Hidden cafe in Takao, a famous spot for autumn leaves in Kyoto, where you can enjoy game meat dishes and vegan/vegetarian cuisine. The game meat set includes deer meat hamburger (with tomato sauce), iron-rich & locally sourced vegetable salad (with vinegar dressing), two side dishes, clear soup, rice ball with brown rice, and homemade bran pickles. The deer meat is lean and tender without any gamey taste, and it pairs perfectly with the tomato sauce. The salad is steamed vegetables packed with nutrients, complemented by the vinegar dressing. The clear soup is made using only shiitake mushrooms, onions, carrots, and salt, boiled for an hour for a delicious broth. The vegan side dishes are seasoned with vegan condiments and homemade fermented seasonings, offering a gentle and unique flavor. The rice ball is made with soybeans and black rice for a chewy and tasty experience. The vegetarian set includes non-fried croquettes coated with breadcrumbs made from homemade rice flour bread (without eggs), filled with delicious potato flavor. The soy milk chiffon cake with strawberry sauce is fluffy and moist, with the soy milk cream adding a gentle touch. The rich chocolate cake is decadent but not overly sweet, reminiscent of fondant chocolate. Enjoy organic coffee with a matcha cookie. In summary, this cafe in Takao offers healthy and delicious dishes and desserts made with carefully selected ingredients, all while enjoying the view of the green mountains. The lovely owners also share insightful stories about the food they serve.

After leaving the Kangoji Temple, we headed to the Ippuku Cafe for lunch, which we had made a reservation for in advance. The cafe focuses on serving "vibrant meals" that value traditional Japanese cuisine. Located on a small road up from the bus route 162 (Shuzan Kaido), it seems like a place you might stumble upon rather than easily find. We entered from the Maki-no-O bus stop next to the cafe, avoiding any confusion. The exterior of the cafe was understated, with a subtle sign. The interior felt like visiting a relative's house after a long time. The menu was quite varied, with the game dish set for 1,450 yen that I ordered, and the vegetarian special set for 3,800 yen that my companion ordered. While some dishes and ingredients were shared, everything felt healthy overall. The most memorable was the game deer meat, which was in the form of a hamburger. It had a unique punch to it, with a slight gamey taste, but I found it delicious. For dessert, we had a dessert platter for 550 yen, organic bean iced coffee for 500 yen, and organic soy milk tea for 550 yen. The coffee was rich and flavorful, but I felt the water quality might have played a role. Despite the somewhat high prices, we enjoyed a healthy and tasty lunch that we don't often have the chance to experience.

I visited a cafe near Kaohsiung to enjoy some temple hopping. When I called the cafe, there was no answer, but they called me back and kindly agreed to open for me even though it was past their lunch hours. The cafe was located in a cozy house with a lovely interior. They offered allergy-friendly cakes made with natural ingredients and rice flour. The rice flour cake was fluffy and not too sweet, making it a delicious and gentle treat for the body. I look forward to visiting again for lunch next time.