The name of the shop is "Kouroan," which means good tea mentioned in the "Kissa Yojoki" compiled by Saicho, the founder of the Rinzai sect. It is a specialty tea shop near the head temple of the Rinzai sect Daitoku-ji. The shop has an impressive exterior with grass and blinds, and upon entering, there is a retail area in the front and a cafe with two tea rooms in the back. Only one group is allowed in each room, providing a high-quality private space to enjoy tea on tatami mats. The menu mainly features Uji tea, but also offers teas from various regions across Japan. For around 2000 yen, you can enjoy a tea course that includes a tasting of two types of tea, Japanese sweets, dried fruits, and ice cream. After receiving a lecture on the characteristics and brewing methods of the tea, you can enjoy the tea and the atmosphere as you please. Boil the water at increasing temperatures and brew the same brand multiple times to savor the taste. It is truly a charming space and time. Amidst the distant sound of cicadas, you can spend a little over an hour escaping the heat of midsummer. It is a space that embodies the Kyoto of yesteryear that one has always longed for.

A tea house where you can enjoy a private room with a focus on Uji tea, freshly ground matcha, home-grown gyokuro, and sencha. You can even try hand-picked gyokuro, which is now difficult to find due to its limited production. The deep flavor that spreads in your mouth when you take a sip will make you doubt if this is really tea. The "Gyokuro and Sencha Set" is recommended. You can choose one type of gyokuro and sencha each, along with snacks, sweets, and Daikokuji Natto. You can even choose the premium hand-picked gyokuro mentioned earlier, called "Reihou".

After exploring Daikaku-ji Temple and leaving the temple, I came across this shop in my sight. The outdoor signboard mentioned that they also have matcha soft serve ice cream, so I went into the shop right away. The matcha soft serve ice cream seemed to be for takeout, so I paid and sat on a chair outside the shop to enjoy it. It was delicious!

In front of Daikakuji Temple Tamurin-in, you can enjoy authentic Uji tea (matcha, hojicha, sencha, etc.) and purchase tea ceremony utensils, as well as additive-free baked goods from Sakusaku Workshop. This time, I visited seeking the "Kochou" tea, which is grown without chemical fertilizers or pesticides. In Kyoto, where it's common to casually enjoy a light tea (usucha) with relatives or neighbors, many households may have it ready. Even without formal training, as long as you have a tea whisk, tea bowl, matcha, and traditional sweets, you can leisurely enjoy a quiet moment, even by yourself. Some products are available for online purchase. (Tea picking season products are available online only)

There is a tea house near the reopened Kodai-ji sub-temple, Takagi-in, across from Gyoryuin and Tamurin-in. It is a rare find to enjoy matcha in the vicinity of Kodai-ji, but you can try it at Daizen-in, Lemon-kan, or a bit further away. At this tea house, you can compare light and thick matcha, experience grinding matcha, and even take part in tea ceremonies in the style of the Mushanokoji family and the Edo Senke school. They sell pesticide-free Uji sencha and matcha, as well as tea bowls with Torigenjiga design. On sunny days, you can also enjoy matcha and matcha soft serve under the light. I tried their matcha this time, along with some snacks and the Kodai-ji natto, created by the key figure in the restoration of Kodai-ji, the monk Ikkyu. The matcha was prepared in the Urasenke style, with a rich flavor and minimal foam. I savored the delicious matcha amidst the sounds of birds and the wind, enjoying a leisurely moment.

I have never had thick tea before, and when I was young, I thought matcha was the same as thin tea. As a matcha lover, I always wanted to try real thick tea, so I had been looking forward to visiting this shop for a long time after learning about its existence. Finally, my wish came true and I made my first visit here. I took a taxi from Kyoto Station towards Daikaku-ji, and after a ride of about 3000 yen, I arrived at the shop. It was a busy time during spring break and cherry blossom season, with crowds of people around Kyoto Station and tourist spots. However, the atmosphere in this shop was very quiet and felt like a different world. Upon entering the shop, the owner guided us to a tatami room where there was a charcoal brazier and an iron kettle. I was shown the menu, which included a tea tasting set for comparing thick and thin tea. This unique experience made it an easy choice for me to choose the tea tasting set. The tea tasting set included 4 types of thick tea (Kirihitsu, Ichifuku, Yuugiri) and 4 types of thin tea (Kenzan, Hatsune, Hananoen, Kochou), along with various sweets such as fresh sweets, dried sweets, Daikaku-ji natto, and matcha ice cream. We originally ordered the tea tasting set for two people, but the owner kindly allowed us to try all 8 types of tea. In addition, we were served the most premium matcha "Mujou" specially, and the owner even changed the ice cream to matcha soft serve for us. The owner first prepared the "Mujou" thick tea for us, followed by a tasting of thick tea and then thin tea. After explaining the proper way to prepare and taste the tea, we were able to enjoy making and drinking our own matcha. It was a luxurious experience, and I was truly amazed by the differences in taste and aroma of each tea. The deliciousness of "Mujou" stood out among all the teas. The difference between the owner's expertly prepared thin tea and my own thin tea was also surprising. Each sweet, including the fresh sweets and dried sweets, was delicious, and the Daikaku-ji natto was a unique and flavorful experience. I had never tried it before, and it was like a concentrated miso flavor. The owner also shared the history and background of the natto, which was very informative. Lastly, the matcha soft serve we had was rich and creamy, with a strong matcha flavor that was very enjoyable. It came in a waffle cone and was quite filling. As you can see from the amount of sweets in the photo, the tea and sweets were quite substantial, and I had to skip lunch that day due to my stomach's capacity (laughs). This shop is definitely worth visiting, even if it's a bit far. I would love to revisit when I'm in Kyoto again.

This is my second visit to Daikakuji in Kyoto! I had lunch at "Inakatei" in Demachiyanagi, took a bus to visit Daikakuji and its sub-temple Shingetsuan. Daikakuji is usually not open to the public, but special viewings are held every year. Shingetsuan is normally closed to the public, but this time it was a special viewing after 7 or 8 years, which is very precious! Due to the restoration of the wall paintings, 8 panels were removed, leaving the place looking empty. In response to this, the chief priest consulted with the manga artist Kenichi Kitami, famous for "Tsuribaka Nisshi," and modern-style sliding door paintings were created. Works by the author of NHK's E-tele "Otona no Ikkyu-san" and 5 other artists were also displayed. There was even one modeled after the group EXILE, which was actually drawn at this location. It was interesting to see the change from the traditional paintings by Hasegawa Togyu for over 400 years. After the tour, I relaxed at this shop. As soon as you enter, you can smell the pleasant scent of tea. Most of the matcha served in Daikakuji's sub-temples comes from this shop. I was led to the same room as last time, where I had Gyokuro before, but this time I had "Two Types of Tea for 1620 yen," featuring Uji Tamaryokucha and Murasakino Matcha. The teapot was heated, and the Gyokuro was brewed when the steam disappeared. The matcha was whisked vigorously in hot water. It's difficult to create fine, frothy bubbles when whisking matcha! It takes practice. With plenty of tea leaves and matcha, you can enjoy Japanese tea to the fullest. Sweets, fresh sweets, dried sweets, and Daikakuji natto are served with the tea for a delightful experience. This is a great shop for Japanese tea lovers to visit when in Daikakuji! Thank you for the meal~

In the rainy autumn at Daikakuji Temple, I went in search of tea. The first cup of tea was prepared for me. What surprised me the most was the Daikakuji natto. Its intense flavor made me crave sake more than tea.

I had Uji Sencha and Matcha (Kiritsubo) and they were delicious. Good tea has a hint of sweetness. The Matcha had no unpleasant bitterness and was very tasty. It cost a little over 3000 yen, but it came with five different tea sweets. The tea is made from tea leaves grown in Uji, and if you ask, they will show you how the tea leaves are harvested and how they are processed into sencha or matcha using an iPad in a picture-story show style.

☆ I visited Imamiya Shrine and the area around Daitokuji at the end of October, which was still too early for autumn leaves. I worshipped at Imamiya Shrine, enjoyed grilled mochi, visited three sub-temples of Daitokuji, had matcha and sweets, and then went to this restaurant. Daitokuji has strong connections with tea masters like Sen no Rikyu, Oda Nobunaga, and Toyotomi Hideyoshi. This restaurant is located in front of Kotoin in Daitokuji. Coming to Daitokuji, visiting this restaurant was one of my main goals. I also wanted to visit Kotoin, but unfortunately, it is closed for repairs until next year. Upon entering the restaurant with its charming white noren curtains, you are guided to a room. There are several rooms, and groups are seated separately, but when it's busy, you may be seated with others. Since there were no other customers that day, I was able to enjoy a spacious room by myself. From the various tea menu options, I chose the "Uji Gyokuro Tsuki no Hikari with sweets for 1300 yen including tax." First, they prepare the tea by lighting a fire, warming the teapot, and carefully brewing the tea. The first cup is served by the staff, and from the second cup onwards, you can brew it yourself following their instructions. The sweets are elegantly arranged on a tray, offering a variety of flavors to enjoy. With plenty of hot water, tea leaves, sweets, and a serene atmosphere, it was a delightful experience. Time passed slowly, allowing me to forget the busyness of everyday life and relax. Facing the tea, taking the time to enjoy it, and having such moments occasionally is also wonderful. Thank you for the lovely experience!

Here is a somewhat unusual tea shop and cafe that cultivates and sells tea leaves on their own. They have their own tea fields in Uji and have been certified as an "Uji Tea Cafe" by the Uji Tea Village Development Council. In Kyoto city, there are around 10 certified cafes, including Marukyu Koyamaen Nishikirin-in Store, Ippodo Salon Kyoto, and Otaien Tea Shop. This particular cafe not only serves tea and sweets but also offers various tea tasting experiences and matcha grinding experiences. On this day, I tried a tea tasting experience instead of having lunch. You can choose your tea from a menu and receive advice on whether to have it strong or weak. The owner prepares the tea initially but then allows you to adjust it to your liking. It's interesting to compare the sweetness, aroma, and color of the different teas. The owner also explains the process of how tea leaves are turned into matcha, showing images and passionately discussing each step. The tea leaves have names inspired by The Tale of Genji, which was a delightful touch. The sweets paired with the tea were from Funaya Akizuki. As a palate cleanser, they included three grains of Daikokuji Natto, which was a nice local touch. It was a very enjoyable experience.

I stopped by during lunchtime on the day of Obon. Heading north on Kitaoji Street in front of Kenkon Shrine, towards the Daikakuji Temple grounds on the east side. There used to be long lines before, but since it was Obon, it was surprisingly empty. Inside, the gentle shop owner welcomed me to a spacious tatami room, even though I was alone. There was another pair of foreigners in the back, it seems like each group gets their own room if it's not crowded. The menu was very unique with 6 types of matcha alone, as well as Gyokuro, Sencha, Hojicha, and Japanese black tea. I was surprised to see that they even offered Tencha that you can brew in a kyusu. This time, I ordered the "Pesticide-Free Uji Sencha" for 1,080 yen including tax. First, they lit charcoal in a brazier, boiled water in an iron kettle, and the owner explained while brewing the first infusion. I learned interesting things like the difference in taste between Shizuoka and Uji. The refreshing sweetness of the new tea was perfect. When I finished, they brought out sweets like matcha ice cream, monaka, dried sweets, and Daikakuji natto. They even brought out extra tea leaves. I highly recommend it for tea lovers. It's either this place or the hospitality in Osaka, but this is my favorite. It was delicious. Thank you for the meal.

The owner of the shop grows tea in Uji-Tawara town, the birthplace of Japanese tea, and brews it with charcoal and an iron kettle, offering all-you-can-drink matcha. You can enjoy a tasting of 6 types of matcha, try grinding matcha, experience matcha production, and even try a tea ceremony at the Uji tea cafe "Koruan" located right next to Kodai-ji Temple in the Daikokuji Temple grounds. They are closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and take a break for the month of May due to tea leaf picking season. Aside from Kyoto's black tea (from a neighboring farm), all the tea served is grown by the shop owner. It's a luxurious experience to relax in the tearoom, sipping matcha while gazing at the garden. The elegant Japanese sweets and the refreshing plum paste add a nice touch to the experience. The shop is certified as a Uji tea cafe, and until the end of November, they are running a stamp rally. I would like to visit next time to try the ground tea, the raw material for matcha.

When I visited Daikakuji, I found this shop and decided to stop by for a break. The interior of the shop is traditional with tatami mats, and it has a sophisticated atmosphere. It didn't seem like they turned away first-time customers, but it might not be easy for someone without tea knowledge to enter smoothly. Fortunately, my mother-in-law has experience in tea ceremony, so I was able to enjoy conversations with the shop owner. My mother-in-law ordered the Hatsune matcha (1500 yen) and I ordered the Yamashiro Kyoto-grown black tea (980 yen). The matcha is prepared by the shop owner for the first serving, but for the second serving and onwards, you can prepare it yourself using the matcha powder provided. It may be a good deal for those who enjoy having matcha prepared for them. The black tea was served in a pot, enough for about two cups. Each tea came with a sweet treat. My black tea came with matcha ice cream, which was lightly sweet and refreshing. The bitterness of the matcha was mellow, and even my daughter enjoyed it. Since we were the only customers, the staff kindly entertained my daughter, allowing us to relax and enjoy our time. There was also a tea sales area at the entrance, and my mother-in-law purchased matcha for home use. The shop owner was friendly, and it was a lovely shop overall, but I still felt a bit intimidated by the formal atmosphere. It was a bit too high-class for a novice like me.

This is a tea house in front of Daikokuji Gyokurin-in. Looking at the menu, prices for matcha, sencha, and black tea start at around 1000 yen. Although the prices seem reasonable for proper tea, I always passed by because I was busy. However, this time, I noticed a sign for "homemade matcha soft serve ice cream." It was nearly 40 degrees outside. I decided to enter. Inside, there were various teas lined up. There was a tatami room in the back, which reminded me of my grandmother's ancestral home. It felt too calming, like visiting a distant relative's house rather than a tea shop. The register was immediately to the right of the entrance, and you could see a tea workshop in the back. The soft serve ice cream was not overly sweet like typical vanilla ice cream, but refreshing and light, with a rich tea flavor. I was told that they put effort into enhancing the flavor of the delicious matcha, such as Hatsune. Although I could have eaten more, they only had 15 servings per day. During weekdays, they switch from matcha soft serve to black tea soft serve, which also sounds delicious. I didn't have time to enjoy tea there, so I bought some tea leaves to brew at home. Next time I have some free time, I would like to relax and enjoy tea here.