Gentle Kyoto Walks - Unryu-in Temple to Soy Milk Miso Ice Cream
7 Oct 2024
Looking for a peaceful walk away from the crowds in Kyoto?
Try this walking route in the Imakumano area with classic scenes of Japan and enjoy some delicious food on the way!
Difficulty level: Easy walk with some uphill and stairs
Time: 1-2 hrs to allow time for enjoying the scenery and drinking tea.
Our journey begins along Imakumano Naginomoricho, using the Imakumano Fresco supermarket as the starting landmark. From here follow this handy map to guide you to some lesser known temples away from the bustling tourists.
Along the way from Fresco, enjoy a nice view of Kyoto tower, and after walking for about 15 min, you will see 鳥居橋 (Torii Bridge) leading the way to 今熊野観音寺 (Imakumano Kannon-Ji), a temple known for curing headaches!
At this temple, there’s a unique statue of Kannon, accompanied by a sign that translates to “Kannon to Seal Off Senility.” This statue was specifically created for elderly individuals to pray for protection against cognitive decline.
The next landmark on this walk would be Sennyū-ji Temple, carry on past this temple and look out for the sign that says “雲龍院 (Unryo-in)“
The entrance fee to Unryu-In is 500 yen, but for 1,000 yen, you can enjoy a ticket that includes entry, a cup of matcha, and a delicious warabi mochi dessert filled with red bean paste.
You can sip your matcha while taking in the beautiful garden views. This special wagashi is exclusive to the temple, featuring a soft and chewy texture that’s perfectly balanced—not too sweet!
After exploring Unryu-In, take a leisurely 15-minute stroll down the hill to Pizzeria SaluTori (ピッツェリア サルートリ), where you can enjoy delicious wood-fired oven pizza made right before your eyes.
Make sure to save some space for one of my favorite soft-serve ice creams in Kyoto at Hana Ice. It’s made with Kyoto miso and soy milk, with no added sugar—just the natural sweetness from the koji in the miso. If you’re feeling a bit adventurous, you might want to try the ice cream udon.
It may sound unusual, but the blend of miso soy milk ice cream with hot udon and mildly spicy veggies surprisingly complements each other!
More info
Imakumano Kannon-ji Temple
今熊野観音寺
〒605-0977 Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward,
Sennyuji Yamanouchicho, ３２
https://maps.app.goo.gl/E1obchDrsZGXyESJA
Unryu-in
雲龍院
36 Sennyuji Yamanouchicho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0977
https://maps.app.goo.gl/tzSL5yCj8pdUhEf86
Pizzeria SaluTori（ピッツェリア サルートリ）
〒605-0981 Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward, Honmachi, 13 Chome, ２３７ー２ １Ｆ
https://maps.app.goo.gl/quhZjCCK6gR1nWhU8
Hana Ice
〒605-0981 Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward, Honmachi,
15 Chome−815-6 ウッディ東福寺 101
https://maps.app.goo.gl/vm5N9YnhvBSiZSMB7