Visited Myoshinji Taizo-in for sightseeing and lunch set. Had a bamboo lunch box which was visually appealing with a variety of items inside. It came with yudofu, chawanmushi, rice, pickles, clear soup, and dessert. The taste was average. There are few dining options near Myoshinji, so many group tourists and visitors before or after ceremonies were seen having lunch. It took a while for the food to be served to every table. Overall, it was neither good nor bad, just average.

Now, for the third stop on our anniversary restaurant tour, we decided to try this place. It was actually our first time here, but we wanted to end the night with some Japanese cuisine, so we chose Matsukado. I had heard of this place before, but for some reason, I had never been. It's a restaurant located inside the Hanazono Kaikan, which is a lodging facility affiliated with Myoshinji Temple. We visited on a Saturday night, but there were no other customers there. It may have been a bit early, but still, no one else came in during our meal. We opted for the Matsukado Bento for 2,200 yen, which seemed reasonably priced. The contents included simmered dishes, sashimi, tempura, assorted side dishes, rice, red miso soup, and chawanmushi. As for the taste, the only standout was the fresh yuba sashimi. The broth used in the simmered dishes had a commercial taste, similar to what you might find in a chain restaurant, making it a bit challenging for a traditional Japanese restaurant. There was a noticeable inconsistency in the flavors, with some dishes being too strong and others too bland for our liking. The tempura shrimp was quite thin and lacked flavor, resembling frozen supermarket shrimp. Overall, it was a bit of a letdown, despite hoping for a good ending to our anniversary celebration. Rating: 2.8

I had breakfast with morning porridge at Hanagokoro on the 1st floor of Hanazono Kaikan. The morning porridge is delicious with miso, nori, and simmered vegetables, but it is also tasty on its own. The clean water and the perfect heat of the earthen pot must be the key. The tofu was heated slowly and served with dashi, which enhanced the flavor of the soybeans. Other options like yuba, salmon, and konjac were also delicious. I enjoyed a variety of tasty breakfast options at Hanagokoro.

On the third day of the Trapitour in Kyoto, lunch was included at a tranquil hotel run by the Myoshinji Temple, with a traditional Japanese dance performance by Maiko-san. The venue was a Kyoto cuisine specialty restaurant called "Hanagokoro" within the accommodation facility. The restaurant had a mix of table and tatami seating, and we were guided to the tatami area. Upon entering, we saw several monks dining in their robes. The meal consisted of a bamboo basket set meal (priced at 3300 yen) with tempura, sashimi, sesame tofu, yuba, simmered dish, rice, and pickles. After starting the meal, we were served chawanmushi and red miso soup. Although the tempura was cold, we appreciated the meal as it was the last one using the GOTO Travel discount. After dining, we were supposed to watch Maiko-san perform, but there was a mix-up, and the real Maiko-san arrived an hour late from Miyagawacho. Even though the music was pre-recorded, she performed the dance beautifully, and we also received a gift from the venue as an apology. Everyone was satisfied, and we headed back to the bus for our return journey to Shin-Osaka Station.

I finally got to see the Salasouju at Tohri-in, which I had wanted to visit for many years. After walking in the hot weather and feeling tired, I was hungry but it was too hot to eat much. So, I decided to go to this restaurant inside a nearby hotel. I shared the Matsukado and Zaru Soba. The Matsukado included sashimi, tempura, simmered dish, rice, miso soup, and pickles. It was nice to be able to taste a variety of dishes. There wasn't anything particularly special, but the food was light and easy to eat even on a hot day. It wasn't too rich, but not too light either, overall it had an elegant feel. The restaurant was calm and sophisticated, fitting for being inside a hotel.

JR Hanazono, Arashiyama Dentetsu Kitano Line, next to Myoshinji Temple, is a dining place located on the first floor of Hotel Hanazono Kaikan. I stayed at this Hanazono Kaikan four years ago and this restaurant was where I had breakfast! I remember that the atmosphere was good and the food was delicious. This time, my daughter and I came to see the special visit at Omuro Ninnaji Temple. Before that, we were overwhelmed and moved by the cloud dragon painting at Myoshinji Temple, and then came here for lunch! Although there were many group tourists entering the restaurant, they were separated from the general customers at the back, so there was no noise from the group. We were guided to a calm table for four, and we ordered the Kyoto Makizan for 1870 yen including tax, which includes rolled omelet, tempura, sashimi, small side dishes, red miso soup, and pickles. The rolled omelet was fluffy and soft with a savory broth, and the tempura was crispy. The variety of side dishes made us very happy with the meal. The atmosphere of the restaurant was also nice, and we were able to enjoy our meal comfortably. After this, we will head to the Taizo-in Temple within Myoshinji Temple. Thank you for the meal~

I had dinner at Hanagokoro at the Hanazono Kaikan within the precincts of Myoshinji Temple. I participated in a special evening visit event called "Fundo no Akari ni Sasomu Kai" held every autumn at Tohroin of Myoshinji Temple, which included a visit and meal set. I had assumed that it would be a vegetarian meal, but it turned out to be a meal centered around matsutake mushrooms. I didn't ask where the matsutake mushrooms were sourced from as it would be rude considering the price, but I couldn't help but smile at the sudden presence of matsutake mushrooms. It was the first matsutake of the season. In addition to matsutake hot pot, steamed matsutake, and matsutake rice, there were also sashimi and grilled dishes, making it a very satisfying meal. While the aroma of matsutake wasn't as strong as expected, I still enjoyed it. The simmered dish, chawanmushi, and hot pot were all delicately seasoned and meticulously prepared, making them very delicious. The "Fundo no Akari ni Sasomu Kai" event wasn't in the best condition due to the rain, but it was nice to have a relaxing time surrounded only by the gentle light of flickering flames instead of electric lights.

Myozen-ji Temple operates a hotel called Hanazono Kaikan, where groups also seem to use the restaurant. They offer udon and soba noodles, but I decided to try the Shojin course meal. It had a variety of small dishes, which made the meal enjoyable.

Inside the Hanazono Kaikan, there is a Japanese restaurant serving Yuba tofu with grated yam sauce over rice. Since I couldn't go to Toyokake Chaya in front of Kitano Tenmangu Shrine this time, I tried something similar. It seems that it is necessary to wait in a long line at Toyokake Chaya after all.

I chose Hanazono Kaikan for the second half of the weekend training set. It is a hotel owned by Myoshinji Temple. I stayed at a hotel with dinner and breakfast included after a long time. Moreover, I am looking forward to the vegetarian cuisine for dinner. The dinner on the first day was mainly a hot pot with nama-fu (wheat gluten). The photos show everything. Vegetarian cuisine seems to be good for health, but the portion is a bit small. Also, it doesn't really feel like a good match for alcohol. So, I ordered an additional dish of nama-fu dengaku to go with my chu-hi. The dinner on the second day was a hot pot without nama-fu. Again, the photos show everything. I was worried about what to do if the same dishes were served on the second day, but it turned out to be unnecessary worry. It's a ryokan after all. I will also share the breakfast. The breakfast comes in a solid container. The contents are quite traditional breakfast items, but there was a slight difference in the dishes served on the two days. Also, there was a small pot included, with soy milk to make tofu on the first day and yudofu on the second day. This kind of consideration adds to the travel experience. However, to be honest, there are a couple of issues for me with the vegetarian dinner. First, it doesn't really go well with alcohol. Second, the portion is definitely small. So, to make up for this, I went out for a bit on both the first and second days. I will write about that later.

Located on the first floor of the Hana Garden Hall at Myoshinji Temple's Japanese-style hotel, this restaurant offers a variety of Kyoto-style dishes, from casual noodle dishes to traditional Kyoto cuisine. The restaurant caters to both visitors and guests staying at the hotel, with a range of options including Kyoto-style set meals starting at 2000 yen and kaiseki meals starting at around 5000 yen. I enjoyed a colorful noodle set today, which included three types of chilled noodles, steamed sushi, and fried tofu for 1404 yen. The noodles were perfectly cooked and delicious. The restaurant also offers counter seating for solo diners, as well as table seating and traditional Japanese rooms for groups. It is open for dinner as well, serving a variety of dishes and drinks. However, be aware that the restaurant is located next to the Myoshinji Temple group bus parking lot, so depending on the number of group guests, there may be a wait for your order. It is recommended to make a reservation for large groups. Some customers were seen complaining about not receiving all the items they ordered. There are also small traditional Kyoto cuisine restaurants around Myoshinji Temple, so the choice between them depends on your preference.

I won tickets to the Kyoto Movie Village through a local mini-magazine contest, so I stayed at a temple hotel and visited the village early the next day. I was a bit worried about staying at a temple, but the hotel turned out to be very nice. For dinner, I had a Kyoto kaiseki meal, not shojin cuisine. The first course was purple sweet potato tofu, followed by tuna sashimi and yuba. The hot pot with tofu was delicious with Kyoto seven spices. The simmered turnip with minced meat sauce was tasty, and the tempura with cod and vegetables, especially the Kyoto sweet potato, was delicious. The meal also included chestnut rice and Kyoto pickles. For dessert, I had grape jelly with pear and persimmon toppings. The Kyoto kaiseki meal was full of seasonal flavors and very enjoyable. Breakfast was a hearty traditional Japanese meal with a beautifully designed bento box featuring a dragon motif. The gentle flavors of the meticulously prepared dishes, including dashimaki tamago and grilled salmon, were delicious. The iron pot contained homemade tofu. Overall, the breakfast was delicious.

During my trip to Kyoto, I stayed at a temple lodging. The theme of this trip was to "hear the New Year's Eve bell," and I wanted to hear it without having to travel far. So, I decided to stay at Hanazono Kaikan, a temple lodging affiliated with Myoshinji Temple. Staying at a temple lodging may sound intimidating to those who have never done it before, but in reality, it's not much different from staying at a regular ryokan. In fact, the service and food are often considered part of the monks' training, so you can expect heartfelt hospitality and well-prepared meals. Surprisingly, the accommodation fee was very reasonable, with only a slight increase for the New Year's special rate. The facilities were also modern and comfortable, with amenities like a washlet toilet and automatic door locks. The only downside was having to make your own futon. Hanazono Kaikan also offers free parking for guests, making it convenient for sightseeing in Kyoto. The location is close to JR Hanazono Station and Myoshinji Station, providing easy access to Arashiyama and other attractions. For dinner, I opted for a Kyoto-style kaiseki meal, which was delicious and satisfying. The next morning, I enjoyed a traditional New Year's breakfast of osechi and ozoni. After breakfast, there was a mochi pounding event in the lobby, where I got to taste freshly made mochi and zenzai. Overall, I highly recommend staying at a temple lodging for a unique and memorable experience. Just make sure to book early, as these accommodations tend to fill up quickly, especially during popular times like New Year's Eve. Unfortunately, I fell asleep and missed hearing the New Year's Eve bell at Myoshinji Temple, which is known for its historic bell that is a national treasure.

Near Myoshin-ji Temple, there is a restaurant located inside Hanazono Kaikan that is bustling with visitors and people returning from religious ceremonies. In addition to shojin cuisine, they also offer a variety of other menu items. We ordered a bento box called "Takekago Bento" for 2,280 yen per person, which came in a traditional Kyoto-style container. The presentation was beautiful and seasonal, with a decent portion size including tempura. The bento box also included sashimi, but the focus was on vegetables, making it quite healthy.

There is a special opening of non-public cultural properties at Myoshinji Temple, and I visited the Hōmei-in and Sanmon. If you collect three stamps each time you visit the special opening, you can receive a benefit where you can enjoy tea or sweets for free at designated shops. In pursuit of this benefit, I went to Hanazono Kaikan located next to the south side of Myoshinji Temple. I initially planned to just have the complimentary tea at the Japanese restaurant on the first floor of the hotel. However, after looking at the menu, I felt like having a meal. It didn't feel right to just have tea and leave without paying anything. Besides lunch menu items like udon, there were also a variety of appetizers available. I was impressed by the unique menu item called "yuba toro don" priced at 1200 yen, and I quickly decided to order it. Of course, I also ordered the complimentary tea. I thought it would just be a bowl of rice and miso soup, but it turned out to be a small set. The bowl seemed to have plenty of finely chopped yuba in the grated yam. They instructed me to pour the dashi soy sauce over the bowl, starting from the wasabi on top. The texture of the sticky grated yam combined with the yuba was very elegant and delicious. The side dishes of deep-fried tofu, kinpira, and red miso soup were also well-prepared. The pickled vegetables were tasty, and they paired perfectly with the grated yam rice. The matcha tea was decent, and the sweets were not too sweet and delicious. The service level of the staff felt more like a soba restaurant in a corner of a temple town rather than a hotel dining establishment.

I had a very rare experience of enjoying shojin cuisine, something I rarely get the chance to do. It was a unique experience, reminiscent of my stays at Motsuji Temple in Hiraizumi, Iwate, and a temple lodging in Koyasan. What made this experience even more special was the fact that it took place in the private "hojo" of Taizo-in, a sub-temple of Myoshinji in Kyoto. This opportunity was made possible through negotiations by a Kyoto industry group at a certain event. The cuisine was prepared by Hanagokoro, a long-established Kyoto restaurant specializing in Kyoto cuisine and sweets. Shojin cuisine, born from Buddhist precepts that prohibit killing, is limited to ingredients such as grains, vegetables, buds, and nuts. This limitation poses a challenge in presenting these ingredients beautifully and deliciously. While I appreciated the effort put into the meal, I couldn't help but feel that there were limitations in terms of flavor and variety. The dishes included thick slices of fresh yuba served as sashimi, miso-marinated rice eggplant, seaweed stew (possibly made with finely chopped kombu), tofu hot pot, simmered daikon with a topping of sukiyaki-like ingredients, and simmered lotus root. Each dish was well-prepared and delicious on its own, but as a whole...

Located within the Myoshinji Temple, Hanagokoro has a calm Kyoto-like atmosphere that I love. While enjoying the shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine) at the Myoshinji sub-temple, it is also nice to be able to casually drop by Hanagokoro anytime. You can park your car in the adjacent parking lot, have a meal at Hanagokoro, and then explore the Myoshinji Temple. The dishes are seasoned with a Kyoto-like taste, with a variety of colorful menu options. Hanagokoro is also very convenient for family gatherings or large groups. For those staying overnight from out of town, the Hanazono Kaikan offers affordable accommodation. Its location is close to Arashiyama and other famous spots, making it a recommended choice for budget-conscious tourists. Of course, guests staying overnight can also have breakfast at Hanagokoro.

We used the restaurant for a family gathering during a memorial service. This was our second visit. Last time we just had tempura udon for a regular lunch, but this time we had a leisurely kaiseki meal in a private room for 3,675 yen (tax included). I don't usually have kaiseki meals, but both dishes were carefully prepared, light, easy to eat, and vegetable-based, making them healthy. I was impressed by the elegant seasoning. The atmosphere was calm and quiet, perfect for a peaceful meal after visiting the temple. The restaurant is not too formal, so you can feel at ease. It is located within the spacious grounds of Myoshinji Temple, almost like a small town, and I also enjoy taking a stroll before or after the meal.

I visited Hanakago on my way back from Myoshinji Temple as it was next to the parking lot. I was undecided between having a shojin (Buddhist vegetarian) meal or the Hanakago set meal. In the end, I ordered the Hanakago set meal for 2,200 yen, which included tempura, sashimi, mountain vegetable rice, sesame tofu, and more. I didn't have high expectations, but the sashimi was fresh and the rice was delicious. The kimpira and simmered dishes were a bit strong in flavor, but overall, it was tasty. The children's set meal included chirashi sushi, udon, shrimp tempura, and 2 cream croquettes for 1,000 yen. The chirashi sushi was delicious.