I visited during my visit to Daitoku-ji Temple. The dishes were well balanced, satisfying in portion, and beautifully presented. Kyoto cuisine emphasizes the beauty of the ingredients by using subtle colors. Surprisingly, the flavors were rich and bold. I especially enjoyed the delicious plum sweet treat and bought some as a souvenir.

I tried Shojin cuisine (vegetarian cuisine) (as of February 2020). After visiting Daikaku-ji Temple, it was lunchtime so I decided to have Shojin cuisine here. As someone who loves meat, I was surprised by the luxurious dishes that were served. The flavors were subtle, but you could really taste the deliciousness of the vegetables. There was also plenty of rice. If this is what Shojin cuisine is like, I would love to try it again.

I made a reservation for 12:30, arrived 5 minutes early, but the food didn't come out until 12:50. I understand it's busy during lunchtime, but there were only two staff members and the service was slow. The food was delicious, but they didn't clear the empty dishes and just stacked them on the side. It seemed like there were a lot of customers in the back, maybe they were busy with upstairs guests and couldn't handle the first floor? Unfortunately, I won't be coming back again. Thank you for the meal.

I visited the restaurant after the tea ceremony at Daitoku-ji Temple. It was around 3pm, and I was able to have a meal. When I sat down, they first served me warabi mochi and matcha. The warabi mochi was a bite-sized piece, made with real warabi and was very delicious! I ordered the vegetarian dim sum. Overall, it had a rich flavor but was light and tasty.

This is a restaurant serving Shojin Ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine) located near the gate of Daitokuji Temple. It seems that Izumisen originally specialized in catering. I used to have their catering bento boxes for memorial services since I was a child. This was my first time visiting the actual restaurant. When I was a child, I couldn't appreciate the taste, and I remember being surprised by the umeboshi (pickled plum) tempura. The restaurant is conveniently located in front of Daitokuji Temple's parking lot, making it easy for visitors. They are open until 5 pm, and the temple's visiting hours end at 4 pm. We visited with 6 people around 4 pm. My father occasionally visits and was confident that no reservation was needed at this time, and he was right. The restaurant has a simple design but is spacious and comfortable. The seating is for 4 people, but the staff quickly arranged it for us. We ordered the "Ayame" set for 3,240 yen, which is served in a round lacquerware resembling an iron bowl used by monks to receive food during alms rounds. When you order, you are served with tea and warabi mochi (bracken starch dumplings). Then, the dishes are served promptly. We didn't order alcohol this time, so it worked out well. The most impressive thing was the authentic Kyoto flavor. It has been almost 20 years since I left Kyoto, and I have grown accustomed to the Kanto region's flavors, but the familiar taste of Kyoto was truly nostalgic. Since it was cherry blossom season during our visit, we enjoyed dishes like sakura mochi-inspired dessert, boiled fuki leaves, soramame, and takenoko (simmered dish, rice, soup). The seasonal dishes like nama fu, yuba, and sesame tofu were delicious as well. Despite being vegetarian, we were very satisfied. Considering the quality and quantity of the meal, the price was very reasonable. We plan to visit again with our family in a different season.

I arrived at Kyoto Station and decided to visit places like Daikakuji, Imamiya Shrine, Koetsuji, Genkoan, Jomyoji, and Kodaiji on foot. However, my camera's battery was running low, so I had to rely on my old phone for some pictures. I met a friendly man at the bus stop who asked if I was going to Kinkakuji, but I told him I was heading to Daikakuji. He informed me that it would take about 45 minutes to get there. I stopped at a vegetarian restaurant on the way and enjoyed a delicious meal, including a surprise matcha tea and warabi mochi. The 2,200 yen Kamekoju lunch set was also quite satisfying. Overall, it was a pleasant dining experience.

Sixth round of warabi mochi hunting. Last year we tried the iron pot dish, but this time it's warabi mochi. A sign at the entrance says only for customers with reservations today. It's peak autumn foliage season after all. Made with real warabi powder, it's really delicious.

I wonder if this is a good choice for an introduction to shojin cuisine! I visited a famous restaurant near Daikakuji Temple called "Sensen Murasakino" for some teppanyaki dishes. It was quite satisfying. The prices range from 2000 to 3000 yen, so you can enjoy it without breaking the bank. I remember my mother talking about Sensen's teppanyaki dishes, so I decided to check it out. I personally love the Daikakuji natto miso soup with yuba, which is a specialty in the area. When I was younger, I preferred other types of cuisine over shojin dishes, but as I've gotten older, I find myself craving shojin dishes and yudofu. Maybe I'll give it a try. This casual restaurant with yudofu seems like a good entry point to Daikakuji Temple. I also visited the branch within Daikakuji Temple itself. The food is the same, but the atmosphere is different. It's a bit of a maze to get there, so I prefer the one near the temple. Seeing is believing, so I recommend checking it out. There seems to be another branch on the way to Nenbutsuji Temple in Saga Arashiyama, so I'll check that out as well. The red dishes definitely stimulate the appetite. Sensen seems like a good choice for a casual visit. It's perfect for students and young adults looking to try shojin cuisine. Shojin cuisine is perfect for the Bon Festival on August 16th. This year, I visited Myoho at Matsugasaki from 8:00 onwards. I wish everyone a successful year. It would be fun to cleanse and then go out for a meal of shojin cuisine in Kyoto! Let's go to Kyoto!

When visiting Daikakuji Temple, I enjoyed a monk's lunch called "unten" as part of the experience. It was a weekday during the holiday season, so it was relatively quiet and I was able to leisurely enjoy my meal. I had made a reservation to see the special sliding door paintings, so I stepped out of the temple grounds to have an early lunch before my scheduled time. Upon entering the restaurant, I was greeted with matcha tea and warabi mochi. Since I was short on time, I opted for the monk's lunch. The meal consisted of various dishes made from vegetables and soy products (tofu, yuba, nama-fu). It's a great option for those who want to try a variety of small portions of shojin cuisine.

It was the first time I heard the name of this dish. It's called "Tepatsu Ryouri" and it's pronounced as "teppatsu ryouri". According to the staff, it is said that monks used iron vessels when they went out for alms, which is why it is called "teppatsu". The dish itself is served in individual iron vessels, resembling the traditional alms bowl. I tried the dish, which was a Kyoto-style hot tofu served in a paper pot, and it had a gentle dashi flavor which was very good. It may lack volume for some men, but the atmosphere of the restaurant is nice and the Kyoto-style meal is enjoyable. Also, since it is located near the entrance of Daikaku-ji Temple, it is very convenient for a lunch break during sightseeing.

Location-wise, this restaurant is right next to the famous tourist spot "Daitoku-ji" in Kyoto, with a bus stop nearby making it easily accessible by public transportation. The interior of the restaurant is quite spacious and has a cozy atmosphere. I chose to sit at a table. Now, onto the food I ordered, the "Ayame" course (3,240 yen), which is a vegetarian meal. As someone trying vegetarian cuisine for the first time, I anxiously awaited the dishes to arrive. In the meantime, I was served matcha tea and warabi mochi, which helped calm my nerves. The dishes started coming out one by one, with items like "shira-ae" and "fu dango" showcasing the simple and refined flavors of vegetarian cuisine. It wasn't explosively delicious, but rather a subtle and deep kind of flavor that made me appreciate Japanese cuisine even more. What left a lasting impression on me, even more than the food, was the beautiful "tableware" used to serve the dishes. The round lacquerware added to the overall experience and emphasized the dedication to vegetarianism. It's not often that tableware itself can evoke such feelings. Despite being labeled as "vegetarian cuisine," I was truly impressed by the skillful presentation.

Speaking of Buddhist memorial services, my relatives often use Izumi Sen. I have been there to eat before, but most of the time we have it delivered to our house. They provide all the dishes, so the atmosphere is almost the same as eating at the restaurant. When it comes to vegetarian dishes, they are always willing to accommodate even last-minute requests like calling at 5 pm today and asking for it by 12 pm tomorrow. I am used to their food, so even dishes that I don't usually eat taste delicious when I have them after a long time. I still enjoy dishes like yuba, mochi fu, and tempura of pickled plums that I have liked since I was a child. The sesame tofu is also incredibly delicious, and I often end up going around to relatives' houses to finish off the leftovers (laughs). The lunch bento is quite compact and suitable for those who struggle with setting up or cleaning up the dishes. The children's bento also comes with juice and dessert, making it quite substantial!

This is a vegetarian restaurant located right next to Daikakuji Temple. There aren't many other restaurants around here, so the nearby udon shop was quite crowded. The menu prices seemed a bit high for lunch, but since it's a special trip, I decided to give it a try. The interior of the restaurant had a mix of chair and table seating, and it seemed like there was a second floor as well. They served matcha and a sweet (this time it was kuzu mochi) as a starter. I had the yuba kaiseki course, which consisted of multiple small dishes served one after another. The dishes were very Kyoto-style and authentic.

When I visited Daikakuji Temple on a sightseeing bus tour, I had the opportunity to enjoy a bento box of shojin (Buddhist vegetarian) cuisine at the sub-temple Daisen-in, prepared by Suisen. Although I did not actually visit the restaurant, I was impressed enough to share my thoughts in this article. Daikakuji Temple, founded by Daicho Kokushi, is a renowned Zen temple with connections to Ikkyu Zenji and Sen no Rikyu. The temple is filled with national treasures and important cultural properties, such as the tea room where Rikyu entertained Hideyoshi and the gate where Hideyoshi later ordered Rikyu to commit seppuku. After exploring the historic temple complex, I was led to a hall at Daisen-in for lunch, which turned out to be a bento box from Suisen. The meal was beautifully presented, with various dishes arranged like a miniature garden. The clear soup with yuba, winter melon, and wakame was light and refreshing. The simmered dish featured colorful ingredients like red maple gluten, yuba, winter melon, konnyaku, taro, and peas, all cooked elegantly. The white miso-dressed raw gluten had a surprisingly bold flavor, while the pickled wood ear mushrooms paired well with the rice. The fried gluten, simmered shiitake mushrooms, fried yuba, and creamy sesame tofu were all delicious and meticulously prepared. A unique touch was the plum tempura, which had a sweet and tangy flavor after being fried. The meal also included pickled daikon, a nod to the temple's connection with the monk Daikon. Despite not having high expectations for a bus tour lunch, I was pleasantly surprised by the cool and delightful shojin cuisine, which provided a welcome respite from the lingering summer heat.

I visited the restaurant at Daikakuji temple around lunchtime with my wife. We ordered the "Ayame" iron pot dish (3150 yen) and the kaiseki-style appetizer "Shoan" (2900 yen). The iron pot dish was served in a round red lacquered pot, with each dish presented separately. The dishes were stacked up once we finished eating them. The appetizer and sake were served first, followed by the impressive eight-piece dish. The "Kikurage Kurama-ni" dish, made with wood ear mushrooms simmered in sansho pepper, was particularly delicious. I liked it so much that I bought it as a souvenir. The fried tofu with miso was also tasty, with a unique deep flavor. The sesame tofu that came next was a standout dish, with a great texture and strong sesame aroma. The meal also included various side dishes like pickles and pumpkin, as well as a soup and fried tofu salad. Overall, the vegetarian dishes were all delicious and satisfying. The "Shoan" set included similar dishes to the iron pot dish, along with sashimi and tempura. The tempura was freshly fried and tasty, but the sashimi was not as impressive. It seems that the vegetarian dishes are the highlight at this restaurant. The Daikakuji branch only serves iron pot dishes, while this branch offers a wider menu selection. If you're looking for a lighter or more budget-friendly option, this branch is convenient. However, I would like to visit the beautifully serene Daikakuji branch next time.

On April 29th, my sister brought home a Zen vegetarian bento box from Izumi-sen for dinner. It was the "Katsura" set with tempura for 3500 yen. My sister used to say that Zen vegetarian cuisine is more like a retreat, and Izumi-sen lacks a sense of adventure. But today, she mentioned how she appreciates Izumi-sen's consistent traditional vegetarian dishes, unlike the creative Zen cuisine at the retreat she used to go to. Izumi-sen offers traditional vegetarian dishes, while the retreat had innovative ones. I can't help but laugh at my sister's typical behavior of changing her preferences. The miso soup with bamboo shoots and sansho pepper was a delightful taste of spring. The bento box was filled with a variety of small dishes, making it enjoyable. Oh, look at this cute presentation of koyadofu (freeze-dried tofu) and the fava beans are so spring-like and delicious. The sweet plum tempura was a highlight. My sister and I had a great time giggling while enjoying the meal. I have tried Zen vegetarian dishes in iron pots and kaiseki style at Izumi-sen before, and they were both delightful. The iron pot dishes were more elaborate and the kaiseki included fish, but I still prefer the simplicity of the vegetarian dishes. However, I would love to dine at the restaurant someday instead of always having takeout.

I explored the sub-temples of Daikakuji and had lunch at Daishin-in Sensen. The location is a bit hidden along a narrow path, but once you sit down, you are served matcha and warabi mochi to enjoy a break. I ordered the iron pot dish (4200 yen) and eggplant miso. The iron pot dish is served beautifully in 7 stacked bowls, each containing a different vegetarian dish. Once you finish eating, all the bowls are stacked back together. It was my first time trying vegetarian cuisine, and I found it to be delicious, easy to eat, and satisfying. The fried pickled plum was a surprising delight, with a sweet taste after being desalted. I also bought their specialty "Daikakuji natto" as a souvenir, which has a miso and koji flavor, great for enhancing dishes or simply enjoying on its own. Amidst the prestigious temples, this place exudes a sense of relaxation and gratitude, providing a healing experience for the body. I would definitely want to visit again when in need of a break.

We gathered at the host's house with about ten people, and when we thought about lunch, they said, "We have prepared a catered meal." So we decided to go with the bento from "Sensen." The bento included clear soup with yomogi fu and simmered nori, various grilled items, three types of miso-marinated fu, and plum tempura. The pickles and simmered dishes had a strong flavor, while the plum tempura had a rich plum aroma and taste without being too sour. I purchased some as souvenirs as well.

I ordered a takeout bento box. Each dish has a gentle and delicious flavor. I had only imagined eating Shojin cuisine before, but this time I tried it for the first time and was surprised by how tasty it was. I didn't feel unsatisfied at all, and I wish I had tried it sooner. I want to order again soon.

I stayed in a traditional townhouse in Kyoto and ordered a bento breakfast in advance. It cost around 2000 yen, I think. It was a vegetarian meal with lots of vegetables and tofu. My partner found it a bit lacking, but I loved it. The dishes were all typical Kyoto cuisine, like delicious fresh wheat gluten. The only thing I wasn't sure about was a tempura-like dish with a sweet and sour flavor, maybe apricot? Overall, it was a delightful experience and I enjoyed every bite. It's not something you get to try every day, and I really appreciated it.