Despite it being the peak of autumn foliage season, there were rumors that hotels in Kyoto were surprisingly cheap. Since it seemed unlikely that prices would drop during this season in the future, I decided to take advantage of this opportunity and visit Kyoto. Thanks to the increase in remote work and improved work flexibility, I was able to easily take a weekend off with paid leave for a two-night, three-day trip. I decided to make reservations for daytime activities only, as I was mainly interested in seeing the illuminated autumn foliage at night. When it comes to autumn foliage in Kyoto, I heard that the Hojo-in Temple is famous, so I planned to visit Arashiyama as well. It was my first time visiting Arashiyama, and the Togetsukyo Bridge was quite impressive. In mid-November, the colors had not fully changed yet, indicating that the peak foliage season was still ahead. I realized that seasonal attractions like this are mainly enjoyed by locals, as I had previously visited Kyoto in early December when the leaves were falling. The city was bustling with tourists, especially school groups on field trips. I had made reservations in advance, but it seemed that the number of visitors was increasing, as I was asked to adjust my reservation time. I chose the Yudofu course, as I had always wanted to try Kyoto-style Yudofu. The quickest route from Kyoto Station to the restaurant seemed to be using the Hankyu Railway, although the restaurant was located quite far from the Hankyu station on the other side of the Togetsukyo Bridge. I recommend arriving early and exploring the area while adjusting your schedule. The restaurant might be easily missed as it looks like a residential house or ryokan without a prominent sign, so remember that it is next to an art museum. There is a Yoshikawa restaurant nearby, so be careful not to mistake the two (I made that mistake). I was a bit nervous as it was a well-known restaurant, but the atmosphere inside was casual, especially on the first floor with table seating. The appetizer was interesting, but the walnut tofu didn't leave a strong impression on me. I thought the sesame tofu might have been a better choice. The sashimi of sea bream and squid was matured, and the vinegar citrus served with it was a bit confusing on how to eat. The side dish of yamaimo (Japanese yam) was a nice touch. The tofu in the Yudofu was carefully selected, and although the tofu itself didn't have a strong flavor, the broth was delicious. The broth was so tasty that it made the meal very enjoyable. The hassun (seasonal dish) was well-prepared and tasty, while the Saikyo-yaki (miso-marinated grilled fish) was flavorful and paired well with the sake. The simmered dish consisted of seasonal ingredients such as taro and daikon radish. Since there was no soup served with the meal, it was nice to taste the delicious broth separately. The meal ended with a creative dessert featuring fig and ice cream. Overall, I found the restaurant to be reliable and offering good value for the price. The only downside was the limited selection of sake, which was served in small bottles, giving it a casual feel. Nearby, a udon restaurant charged over 1,000 yen for a bowl of udon due to its location in a tourist area, so I felt that booking a reservation at a slightly higher-end restaurant like this one was worth it for a better dining experience.

No waiting at 3:10 PM (closing at 4 PM) for the Shojin-style Parfait (white miso) for 1,300 yen. Set drink: iced coffee. It consists of white miso ice cream with white miso flavor, topped with shiratama dango (rice flour dumplings) and red beans. The cake on top has a salty yet sweet and rich flavor, complemented by the delicious ice cream.

I visited at night. It was a reservation-only visit, but unexpectedly we had the place to ourselves. We ordered a 9-course kaiseki meal. The atmosphere was different from the traditional Japanese restaurant I visited the day before, and the meticulous techniques in the dishes were impressive. The courses included: appetizer, assorted seasonal dishes, simmered dish, soup (clam and shirataki), sashimi (tuna, squid, and sea bream), grilled dish (mackerel with miso marinade), simmered dish (rapeseed blossoms, taro, chicken, etc.), vinegar dish, clear soup, rice (white fish mixed rice), and dessert (warabi mochi, strawberries, soy milk whip, red bean).

I was completely satisfied with the atmosphere of the restaurant, the service from the young proprietress, and the food. The homemade shrimp salt and the deep-fried kuwai served with grilled fish were all meticulously prepared, with a refined and elegant taste. I would love to visit again for a celebration.

I finally visited the ryotei in Arashiyama that I had always wanted to go to. Luckily, I was seated in a private room on the second floor with a view of the Katsura River. The weather was perfect, surrounded by beautiful greenery, delicious food, I felt happy. I would like to visit again. I found a good restaurant that suits the early summer season.

I took a break at Kuma Hiko Cafe along the Katsura River in Arashiyama, a tofu kaiseki restaurant. After walking around Sagano as a tourist, it was a splendid place to rest. The service was polite and welcoming, asking if I wanted coffee or a meal. I sat in the cafe space with a view of the Katsura River. There are also terrace seats where you can relax on a sunny day.

I met L and his friends, who are known as the Money Tigers of the Reiwa era, on a voice-based social networking service, and we had a drink at a famous long-established Japanese restaurant in Arashiyama. The history of this restaurant dates back to the Showa era, with connections to Kyoto cuisine "Tankuma," supported by literary figures such as the Ryo Senke and Junichiro Tanizaki. At the restaurant, L rented out the private counter seat and ordered the chef's choice course. Surprisingly, he had the chef all to himself. When asked if he was a regular, he replied, "No, this is my second time!" It seems that the chef in Arashiyama has taken a liking to L and allowed him to do as he pleases. I ended up being the chaperone. L ordered the 25,000 yen omakase course at the counter, but the Money Tiger kept ordering more and more sake. He even ended up giving sake to the customers in the next room while going to the restroom, so I had to keep an eye on him! (laughs) I don't remember much except that the meat was Omi beef. In simple terms, it was traditional Kyoto cuisine, so it had a well-structured composition but lacked impact. Please judge for yourself based on the photos. If I were to visit again, I would like to have a leisurely lunch in the second-floor tatami room overlooking Togetsukyo Bridge. Thank you for the meal. I will visit again when I have the chance.

Great location overlooking the Yasu River. The atmosphere is lovely from the entrance. Since there was no menu, we didn't really know what to expect. The food was generally orthodox and would be suitable for events or entertaining guests. We visited on a Saturday night and were the only customers, which may have contributed to the slightly rushed service that made it hard to relax. The combination of conger eel and eringi mushrooms was homey, and matsutake mushrooms would have been perfect for this season. The final soup at the end was either red miso soup or a light broth that had cooled down. I wish there were more dishes using seasonal ingredients typical of Kyoto to enhance the experience. The course cost 11,000 yen. Dining in tourist areas can be challenging.

I was impressed by the excellent service as soon as I entered the restaurant. The staff provided polite customer service. The dishes were all amazing in taste. They were delicate, elegant, and visually beautiful, almost too beautiful to eat. The exterior of the restaurant exudes a sense of history, while the interior has a modern feel. I was able to enjoy my meal while feeling the essence of Kyoto, with views of the Katsura River and autumn leaves.

I made a reservation for my first visit two weeks ago. Since it was close to the autumn leaves season, the reservation was full 10 days before. There were only two rooms facing the river on the second floor, with rooms for 3-6 people and 10-16 people. I recommend the second floor private rooms over the first floor. However, there was an additional fee for the private room. It is recommended to arrive around 11:45 am as there are many reservations around 12:00 pm, which can cause delays in serving the food. The cost is 9,600 yen per person including tax and private room fee. The food, especially the bonito-based dashi broth and simmered dishes, is delicious and excellent. I would love to visit this restaurant again.

I attended a gathering in Kyoto at the invitation of the organizer. The organizer seemed to be a regular and was able to accommodate various requests within the budget. The food was all wonderful, especially the roast beef made with Omi beef, which was the best I've ever had. The eel and rice dish was also exquisite. I would love to visit again after sightseeing in Arashiyama. Thank you for the delicious meal.

It was a space where taste, atmosphere, and hospitality were all perfect. There were also some interesting items, and it's a restaurant I definitely want to visit again (*´ω｀*)

It was quite delicious♪ The elegant meal while enjoying the view of Katsura River in Arashiyama and a houseboat was very sophisticated. A perfect place for business entertainment!

This time, I was invited to a small banquet here by my workplace. Arashiyama is an area I rarely visit unless necessary, so I am very grateful. It is located a little further back from Togetsukyo Bridge, relatively quiet except for the sound of the river, and has a very elegant atmosphere. The building also exudes a sense of history. I was told that it was renovated a few years ago due to flooding on the first floor. As for the essential dishes, every dish was excellent in terms of appearance, craftsmanship, meticulous seasoning, and selection of ingredients. The grilled sea bream was very delicious, and the boiled conger eel had a rich sweetness and wonderful texture, making me highly satisfied. I am truly grateful to live in Kyoto where such restaurants exist. Thank you for the wonderful meal.

Tan Kuma's establishment. A place where you can enjoy traditional bento boxes and kaiseki cuisine with high cost performance. Each dish is carefully crafted with advanced techniques, evident even to someone like me. The aging of the ingredients, the exquisite clear soup, and the harmonious flavors of the side dishes are all top-notch. While they don't include anything too unusual in their bento boxes, I like to visit this place when I want to treat my taste buds to something delicious. It's a bit away from the crowded Arashiyama area, and the view from the second-floor tatami room overlooking the river is lovely. I think this place is a hidden gem.