The Philosopher's Path stretch from Ginkaku-ji down to Eikando, threaded by Lake Biwa Canal. Quiet cafes, vegan onigiri counters and the Nanzen-ji yudofu cluster.
A long-running garden-side yudofu room beside Nanzen-ji, set on a 1,200-tsubo strolling-garden plot in Kyoto that changes with every season.
Signature: Yudofu, Yuba, Tofu kaiseki
Order: Yudofu Gozen course with simmered Kyoto vegetables and tempura
Tip: Book the garden-side tatami pavilion; walk-ins are turned away in foliage season.
Nanzenji Sando Kikusui in Sakyo in Kyoto is a sukiya inn near Nanzenji with a Jihei Ogawa garden, yudofu kaiseki featuring Hattori tofu, seasonal courses.
Signature: Yudofu, Dengaku
Order: Yudofu set with dengaku miso-glazed tofu skewers
Tip: Closes Thursdays. Aim for the 12:30 sitting before the temple-touring crowd lands.
A hand-cut udon counter beside Ginkaku-ji, opened in Kyoto in 1967. The Omen bowl pairs wheat noodles with sesame, vegetables and a dipping dashi.
Signature: Omen udon, Sesame udon
Order: Cold sesame Omen with seasonal vegetable plate
Tip: Cash and card both accepted. Closes 21:00; arrive before the 19:00 dinner rush.
A wood-fired pizzeria and tasting counter on the Philosopher's Path, run by chef Yoshihiro Imai with a daily-changing 12-course Italian-Japanese menu.
Signature: Wood-fired pizza, Vegetable courses
Order: Chef's omakase course including the night's signature pizza
Tip: One seating, 12 seats; reserve 60 days ahead on the website.
An Edo-era teahouse at the gate of Nanzen-ji in Kyoto, restyled as a ryotei in 1837. Located in Northern Higashiyama. Led by chef Yoshihiro Takahashi.
Signature: Morning gruel, Hyotei tamago, Hassun
An espresso bar and Smart Car showroom in Okazaki, Kyoto, beside the National Museum of Modern Art. Single O Japan and And Coffee Roasters on rotation.
Signature drink: Single O Japan pour-over
Blue Bottle's Kyoto cafe, set in a converted machiya beside Nanzen-ji. Single-origin pour-over, Hario filter on the bar and a wagashi-pairing programme.
Signature drink: New Orleans iced coffee
A handmade onigiri counter near the Philosopher's Path in Kyoto. 12 daily fillings, sourdough rice with Niigata Koshihikari grains and miso soup on the side.
Try: Hand-formed onigiri
Omen's hand-cut udon under 1,600 yen at the Ginkaku-ji branch in Kyoto. Cold sesame Omen with a seasonal vegetable plate; the easiest northern lunch.
Try: Sesame Omen udon set
Blue Bottle's Kyoto cafe by Nanzen-ji serves morning pour-overs in a converted machiya. Single-origin brews and a wagashi-pairing programme at counter.
Order: Pour-over and wagashi-pairing breakfast