I wanted to try it once! The sashimi is fresh, the simmered dish has a rich broth, and the tempura is crispy! You won't regret it ♡

In May 2018, I decided to walk a challenging course around Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, rather than the usual crowded path. The course was mostly empty, except for a Russian mother and son struggling to climb the steep stairs. After completing the course, I finally joined the tourist path and headed to the restaurant. Despite the long walk, the cozy atmosphere and delicious food at the restaurant made it worthwhile. I ordered a Golden Week special bento box and enjoyed the fresh sashimi, tempura, and other traditional dishes. The flavors were exquisite, and the service was impeccable. It was a delightful experience, right near the bustling Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine.

Next to the "Inari-san" at Fushimi Inari, I enjoyed another "Inari-san" (Inari-zushi). As a child, visiting Yasaka Shrine and Fushimi Inari Shrine during New Year's was a tradition. This restaurant, located on the approach from JR station, may go unnoticed by many due to its location opposite the torii gate. Established in 1615, this long-standing establishment has historical significance. While the history and background of this restaurant are interesting, for me, it is all about the delicious "Inari-san" sushi. The restaurant has been renovated recently, but in the past, it had a traditional charm with lattice doors lining the street. I remember enjoying their special "Inari-san" sushi here, which I believed was the origin of this dish at Fushimi Inari. However, it turns out that may not be the case. The famous "Daimyo Bento" is also popular here, offering a satisfying Japanese meal experience. It is advisable to make a reservation in advance if you want to try their "Inari-san" sushi, as it may not always be available. Despite the changes over the years, the taste of the "Inari-san" sushi from this restaurant remains nostalgic and delightful. For me, this place holds the true essence of "Inari-san".

It seems to be an old renowned restaurant, where I had lunch for a class reunion. The place has been renovated and looks too clean to have any traditional charm, but it is still beautiful. The meal was like a bento box, and next to it, there were antique tableware used by feudal lords, with an explanation about the history of the place. The first owner, who was a retainer of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, died in battle in 1615 during the Siege of Osaka, and the second owner opened a tea shop under the name "Tachiba Chaya." Later, it became an inn for daimyo traveling along the Fushimi Kaido road, serving Kyoto cuisine for fourteen generations. Currently, the place no longer offers accommodation but serves kaiseki meals, daimyo bento boxes, light meals, and catering. The meal was meticulously prepared, with each ingredient being delicious and impressively detailed. It included a staggering number of dishes. Although it may be a bit pricey, I highly recommend this restaurant. If you visit Fushimi Inari, be sure to stop by.

I purchased this inari sushi at the basement floor of Takashimaya Kyoto store. It comes in a pack of 3 for 378 yen including tax. They are a bit small in size. The fried tofu skin is quite thin, and although it looks like it would have a strong flavor, when I tasted it, it had a slightly strong soy sauce flavor. However, it was a good balance and I could easily eat all 3 at once. The rice had white and black sesame seeds mixed in, giving it a nice fragrant taste. Considering the price, I wish they were a bit larger, but overall, it was delicious inari sushi.

This is a story from a little while ago. On this day, I took a bullet train from a station along the street to go on a trip to Kyoto, known for its fresh greenery. The main attraction was the famous Golden Pavilion, with gold powder on the sweets shaped like the temple. We also visited other famous gardens and then headed to Fushimi Inari for lunch. We went to a famous restaurant near the main gate to try their renowned bento box. The restaurant had a historical and traditional atmosphere, and the bento box we ordered was called the "Daimyo Bento," which was a three-tiered feast fit for a feudal lord. Each dish looked delicious, including bamboo shoot salad, chestnut mixed with vegetables, and Kyoto-style rolled omelette. The sashimi was fresh and the sweetness of the sea bream was delightful. It was a memorable dining experience at the historic restaurant "Tamaya" near the Fushimi Inari Shrine.

Founded 100 years ago, 150 years ago. In the bustling city of Suppon, there is a 400-year-old long-established store called Tamaya in Fushimi. Fushimi Inari is the main approach. It stands next to the grand torii gate, with a dignified appearance that exudes history. Since ancient times, it has been designated as a ryokan for Inari Taisha, and during the time of the Tokugawa shogunate, it is said to have started as a teahouse where daimyo on the sankin-kotai procession would stop for a break from Fushimi shipyard. The establishment dates back to the Genwa era (early Edo period). The photo is of the exterior of Tamaya at Fushimi Inari Taisha today, with its jet-black tiled roof, lattice doors, and white walls, all telling the depth of history. Inside, there is a stone pavement that continues to the back. This time, for lunch, I went to the dining area on the left side. I had the mackerel sushi, made with mackerel from Yaizu and rice from Omi's Nihonbare, creating a delicious harmony of fluffy rice. For those who want to relax with their partner or family, there are private tatami rooms available at a reasonable price.

This year, for the first time in three years, we held a class reunion at Tamaya. Fushimi Inari, after a long time, was crowded with foreigners and school trip students, bustling like New Year's Day even on a weekday! When it was time, we headed to Tamaya at the corner of Fushimi Inari Omotesando, where several groups of customers were being turned away at the entrance due to being fully booked. Tamaya, a long-established restaurant, is well-known locally, and I didn't think reservations were necessary for a weekday lunch, but it seems to be crowded due to the popularity of Inari. Last year, we also had a reunion at La Risata in Kyoto Granvia, so it was a reunion after a year with the members. This time, it was also a lunch reunion, and the usual Daimyo bento menu was arranged. Since it was almost the same content as last time, I have added some photos. I remember that after the Tamaya class reunion last time, we all went to the live house cafe Zabu Zabu, but at that time, my classmate Kenzo Murakami, who played the drums, passed away from cancer a few months later, and I also have memories of meeting everyone at the wake at Fushimi Inari. This time, we disbanded on the spot, but it was also a class reunion where the members are gradually decreasing! In 2013/10, there is Tamaya, a historical ryokan that has been around since the early Edo period, at the corner of Fushimi Inari Taisha Omotesando in front of JR Inari Station. The establishment has been around for over 400 years, but it was a large ryokan with a black wall that I have known since I was a child. In 2012, the historic large ryokan was compactly renovated and reopened as Kyoto Cuisine Tamaya. This time, a class reunion from elementary school that had not been held for decades was held at the nostalgic "Tamaya." The appearance has completely changed from the past, but the family crest was painted on the white wall, a mark that I faintly remember. When we entered the store, old signs and posters were lined up, and nostalgic pictures of the old building before the renovation were displayed, and we all gazed at the old memories with deep emotion. The meal was a special order of a three-tiered "Daimyo bento," with a bento box containing chawanmushi, rice dishes, and fruits. The banquet started with everyone looking for traces of the past among the gathered people after many years, and stories from the past with old friends we met after a long time also flourished. I remember the taste of the food, but the details are vague, so please imagine them based on the photos. After the renovation, the dignified atmosphere of the old established restaurant disappeared, and it became a Japanese restaurant that is easy for tourists to enter, but I still felt the historical charm of the old established restaurant in the demeanor of the waitresses. I plan to use it again in a few years! It was delicious! Thank you for the meal!

★400-year-old traditional Japanese restaurant★ Daimyo bento box