https://www.endlessdistances.com/gluten-free-kyoto-japan/ 3.5 hours away from [[Tokyo]] ![[Pasted image 20250526160802.png]] ## Districts - Gion ## Shrines - [Shrine of 1000 Gates](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3915.html) - [VERY DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS AND DIRECTIONS](https://www.insidekyoto.com/fushimi-inari-hike-kyoto) - Jon's recommendation! ## Temples - Nanzenji - Part of the [[Philosopher's Path]] - Zen museum - Sanmon (mountain gate) - Zen dry garden - Rocks and sand - [Kenninji](https://kenninji.jp) - One of the Kyoto Gozan, the five most important Zen temples in Japan - The oldest Zen temple in Kyoto - Short walk from the Gion district - Historic art on display - Classes - calligraphy & sitting meditation, including the Keisaku Zen stick! 😬 - [Ninnaji](https://ninnaji.jp) - UNESCO World Heritage Site - Cherry Blossoms in the Spring - Omuro Pilgrimage (2 hour walk) - Temple lodging - self contained traditional house with your own tea room & dry garden, free roam around the temple after the doors close - [Tofukuji](https://tofukuji.jp) - Sanmon Gate - Oldest zen gate in the world - Four zen gardens (normally only one) - [Ryoanji](http://www.ryoanji.jp) - Temple of the dragon at peace - UNESCO World Heritage Site - Wabisuke Tsubaki - Japan's oldest camellia tree - Specialty Tofu restaurant! Yudofu Umegaean - [Ginkakuji](https://www.shokoku-ji.jp/en/ginkakuji/) - Part of the [[Philosopher's Path]] - Cherry blossom season in the Spring - Giant sand cone? - Mountaintop views - Try to go on weekday not weekend so it's not so busy - ## Activities - [Nintendo Museum](https://museum.nintendo.com/en/index.html) - Drawing based entry, closes May 31st - Arashiyama - Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and the Arashiyama Monkey Park. https://yoshiya-kyoto.jp/jp/okunoniwa_menu. Restaurant with GF and vegan option in Arashiyama. More Arashiyama food options: - **[% ARABICA](https://maps.app.goo.gl/esXPoCXj22x8yLxV9):** This coffee shop on the river bank gets a lot of hype and it _deserves that hype._ No, there’s not gluten free food here. However, the Kyoto Latte was the best latte I’ve ever had in my life, so go for that! - **[Tenriyu Temple](https://www.tenryuji.com/en/shigetsu/):** Shigetsu, the zen vegetarian restaurant at this temple, supposedly does a gluten free tofu set meal. However, you need to make reservations ahead of time by phone. - **[Sushi Naritaya](https://maps.app.goo.gl/cpNH1rKLyy5UdVwn7):** I’ve seen good gluten free reviews for this sushi restaurant in Arashiyama, including that they serve gluten free soy sauce. - **[Togetsutei](https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/kyoto-arashiyama-onsen-ryokan-togetsutei-syuzakaku.en.html?aid=2145398&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2):** An upscale ryokan in Arashiyama. I know someone who is gluten free who stayed here and was able to get GF breakfast and dinner! Again Gluten Free Tours Japan could be helpful with communicating and organizing this. ## Merrett's List of Activities Good website: https://www.earthtrekkers.com/best-things-to-do-in-kyoto-japan/ Another one: https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravelTips/comments/18dks5r/where_would_you_go_in_kyoto_if_you_only_had_about/ - Kiyomizu-dera (one of the biggest temples in Japan) - Kinkaku-ji (gold leaf temple) - Ginkaku-ji (silver leaf temple) - Nijo Castle - Gion - old geisha district - busy; make restaurant reservations in advance - go at night to see streets lit up with red lanterns - Arashiyama - bamboo forest - monkey park - Takiguchi-dera temple: beautiful, surrounded by bamboo, and no crowds - Tenryu-ji temple - Two restaurants: Nakagawa Hatsumeido (see on Happy Cow), Musubi Cafe (on Happy Cow and Apple Maps) - Kodai-ji Temple: rock garden, tea houses, mausoleum, bamboo grove #### Inside Activities in Kyoto - [Samurai Ninja Museum with Experience]([[https://mai-ko.com/samurai/]]) - Tickets get us a tour in English, chance to try on samurai armor and swords, a ninja experience, and lessons on how to throw ninja stars - Need to book tickets - [Kimono Tea Ceremony](https://mai-ko.com/culture/tea-ceremony/) - 4 minute walk from the Samurai Ninja Museum (the Maikoya/Nishiki location) - 45 minutes - Get traditional kimonos and to take photos in the private tea garden - Need to book tickets - [Nishiki Market shopping district](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298564-d554672-Reviews-Nishiki_Market_Shopping_District-Kyoto_Kyoto_Prefecture_Kinki.html) - Covered pedestrian street with 135 stalls and shops - Close to Samurai Ninja Museum and the kimono tea ceremony - Focus on food - [Mipig Cafe Kyoto](https://mipig.cafe/en/locations/kyoto/) - A mini pig cafe!!! - Need to book tickets - Also locations in Tokyo - [Dog Cafe Rio Kyoto](https://rio-corp.jp/shops/kyoto/) - Tiny dog cafe!!! - Need to book tickets - Also locations in Tokyo - [Kyoto Museum of Crafts and Design](https://kmtc.jp/en/) - Featuring 74 kinds of crafts and design unique to Kyoto - Can check calendar to see live demonstrations of crafts by artisans - [Kyoto National Museum](https://www.kyohaku.go.jp/eng/) - Not open on Mondays - [Teramachi-dori Street](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298564-d554673-Reviews-Teramachi_dori_Street-Kyoto_Kyoto_Prefecture_Kinki.html) - Another covered shopping street ## Lodging Options - [Hotel the Mitsui](https://www.hotelthemitsui.com/en/kyoto/) - Used to be housing for royals - Closer to restaurants - Seems very nice, offers a vegan breakfast every morning. - Has GF options for breakfast and dinner too. - Restaurant in the hotel that looks to have options - All restaurants are ~30m away. Some of the tourist destinations become walkable - [Junei Hotel](https://www.juneihotel.com/en/) - Two locations available - [Imperial Palace](https://www.juneihotel.com/imperialpalace/en/) - Closer to tourism - *Specifically* vegan, gluten free breakfast. That's huge points in this hotel's favor. We could have most of our meals at the hotel and focus on temples/museums and not be forced to find restaurants (meaning we can *choose* to eat at a restaurant, with the hotel as a safe backup) - The page for the vegan, gluten free breakfast isn't up yet 😬 - No hotel restaurant, so no backup if the meal service falls through - Looked at availability and the fanciest rooms don't seem to be available? - All restaurants are ~30m away. Some of the tourist destinations become walkable - [Higashiyama](https://www.juneihotel.com/kyoto/en/) - Closer to food - Beautiful rooftop garden! - Some *very nice* rooms - Restaurant in the hotel - Breakfast/dinner option but *not* specifically vegan, gluten free - All restaurants are ~20m away. Tourist destinations ~40m away ## Restaurants that wouldn't comply with Apple Maps Smoothies Etc. Smoothies, muffins. All GF and vegan. https://www.findmeglutenfree.com/biz/smoothie-etc/6639395151413248 Koma Gallery Cafe. GF bakery. https://www.findmeglutenfree.com/biz/koma-gallery-cafe/6582046008410112 Fukueido. Dessert, but all GF mochi. https://www.findmeglutenfree.com/biz/fukueido/5905939391971328 Mugen Dai. GF bakery. https://www.findmeglutenfree.com/biz/mugen-dai/6480098683650048 Tea Terrace Gion. Lovely cafe located on the first floor of a small well-appointed hotel serving vegan and gluten free fare. The curry was delicious and the apple pie was wonderful. Couldn't find on map or a website, only a phone number. https://www.findmeglutenfree.com/biz/tea-terrace-gion/6492863866732544 Mokumoku. Cafe that is GF and vegan. https://www.findmeglutenfree.com/biz/mokumoku/4645678162247680 Kuru Kuru. All GF. Have vegan curry and cakes, chiffon cake, mochis. Near Ginkaku-Ji. https://www.findmeglutenfree.com/biz/kuru-kuru/5539927504322560 Mushiyashinai. Dedicated GF, with some lunch boxes and lots of baked goods. Near Enkoji temple. Couldn't see a menu, so not sure about how vegan friendly. https://www.findmeglutenfree.com/biz/mushiyashinai/4607864387272704 Okomeya Cafe. Dedicated GF bakery with bread and cake. https://www.findmeglutenfree.com/biz/okomeya/4558736831676416