Shigetsu Zen Cuisine

Enjoy Zen Buddhist vegetarian cuisine

Ben Beechey Mar 06, 2013 - 1 min read

The restaurant entrance lies behind a blue noren curtain nestled behind some trees

The set meal consists of rice, soup, vegetables, beans and an array of bean curd variations—all served on a red lacquer tray

Everything was so impressive, in both taste and appearance

The food is served with Japanese tea. Alternatively you can order other drinks including Japanese sake

Guests can sit in big open tatami rooms or in smaller private rooms. Small chairs are also offered to Western guests who don't fancy kneeling

The view from the restaurant windows is stunning, especially during autumn and spring

Depending on which window you choose to look from you can catch glimpses of various buildings in the temple complex

Looking out of the restaurant through the noren entrance

After lunch take a stroll around the temple complex, you won't be disappointed!

The grounds of the temple complex are impeccably kept and very relaxing

Shojin-ryori is the name of a Zen Buddhist vegetarian cuisine that came to Japan from China with Zen Buddhism in the twelfth century.

The Shojin-ryori cuisine on offer at Tenryuji temple in Arashiyama, Kyoto, is served by monks, and is supposed to satisfy not only the palate, but also the soul. The food is famed for harmonising six basic flavours; bitter, sour, sweet, salty, mild, and spicy.

Meals are served facing a picturesque garden with stunning scenery and an impressive temple complex.

More info

Find out more about Tenryu-ji.

Ben Beechey @ben.beechey

I moved to Japan in late 2007 and lived in the beautiful mountainous setting of Nagano-ken for two very fun years. Although the scenery in Nagano was stunning and the snowboarding conditions second to none, I decided to try life in the fast lane and moved to Tokyo in 2009. I have been in Tokyo si...