• 5
• An amazing vegan experience in a beautiful setting

The lunch that I had here was absolutely amazing. All of my dining companions agreed that it was the best food that we had during our stay in Japan and one of our favorite all time meals. It is inside the grounds of a temple and only serves food between 11am and 2pm. We had read about the restaurant and sought it out while we were in the area. We paid for admission to the Tenryu-ji temple and explored the lovely grounds. The restaurant itself is hard to identify. When we found the building, we didn't see or hear anyone inside. We considered leaving because we didn't see staff and had read that you need a reservation for parties of 3 or more. However, we found a button by the cashier's window with instructions to push for service and someone literally came running. We were seated right away, but it was a quiet weekday during the off-peak season. So, reservations may be advised during busier times. They have set menus. At the time that we visited, only the cheapest was available at 3000 yen per person, plus a charge for drinks if we wanted anything other than hot tea. We were seated in a communal open floor dining room where another group was already eating. They have low chairs and tables available to bring in, if sitting on the floor is difficult. The food was amazing and delightful. There were a variety of small dishes and I could not identify most of the food. It was all light, flavorful and healthy. The best surprise was unwrapping a small leaf bundle to find tiny delicious mochi inside. The setting of the meal made it even more special. The building is open air with the temple garden surrounding it on both sides.