing, but here it was delicious! And seconds were OK (and free)! **Atmosphere & Service:** The interior is normal, I think. Despite being a kaiseki restaurant, it's a relaxed and not intimidating place. The proprietress was friendly and I could have a fun conversation with her. If you're not good at being approached, this is definitely not a place to go alone (you will definitely be approached and talked to). **Location:** It's very close to Kurama Station. In the evening, the Eizan Electric Railway can get very crowded, but if you have dinner here, it's not popular and you can leave just 10 minutes before departure time. During the autumn leaves season, the illuminated autumn leaves are beautiful, so I recommend coming during the day, having dinner, and then heading back after the sun sets!

I had a wonderful experience staying overnight alone in the Kitayama area of Kyoto. It was rare to find a ryokan that accepts solo guests, so I was grateful for that. While Kyoto city was scorching hot at over 30 degrees, it was pleasantly cool once I got off the Kurama train. After checking in and visiting a temple, I relaxed in a spacious bath to wash away the sweat, followed by a kaiseki dinner. September was quiet with few tourists, just as others have mentioned, and the friendly proprietress served each dish with care. I was looking forward to seeing if the kaiseki menu would lean towards summer or start hinting at autumn, and I was not disappointed. The sashimi was served in a lantern made of ice, grilled sweetfish wrapped in bamboo leaves, conger eel with plum and matsutake mushrooms, and even fried food with fragrant blue ginkgo nuts, showcasing the transition from summer to autumn beautifully. I opted for the "omakase" sake selection, which included five to six different labels from the same brewery, each served in unique cups or glasses to match the dishes, which was truly impressive. As mentioned by others, the dessert was served in a lantern made of thinly sliced radish with a candle inside, adding a touch of elegance. I would love to visit this place again in a different season and highly recommend it to everyone.

Bento and Yudofu set for February 24, 2018.