I wrote this poem a while back for a blog about food and travel. It’s about a restaurant called ‘Shigetsu,’ a restaurant located inside the temple areas of Tenryuji, Kyoto. Deemed ‘the best restaurant in Kyoto,’ I had a chance to dine there myself, and was blown away.
location : 68 Susukinobaba-cho, Saga-Tenryuji, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, 616-8385 Japan
…
Canopied beneath the changing leaves,
The best restaurant in Kyoto, so one believes.
Low seats lined on the tatami floor,
Our stop for lunch on this historical tour.
Paper walls and crisp, clean trays,
The feast begins, ready to amaze.
Delicate presentation with seasonal flare,
Each dish to be enjoyed, with mindfulness and care.
Steamed, boiled, tempura-ed, pickled,
All of the oral senses were tickled.
The meal ends with a cup of warm green tea,
On the list of, “best food ever,” for me.
Later I learned it was solely vegetarian fare,
I did not notice, nor did I care.
To the gardens we went to walk off the meal,
Still in awe from the amazing ordeal.
…
22/31 #YearOfChallenge