Kyozuan — Restaurant in Kyoto

After visiting the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest in September 2024, I decided to stop by Kyozuan, a popular spot that had been highly recommended by others. Known for its ice cream and traditional Japanese sweets, it seemed like a must-try, so I gave it a go.

The shop itself has a charming and inviting vibe, blending well with the aesthetic of the Arashiyama area. It’s a convenient stop if you’re exploring nearby attractions and looking for a sweet treat to cool down.

I tried the ice cream, which is one of their signature items. While it tasted good and was enjoyable, I found it to be a bit overrated compared to the hype. The flavors were nice, but they didn’t quite live up to the high expectations set by other reviews. It’s definitely a “can try” food rather than a “must-try” experience.

That said, it’s still a decent stop if you’re nearby and curious to see what the buzz is about. The presentation of the desserts is lovely, and the ice cream is refreshing, especially on a warm day. However, I wouldn’t go out of my way to visit this spot again.

Overall, Kyozuan is worth a visit if you’re already in the area and in the mood for something sweet, but don’t expect it to be a...

Yes, the tofu ice cream is really like dairy. The slight tofu aftertaste is desirable… like the way almond desserts linger after eating them. It’s great, and the price is only about 50-100 yen more than other ice cream on the tourist streets. You can get other flavours as a combo, but they’re not tofu, so why bother?

Sadly expect to wait in line for about 10 minutes, usually in the heat. There’s literally two deep fryers next door putting out plenty of warmth, if the summer sun isn’t killing you.

This is right in front of a bus stop and the standard entrance towards the Bamboo Grove. Expect it to be packed with people coming AND going. Facing the bamboo grove, it’s at the back-right of the tiny food plaza. Easy to miss if you’re strolling by trying to get...

This shop is famous for the ice cream that wouldn’t be fall even you turn it upside down. The most popular flavour is tofu with matcha.

I’ve ordered tofu with black sesame flavour and another with matcha flavour. It doesn’t taste surprisingly good, but not bad either. 🙁

5-star review specifically for the poor server, as there’s only one girl working by the time we visited it. Under the hot weather, she’s working alone as cashier and making the ice cream with an electric fan next to her. We have waited for around 10-15 mins, wasn’t long so still worth waiting as the price...