Looking for a vegan meal in beautiful surroundings? Try a shojin-ryori lunch at Izusen in Daitoku-ji Temple.
Izusen – image © Chris Rowthorn
Their gorgeous and elaborate meals are sure to be a highlight of your visit to Kyoto.
Izusen – image © Florentyna Leow
Kyoto is famous for its kaiseki, or Japanese-style seasonal multi-course fine dining. But did you know that shojin-ryori, or Zen temple vegetarian cuisine, actually predates kaiseki?
Izusen – image © Florentyna Leow
Several of the city’s temples serve fantastic shojin-ryori meals that are entirely plant-based – perfect for vegetarian or vegan visitors to Kyoto. One of our favourites is Izusen, a serene little restaurant nestled in the Daiji-in sub-temple in the Daitoku-ji temple complex.
Izusen – image © Florentyna Leow
There are several lunch options at Izusen, but the cheapest will set you back just over JPY3000. It’s a little steep but it is worth it. Some dishes change with the seasons, such as the rice: in spring, it might be simmered with bamboo shoots; in autumn, mushrooms or gingko nuts. You’ll see asparagus in spring and chestnuts in autumn.
Izusen – image © Florentyna Leow
Most components stay the same, though. Their sticky, nutty, sesame tofu is a winner, as is the juicy tofu fritter with a gingko nut inside. Their shiitake mushroom tempura is always delicious, and the tofu and sesame vegetable salad is a favourite with customers. You’ll taste many familiar and unfamiliar vegetables in the meal, and you’ll enjoy it all.
Izusen – image © Florentyna Leow
Do note that though this restaurant is vegan-friendly, it is not gluten-friendly. Soy sauce – which usually contains trace amounts of gluten if not more – and other wheat-derived elements, like fu (wheat gluten), are essential to Izusen’s cooking and cannot be modified.
For more vegan and vegetarian choices, see our Best Vegan and Vegetarian in Kyoto page.
Name in English:
Izusen Daiji-in
Name in Japanese:
泉仙 大慈院店
English address:
Daiji-in, 4 Murasakino-daitokuji-cho, Kita-ku
Japanese address:
北区紫野大徳寺町4 大慈院内
Opening hours:
11am-4pm
Price:
Non-smoking area: Completely Non-Smoking
Nearest Transport:
5min walk from Daitokuji-mae Bus Stop, Kyoto City Bus 101 or 204 or 205 or 206 from Kitaoji Station, Karasuma subway line
Reservations:
Possible
Telephone: 491-6665
Website:
Official site (Japanese)
Near To Here:
Izusen is located in Northwest Kyoto. See our complete list of things to do in Northwest Kyoto, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.
More Restaurant Suggestions:
See my list of Kyoto’s Best Vegan Restaurants for more eating inspiration.
Kyoto Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Kyoto guide
- Check Kyoto accommodation availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Kyoto to Osaka and Kyoto to Tokyo
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Kyoto
- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a data-only SIM card online for collection when you arrive at Tokyo's Narita or Haneda Airports or Kansai International Airport. You can also rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- Compare Japan flight prices and timings to find the best deals
- If you're making frequent train journeys during your visit, you might save money with Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- A prepaid Welcome Suica card makes travelling around Kyoto easy – here's how
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help
