The Murin-an Garden is a late 19th century garden known for its carefully composed sightlines and subtle water features throughout. Every element is placed carefully to guide your gaze as your walk through with layered greenery that rewards stillness rather than movement. Book a time slot in advance, and visit mid-morning for softer light, or in the afternoon as the sun starts to set between the trees. Autumn is particularly striking, but the space is impactful and refreshingly calm all year round.

It is all about going back to the basics at Nanzenji Harada. Creating dishes only using dashi (stock made from kelp and bonito), with no fussy ingredients, so you truly taste the flavours of the food. The interior is minimal and reminiscent of the perfectly balanced outdoors. 

Locals and tourists alike previously queued up like crazy for this insanely good udon spot, but the freshly cooked homemade noodles are definitely worth such the wait; thankfully now reservations are taken! Former volleyball player but converted chef, Katsuyuki Yamamoto conjures up gloriously good dishes with serious passion. You can almost feel the love after the first slurp of his iconic 'greater burdock tempura'. 

This terrific little udon joint is a low-key gem. Though you may have to queue, we guarantee you that it is totally worth it. Order their famous nabeyaki udon to be served with the freshest steamed fish: it is a complete and utter harmony for your taste buds.