Vegan
Vegetarian food (Shojin Ryori) located inside Sogen Garden of the Tenryu-ji temple, Arashiyama. Garden admission fee is 500 Yen. Address in Japanese: 京都府京都市右京区嵯峨天龍寺芒ノ馬場68. Open Mon-Sun 11:00am-2:00pm.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
-
Loading...
-
- Reservations required
-
-
Last update on 08 Oct 2014 by Guest
Update business info -
Are you the owner?
Claim this business
-
-
77 Reviews
First Review by backpasher
hotmilk993
Points +452
Great food but hectic environment - Edit
The restaurant is located inside the Tenryuji Temple complex which is swarmed with tourists (you need to pay garden entrance to reach the restaurant, but it’s cheap and the garden is nice). The restaurant itself has a bit of a theme park restaurant vibe as a result. I think there are some private rooms but most people sit in large rooms (like a dining hall) where you are very close to other parties.
Read moreWe got the cheapest menu and it was very filling, so don’t worry about that when selecting your course!
Reserve in advance.
Guest
Ebsveg
Points +2471
Unique experience - Edit
Honestly this is a 10/10 experience that I really recommend to anyone if they can go. Food wise maybe more so 8/10. I loved half the dishes, liked a quarter and wasn't super fond of the last quarter but that's why I liked about the experience. You get to try such a variety and between all 3 of us we all loved different dishes which I loved.
Read moreAlthough the sign outside said fully booked we walked in at opening and they said there was space, so if it says fully booked i think just try and see if there is space. It is pricey and you do have to pay entry to the garden (500 yen) but it was such an amazing experience I think it's really worth doing.
Guest
cheerfulgoat
Points +263
Very disappointing - Edit
Was so excited to try this place and yet it wound up being both our worst and most expensive meal. It’s very much a texture experience and not one I liked. My group of four had three haters and one “it was fine.” I’ve had temple food a few times now and this was by far the least appetizing. The experience itself was nice though.
Read morePros: Quite a bit of food, Nice atmosphere eating in rows with everyone else
Cons: Did not enjoy the food, Expensive
Guest
jollieduck
Points +2419
A sublime experience - Edit
A delightful and delicious vegan spread inside of a UNESCO world cultural site. I really enjoyed the experience, although and not completely sure about the composition of everything that I ate as there were no explanations for the set menu. I ordered the smallest option at 3,300 Yen and it was more than enough food.
Read moreEveryone sits on the ground in a long row, facing another row of diners. I was happy to be on the end to get an oblique view of the gardens outside.
They were fully booked for the day when I arrived, so I’m glad I had made a reservation before my trip.
Updated from previous review on 2023-03-19
Guest
lulu-c
Points +156
I don’t know what half of the dishes actually were but they were good - Edit
Took several non-vegan friends here and everyone came out impressed. Note, we got the smallest course number and we were all incredibly full when we walked out. Highlights were the best tofu I’ve ever had, a delicious soup, broccoli in wasabi sauce, and daifuku dessert. The atmosphere and views are really pleasant too.
Read moreGuest
Outshine5610
Points +12
Expensive but quality food - Edit
Unique food. Great experience. Last order was at 2:00 pm which left plenty of time to wander around the beautiful surroundings.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-02-17
Pros: New options for vegans , Flavours we had not experienced before, Amazing interior
Cons: Expensive
Guest
AnnChee
Points +427
Oriental Vegetarian (Allium-free) - Edit
Made a reservation beforehand to request for Oriental vegetarian option. Shigetsu awarded Michelin 2023. Very zen and quiet place for dining. The staff mentioned that we are not allowed to video/photograph other diners and hence were unable to take a photo of the dining place. Each room has two rows of tables, one of the rooms allows you to sit opposite each other while in the other room, you can only sit side by side. Recommended to have a light breakfast beforehand as there are a lot of dishes and I took quite a long while to finish all of them~
Read moreGuest
meagabug
Points +335
Unforgettable - Edit
I noticed the man sitting across the room from me closed his eyes as he chewed his food. I tried it too. I savored the moment in the quiet room, took in the flavors of all the different dishes, cherished the comfort of sitting on tatami after a long morning of traveling, heard the hushed voices around the dining room. I’ll never forget my meal here.
Read moreGuest
Hayden5780
Points +176
Lovely experience - Edit
A lovely, unique experience being able to dine inside the temple. We had the smallest set and there was plenty of food. We found none of the dishes were stand outs for flavour but would recommend for the experience.
Read moreGuest
Dariush
Points +1042
Great experience - Edit
As noted, make sure you book three days in advance. You’ll be served in separate tatami rooms- in our case, it was just our party of five to a room. We ordered the largest set, which was pricey but well worth it- massive amounts of food, all clearly prepared with love and care. This is not an exhaustive or particularly accurate list, but my set included rice, pickles, mushrooms, tofu, two different soups, matcha and mochi for dessert… needless to say I left full.
Read moreFieldRoaster🌱
Very helpful insight thank you Dariush.
Read moreGuest
spirrettsensei
Points +67
Authentic shoujin ryouri experience - Edit
Simple online reservation system but recommended to book three days in advance. Will get a phone call to confirm your reservation and this will probably be in Japanese. Surprised to see not many people there, when they can clearly accommodate many people at one time.
Read moreWe had the smallest set, which was a little pricey but well worth the expense. Every bite was an interesting flavour that really made the experience special. The atmosphere is very peaceful and the service very friendly!
Pros: Variety of dishes and flavours, Unique experience, Friendly staff
Cons: Little pricey, Have to pay admission to the gardens to get in
Guest
ForAnimalsJapan
Points +5276
A unique experience - Edit
English 👇 精進料理は、日本にいたらぜひ体験してほしい料理です。そしてそれは京都の嵐山にあるとても美しいお寺で体験するのが一番だと思います✨
Read more天龍寺には、精進料理だけを提供するレストラン『篩月(しげつ)』があります。料亭がある庭園に入るにはまず500円を払わなければなりません。残念ながら冬の庭園は多くの木々の葉が落ちていて、やや物足りない感じでした。他の季節はもっと素敵なのでしょうね🤔
しかし私たちが味わった料理は、実に特別なものでした。一品一品、丁寧に調理されているのがひと目で分かり、どの料理も新しく、そして美味しかったです😋
もちろん、一番安い料理でひとり3300円という値段は、決して安くはありませんが、とても満足できました。接客も親切で、お寺で食事をすることは日常では経験できないことです。ぜひ一度お試しください💁🏼♀️💁♂️
Shojin ryori, or Buddhist vegan cuisine, is a must-experience for anyone in Japan. And what better place to do it than at a beautiful temple in Arashiyama, Kyoto?
Tenryuji is a Buddhist temple that features a restaurant called Shigetsu, which serves only shojin ryori. You have to pay 500 yen to enter the garden, where the restaurant is. Admittedly, the garden was somewhat underwhelming in winter. We imagine it looks a lot better in other seasons.
But the food that we enjoyed was quite special indeed. You can really see (and taste!) the care and preparation that goes into each dish. Every dish was something new, and delicious.
Of course, it’s pricey at 3300 yen per person for the cheapest course menu, but we were quite satisfied. The service was friendly, and eating in a temple isn’t an experience you have every day. Give it a try for yourself!
#Veganuary
Guest
Daifukus
Points +132
Delicious and fully vegan Shojin Ryori! - Edit
One of the few places in Japan that serves 100% vegan Shojin Ryori meals! Super delicous sets with fresh & seasonal ingredients, lots of different textures and flavours, beautiful presentation - and very filling! I loved their grilled eggplant glazed with sweet miso sauce and frequently recreate this dish at home now. Service was very friendly and quick, though the atmosphere inside the dining room was a bit stifling - but still very much enjoyed the experience and the food!
Read moreBeaware you have to pay the entrance fee to the gardens of Tenryu-ji temple to get to the restaurant - so finish up your meal with a stroll around the beautiful Japanese garden.
Pros: fully vegan, fast & friendly service
Cons: very pricey (but totally worth it), odd atmosphere inside dining room, advance reservation required for some sets
Guest
sunflow3r
Points +88
An amazing authentic experience - Edit
We went here for lunch and had the best meal during our trip in Kyoto. The location is beautiful and you are seated on traditional tatami mats.
Read moreThe staff was extremely accommodating. One in our group have severe allergy but the staff was extremely helpful. If you are in the area and are interested in Buddhist temple food I highly recommend this spot.
Guest
solbrit
Points +98
Fantastic experience - Edit
A friend told us about this place and their shōjin ryōri, which turned out to be the most interesting culinary experience we had during our visit to Japan. The set they offer includes quite a few small dishes, all very nicely presented and varied in taste, colour and texture.
Read moreDefinitely worth a visit for a unique vegan experience.
Guest
AvivHarkov
Points +25
Very eh - Edit
The experience and presentation is nice but the food is not great to say the least and pricy
Read morePros: Vegan
Cons: Expensive and not good
Guest
LauraMogridge
Points +103
Incredible meal - Edit
If you want to have a traditional zen meal, this is the place. We went here after going to the bamboo forest and surrounding temples. The garden is beautiful too. The portions were excellently cut. This was one of the best meals I have had in Japan (shoutout to Gotsubo ramen in Shinjuku). Worth stopping in and the price.
Read moreGuest
LewisEatsPlants
Points +1430
Fit for a king - Edit
If you’re even mildly interested in a vegetarian diet, this place should be an essential part of your trip to Kyoto. Make sure you book ahead, as walk-ins are almost impossible.
Read moreThe food is varied and fantastic. Many of the dishes were unique and wonderful in a way that cannot be explained.
When you arrive you’re seated to an empty and tiny floor height table in a traditional tatami room. Soon afterward a waiter will arrive and ask your drink order. From that point your meal is on auto-pilot. You’ll be brought a soy milk hot pot, placed onto a wax burner. It is full of veggies. They then bring out your main platter, which has 6 plates and the all important Ponzu sauce. When your soy milk hot pot starts boiling you dunk the contents one by one into the ponzu and enjoy the complicated sweet flavours. From there you have a bowl of rice, some silken agedashi tofu with wasabi, a small plate with pickled something and shredded radish, another plate with a root vegetable and taro chunks sitting in a shallow sauce and a plate of sweeter items - included a tiny bowl of giant black soy beans.
Once you’ve tackled all of that you come to your second plate, which contains a fried mushroom ball in a stock of more mushrooms and a plate of fruit desserts.
It’s truly an unforgettable dining experience which makes you feel like royalty. It’s also very affordable relatively. All up we paid about as much as we would for a mid range dinner for two with drinks in Australia.
Pros: Delicious, Unique cultural experience , Relatively Affordable
Cons: Reservations are required
Guest
Ratee
Points +66
Very good - Edit
Very tasty and light meal. The set includes various dishes with different textures and natural flavours. The atmosphere is peaceful you get to overlook parts of the garden. Beautiful scenery and no "gray" feeling to it despite being december when I went. Staff was nice and kind too.
Read morePros: Vegan, Tasty, Good feeling
Cons: Sign says vegetarian, so a bit confusing
Guest
Hungryhobo
Points +73
Once in a lifetime setting, food wasnt to my taste - Edit
After walking the stunning gardens, I stumbled across this zen restaurant. I couldn't believe my luck in finding such a beautiful place serving a full vegan menu! I dont think the setting could of been better, the staff so friendly in traditional dress.
Read moreBeing a somewhat ignorant westerner I struggled with how to eat the mountain of food infront of me even though some instructions were given. I struggled through the food as I didnt want to seem rude but it wasnt to my taste, especially the jelly textured tofu which resembled pork fat to me.
The experience was definitely one I will remember but I would air on the side of caution with the food as I dont think it would be to the taste of most western pallets.
Pros: Fully vegan!, Perfect setting!, Friendly staff!
Cons: Strange flavours, Unknown ingredients to the uneducated
Veggiechiliqueen
The jelly-like tofu you refer to is ごま豆腐, which despite the name is not tofu at all but sesame paste mixed with water and kuzu starch. It is one of the staples of temple cuisine and was traditionally assigned to junior monks due to the laborious nature of hand grinding sesame seeds for over an hour. Definitely an acquired taste!
Read moreGuest
roquerynn
Points +467
Wonderful experience - Edit
I was really looking forward for this experience and wasn't disappointed! It was a magical place to be and eat. The staff is super friendly. We came here during summer and it was such a treat to pause here because of all the business and hot temperatures outside since it was so quite and cool.
Read morePros: don't need reservation for lunch set, Traditional japanese experience
Guest
Birgit
Points +1863
Heavenly - Edit
The restaurant is inside the busy temple grounds and once you walk inside the world slows down. This is a peaceful place to come and eat beautiful and delicious gourmet food. So fresh and every little morsel made into a piece of art. Be prepared to sit on tatami mats and letting your eyes and mouth enjoy this heavenly feast.
Read morePros: Freshly made local food, Quiet
Guest
cj81914
Points +621
Incredible experience; a must do! - Edit
Authentic, delicate Japanese cuisine inside a peaceful temple garden. Do yourself a favour and make this top of your list! Can't rate highly enough!
Read morePros: Unique experience, Great location and view
Guest
LPM
Points +62
Beautiful gem inside the temple garden - Edit
We loved to have lunch at this place on the traditional tatami. The meal is various and tasty. The pumpkins soup and the roasted eggplants are outstanding.
Read moreGuest
Phoenjx
Points +360
An experience - Edit
Enjoyed a wonderful meal with lots of former unknown tastes - wouldn't reccomend coming here with western children though, might be a bit too foreign for them.
Read moreGuest
lianamarmol
Points +245
Beautiful and delicious food - Edit
Beautiful and delicious food, relaxing place and amazing experience. Everything is cooked with love and attention to detail.
Read morePros: Vegan
Cons: Expensive
Guest
christytoes
Points +148
Unique and amazing experience - Edit
We had our concierge book our reservation in advance for the set meal and were promptly seated in a communal dining area. They brought us so many little things that we didn't know what they were, but it was so much fun! Highly recommend!
Read morePros: Unique experience, Delicious and unique food, Delightful service
Guest
For Members
Why was my review removed? Guidelines for writing a review View our privacy policyFor Business Owners
Claim this business See inaccurate information? Submit an update here Link to this page from your site See an unfair review? View full terms & conditionsThis page has been viewed 33887 times.