Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto, the flagship-brand hotel from independent hospitality group Banyan Group, is holding a "Seasonal Fruit and Cool Sweets Afternoon Tea" at Ryozen, its kappo restaurant on the 3rd floor, from July 4 (Saturday) to August 31 (Monday), 2026.
The afternoon tea centers on cooling sweets that reflect Kyoto's summer character, including kuzu ice, mizuyokan, kanten, and seasonal fruit. Each visually cooling sweet is designed to offer a moment of relief in the hot season. The genuine warabimochi has a melting texture, while the wasanbon panna cotta is paired with a red shiso jelly whose aroma layers over its smooth finish — every item reflects the careful work of the restaurant's kappo craftsmanship.
Two dishes stand out this summer. The "Junsai and Seasonal Fruit Dessert" floats junsai (watershield) scented with mint and lime alongside seasonal fruit on a lotus leaf, for a visually refreshing and inventive presentation. The "Chilled White Pearl Corn Shiruko" turns sweet corn that didn't meet market size standards into a puree, drawing out the full flavor and sweetness of the ingredient in a sustainable sweet soup.
Savory dishes prepared by Japanese-cuisine craftsmen make use of summer vegetables and seasonal ingredients from Kyoto, including simmered eggplant topped with daigo-an sauce, sesame tofu in a savory dashi, and a colorful dish featuring yamamomo (Japanese bayberry) and fig, bringing a cooling touch of Kyoto cuisine to the table.
A perennial favorite returns: grilled fu (wheat gluten) skewers that guests grill themselves over charcoal, enjoying the aroma and fluffy texture that comes from cooking it over the embers.
The afternoon tea comes with a free-flow drink selection of 35 varieties, centered on Kyoto teas such as hojicha, wakocha (Japanese black tea), and sencha. Guests can take in the deep greenery of Higashiyama while spending a relaxed summer afternoon in Kyoto.
Menu
Sweets
- Seasonal fruit mitsumame
- Genuine warabimochi
- Wasanbon panna cotta with red shiso jelly
- Junsai and seasonal fruit dessert
- Chilled white pearl corn shiruko
- Mizuyokan
- Kuzu ice
- Kujo green onion and black shichimi sable
Savory
- Simmered eggplant with daigo-an sauce
- Sesame tofu with savory dashi and wasabi
- Edamame
- Corn
- Yamamomo (Japanese bayberry)
- Prosciutto and fig
- Candied sweet potato
- Thick rolled omelet
- Simmered konjac
- Egg sandwich
Charcoal-grilled
- Grilled fu skewers, three kinds
Afternoon Tea Details
Venue: Ryozen, 3rd floor, Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto
Period: July 4 (Saturday) to August 31 (Monday), 2026
- July 4 (Saturday) to July 15 (Wednesday): open daily; reservations close at 3:00 PM the day before
- July 16 (Thursday) to August 31 (Monday): Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays only; reservations close at 3:00 PM two days before
Serving time: 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM (last order 3:00 PM)
Price: ¥8,000 per person (tax and service charge included), free-flow drinks included
All photos are for illustrative purposes only. The menu and contents are subject to change without notice.
Reservations: Ryozen, Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto, TEL 075-531-0500; online reservations at https://banyantreehigashiyamakyoto.com/offers/summer-afternoon-tea/
About Ryozen
Ryozen is a kappo restaurant centered on Kyoto ingredients, offering course meals that showcase Kyoto's seasons at breakfast and dinner, along with afternoon tea during cafe hours. The interior seats 48, with terrace seating also available.
Breakfast: 7:00 AM–10:30 AM
Cafe: 12:00 PM–5:00 PM
Dinner: 6:00 PM–10:00 PM
About Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto
Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto sits on a hilltop in Kyoto's Gion/Higashiyama district, next to Kiyomizu-dera and overlooking the city. The 52-room hotel is surrounded by mountain bamboo groves and rich natural surroundings, with a natural hot spring available in the large communal bath, spa treatment rooms, and some guest rooms. It is within walking distance of Gion's sightseeing spots while offering a quiet space away from the crowds.
Address: 7 Seikanji Ryozen-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
Access: About 10 minutes by taxi from Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Main Line, or about 20 minutes by taxi from JR Kyoto Station
Rooms: 52 rooms, including 8 rooms with a private hot spring, across 6 room types — Serenity, Grand Serenity, Wellbeing Sanctuary, Onsen Retreat, Grand Onsen Retreat, and Banyan Onsen Retreat
Facilities: Ryozen kappo restaurant, BAR RYOZEN, Banyan Tree Spa, large communal bath, gym
Website: https://www.banyantree.com/ja/japan/kyoto
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/banyantreehigashiyamakyoto/
