Kikusui is a 60 year old ryokan―a Japanese style inn―spanning an area over 2700m². The establishment reopened in June this year as Nanzenji Sando Kikusui and will sell a special new afternoon tea set this summer. Kikusui continues to retain the spirit and vibe of the Meiji Era with its gardens and tea-ceremony arbours, but the terrace seats in the garden which can now be entered with your shoes on, amongst other things, have been renovated to better fit the current times.

Afternoon Tea Set - ¥3,000 per person

The afternoon tea set features a fusion of Western and Japanese styles, including things such as matcha and bean jam wafer cakes. There are 12 original desserts and food items to choose from, as well as unlimited refills of 10 different teas from Ronnefeldt. You can also enjoy a leisurely stroll in the gardens for as long as you like. It's a perfect stopover location when sightseeing and travelling. There's plenty of food there too so you can even have a late lunch. Pick a seat of your choice at the wide-open terrace seating area where you can hear the sounds of nature and enjoy gazing across the garden while tucking into your food.   There's plenty of other meal options too! Chocolate Cream & Houjicha Ice Cream Affogato This affogato is a mix of rich cream made with chocolate from Spain, houjicha ice cream, cinnamon streusel, and chocolate nibs. Pour over espresso to bring all the flavours together. Salty Milk Ice Cream & Kitasaka Chicken Farm "Cherry Blossom Egg" Fried Purin - ¥900 This traditional fried purin made with a rich cherry blossom egg has a slightly salty flavour that complements the milky ice cream. It's described as a 'classical' dessert. Miyazaki Mango, Passion Fruit & Apricot Seed Sorbet - ¥1,400 This dessert puts together good quality mangoes, passion fruit and apricot seeds. The added fragrance of amaretto draws out the flavour of the mango even more. Caramel Banana & Mascarpone Ice Cream Dutch Pancake - ¥1,200 Baking this pancake at 250°c gives rise to a unique texture. The skillet keeps the pancake nice and warm until the last mouthful.  Muskmelon, Rich Panna Cotta, Honey Ice Cream & Noble Rot Wine Jelly - ¥1,400 The slightly sour panna cotta, noble rot wine jelly and honey ice cream bring out the sweet flavour of the muskmelon. This refreshing dessert is both unique and uniform.   Enjoy a most luxurious teatime in Kyoto at Kikusui.  

The new takeout bakery Miffy Sakura Kitchen will open in Arashiyama, Kyoto on October 3, fusing traditional Japan with Dick Bruna's cute bunny character. The bakery faces the main street that runs from Togetsu-kyo Bridge through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, the most iconic tourist spots of Arashiyama.  

Vintage Mugs - ¥1,200 (Pre-Tax)

 

Lunch Bowls - ¥2,000 (Pre-Tax)

  At the bakery you can get your hands on a range of Miffy licensed merchandise as well as a string of exclusive Miffy Sakura Kitchen made in the style of traditional Kyoto pottery and more.   Of course, there's plenty of delicious goodies to get your fingers on too like anpan sweet bread, danish pastries, ice cream, drinks and more, all inspired by Miffy.

Miffy Anpan - ¥260 (Pre-Tax)

The Miffy anpan is shaped like Miffy's face which is filled with sweet adzuki bean paste.  

Miffy Fuku Daruma Bread - ¥350 (Pre-Tax)

This cute and round Miffy bread is made in the image of a daruma doll and is filled with rich matcha cream. Limited quantity available.  

Carrot Bread - ¥310 (Pre-Tax)

Miffy loves carrots, so this one's dedicated to her. It's made with carrot puree and contains an egg salad.  

Miffy Danish Pastry - ¥500 (Pre-Tax)

When you sink your teeth into this crunchy toasted pastry your mouth is filled with the sweet taste of butter. You can order it as French toast or enjoy it as a sandwich.  

Miffy Cube (Matcha & White Chocolate) - ¥230 (Pre-Tax)

This cubed shaped bread bears the shop's logo and Miffy on the front. You'll get addicted to the sweet white chocolate and bitter matcha inside!     The bakery itself will also be decorated with all things Miffy, so if you're a fan of the cute bunny yourself you'll definitely want to go and visit.  

Veltra, a website that offers hundreds of tours and activities for travellers across the world, is now taking bookings to go and see the autumn colour light-up of Konkaikōmyō-ji, also known as Kurodani Temple. The plan offers the chance to see the Afro Buddha―which has made headlines on TV in Japan and on the internet―as well as the temple gardens and elsewhere lit up in gorgeous hues of reds, yellows and oranges. The autumnal colours reflected on the water surface beside the temple will provide for a gorgeous setting.   There's also an additional plan that can get you in 30-minutes earlier than regular guests and offers a tour of the area by the official gardener or a garden concierge. Guests who book with Veltra will also receive a bill with the Afro Buddha printed on it. Kurodani Temple was founded in 1175. It incldues the site where Honen, the founder of Jodo Buddhism, stayed. It's also famous as the site where the Japanese official Kondō Isami and samurai Matsudaira Katamori held talks.   While gazing at the beautiful colours of autumn guests can also enjoy a koto performance.   Veltra also has an English page and takes bookings from inbound travellers. Book your plan to see the spectacle yourself.