Situated on the verdant slopes of the Gion-Higashiyama district, Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto has introduced a seasonal afternoon tea designed to reflect the cooling traditions of a Kyoto summer. Served at the hotel’s signature restaurant, Kappo Ryozen, the “Seasonal Fruit and Cooling Sweets Afternoon Tea” emphasizes light textures and local ingredients, providing a culinary retreat near the historic Kiyomizu-dera Temple.
Cooling Sweets and Sustainable Flavors
The dessert selection focuses on the aesthetic of suzuyaka (coolness), utilizing seasonal fruits and traditional textures. A centerpiece of the menu is the junsai (water shield) and seasonal fruit dessert, scented with mint and lime and presented on a fresh lotus leaf. The menu also incorporates sustainable practices through the “White Pearl Corn Chilled Shiruko,” a sweet soup made from surplus corn that would otherwise go to waste.
Guests can also experience the refined sweetness of hon-warabimochi (bracken starch dumplings) and a Wasanbon panna cotta topped with a vibrant red shiso jelly. These items are paired with fresh watermelon and other summer fruits, served in traditional wooden masu boxes and glassware to enhance the refreshing atmosphere of the season.
Artisanal Savories and Interactive Grilling
The savory portion of the tea is crafted by kappo (traditional counter-style) chefs, featuring delicate dishes that highlight regional produce. Offerings include simmered eggplant served with Daigo-an, sesame tofu steeped in dashi, and a contemporary pairing of fresh fig with prosciutto. The presentation reflects the precision of Japanese cuisine, with each item portioned to complement the sweet courses.
A notable feature of the Ryozen experience is the return of the interactive charcoal grill. Guests are provided with skewers of fu (wheat gluten), which they can grill at their table over small charcoal braziers. This allows for the enjoyment of the fu at its peak texture—fragrant on the outside and fluffy within.
A Sanctuary in Higashiyama
The dining experience is set against the backdrop of the Higashiyama mountains, where the restaurant’s large windows offer views of bamboo forests and lush greenery. The afternoon tea includes a free-flow selection of 35 beverages, ranging from Kyoto-sourced hojicha (roasted green tea) and sencha to Japanese black teas.
Property details
- Property
- Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto
- Address
- 7 Seikanji Ryozan-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City
- Access
- Approximately 10 minutes by taxi from Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Main Line; 20 minutes by taxi from JR Kyoto Station
- Official site
- https://www.banyantree.com/japan/kyoto
- Rooms
- 52
- Pricing
- 8,000 yen (including tax and service charge)
