Before noon on a regular day. I arrived in Arashiyama around 11:30 to go to Fufu no Yu, but found out that it didn't open until 12 o'clock. So, I decided to go to the gelato shop first. The street from Togetsukyo Bridge to Tenryu-ji Temple was crowded with people, so it took longer than expected to reach the shop. It was the Arashiyama branch of the shop located behind Takashimaya in Kawaramachi. It was not busy, probably because it was still early, so I was able to take my time choosing a gelato. I selected a spring-like flavor. After returning to Nakano-shima, I soaked in the outdoor bath while enjoying the full bloom of cherry blossoms. I realized that the gelato and the bath would have been better the other way around. I had made plans for lunch with my daughter after this, so I hurried back to the city center.

■A new shop offering popular "Japanese-style flavored ice cream" in Ebisu, Tokyo and Kawaramachi opened on November 19th. They offer flavors such as cherry bean, karinto, and kinako black honey, as well as an ice cream topped with "mitarashi dango" that they used to sell at department store events. ■You can also order for takeout, but there are bench seats and round table seats inside for dining in as well. ✔Three-flavor ice cream: 520 yen (tax included) There were so many options to choose from, but I ended up choosing cherry bean, pumpkin, and matcha. The cherry bean with a hint of saltiness, the smooth sweetness of pumpkin, and the bitterness of matcha all complement each other well. Matcha is a must-have flavor to go with the sweet ones! It's also a nice touch that they provide salted kelp as a palate cleanser.