Autumn leaves are an integral part of Kyoto’s autumn landscape. The foliage reaches its peak from November to early December every year, and the vivid colors can be appreciated throughout the city.
In Kyoto, leaf viewing at temples and shrines is common, but there are actually many restaurants where you can enjoy the autumn colors as well. Leaf watching while dining has attracted attention in recent years as a way to casually gaze at the leaves while avoiding crowds.
Here are two famous restaurants where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery and delicious food at the same time!
Kyo-Suiran: Autumn leaves in a lovely garden (Arashiyama)
Kyo-Suiran is located in the Arashiyama area’s Suiran, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kyoto, an area of abundant nature and an especially famous spot for autumn leaves.
The restaurant is about a 6-minute walk from Arashiyama Station on the Randen (Keifuku Electric Railroad) and within walking distance of notable sightseeing locations like Togetsukyo Bridge and the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest.
Kyo-Suiran’s Japanese garden makes it possible for patrons to dine with a view of the idyllic autumn leaves.
The restaurant is a renovated historic mansion originally built as a businessman’s villa about a century ago. The spacious wood-floor dining room has a modern Japanese atmosphere, and its vermilion chairs further evoke the vivid scenery of the garden’s autumn leaves.
The seating arrangement offers safety against infectious diseases, and private rooms are also available by reservation for the further enjoyment of the garden and Arashiyama.
The attractive menu combines the traditional Japanese kaiseki technique with the aesthetics of French cuisine. The first-class hotel’s dishes make the best use of Kyoto’s seasonal vegetables and seafood.
The “Kinshu” dinner course, offering a total of 11 dishes, including sea urchin, prawns, and Japanese beef, is a masterpiece for 26,565 yen. A reasonably priced lunch, the “Atago” course consists of eight elaborate dishes for 6,325 yen.
Reservations are required and can be made online. Both the website and table menus are available in English.
Health & Safety Measures
Indoor disinfection measures taken – Sanitizer installed – Disinfected after each guest leaves – Ventilation measures in place – Plastic partitions installed – Staff wear masks, gargle, wash hands regularly, and monitor body temperature – Limited capacity/increased space between seats – Restricted admission, reservation system in place – Masks required/temperature check …
