Tofu-rama

Miss E and I finally made our much-anticipated pilgrimage to Tosho - a tofu restaurant located next to Hijiyama Shrine. On entering through the decorative curtains, we stowed our shoes away in a locker and proceeded down winding corridors past many rice-paper screen doors - what was hidden behind them, we know not. We were led to a dining room and were given a table with a splendiferous view of the restaurant`s garden - complete with koi pond, pruned pine trees and blazing maples.

For 1580 yen we received a magnificent spread of tofu goodness - about 10 dishes all served on elegant ceramic dishes and lacquerware. The dishes included tempura tofu with eggplant, white radish and pumpkin, tofu encrusted with sesame seeds, nabe tofu (served in a milky, porridge-flavoured stew), a tofu soupy thing (above) adorned with a sweet-paste maple leaf, miso soup, a very eggy eggnog and a tofu dessert - strawberry tofu with azuki beans. Most delish! The dishes looked like a fairy`s picnic and it was wonderful to pour tea from an orchid-patterned teapot and look out upon the koi fish sleeping soundly under lilypads.

Will definitely revisit this place with Sir S and other tofu fans!