Visited on August 1, 2023 - Vagavan Special Shaved Ice (Black Sugar Warabi Mochi with Black Honey, Kinako, and Milk) for 1,500 yen. Kyoto Trip 2023 Part 2 - After transferring trains from JR Kyoto Station, we arrived at Arashiyama. It was so hot! I had heard that summers in Kyoto are hot, but the heat was beyond expectations. I was looking for something cold to eat and spotted a red shaved ice flag. It was standing on the fence of the Seiryoji Temple in Saga Arashiyama. There was a small entrance on the fence, so I peeked inside and found a stylish cafe called "Bhagavan." "Bhagavan" is a term of respect in Sanskrit for the Buddha. It opened on July 27, 2023, and it felt like fate to stumble upon it. Previously, it used to be a grilled mochi shop, but it closed four years ago. The head priest of Seiryoji Temple suggested opening a food shop, and the gardener of the Rurikoin Temple, known for its stunning beauty, built and runs this cafe. The tables and decor inside are influenced by the beauty of the summer plants reflecting on the floor and tables. The shaved ice uses real warabi mochi, with generous amounts of black sugar, black honey, and kinako. The cold warabi mochi on top and inside the ice made it delicious until the last bite. They also serve excellent hojicha tea from Ippodo Tea Co., a renowned tea shop in Kyoto. The calming cup of tea and the delicious coffee they served as a bonus made the visit worthwhile. Seiryoji Temple, also known as Saga Shakado, is a Pure Land Buddhist temple located in Ukyo Ward, Kyoto. Its enshrined Buddha is Shakyamuni Buddha, and it is known for its connection to the Five Mountain System. Founded by Ezen and established by his disciple Josan, the temple holds a significant place in Kyoto's history.

Kyoto Arashiyama / Kiyomizu Temple [Bhagavan Arashiyama] ☑️ Black Honey Warabi Mochi Ice ¥1,300 (includes Ippodo's Kyoto Roasted Green Tea) ☑️ Tsujiri's Green Lemon Tea ¥700 \ Opened on July 27, 2023 / Located on the grounds of Kiyomizu Temple, with stylish elements everywhere as the garden was created by the gardener who also worked on the gardens of the confectionery Ruriko-in and Enraku-an. ▶️ The Black Honey Warabi Mochi Ice is a unique shaved ice dessert with plenty of black honey on ice topped with soft warabi mochi. It's quite sweet, but the Kyoto roasted green tea that comes with it is bitter enough to balance it out (a bit too sweet for me though...) ▶️ Tsujiri's Green Lemon Tea has a hint of matcha flavor and a refreshing aftertaste, making it a great choice for a hot day ☀️ Luckily, a window seat opened up at the right time, and I was happy to see the reflection of the shaved ice. The large windows offer a view of the lush garden, creating a very soothing atmosphere. It's a bit of a walk from Arashiyama Station, but there are plenty of coin parking nearby, making it a hidden gem for those who want to relax! ✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼ 【Bhagavan】 46 Fujinoki-cho, Saga Shakado, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto ⏰ 11:00-18:00 Closed on Wednesdays 10 minutes walk from Saga Arashiyama Station ✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼

The black honey kinako warabi mochi shaved ice was amazing!!