Arashiyama Yoshimura — Restaurant in Kyoto

Nestled in Kyoto’s Arashiyama, Arashiyama Yoshimura is a delightful soba (buckwheat noodle) restaurant that offers not only delicious food but also a serene atmosphere and stunning views.

Arashiyama Yoshimura is conveniently located near the iconic Togetsu Bridge, making it easily accessible and a perfect stop for travelers. The exterior of the restaurant exudes a traditional Japanese charm, with its rustic and elegant design. Upon entering, you are greeted by a cozy and inviting interior. The wooden tables and soft lighting create a warm and comfortable dining environment. What makes the experience truly special is the view from some of the seats. Sitting by the window, you can enjoy the picturesque scenery of Togetsu Bridge and the Oi River, with a gentle breeze adding to the tranquil ambiance.

The star of the show at Arashiyama Yoshimura is undoubtedly the soba noodles. The noodles have a natural light brown color and are firm yet smooth, exuding the rich aroma of buckwheat. The restaurant prides itself on handcrafting the noodles, with meticulous attention to detail from grinding the buckwheat to shaping the noodles. Each step reflects a dedication to quality.

The cold soba is a must-try, especially on a warm day. The noodles are neatly arranged on a bamboo tray, accompanied by slices of fresh cucumber and sprigs of green onion, making for a refreshing and visually appealing dish. The dipping sauce is a house-made specialty, rich yet not greasy, with a perfect balance of soy sauce flavor and a hint of sweetness that complements the natural sweetness of the soba. As you dip the noodles into the sauce and take a bite, the aroma of buckwheat bursts on your palate, making each bite memorable.

For those who prefer something warm, the hot soba is equally delightful. The broth is clear yet flavorful, with a subtle fragrance of buckwheat. The noodles float gently in the broth, accompanied by tender slices of chicken, fresh vegetables, and a soft-boiled onsen egg. The broth is well-seasoned, enhancing the overall experience without overpowering the delicate taste of the soba noodles.

In addition to soba noodles, Arashiyama Yoshimura offers other culinary delights. Their tempura is a standout, with crispy outer shells and juicy interiors, perfectly complemented by a special dipping sauce. It pairs wonderfully with the soba noodles. For dessert, the matcha ice cream is a must-try. The bitterness of matcha blends seamlessly with the sweetness of the ice cream, providing a refreshing and satisfying finish to your meal.

The service at Arashiyama Yoshimura is impeccable. The staff are warm and friendly, always ready to introduce each dish and offer recommendations based on your preferences. While the prices are not the cheapest, the quality of the ingredients, the craftsmanship of the dishes, and the beautiful dining environment make it a worthwhile experience.

In summary, Arashiyama Yoshimura is a perfect blend of delicious food and breathtaking views. If you find yourself in Kyoto’s Arashiyama, do consider stopping by to enjoy a bowl of authentic soba noodles and soak in the tranquility and beauty of the...

"The ordinary Japanese actor might need ten feet of film to get across an impression; Toshiro Mifune needed only one". - Akira Kurosawa

I was in Arashiyama filming a documentary and by afternoon hunger hit me like the Ōi River rushing through Eastern Kyōtō. I decided to eat clean and slurping Kyōtō Soba was long overdue. In Japan, Soba in a bowl symbolizes a fresh start, letting go of the past, and wishing for a long life, happiness, & prosperity! 1,000 years of tradition!

I eat Soba not as frequently as Ramen and Udon, so when I do eat this spiritual dish, I will search for only the premium locations. Perusing social media, Arashiyama Yoshimura 嵐山よしむら is top tier, so it took me a Kansai nanosecond to go!

Since I was already in Arashiyama the stroll was quick arriving near my ancestral river, the bridge, and Noren curtains of the popular spot. It was late afternoon and a small line was near the entrance, expecting to sign-in and wait, I was waved over by hostess, and to my pleasure she sat me immediately due to my Toshiro Mifune rugged good-looks, I kid, I kid, eh just soloing lol.

Menu in hand I knew I wanted a Soba set and to my pleasant surprise she said they had just enough Soba for one more meal. Sigh, is Akira Kurosawa looking over me? I chose Togetsu-Zen Set which includes Tea (I select Hojicha).

嵐山よしむら Togetsu-Zen for 2,160¥ 1/2 portion Zaru Soba (Cold Buckwheat Noodles) 1/2 portion of Yuba-oroshi Soba (Buckwheat Noodles + Yuba & grated Japanese radish) Tempura (fresh prawns & vegetables) over Rice Kyoto-Pickles

As I'm sipping Hojicha I admired the traditional wood decor. The vibe modern, hip, yet a vintage feel in every corner. Tables cleared out and quickly filled with the next group of diners. And I overheard two wanting Soba only to find out it was sold out for the day. Ahh so so so having the last Soba dish served to yours truly shhhh lol ;)

Togetsu-Zen Set is served! Tempura amazing with crisp exterior and juicy interior. The Soba so freshly made and clean tasting! I truly enjoyed every morsel and slurp! Such a spiritual meal!

In the end, I recommend Arashiyama Yoshimura 嵐山よしむら if in the Eastern Kyōtō area and craving traditional Soba. Just remind yourself that dishes are seasonal and Soba is made until sold-out! Make reservations or expect a line to this popular restaurant! I mean not everyone has Toshiro Mifune swag, amirite? ;D じゃあまたね

Pls follow my adventures IG:...

A lovely soba noodle restaurant with a beautiful view of the river it overlooks. We had arrived around 11:30am and we put our name down on the waiting list. They had told us it would be a 45 minute wait at that time, but we were actually called up 15 minutes later which was very fortunate.

Upstairs on the second floor, there is a beautiful view of the water, with a row of seats directly facing the river if they are available. My wife and I got two togetsu-zen sets, one with hot soba and the other with cold. Portion size was good, and the cold soba had a nice bounce and chew when biting into it, with a refreshing cool broth to accompany it. The hot soba was good, but didn’t have that same bite to it as the hot soup seemed to have softened/cooked the soba more. Still enjoyed the hot soba, but definitely prefer the cold option.

The tempura was decent, having a slight crunch, but not as light and airy as some tempura I’ve had in the past elsewhere. Not oily or greasy though, good flavour, and paired with the rice it comes with.

The dipping soba was fresh, cool and tasty, with a similar bounce and chew to the other cold soba I mentioned above. The waitress came by later in the meal once the soba was done with a square teapot, filled with a thick broth to mix with the soba dipping sauce, rounding out the meal with a tasty, rich soup to drink.

I very much enjoyed the meal, and would stop by again if I had a soba craving and was...