Arashiyama is one of the most-visited destinations in Kyoto, so restaurants offering mouthwatering traditional cuisines can be found close to the attractions in the mountains. However, the famous tofu cuisine in the area is mostly not vegan because of the broth used, making it hard for vegetarians and vegans to enjoy everything Kyoto offers. Fortunately, a couple of restaurants understand our needs and provide vegan set course menus! As these restaurants also serve meat and seafood dishes, you can visit them even if your family and friends are meat lovers.
The Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Arashiyama
- Seizan Sōdō (西山艸堂)
- The set menu can be made allum-free.
- Tenryuji Shigetsu (天龍寺 篩月)
- Oku no Niwa (良彌 奥の庭)
- As gluten-free options.
- Saga-Tofu Ine (嵯峨とうふ 稲)
- Other Vegan/Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurants in Arashiyama
Seizan Sōdō (西山艸堂)
If you want to try out Kyoto’s famous dish, boiled tofu, Seizan Sōdō in Arashiyama is one of the best places in Kyoto to visit. There is only one item on the Shōjin Ryōri specialist’s menu, the Boiled Tofu and Shōjin Cuisine Set. But you can choose to have the tofu cold or hot.
From the front gate, you will walk through a tree-lined passageway to the restaurant. The tranquil, vegetation-rich front garden calms customers, setting their minds for the upcoming monk tofu cuisine served in the traditional house.
About Dining at Seizan Sōdō
The dining space is simple. A couple of round low tables are placed on the tatami mat-covered floor. As you wait for your meal to be served, you can adore the Japanese garden from the floor-to-ceiling sliding door and the traditional decor, such as the flower and scroll.
Don’t worry if you can’t sit on the floor. The staff will give you a low chair.
Seizan Sōdō’s English menu is colorful with pictures and is simple to read. Each dish in the course is described in English with ingredients clearly labeled. The staff will confirm if there are any ingredients that you don’t eat. If you are a vegan, simply let them know you don’t eat eggs. The sauce and broth are already plant-based.
The boiled tofu is a simple dish. It is delicious as long as the tofu is fresh and properly made. That is the case for the tofu served at Seizan Sōdō. After dipping the tofu into the kelp soy sauce, it goes perfectly with rice. What we loved the most among the other dishes in the course was the vegetable tempura. The battered vegetable and tofu skin is crispy but not grease at all. The grated yam tempura astonished us the most. Once you bite open the deep-fried skin, the yam will overflow your mouth!
Seizan Sōdō’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Seizan Sōdō is open from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm from Thursday to Tuesday.
- Seizan Sōdō is opposite Randen/Keifuku’s Arashiyama Station (嵐山駅).
- It is a 10-minute walk from JR Saga-Arashiyama (嵯峨嵐山駅) Station and Torokko Saga Station (トロッコ嵯峨駅).
Tip: Arrive early to avoid crowds/queue.
Tenryuji Shigetsu (天龍寺 篩月)
The World Heritage Tenryuji Temple has a vegan restaurant serving traditional Shōjin Ryōri. Overlooking the temple’s infamous garden, it is one of the best spots in Japan to enjoy traditional Japanese cuisine. Apart from the gorgeous garden and mountain view, the thoughtfully crafted dishes served at Shitetsu are phenomenal!
There is no doubt as to why it is a Michelin-starred restaurant. Visitors have often described the entire experience as serene and even surreal, embodying the ultimate Japanese aesthetic.
Shigetsu has three set courses: Yuki (雪), Tsuki (月), and Hana (花). The good news is that a reservation is not required for Yuki, which comes with 5 dishes and a bowl of soup. The elegant and flavorful dishes made with seasonal ingredients will surely fill you up. In winter, a small hot pot is most likely a part of the course to keep you warm!
While each dish may seem small, you will surely feel satisfied even if vegan dishes usually don’t fill you up. So if you are just after the experience of having Shōjin Ryōri in a temple, there is no need to go for the more expensive courses, Tsuki and Hana.
If you are after the premium course, Tsuki and Hana, remember to reserve via their official website HERE at least 2 days in advance. You will enjoy the incredible food in one of the restaurant’s private rooms.
Tips:
☛ If you feel uncomfortable sitting on the tatami mats, ask for a chair.
☛ It is best to reserve even if you plan to order the Yuki set course. While the restaurant has a capacity of 250 people, it is often fully booked out, especially during the peak travel seasons.
Tenryuji Shigetsu’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Tenryuji Shigetsu is open from 11 am to 2 pm from Friday to Wednesday.
- The restaurant/temple is:
- A 5-minute walk from Randen/Keifuku’s Arashiyama Station (嵐山駅).
- A 15-minute walk from JR Saga-Arashiyama (嵯峨嵐山駅) Station and Torokko Saga Station (トロッコ嵯峨駅) and Hankyu’s Arashiyama Station (嵐山駅).
Oku no Niwa (良彌 奥の庭)
Besides Tenryuji Shigetsu, another traditional restaurant in Arashiyama to enjoy Japan’s infamous Kaiseki Ryōri is Oku no Niwa. The restaurant that specializes in tofu and Yuba (tofu skin) cuisine not only has vegan set menus but also offers gluten-free and halal options! The restaurant even has prayer rooms for those who need to pray!
For more information, refer to our article on Oku no Niwa!
Saga-Tofu Ine (嵯峨とうふ 稲)
Another option to visit for a tofu lunch or dinner set is Saga-Tofu Ine, opposite Tenryuji Temple’s front gate. It is a great place to enjoy various tofu dishes and Warabi Mochi rice cake. In a popular sightseeing destination like Arashiyama, the price tag of Saga-Tofu Ine is reasonable.
While the restaurant serves non-vegan set menus, the great news is it has a vegan option, Vegetarian Gozen (ベジタリアン御膳). Besides rice, vegetable tempura, pickles, and dessert, the main ingredient of all the dishes in the set is soybean. Whether it is the sesame tofu or the homemade tofu skin, they are all amazing and have a rich soybean flavor.
As a Warabi Mochi specialist, we are sure you will love the traditional confectionary at the end of the meal too!
If there is a queue when you get there, don’t worry. The turnover rate is fast because the restaurant is spacious and has many seats.
Refer to HERE for Saga-Tofu Ine’s menu.
Note that you might find Saga-Tofu Ine’s flavor light, depending on what
Saga-Tofu Ine’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Saga-Tofu Ine is open from 11 am to 6 pm (last order).
- Saga-Tofu Ine’s main store is a 2-minute walk from Randen’s Arashiyama Station. If you take JR, it is an 8-minute walk from Saga-Arashiyama Station (嵯峨嵐山駅).
Important: Saga-Tofu Ine Main Store is closed for renovation. You can visit their North Branch for the time being.
Other Vegan/Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurants in Arashiyama
- musubi cafe Arashiyama
- musubi cafe is close to Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama.
- The cafe that aims to provide customers with healthy food has several Vegan and vegetarian dishes.
- Ramen Arashiyama Chikurintei (嵐山竹林亭)
- A small family-run ramen restaurant that has a few vegan noodle soup. One of the plant-based ramen is allium-free.
- The restaurant is located on the edge of the busiest main street. It is relatively easier to get there from the Sagano Bamboo Forest Trail.
- The staff is friendly, and the service is exceptional. They speak English too.
- Note the taste isn’t typical Japanese ramen.
- M’s Bento
- A vegan macrobiotic restaurant on the 3rd floor of a building near JR Saga-Arashiyama Station and Saga Torokko Station. It is run by two sisters who take amazing care of their customers.
- The restaurant’s signature menu item is Japanese-style bento boxes. Other cuisines, such as pasta and toasties, are also on the menu.
- The restaurant can make most things on the menu allium-free.
- The chef, Miho, is a registered dietitian and vegan-macrobiotic cooking instructor with 40 years of experience. She hopes her cooking will nourish her customers’ bodies and minds.
- The wholesome dishes are healthy and tasty. The restaurant especially suits those who prefer food without heavy seasoning.
- The lovely staff who speaks English will explain to you the ingredients used and their health benefits.
Discover Other Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Kyoto
Obviously, your visit to Kyoto wouldn’t just be around Arashiyama, and the good news is the city has many other vegan-friendly restaurants. With various options available, no matter which cuisine you crave, you can find a restaurant serving delicious vegan or vegetarian dishes that satisfy your craving!
Refer to our Guide to Kyoto’s Vegan-Friendly Restaurants for more information!
