When visiting Arashiyama with a friend, we made a lunch reservation and arrived around 1 pm for our 1:30 pm reservation, but they kindly let us in. The riverside path leading to the restaurant was delightful! It took about 10 minutes to stroll along the river with boats floating by and mountains in the background, facing the Togetsukyo Bridge. We ended up going further uphill past the sign and had to backtrack a bit (lol). The restaurant is a restored building that used to be the residence of Prince Konoe. Inside, it has a nostalgic Japanese house feel. We were seated in a spacious tatami room with Prince Konoe's calligraphy displayed. We were guided to a table by the window where we could see the river directly below. The Matsuba Course (¥4180) included appetizers, assorted dishes, yudofu (tofu in hot water), fried tofu, rice, and pickles. The appetizer was tofu seasoned with salt, a unique way to enjoy it. The assorted dishes were visually pleasing and delicious, with items like sesame tofu, prosciutto with figs, simmered octopus, wheat gluten, mackerel, and shrimp. The yudofu was also delicious. Unfortunately, I forgot to take photos of the fried tofu, rice, and pickles ( ; ; ). The tofu ice cream for dessert was incredibly rich and tasty! Before we knew it, the restaurant was fully booked. It's easy to see why it's so popular. I would love to visit again to enjoy the view, the building, and the tofu dishes. Thank you for the wonderful meal.

Walk along the Katsura River from Arashiyama and Togetsukyo Bridge. The Hozugawa River boat ride is unfortunately suspended at this time of year. After a long walk and climbing stone steps, it's quite challenging for those without strong legs. They say food tastes better after exercise. Matsurai-an Tofu Course for 5060 yen (at the time): Appetizer with plum wine and tofu with snow salt, assorted dishes, creative dish, fresh yuba, tofu hot pot, fried tofu, rice with shredded mountain pepper and pickles, dessert with tofu ice cream and black syrup with nama-yatsuhashi. This course focuses on tofu and assorted dishes. It includes young sweetfish, pike conger eel, water shield, baby corn, edamame, adding a seasonal touch. The tofu is beautifully presented in a full course meal, sure to please tofu lovers. The creative dish, seemingly inspired by a painting by the landlady, had a subtle flavor. Reflecting on the era of Konoe Fumimaro at the former residence, it's a peaceful time well spent. Continuing to explore to the Torokko Arashiyama is a classic tourist route. Thank you for the meal. I will visit again if I have the chance.

As I have grown older, I have started to crave yudofu (hot tofu). I found a quaint yudofu restaurant in Arashiyama, made a reservation, and visited. The restaurant had a calm, hidden gem vibe, located right next to the Katsura River, surrounded by greenery. I had the Matsuba course. The tofu had a subtle sweetness, and the yudofu in particular had a rich soybean flavor. The plum wine served at the beginning was also delicious. I found a great restaurant where I could enjoy delicious tofu in a wonderful environment!

I visited Shoraian in Arashiyama, Kyoto! Shoraian offers a tofu kaiseki meal for 5060 yen, including appetizers, an assortment of dishes, creative specialties, fresh yuba, yudofu, agedashi tofu, rice, pickles, and dessert. Located upstream from the Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama, this former residence of Konoe Fumimaro offers a delightful tofu kaiseki experience. The assorted dishes were exquisite, showcasing the essence of Kyoto cuisine. The yudofu, made with bonito dashi, was the best tofu I've ever had! Trustworthy establishments that serve delicious tofu are truly remarkable. Enjoying a tofu kaiseki meal in this hidden gem of a mansion within the grounds of Arashiyama Park is a must-try experience. Relax by the Oi River, listening to the gentle sounds of the flowing water, for a blissful moment. If you appreciate Kyoto cuisine, please like and save this post! #KyotoCuisine #KyotoGourmet #KyotoLunch #KyotoDinner #InstaWorthyGourmet #Foodstagram #InstaAwardGourmet2023 #HiddenGemRestaurants #ArashiyamaGourmet #ArashiyamaCuisine #ArashiyamaDinner #ArashiyamaLunch #Shoraian #JapaneseCuisine #Kaiseki #TofuKaiseki #KyotoDishes #KyotoSightseeing #Tofu #Yudofu #AssortedDishes

Visited on a Sunday afternoon. We made a reservation just in case, but surprisingly there were empty seats. This is because the restaurant is located quite far from Arashiyama, requiring climbing many stone steps to get there, and even more walking from the entrance, so it's likely that few tourists visit without a map. Honestly, I think it's a hidden gem. In the midst of the crowded Arashiyama, I never imagined being able to enjoy delicious food while leisurely watching the flow of the river. We ordered the Matsuba course. The portion was just right, not too much or too little. The tofu served with snow salt that came out first was a new discovery - the combination of salt and tofu was surprisingly good. The sweetness of the tofu itself was brought out. The Yudofu and Agedashi Tofu were both delicious with the flavor of the broth soaked in well. The staff were all friendly and lovely. I love the Kyoto dialect. The atmosphere was perfect. Overall, a high rating. A place where I feel grateful to be Japanese. Thank you very much.

At the foot of Mount Imakasu, where fine snow dances, is Jusei-in. Perhaps it's the season when butterbur flowers bloom in the garden attributed to Eitoku. After reminiscing about Hikarunari, I head to Arashiyama on the Randen train. On such a cold day, I want to warm up with yudofu, so I walk on the quaint stone pavement and decide to have Saga Morika's yudofu at this place, a former residence of the Konoe family that has been renovated. I pass through the noren, enter the entrance, and am guided to a lovely room where I can hear the murmuring of the Arashiyama stream. For lunch, I requested the Matsuba course (4,160 yen). Although I would usually opt for hot sake on a cold day, I'm not a fan of warm alcohol, so I decide to go with a bottle of Ebisu beer (880 yen) here. Soon enough, the beer and dishes are brought out. The "apéritif" is plum wine. It's sweet and goes down smoothly, perfect for a sip. Then, a toast with beer. The "appetizer" is a dish of Morika's tofu with wolfberries, sprinkled with Miyako Island snow salt. The light snow-like salt complements the delicate tofu perfectly, capturing the essence of Morika's Saga tofu and tasting delicious. The "hassun" consists of various dishes in a red lacquered octagonal box, including sesame tofu, lotus root with sesame dressing, apple and black bean salad, three-color raw salmon sushi roll, Kinshi tamago, steamed shrimp, kamaboko with potatoes and wasabi, fried taro, grilled mackerel, raw yuba roll with cheese and ham, burdock with cream cheese, and chicken chashu with twelve items, all vibrant and very luxurious. Each dish was delicious, with the sesame tofu being rich, lotus root having a crunchy texture that pairs well with sesame, and the raw salmon sushi roll being exquisite in texture and taste. The "tawara-no-mono" is Saga Morika's yudofu, with kombu beneath the tofu and pine needle-fu on top. The fine-grained, smooth, and flavorful tofu warms the body on a cold day. You can have a refill (500 yen), but the portion is quite filling, so I decide to finish off the broth with kombu dashi. The "tsukemono" is fried tofu with a thick, velvety sauce that complements the soft tofu well. The "rice" is served with white rice, powdered sansho pepper, and pickles. The three colors of Shibazuke, daikon, and Minohana are visually appealing. The powdered sansho pepper is slightly dry, not too strong, and adds a natural flavor to the rice. The "mizugashi" is tofu ice cream drizzled with black honey and served with nama yatsuhashi. The small ice crystals inside the tofu ice cream provide a refreshing texture, complementing the sweetness of the black honey. In total, there were six dishes, a mini kaiseki centered around tofu. Saga Morika's tofu lived up to expectations, and the hassun was visually stunning, blending Japanese and Western elements with creative textures, like a delightful toy box full of surprises. I felt the changing nature of the Arashiyama gorge before me, was soothed by the landlady's calligraphy hanging all around, and enjoyed a blissful moment satisfying all my senses with heartfelt dishes. Thank you for the feast. I would love to visit again.

Hiking from Takao to Kiyotaki, sightseeing in Arashiyama. I arrived at the restaurant around 3 pm to avoid the lunch crowd. Despite that, about 80% of the seats in the room were already taken. It seems that there would have been quite a wait during lunchtime. The restaurant had a wonderful tatami seating area along the Katsura River. I was able to take photos as a customer by the window had just left. The service is provided by dedicated waitstaff. I love yuba, so I ordered the Matsunagare course for 5,720 yen. Each dish was served at the perfect timing. Every dish had unique flavors that can only be experienced here, and they were all delicious. Especially, the broth for the yuba shabu was exquisite, I drank it all. I would like to visit again someday. Thank you for the wonderful meal.

I visited here wanting to enjoy Japanese cuisine while admiring the natural scenery in Arashiyama. The location made me a bit anxious at first, as the restaurant seemed hidden away. It was a bit of a challenge to walk there in a yukata and geta, but it was worth it in the end! For lunch, I had the Matsuba course for 4180 yen, which included appetizers, a variety of small dishes, yudofu (tofu hot pot), agedashi tofu, chirimenjako (small dried fish), sansho rice, and tofu ice cream - a tofu feast! The small dishes were all delicious. After the meal, there was a terrace-like area outside where I could relax and take photos. Considering the price, I think it's a reasonable and enjoyable experience.

Located along the river in Arashiyama, this restaurant offers kaiseki cuisine in a traditional Japanese house with stunning views. It's a bit away from the station area, tucked away in the park, so it's quiet and peaceful. It's nice to have a meal in a place like this once in a while. The tofu-based dishes are healthy and gentle on the body, making you feel like you've truly arrived in Kyoto! Highly recommended.

In a charming setting, I enjoyed dishes made with Sagano Morika's tofu. The proprietress, who is a calligrapher, showed artistic flair by presenting sesame characters wrapped in wasabi leaves. I was able to relax and enjoy the green scenery while spending a leisurely time there.

The restaurant is located deep in Arashiyama Park, upstream from the Togetsukyo Bridge along the Katsura River. Set in a quiet spot surrounded by trees, they offer a "tofu kaiseki course." The course includes a variety of dishes such as "appetizer," "assorted seasonal dishes," "creative dish," "fresh yuba (tofu skin)," "tofu hot pot," "fried tofu," "main course," and "dessert." Despite being a bit out of the way, the peaceful atmosphere and nice view make up for it. The charming building has had different owners in the past, but it is currently run by a calligrapher landlady. Although they may emphasize "calligraphy" a bit too much, the staff is friendly, and you can enjoy a pleasant dining experience there.

I visited this place by the riverside of Kokurayama in the strong rain. They welcomed me warmly even though I arrived early, and had towels ready for wiping my feet. The old but well-cleaned room had a toilet. The host seemed like a seasoned professional, providing a humble and gentle service that enhanced the taste of the food, making it a satisfying experience. Each dish felt carefully prepared and delicious. As someone who dislikes pickles, I couldn't finish the last dish of rice. They even put newspapers in my wet shoes, making me comfortable until the end.

It was my second visit since last year's autumn foliage season! It was a bit challenging to get to the restaurant during the rainy season, but the delicious dishes made it worth the effort! I made a reservation for the 13:30 slot and arrived a little early, but I was warmly welcomed and could enjoy my meal comfortably (^^).

Walking upstream from Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama, you might start to wonder if you're in the right place as you stand in a somewhat uncertain spot, but then you see a sign and climb some stairs. When you turn left at the top, you'll see the entrance to a tofu restaurant. The interior is old but charming, with a Kyoto-like atmosphere. The appetizer, tofu with snow salt and plum wine, really enhances the flavor of the tofu. The eight-course meal includes unique items like shumai with raspberry sauce, which surprisingly tasted delicious. The dishes were all meticulously prepared and the standout was the edible hoozuki fruit, which was unexpectedly delicious, with a light lychee-like flavor. The yudofu and agedashi tofu were also delicious, and the white chirimen sansho served with rice was unexpectedly flavorful. The tofu ice cream had a strong tofu flavor. The Matsuba course might be sufficient for women but might leave men a bit hungry. The lunch, with views of the river from the window and a relaxing tatami setting, was truly soothing. Thank you for the wonderful meal.

A tofu kaiseki restaurant located along the Katsura River in Arashiyama. It is a very impressive and elegant mansion. You can enjoy views of the Katsura River from the windows, creating a serene and calming atmosphere. The dishes made with high-quality tofu and seasonal ingredients are all delicious, allowing us to fully enjoy with all five senses alongside the beautiful natural scenery.

Located at what could be described as the top of a mountain, this restaurant is not accessible for those with weak legs or joints. It may not be suitable for older individuals. It might even be challenging on very hot days. Despite my knees hurting, I thought the food was so delicious that I was willing to push through. Maybe I felt that way because I was really hungry. The atmosphere was great, and there were many couples dining there.

A tofu restaurant located along the river, a short walk from Arashiyama Station. Away from the hustle and bustle of Arashiyama, it offers a serene atmosphere. We were seated in a private room for a luxurious lunch experience. The restaurant extends out towards the river, providing a stunning view of greenery and the river. The occasional cheers from tourists on boat rides added to the lively atmosphere. The meal started with tofu, its sweetness enhanced when eaten with salt, leaving a pleasant taste in the mouth. The seasonal appetizers were beautifully presented and delicately flavored. The main dish, hot tofu in bonito broth, was a perfect combination of silky tofu and flavorful broth. The gentle flavors left us completely satisfied. Dessert consisted of tofu ice cream and Yatsuhashi, adding a touch of Kyoto. Overall, a delightful experience enjoying delicious tofu in such a lovely setting.