Van Kio

Van Kio Review

This large restaurant is famous for its tamatebako set meal. Different foods are put into beautiful paper boxes, sealed inside an earthenware bowl, and then theatrically smashed open with a wooden mallet. Apparently this custom is utilized on first dates with some success. Other specialties from the menu (in English) include the Renge set lunch, eight obanzai (samples) of local Japanese food arranged on spoons including kakinoha-zushi (sushi wrapped in a persimmon leaf). From the sumptuous dining room you look out onto a garden bordered by Japanese stone lanterns in different shapes and sizes—all for sale. It's a short walk from Yakushi-ji's south gate.