Shinsen-en Heihachi

Shinsen-en Heihachi Review

Facing Nijo Castle's southern wall, this touristy restaurant is situated within the only remaining garden from the original imperial palace. The 1,200-year-old Sacred Spring Garden dates from 794, when the Emperor Kammu established Kyoto as the nation's capital. Shinsen-en Heihachi's charming shrine, pond, and vermilion bridge are essentially all that remain. You can dine looking out at the pond, or, if seating is available, on a boat floating leisurely in the middle of it. Lunch courses beginning at ¥3,800 are a better buy than the ¥8,400-and-up dinners.