Okikibune Hyoe (Kibune, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto) In summer in Kyoto, there is something called a "kawadoko". I learned about it during my student days over 30 years ago, but it was something completely out of reach for me. Later, I found out that there is also a "kawadoko" in Kibune, and during a gathering, we decided to go to one. We arranged to meet at 10 am on a Saturday morning in front of the Kyoto Municipal Subway International Conference Hall Station. Kibune is pronounced as "kibune" and the kawadoko in Kibune is pronounced as "kawadoko". We were picked up by a microbus and headed to Kibune. I had never set foot in Kibune before, only passing by the Kibuneguchi on my way to Kurama. Kibune was bustling with people arriving by train and bus, making it difficult to navigate through the crowded streets. Despite this, we managed to arrive at the restaurant with plenty of time before the 11 am meal. What's great about this restaurant is that the seating is set up on platforms above the river, with tables and chairs instead of traditional cushions and low tables. This was a relief for those who find it difficult to sit cross-legged. The meal started with sesame tofu, followed by a variety of dishes including sashimi, boiled conger eel, grilled sweetfish, eel rice bowl, assorted tempura, somen noodles, sansho pepper mixed rice, and dessert of pear, bracken rice cake, and muscat grapes. The sashimi and eel were delicious, but the sansho pepper mixed rice and dessert were also delightful. Now, let me talk about the kawadoko experience. Kibune is located in a narrow valley with a swiftly flowing river and small waterfalls, creating a visually cooling atmosphere. By setting up platforms with roofs made of reed screens and wooden planks over the river, a lovely space is created. Despite the simple construction, it adds to the elegant ambiance. On this day, it was said to be extremely hot in western Japan, but from the moment we boarded the bus at the International Conference Hall Station until we got off, I completely forgot the sensation of "heat". This is the true essence of a summer retreat. It's amazing how for 14,000 yen, you can experience such a world. The weather forecast was accurate, and the area around the International Conference Hall Station in the afternoon felt like a sauna. Kibune really knows how to do it. Additionally, you can take off your socks at the edge of the platform and dip your feet in the flowing water. Such playful activities are allowed here, even for adults. A glass of draft beer costs 900 yen, and a 300ml bottle of sake is 1600 yen. This price includes the complete forgetfulness of the heat, a return to childhood innocence, and the soothing sound of water. It's a very reasonable price. So, I successfully made my kawadoko debut. I wonder when I will make my "yuka" debut. (September 2, 2023) Okikibune Hyoe 101 Kibune Kurama-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 075-741-3066

I went on a 1 night, 2 day trip to Kyoto to celebrate the 20th anniversary of graduating from the Legal Training Institute (actually 22 years due to delays caused by the pandemic). On the first day, Saturday, all participants went out in the city to drink, talk, and drink some more. We ended up in a drinking room at the ryokan, indulging in silly conversations until 5:30 in the morning. The next day, Sunday, only a few of us decided to go to a riverside terrace. Despite the heat, we walked from Kurama to Kibune along the Kurama Temple grounds. I am grateful to the friends who accompanied me in the scorching heat. When we finally arrived, sweaty and exhausted, we found the members of other classes relaxing with cool expressions. Kibune, located in the mountains, is cooler than the city (although it's still quite hot at this time of year), and the riverside terrace set right by the river is even cooler, with a refreshing breeze crossing the river. A few years ago, my wife and I visited the restaurant Ugenta, a bit upstream from where we were, but it seems like the restaurant we chose, Saryo Hiei, is closer to the river. At Saryo Hiei, the riverside terrace overlooks a small waterfall, and the sound of the waterfall adds a refreshing touch. The kaiseki meal featured summer ingredients, with visually appealing dishes served one after the other. Four dishes left a lasting impression on me: dried ayu fish soup, grilled ayu fish in bamboo leaves, ice room somen noodles served in an ice bowl, and ayu fish hittsumabushi (grilled eel-style dish with rice). We started with beer but switched to plum wine soda halfway through for a bit of sweetness and acidity. The friendly waitress suggested dipping our feet in the river, and the water was surprisingly cold. Some ventured to the point of dipping their knees, but I wonder if that was safe. Although I initially joined the riverside terrace experience out of obligation, the sense of accomplishment from crossing the mountain (we walked for 2 hours from Kurama Station to the restaurant) and the presence of my friends made it even more enjoyable than before. Thank you for the feast!

The weather in Kyoto city was hot and humid, but when we climbed up to Kibune, there was a riverside seating area called "kawadoko" where it was cool and we didn't break a sweat. The prices for the food were a bit high, but the dishes were delicious and worth it. The chatty hostess who sat us at our table was also very nice. We had a refreshing time!

Kibune is surprisingly cool for summer in Kyoto, and I was able to enjoy a hot eel shabu-shabu without breaking a sweat. I had chosen the ayu (sweetfish) course in the past two years, but dining on eel shabu-shabu by the riverside was much more elegant and definitely better! Reservations are required in advance through the official website or by phone. It's also recommended to reserve the free shuttle bus from Kokusaikaikan Station or Kibuneguchi Station at the same time. You'll have some time to visit Kifune Shrine and Okumiya (the inner shrine) as well (Okumiya is closer to Kibune). Just keep an eye on the weather! If it's raining, you'll have to dine indoors and won't be able to sit by the riverside, so please be aware of that. You can cancel up until 5:00 PM the day before.

The dishes such as boiled butterbur stalk and deep-fried tofu with sesame dressing, sashimi topped with pine nuts (carp and trout), grilled ayu fish wrapped in bamboo leaves, eel rice (served with silver bean paste and yuzu pepper), tempura (sweetfish, Kamo eggplant, lotus root, okra), cold somen noodles (served with boiled pike conger and Fushimi red pepper), rice, red miso soup, pickled vegetables, watermelon, Shine Muscat grapes, and black sugar warabi mochi were all beautifully presented and delicious. The hot dishes were served piping hot and the cold dishes were served chilled, making for a very enjoyable meal. The service was impeccable, from the moment we were welcomed to the moment we were bid farewell. The staff were attentive and provided a pleasant experience throughout. The casual conversation in between dishes was also enjoyable. This is a restaurant that I would definitely like to visit again.

We added grilled ayu to the hamo shabu course. We had a very nice seat in front of the waterfall. While the cost is a factor, it is definitely worth a visit, so I recommend it. There is also a cafe where you can enjoy casually. It was quite crowded here. *Note that the seating for dining and the cafe are different (of course, the dining area has better seats with comfortable chairs and tables).

Wearing a kimono in Kibune and having a riverside dinner was very pleasant with the natural cooler keeping us cool. Being at the upper stream, the air and water were clean, the food was delicious, and the sweetfish seemed like they would start moving any moment. I want to visit this riverside again next year!

Ordered peach and Shine Muscat in the middle of sake lees, sudachi mint soda, and hojicha mint soda! When you order at the cafe, you receive a table number for the riverside seating area. The riverside seating allows you to dip your feet in the cool water while enjoying your cafe time. The view is beautiful, and you can even cool off by dipping your feet in the river. The seasonal fruit-filled sweets were delicious, making it an incredibly happy cafe time. If you ever visit Kibune, this place comes highly recommended!

I made a last-minute reservation for the same day, but because it was a weekday, I was able to visit. The driver of the shuttle bus from the station, and Mr. Nakai who served the dishes, were all very friendly, and I had a great time. The food was not only delicious, but the cool presentation was also wonderful.

At the request of my daughter, we went to Okukibune to enjoy riverbed cuisine. We chose the option with hamo (pike conger) as the main dish. The meal started at 6:00 pm when it was still bright outside! The appetizer was Itadori, a mountain vegetable not commonly seen in Tokyo. The boiled hamo was delightful and raised our spirits. The hamo shabu-shabu was also enjoyable without any worries about the heat. The natural breeze flowing in the riverbed area was a blessing. The dish of hamo was exceptional. We also enjoyed sake, which was the house sake of the family of the actor Kuranosuke Sasaki, chosen by the landlady. It had a traditional taste. We were provided transportation from the Kyoto International Conference Center. We realized that it might be difficult for first-time visitors to access the place by car. Since it is located next to a ryokan, we were told that depending on the weather, we might be moved indoors.

Located upstream of the Kibune River, this restaurant offers shuttle service to the International Conference Hall or Kibuneguchi with a reservation. While traditional riverside dining is common in this area, this restaurant recently switched to a table-style setup, making it easier to enjoy your meal. The location is fantastic, and there is also a cafe on site where you can enjoy riverside dining for just 500 yen. The space is well-separated from the dining area. The inn offers only two rooms and has been featured in the Michelin guide. The menu includes dishes like sashimi of river trout and carp, scallop and young sweetfish tempura, homemade chirimen sansho with red miso, and a special summer dish by Sasaki Kuronosuke.

Before it gets too hot, I went to a riverside restaurant in Kyoto in a yukata for lunch. I was looking forward to the delicious ayu course meal. It was the beginning of June and Kyoto was cold that day. The previous day's rain made it even chillier. As expected, Kurama was even cooler, with the sound of the river right next to us. It was so cold that I had to tell the staff and we ended up moving inside. Everyone was so friendly and had a warm smile. The grilled ayu was definitely the best. The final dish, ayu hittsumabushi, had a unique taste and was really good. The pace of the meal was great, and it was a pleasant time. Thank you for the meal.

Before it gets too hot, I made a reservation to enjoy the floor in a yukata (summer kimono) (^^) Heibei-san was located in the most upstream area where the shops of Kibune line up. However! Unfortunately, rain was forecasted on the day ☔️ The next day seemed to be better, so I requested to change the reservation to the next day, and they kindly agreed. However, the next day was still drizzly... But since we were looking forward to enjoying the floor, we toasted outside in the light rain, had a few dishes, and then due to the cold, requested to move inside. They also kindly agreed to that, and we had a leisurely meal inside. We chose a course meal full of sweetfish, so everything was about sweetfish. The grilled sweetfish was delicious! It seems that sweetfish are best served standing up after grilling them (^^) I had sweetfish hitsumabushi for the first time, and the slight bitterness was just right, so it was also delicious. The hostess was very friendly, and I later found out she was the young proprietress, which made sense. Despite the bad weather, we had a very enjoyable time. Actually, the young proprietress seemed to have fallen into the river that day, and hearing that story made it even more fun. Despite the bad weather, we were able to enjoy delicious food in a warm room. I would like to have a rematch on a cool, sunny day if possible. Thank you for the enjoyable time! It was a wonderful meal (^^)

After parking the car at the inner shrine of Kifune Shrine and paying a visit, I headed to the main hall of Kifune Shrine to witness the magnificent shrine and its illuminated beauty. Afterwards, I stopped by this café. It wasn't too crowded, so I was able to find a seat right away. The café menu had a few options, but I decided to order a manju (sweet bun) and a hot coffee. The manju was a DIY style where you fill it with red bean paste yourself, so it didn't get soggy. I could see them preparing the coffee after I placed my order. It was a stylish café where I could relax and unwind.

Kyoto Prefecture, in Sakyo Ward, there is a long-established ryokan called "Oku Kifune Hee" in Kifune. It is located quite deep in Kifune, so you have to climb extremely narrow roads. Additionally, it is a tourist spot with many people and cars, making it quite challenging to pass by. What would normally take about 10 minutes to travel, took us almost an hour to navigate through. Eventually, we managed to arrive at the ryokan. Restaurant Name: Oku Kifune Hee Address: 101 Kuramakibunecho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Phone: 075-741-3066 Rating: 4.6 Price: Around 16,000 yen per person Atmosphere: We had a meal by the riverbed, and being a high-class traditional ryokan, it was no surprise that the riverside was magnificent. The seat we were guided to was right next to a small waterfall, and it was the best seat in the house. Food: Ayu kaiseki for 14,000 yen, a few drinks Food Impressions: The ayu dishes were exquisite and meticulously prepared. The chef's skills were truly impressive, and the flavors were gentle and delightful. The ayu was served in various small dishes, and the ayu shabu-shabu at the end was the highlight. The tempura was crispy and not greasy, and the ayu, when lightly boiled, blossomed beautifully. The homemade ponzu or salt was recommended for dipping. The matsutake mushrooms, Kyoto vegetables, and everything else on the menu were delicious. The remaining broth was used to make ochazuke, but the rice was so tasty that we ended up eating it without making ochazuke. There was no dessert, only grapes. Overall: Despite the nerve-wracking drive up the narrow road, the meal was worth it. The hospitality of the staff was excellent, and it all added to the first-class experience. We also visited Kifune Shrine in the correct order, which left us with sore legs the next day from all the walking. It was a reminder of the need to stay active, especially for someone in their thirties like me. The omikuji (fortune slip) I drew said "average luck." Thank you for the meal. I might visit again next year.

I went to Kibune to eat a riverbed meal to enjoy the coolness of the summer. Unfortunately, it was raining, so we had the meal in our room. The restaurant offered a special course meal for 13,200 yen, which included dishes like edamame tofu with wild vegetables soup, sashimi of trout and amberjack, soup with shijimi clams and conger eel, steamed sea bream, grilled ayu fish, yuba tofu, tempura with sweetfish, eggplant, mugwort, and pumpkin, ayu fish with rice seasoned with sweet soy sauce, and fruit. Even though part of the Eizan Electric Railway is still suspended, the restaurant provided shuttle service to and from the International Conference Center, making the experience very comfortable. The steamed sea bream came with rice at the bottom, creating a delicious rice bowl with a thick sauce. The ayu fish with sweet soy sauce was also delightful, with the flavorful fish complemented by the broth poured over it. Overall, it was a great opportunity to savor river fish like trout, sweetfish, and ayu.

I had wanted to visit the riverside dining area for a long time, but before the pandemic, it was crowded due to inbound tourists, so I refrained from going. Last year during the pandemic, I also hesitated to go. Now, in the second year of the pandemic, with inbound tourists returning, I decided to visit during the Obon season. The riverside dining area during this time is popular for seeking coolness, with higher prices. I chose to have a grilled eel hot pot in this cool setting. Surprisingly, it was cooler than expected that day, and even cooler on the riverside. The river water was quite cold, which was surprising. The eel hot pot was perfect in this natural setting. Starting with edamame tofu, followed by delicious sashimi, including red trout and additional grilled eel tempura that I ordered separately, the meal was quite filling. Eel hot pot may be common for people in Kansai, but in Kanto, having eel hot pot in summer is unimaginable. The eel broth added a delicious flavor to the vegetables like burdock, shiitake mushrooms, and tofu. It was simple, easy to eat, and I became a fan. The eel hot pot was warm and comforting in the chilly weather. The staff, including the owner, were friendly and attentive, which added to the enjoyment of the meal. I received a high-quality fan as a gift on my way out. The café had a long line, and unfortunately, due to pandemic restrictions, alcohol was not served. Not being able to drink alcohol made the meal more affordable, but I still missed having a cold sake. I had to drive there, and the traffic on the way back was heavy, so it would be helpful if they could consider some measures to make it easier to access the restaurant.

You can have a cafe experience on a riverside terrace! The view is absolutely beautiful and very soothing. The seating fee is 500 yen per person, and soft drinks range from 650 yen, so it's a bit pricey, but since we were there, we decided to relax and enjoy a soft drink on the riverside terrace. You can dip your feet in the cool, clear water, listen to the sound of the river, and on a sunny day, it was just perfect. The drinks were decent for the price, not exceptionally delicious, but the atmosphere added to the experience, making it taste better than usual. If you visit Kibune Shrine, be sure to stop by.

Located on the path leading from Kifune Shrine to the Okumiya, I decided to take a break on my way back from the Okumiya and stopped by this lovely cafe. It has a warm yet simple and sophisticated atmosphere. It was around 11 o'clock and there were two groups of customers already seated. I was alone, but I was guided to a table. I ordered the freshly made warabi mochi (cold) with matcha set (1,200 yen), which is a specialty of the cafe. It was a sunny day, but the temperature was low, so I was asked to choose between warm and cold warabi mochi. I asked for a recommendation from the staff and went with the cold option. The warabi mochi was so delicious and literally melted in my mouth. It felt like I was being purified by the water from Kifune Shrine. It came with black honey and kinako, but I was a bit embarrassed because I didn't know how to eat it properly, so I tried various ways like just the honey, just the kinako, honey then kinako, and kinako then honey. Walking in the clean air while listening to the murmuring of the Kifune River, enjoying the exquisite warabi mochi and matcha, it was a blissful and soothing time. By the time I left, the cafe was almost full. I also became interested in their lunch menu. Kyoto never fails to impress me. I will definitely come back for another visit! Thank you for the wonderful experience! (Review rating at the time: 3.54 stars)

I used this place with my friends. It was my first time coming to Kibune, and I was very nervous. The landlady was very friendly, and we had a lot of fun chatting when we were leaving. The food was all delicious, so I forgot to take a lot of pictures, but I managed to take this one. The grilled ayu was very delicious, and we also ordered various additional dishes like conger eel tempura, which I didn't take a picture of, but everything was very delicious, so I recommend it!