This is my first time posting, but my second visit to this place. The first time I visited was just before the first state of emergency was declared. The streets of Gion were already empty due to self-restraint measures, and I was amazed as I made my way here. The atmosphere, taste, and service were all excellent during my first visit, and I was already thinking I wanted to come back! However, this afternoon tea is so popular that it was hard to make a reservation... Finally, my wish came true with this revisit. The weather was a bit iffy on the forecast for the day, but luckily it held up. You can choose your tea by smelling the aroma first, and then order. There are 6 types of tea to choose from, and the tea is refillable. The afternoon tea is served in a five-tiered box shaped like a pagoda. Each tier has a different selection of sweets and savories, all meticulously presented. It's a great experience for tourists in Kyoto. I love strawberries, so I was happy to see them used in both sweet and savory items. I enjoyed delicious sweets, dishes, and tea while admiring the beautiful garden. They also offer a fun experience where you can brew your own green tea, which I highly recommend trying out.

In the summer season, be careful when walking through the slightly uneven courtyard to the detached building because the ground may be a bit unstable. The afternoon tea is relatively good in terms of cost performance, but there are no bells or anything at the table, and it can be difficult to call the staff in the quiet space. It may take some time for the drinks to arrive. The summer afternoon tea menu with jelly combinations is not very good, and with the temperature, they tend to melt and become just syrup-soaked. Autumn and spring are recommended as the garden looks more vibrant.

KANBAYASHI Salon Harumatsu Matsumoto Store Tea Time on May 24, 2023 (Wednesday) at 3:00 PM [Kyoto KASANE ~Fresh Green~] Five-tiered Afternoon Tea with MightyLeaf drinks (free flow) We made a reservation for 3:00 PM. The separate building was quiet and had a lovely atmosphere. There were several groups enjoying the afternoon tea, with the seats at the back being the best. We sat at the front, where the view was not so great due to the overlapping window and roof. We're not sure if this seating arrangement was based on reservations or arrival order, but it's okay. We leisurely enjoyed the afternoon tea.

Surrounded by green maple leaves in a detached house, enjoy a traditional Japanese afternoon tea in Gion Shijo, Kyoto. Salon de KANBAYASHI Kamimatsu Honpo. Passing through an elegant gate, you will find a café and garden renovated from a warehouse, passing through the mansion to reach the detached house, with a garden along the way. A stream flows, adding to the excitement as you head towards the detached house. The highlight of the experience was the May-June Kasane Afternoon Tea in a five-tiered box inspired by the five-storied pagoda. The Karesansui tier featured a matcha-scented Gâteau Opéra, while the Yasaka Tower tier included a melt-in-your-mouth tiramisu with roasted tea, a hojicha Basque-style cheesecake, and pistachio and matcha macarons. The Karesansui and Yasaka Tower tiers are signature items, offering a deliciously bitter Japanese twist on classic desserts. The seasonal tier included matcha truffle chocolate, matcha roll cake, matcha and hojicha jelly, and matcha cream puffs. The two side dish tiers featured dishes like spinach and edamame quiche, marinated octopus and asparagus, and salmon mousse. Drinks included original roasted green tea, Garden Bar original blend coffee, Mighty Leaf organic teas, and a variety of herbal teas. Reservations required at least two days in advance. After indulging in the beautiful and delicious afternoon tea surrounded by green and red maple leaves, take a stroll through the garden for a relaxing end to a wonderful experience. Thank you for the feast! Salon de KANBAYASHI Kamimatsu Honpo is located at 400-111 Kinen-cho, Sakaimachi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, open from 11:30 to 17:00, closed on Tuesdays, irregularly on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. #GionShijoCafe #GionShijoGourmet #GionShijoAfternoonTea #KyotoAfternoonTea #KyotoGourmet #KodaijiTempleCafe #KodaijiTempleGourmet #KodaijiTempleAfternoonTea #MansionCafe #Mansion #SalondeKANBAYASHIKamimatsuHonpo #SalondeKANBAYASHI

I made a reservation for afternoon tea on a weekday and visited. The afternoon tea was delicious, the service was excellent, and the atmosphere was very pleasant. The garden is spacious and can be visited as well. It's a great place to experience something extraordinary. Highly recommended.

First Visit 202302 (No.4248) 1. Purpose of Visit - Visiting the next shop after moving from Karasuma Oike to Gion Shijo. 2. Shop Information - Genre on Tabelog: Japanese tea specialty store, cafe, coffee shop (others). - Opened on April 1, 2015. - Renovated a warehouse on the premises of a mansion in Higashiyama, Kyoto, preserving the plaster walls and beams. - The concept is "more Japanese tea in everyday life," serving tea from the long-established Uji tea shop "Ujibashi Harumatsu Honjo" brewed in a teapot. - Business hours: 11:30-17:00. - Closed on Tuesdays, irregular holidays on weekends and holidays. - Seating capacity: 30 seats. - "Ujibashi Harumatsu Honjo" was founded in the Enryaku period (1558-1570) and has a history of over 450 years, being favored by the Toyotomi and Tokugawa families. 3. Crowdedness and Atmosphere on the Day - Visited around 13:00 on a weekday, able to enter the cafe in the separate building without a reservation. - No other customers upon seating, but many arrived around 13:30. - The main building exuded a luxurious and wonderful atmosphere, while the separate building, being a former warehouse, had narrow and dimly lit spaces. 4. Customer Service - Polite and attentive service following the manual. 5. Ordered Items - Gyokuro Senchafuru: 900 yen. Provided with instructions on how to brew, enjoyed it to the last drop. - Matcha Gâteau Opera: 850 yen. Served on a dark plate with vibrant green matcha, a delicious and visually appealing treat. Thank you for the meal.

On the second day of my trip to Kyoto, I visited Salon de Kanbayashi. It had the best location ❤️‍ The afternoon tea set was also very luxurious ✨ Even though there were steep stairs and stone steps, the staff kindly carried the stroller for us, which was really appreciated ‍♂️ The seating area was spacious, so depending on the age and type of baby, you might not even need a stroller. There were private rooms for diaper changes and breastfeeding, and the staff was very kind to families with children. I would like to try their restaurant next time❣️. #salondekanbayashi #Kyotofood #Kyotocafe #HigashiyamaCafe #HigashiyamaFood #Kyotowithkids #familytrip

I enjoyed afternoon tea in a separate building after waiting in the Western-style room of the main house, built in 1925, on a spacious 700-tsubo site. The view of the lush greenery can be enjoyed through the Taisho glass windows. The five-tiered afternoon tea is available by reservation only. It includes Matcha-scented Gateau Opera, Hojicha Tiramisu, crab and scallop terrine, as well as strawberry and prosciutto combination sandwiches. The Tiramisu is decorated with a design of Yasaka Tower, giving a Kyoto-like atmosphere. The dishes vary in quality, with some having a smooth texture and others being more standard. It feels like a menu designed to be admired visually.

Reservations are required but difficult to get at this famous restaurant. Luckily, I was able to secure a reservation, so I went during the New Year holidays! The atmosphere at this renovated former villa is amazing. Plus, the tea served by Mr. Kamibayashi is superb. The Afternoon Tea set for 4,800 yen per person is also fantastic. It was a delightful afternoon filled with excellence all around!

I went to Kyoto for a Zen meditation session after a long time. The day before that, due to various circumstances, I had an afternoon tea here. It was at a collaboration cafe between "Akane Resort," a renovated mansion owned by a traditional copper manufacturing company (maybe called "Mitani Shin-Do"), and the renowned tea shop "Ujikita Harumatsu Honpo" in Uji. The cafe had a luxurious and otherworldly atmosphere. I tried the five-tier afternoon tea set "Kyoto KASANE" (including tax, 4,800 yen), which seemed very Kyoto-like and likely to be appreciated by foreigners. However, as someone who has given up on sweets for over 10 years, I found it quite challenging from the third tier onwards. It's all my own responsibility though. Also, after checking in at the main building, the staff guided me through a beautiful garden to a separate building. The garden was so lovely that I wish I had taken more time to appreciate it. I apologize for this review that may not be very helpful. It's just a personal visit record this time, so please forgive me.

I had high hopes when I entered this place with its great location and stylish storefront, but the service was just terrible. Was there a wedding party happening that day? (It was a weekday in November) I entered without a reservation for just a cafe visit and was led to a dimly lit building where I was told, "You can sit wherever you like." However, the previous customer's dirty dishes were left on the table, and there were cigarette butts in the smoking area... It was a far cry from the elegant cafe experience I had seen on food review websites. The staff didn't even come over unless we raised our voices, and another group of customers who arrived late were also left confused. It seems like this place relies solely on its good location to attract customers. I understand why we were able to get in without waiting during the peak autumn foliage season when Kyoto was extremely crowded.

When it comes to autumn, it's all about the fall foliage, so I visited Kyoto⭐️ After enjoying the autumn leaves at Kiyomizu-dera, I strolled around the area. I felt like going to a cafe, so I ended up here. The grounds were so vast that I didn't know where to enter at first! It's located on the grounds of Akagane Resort Kyoto Higashiyama⭐️ There is a charming building from the Taisho era and a lovely garden✨ We just dropped by, so we had tea in the regular cafe space, but there is a VIP building where you can have afternoon tea with a view of the garden! It seems like you need a reservation to have tea there✨ On our way out, we were shown around the other buildings and the wedding venue on the grounds, which was very enjoyable⭐️ Next time, I would like to try the restaurant or have afternoon tea❤️

The atmosphere seemed nice so I decided to go in. The cafe offers matcha Gâteau Opera and Japanese tea as seen on the entrance sign. The Gâteau Opera is designed to resemble a dry landscape garden, but the dry landscape part on mine seems smaller than in the picture. It's a bit different from what I expected.

In Kyoto's Higashiyama district, there is Akagane Resort Kyoto Higashiyama. The tea shop is located on the left side after entering the entrance. They serve tea brewed in teapots and matcha sweets at salon de KANBAYASHI. I ordered the signature matcha Gâteau Opéra Karesansui (935 yen) and some tea. When the Gâteau Opéra arrived, my wife was a bit disappointed as it didn't look like the one in the menu photos or on social media, and she jokingly said, "This doesn't look like a dry landscape!" That's just how it goes, right? Laugh.

I visited Salon de Kanbayashi Harumatsu Motomachi near Kiyomizu-dera. After passing through a splendid garden, I enjoyed an afternoon tea in a private room. The French-inspired obanzai dishes were served in two tiers, followed by a five-tiered array of desserts including Gateau Opera, Hojicha Tiramisu, and macarons. The taste was exceptional, and the atmosphere was outstanding. This restaurant is perfect for hospitality.

Near the Yasaka Pagoda, there is a tea house called "Uehashi Shunshu Motomoto" that is highly recommended by tea enthusiasts. I made a reservation to enjoy their Afternoon Tea, which is served in a beautiful garden pavilion. The entrance is atmospheric, and after stating my reservation, I was guided through the garden to the pavilion. The traditional Japanese building, with carpeted floors, allows you to keep your shoes on. A non-alcoholic flavored tea cocktail (Wild Berry Hibiscus) is served in a champagne glass. You can enjoy 6 types of tea for 2.5 hours, with samples of tea leaves on the table for you to smell. The tea selection includes black tea, green tea, flavored tea, and herbal tea. The elegant five-tiered bento box contains various sweets reflecting the seasonal beauty of Kyoto. The desserts are a mix of Japanese and Western styles, with surprising elements like grape-flavored water yokan and hojicha tiramisu with sweetened red beans and a hint of salted rice cracker. The chocolate fondue is made with white chocolate and matcha. The tea is also served in a pot, allowing you to enjoy at least 2 cups worth. The service is refined, polite, and gentle. This Afternoon Tea experience is highly recommended, and I suggest you enjoy the world of Uehashi Shunshu Motomoto.

It is truly lamentable. 80% of Japanese tea produced in Japan is for PET bottles. Tea tastes better when brewed in a teapot. It is a waste. Recently, people prefer brewing and drinking coffee. Perhaps because tea is too much trouble. Tea is meant to be enjoyed for its aroma before its taste. However, the aroma in PET bottles is not the original. Even the raw materials for tea may not be domestically produced. They are filled with additives like antioxidants. Such criticisms are becoming quite widespread. In my opinion, "drink with caution." That is PET bottles. Tea is a part of Japanese culture. I hope you can enjoy Japanese tea more casually. The high-quality Gyokuro and Sencha selected by the long-established tea shop, Kamigashi Shunshu Matsumoto, founded 450 years ago in Uji, Kyoto. Please enjoy it by brewing it in a teapot. Along with tea, you can have desserts. Handmade original sweets by a pastry chef. The shop is located near the main gate of Kodai-ji Temple, famous for its drooping cherry blossoms, in the Higashiyama area of Kyoto. As you enter the splendid gate, the cafe on the left is for solo customers. A stylish Japanese-style space. Here, you can casually enjoy Gyokuro and Sencha. According to the instructions on how to drink tea, pour hot water from the pot into a cooling vessel until it reaches about 45°C to 55°C. Put the tea leaves in the teapot. Pour the hot water from the cooling vessel into the teapot and wait for about 1 minute 30 seconds to 3 minutes. Pour it into a tea bowl, making sure to squeeze out every last drop. The first brew has a thick and mellow flavor, while the second brew and beyond offer a smoothness and aroma to enjoy. Increase the water temperature and reduce the waiting time for the second brew onwards. In short, do not be impatient, but enjoy it leisurely like coffee. What I had was Zui Gyoku. Named after ancient Chinese jade. The fragrant aroma spreads in the mouth, leaving a rich aftertaste. Truly, as selected by Kamigashi Shunshu Matsumoto. I deeply feel it. Take a short break with a small sweet. Zui Gyoku - 1,100 yen, sweets - 200 yen.

Afternoon tea at KASANE in Kyoto, inspired by Yasaka Pagoda, is a five-tiered bento box with champagne included. You can have unlimited refills of drinks with different options available. Despite arriving early, we were graciously ushered into a lovely room to wait in style. We started with a toast of champagne and then selected Original Sencha from Kamigyoku Matsunoen to brew ourselves. The contents of the five-tiered bento box were: 1. Karesansui (dry landscape garden) tier with Matcha-scented Gâteau Opéra, creatively presented. 2. Yasaka Pagoda tier with a melt-in-your-mouth Tiramisu scented with roasted green tea. 3. Obanzai (Kyoto-style home cooking) tier with a daily sandwich made with fermented butter croissant and fresh vegetables. 4. Matcha fondue tier with baked goods, Shiratama dango, and seasonal fruits for dipping. 5. Winter tier with a white Mont Blanc, meringue cookies, and a strawberry Santa Claus. The view outside was still autumnal, but it would be even more charming with a snowy backdrop. I opted for a Bombay Chai as my drink refill, which had a delightful spicy kick. I hope to visit again in a different season.

This is a cafe near Yasaka Koshin-do. The cafe is located in a renovated space that used to be a warehouse, on the left side after passing through a splendid gate. Since it was a weekday in February, there were hardly any other customers, and we were told to "choose any seat you like," so we chose a seat on the second floor. My husband, who was not feeling well, ordered a lemon squash, while I ordered an iced roasted green tea latte. The interior of the cafe was comfortably warm, almost a little too warm. After placing our order, our drinks arrived promptly. The lemon squash was refreshing with a mild sweetness, while the iced roasted green tea latte had a lovely roasted green tea aroma and a creamy sweetness from the generous amount of cream. Photography was encouraged, and if you uploaded a photo on Instagram with a specified hashtag, you would receive a 50 yen discount on your bill. We were able to relax for over an hour in a nearly private setting, but since there were no staff around, we couldn't ask for water or order anything else. When it came time to pay, we couldn't find a checkout counter on the first floor, and there were no staff members in sight. We wandered around a bit until my husband suggested that the checkout might be at a stand-like area in front of the gate. We approached the stand outside and asked to pay, and we were directed to the main building. The checkout area had a somewhat upscale feel, and I hesitated about whether it was okay to enter with my shoes on (it was allowed). If this is the payment style they choose, it would be better to have a staff member stay in the cafe space to guide customers or announce it when bringing the items. In my opinion, it could be considered unfriendly not to do so, as some customers might leave without paying. In Kyoto, when you visit traditional Japanese confectionery shops like Toraya or Suetomi, they always provide new banknotes for change, which makes for a pleasant experience. However, the change we received here was quite crumpled, to the point that it made me hesitate to put it in my wallet. It was a bit surprising. Overall, considering the long-established history of the cafe and the unique setting it offers, these two service aspects during payment caught my attention personally. Accessibility for reservations and likelihood of revisiting - Thank you for the meal.

I visited a café called "Jou Rin no Cafe." I enjoy tea, so I was looking forward to it. The taste was average. The atmosphere of the shop is very calming and nice. There are some feelings that I can't write about here. It's just my personal feelings. I don't think I'll go back again.

After enjoying the autumn leaves at Toji Temple, I stumbled upon a lovely cafe while strolling through the streets of Gion, called "Salon de KANBAYASHI". Located in Gion Shijo, Kyoto, this cafe owned by Harumatsu Kanbayashi is housed in a renovated warehouse from the Taisho era, exuding a charming traditional Japanese atmosphere. The Kanbayashi main store in Uji is a long-standing tea house with a history of 450 years. During the Muromachi period, Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu established tea gardens in Uji known as the "Uji Seven Famous Tea Gardens", which contributed to the development of Uji tea. In the late 14th century, the Kanbayashi family flourished as prominent tea masters, gaining favor from influential figures such as the Toyotomi and Tokugawa families during the transition to the Sengoku period. In the Edo period, they were bestowed the highest rank of tea master, "Gomotsu Ochashi", and appointed as Uji governors and tea headmasters, overseeing Uji tea production. Despite many tea masters closing their businesses after the Meiji Restoration, the Kanbayashi main store continued by embracing the newly developed "Gyokuro" instead of being tied to the traditional "Matcha" enjoyed by a select few like the Shogun and Daimyo. They attracted new tea enthusiasts, including the Tokugawa and Toyotomi families, ensuring their survival. Today, as descendants of Uji tea masters, the 14th generation Harumatsu Kanbayashi continues to uphold the experiences and traditions passed down, contributing to the advancement of Uji tea and Japanese tea culture by incorporating innovative methods. In recent years, they have even collaborated with Coca-Cola to sell the bottled tea "Ayataka", known for its high quality and traditional taste. The cafe offers a variety of Japanese tea-themed sweets, including sweet potato chiffon cake, hojicha ice cream, and original Mont Blanc with matcha dacquoise. Their Gyokuro tea, "Zui Gyoku", is named after the round shape of the droplets that spill from the teapot. It offers a rich flavor on the first steeping and a mellow aroma on subsequent steepings, allowing for different taste experiences. The sweets trio platter, especially the sweet potato chiffon cake, was delightful with its rustic flavor. The Mont Blanc was light and delicious. Despite the bustling streets outside, the cafe exudes a serene atmosphere, with a subtle elegance that blends Japanese and Nordic styles. It was a truly Kyoto-esque, sophisticated Japanese cafe experience. Delicious indeed!