Japanese Food Spots in City Center Area

Area

Kyoto
- Japan
- Hokkaido / Tohoku
  
  Hokkaido
  
  Aomori
  
  Iwate
  
  Miyagi
  
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- Kanto
  
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  Gunma
  
  Saitama
  
  Chiba
  
  Tokyo
  
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- Koshinetsu / Hokuriku
  
  Niigata
  
  Toyama
  
  Ishikawa
  
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  Yamanashi
  
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  Mie
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  Hyogo
  
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  Wakayama
- Chugoku
  
  Tottori
  
  Shimane
  
  Okayama
  
  Hiroshima
  
  Yamaguchi
- Shikoku
  
  Tokushima
  
  Kagawa
  
  Ehime
  
  Kochi
- Kyushu / Okinawa
  
  Fukuoka
  
  Saga
  
  Nagasaki
  
  Kumamoto
  
  Oita
  
  Miyazaki
  
  Kagoshima
  
  Okinawa

City Center

Category

Gourmet / Alcohol

Japanese Food

Kyogoku Kaneyo

3.5

209 Reviews

Gourmet / Alcohol

Kyoto Prefecture Kyoto City Nakagyo-ku Hexagon Tong New Shin Kyogendo Entrance Matsukeba-machi 456

A venerable eel restaurant founded at the end of the Taisho period located in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture. The warm and retro looking exterior looks the same as when the restaurant was established and stands out all the more amongst the throngs of buildings in Shinkyogoku. The key to the shop’s flavor is a secret sauce passed down for one hundred years which brings out the savory deliciousness of plump eels from Lake Hamana. Particularly popular are the standard eel rice bowl and the restaurant’s famous “kinshi-don”—eel rice bowl topped with an egg fried Kyoto style. One of the restaurant’s customs is the “Kaneyo Yose” held each month, an event which includes live entertainment with a meal.

The grilled eel was absolutely fantastic. Tastes great! The food presentation was top notch. Quality service, nice food and traditional decoration, it is worth to visit!
Pontocho Robin

3.5

32 Reviews

Gourmet / Alcohol

Kyoto Prefecture Kyoto City Nakagyo-ku Pontono-machi 137-4 Wakamatsu-machi

A restaurant housed inside a 150 year old Kyoto townhouse in a back alley along the Kamogawa River in the Ponto-cho neighborhood serving Japanese cuisine prepared with select, seasonal ingredients from around the country. The restaurant’s signature kamameshi vegetable and meat rice pots make a perfect closer to any evening and are prepared in special order earthenware pots with koshihikari rice and high quality dashi. In May and September, the restaurant prepares a traditional wood deck on the bank of the river for diners to enjoy their meals from. Patrons can dine on delicious seasonal cuisine while gazing out over the Kamogawa River.

Thousands of miles away from Hong Kong compare over 20’s restaurants. I thought it was a fine dining dinner, but unfortunately from the second course was not finished. The waiters keep catching up...
Temari-zushi and Japanese Tea SOUDEN

Gourmet / Alcohol

Kyoto Kyoto-shi Nakagyo-ku Shinmachi-dori Sanjo Agaru Cho Kashiracho 110-1

This stylish restaurant is on Shinmachi-dori avenue. The shop interior is redolent with the scent of Japanese tea, and offers deeply flavorful tea with healthy sushi for elegant dining. The colorful temari sushi is a lunchtime hit. They serve nine seafood toppings with five delicacy toppings for 14 cute, bite-sized sushi that avoid interfering in conversation. Additionally, it includes monaka sweets. In the evening, they add a variety of foods to accompany drinks like charcoal grilled foods, sashimi, drink snacks and more. They also offer their own original cha-shu, a cocktail made with fresh tea leave, for a seasonal delight.
Ganko Takasegawa Nijoen

Gourmet / Alcohol

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Nakagyou-ku Kiyachou Toichuzu town descending two ordinances 484 - 6

This Japanese restaurant is in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City. Takasegawa Nijoen is a historic Japanese garden constructed by the merchant Suminokura Ryoi in 1611. The restaurant is used for celebrations and receptions, and focuses on elegant kaiseki course dining, as well as dishes like shabu shabu made with Omi beef. Lots of tourists come to dine while taking in the seasonal view.
Kyoto Ichinoden Main Store

4.5

53 Reviews

Gourmet / Alcohol

Kyoto Prefecture Kyoto City Nakagyo-ku Yanagi Baba street Nishiki Uruifango 435

A Saikyo-zuke (fish pickled in Kyoto sweet miso) shop located along Yanaginobanba-dori Avenue traveling north from Nishiki Market. The shop’s kuramiso-zuke is made with a secret Saikyo-zuke recipe handed down since the shop’s founding in 1927. Beloved by many for years, it has a delicately sweet, melt-in-your-mouth flavor. The first floor of the shop sells Saikyo-zuke and other products, while the second floor is a restaurant serving a monthly changing menu of traditional Kyoto kaiseki course cuisine with a focus on Saikyo-zuke dishes.

西京焼きの、老舗オススメします！前日の予約で14時半が予約できてとても楽しみにしてました。コース料理なのでどれを食べても美味しいです
Moritaya Kiyamachi Branch

Gourmet / Alcohol

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Nakagyou-ku Kiyamachisanjou Uelu top Osaka cho 531

Located only two minutes by foot from Keihan Main Line’s Sanjo Station along the Kamogawa River, this is a long-standing ryotei (Japanese restaurant) which was established in 1869. This branch is set deep in a backstreet alley with a long cobblestone approach that is typical of Kyoto and has a quiet, relaxed atmosphere. In addition to the small rooms facing the Kamogawa River, guests can enjoy platform seats overlooking the Kamogawa River in summer. On the menu are sukiyaki, shabu-shabu and oil-yaki (slices of meat fried in oil) which use carefully selected Kyoto meat. In particular, the sweet Kansai-style sukiyaki which they will cook one slice at a time is quite popular, and has earned them many repeat customers.
Pontocho Fujita

4.5

43 Reviews

Gourmet / Alcohol

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Nakagyou-ku Pontochousanjou Downright Pontocho cho at the singing dance front

This Japanese restaurant is in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City. They offer elegant kaiseki cuisine with differing day and evening courses featuring seasonal ingredients meticulously selected by the head chef. Their private rooms are popular and let guests dine while viewing the Pontocho cityscape. It's a popular venue for celebrations and receptions too.

Fujita is a kaiseki restaurant, doing around 8 delicious dishes using seasonal ingredients. What made it even better were the staff who were very happy to explain the dishes, often reaching for a...
Mishima Tei

4.0

243 Reviews

Gourmet / Alcohol

Kyoto shi Kyoto shi Chukyo-ku Teramachi dori Sanjo down

This veteran Japanese restaurant is located about five minutes on foot from the Keihan Railway Main Line's Sanjo Station in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City. They feature the highest grade of Japanese black beef which they mature themselves. You can dine on delicacies like sukiyaki, shabu-shabu, and mizudake hot-pot with seasonal vegetables. Founded in 1873, tourists pour in from home and abroad for an ambience of the time when Japan was opening to the world.

Ive been to several Sukiyaki restaurants in Kyoto and other parts of Japan and this shop definitely ranks first for me. Although other restaurants serve amazing Sukiyaki as well, something about...
Ganko Sanjo Main Shop

Gourmet / Alcohol

Kyoto Prefecture Kyoto City Nakagyo-ku Sanjyodo Kawaramachi Higashiro Nakajima cho 101

Ganko Sanjo Main Shop lets guests enjoy authentic kaiseki course dining and sushi in a quaint Japanese atmosphere. A variety of large and small tea rooms cater to a range of uses from family get-togethers to large banquets. Guests enjoy a variety of dishes that tantalize the senses, from a small lunchtime kaiseki course to full-fledged Japanese cuisine. There is a kid's menu too.
omo cafe

Gourmet / Alcohol

Kyoto Prefecture Kyoto City Nakagyo-ku Nishiki Koji Road Ueshiya Town Kamiya Umeya Cho 499

Featuring Japanese sweets and creative rice dishes, omo cafe is in a lovely renovated traditional Kyoto townhouse. Whether you get their classic rice dishes, their weekday-only original donburi rice bowls, or something else, you'll feel their commitment to excellence. In the evening you can enjoy drinks and individual items off the menu. Party plans are available, too. Their omo parfaits jam-packed with flavors like matcha pudding, shiro-an poundcake, tsubu-an bean paste, and shiratama rice flour dumplings come recommended.
Fujimoto Kyoto Cuisine

4.5

12 Reviews

Gourmet / Alcohol

Kyoto Kyoto-shi Nakagyo-ku Shinmachi Dori Oike Sagaru Shinmeicho 72

This Kyoto cuisine restaurant is about five minutes' walk from Karasuma Oike Station, or ten minutes' walk from Nijo castle, on Shinmachi-dori avenue. It once did business in the Ryoutonzushi district, but moved to its current location in 2018. The cozy little restaurant has counter seating and one table, and offers a wide variety of Kyoto cuisine. The lunch course menu has been known for high value since before it moved, with appetizers steeped in rich dashi broth, lightly flavored bowl dishes, perfectly seasoned grilled and fried dishes, and more. It is often full, so reservations are highly recommended.

１０月に訪問しました。料理の品々は、さすがにミシュランでも星を取るほどの素晴らしさ。食材の選定にも本当に気を配られています。調理法や味付けは京料理の伝統を守りつつ、常に新たな試みをされているようです。このお店の素晴らしさは、ご主人のお客様へのもてなしの心だと思います。本当に気さくに、食材や料理についてだけでなく、京都の街のことや、一緒に働く若い職人さんへの思いなど、たくさんお話をお...
Tempura Yoshikawa

Gourmet / Alcohol

Kyoto Prefecture Kyoto City Nakagyo-ku, Fujikoji-dori Okeke Shimoru Matsushita cho 135

Enjoy superb tempura in this elegant and serene restaurant in downtown Kyoto. The tasteful building is a former wealthy merchant’s house built in the sukiya style. Diners can enjoy a relaxing time in the restaurant’s tatami seating, which faces a beautiful Japanese garden said to have been created by the nobleman Kobori Masakazu. The restaurant’s traditional Kyoto style kaiseki course cuisine focuses on tempura and is designed to make the most of the flavors of carefully selected, highly seasonal ingredients. Tempura Yoshikawa is the perfect place for a banquet or business meal. The tempura counter seating, where you can watch the tempura being prepared right in front of you, is also popular. Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station is the closest station to the restaurant.
Kiraku

4.5

87 Reviews

Gourmet / Alcohol

Kyoto Prefecture Kyoto-shi Higashiyama-ku Sanjo street Shirakawa-bashi East 4-chome Nakano-machi 208

An okonomiyaki restaurant located a 10-minute walk from Kiyomizu-Gojo Station on the Keihan Main Line. Redolent with the flavors of a dashi broth made with skipjack tuna flakes and kombu kelp, the shop's okonomiyaki is crisp on the outside and light and airy on the inside. A favorite of taxi drivers as well, the shop is frequented by tourists and students on school trips. The shop offers an abundant variety of okonomiyaki, yakisoba, and teppanyaki dishes, with the Negikake-mix-tama (egg and green onion okonomiyaki) as well as the Tonpei covered with a tangy ponzu sauce are particularly recommended. The restaurant has tatami mat seating, making it great for brining children to.

We asked our hotel receptionist to make a reservation for us at this popular and smallish okonomiyaki restaurant. The menu had English translations and we selected a couple okonomiyaki pancakes to...
Mizuki

Gourmet / Alcohol

Kyoto Prefecture Kyoto City Nakagyo-ku Kamogawa Nijo Bridge

A Japanese restaurant located on floor B1 of the Ritz-Carlton Kyoto a three minute walk from Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station on the Tozai Line. The restaurant is divided into four areas for kaiseki course cuisine, sushi, tempura, and teppanyaki dining – choose whichever suits your dining needs. Patrons can enjoy cuisine born from the creative ideas of the chefs in charge of each section, served on select dining ware, while taking in the restaurant’s special atmosphere and its view of a rock garden and waterfall. The restaurant also carries an abundant selection of recommended sakes, shochus, and wines chosen by sommeliers.
Kyoto Cuisine Kaji

4.0

32 Reviews

Gourmet / Alcohol

Kyoto Kyoto-shi Nakagyo-ku Marutamachi Dori Higashi Iru Yokokajicho 112

A five-minute walk from Marutamachi Station. This Kyoto cuisine restaurant can be reached by heading towards Horikawa-dori Street from Nijo Castle, turning at Marutamachi-dori Street, and walking a short distance further. The restaurant is conveniently located within a 15 minute drive of such sightseeing destinations as Kamo Shrine and Yasaka Shrine. Specializing in simplicity, this restaurant serves laboriously crafted Kyoto cuisine at reasonable prices, and customers can enjoy everything from Kyoto course meals made with monthly and seasonal fresh ingredients, to seasonal kaiseki nabe hotpot meals. The restaurant also sells Kyoto style chirimen dried whitebait and other items perfect for souvenirs and gifts.

We recommend this from many Japanese restaurants. If you want to eat delicious local food in Kyoto, this restaurant is recommended. You can feel the four seasons of Japan on the table with the...
Muromachi Wakuden

Gourmet / Alcohol

East side of Oikeshita, Kojimachi, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto

A five-minute walk from Karasuma Oike Station. This kaiseki course cuisine restaurant can be reached by heading east from exit 3-1 of Karasuma Oike Station and then going a short distance south on Sakaimachi-dori Street. This long-standing establishment was founded in 1870 and is reservation-only. Operating out of an atmospheric, old fashioned building, depending on where you are seated, you can enjoy a view of the restaurant's garden along with your meal. The establishment offers a variety of selections at a variety of price points so you can choose something which matches your budget. All of the restaurant's dishes are made with fresh, seasonal ingredients, and one of its biggest draws is the fact you can taste unique, seasonal cuisine only served during that time. The restaurant can also accommodate one banquet once a day.
Nishiki Soya

4.0

10 Reviews

Gourmet / Alcohol

Kyoto Kyoto-shi Nakagyo-ku Nishikikoji-dori Takakura Higashi Iru Nakauoyacho 511-1

A Tofu restaurant at the entrance to Nishiki Market. The space facing Nishiki Market sells tofu and the area down the alley has counter seating where they serve tofu course meals. The shop has a cozy atmosphere with counter seating only. Come enjoy tofu dishes to your heart's content including homemade soy milk, tofu appetizer, tofu hot-pot, tofu skin rice bowls, and desserts. In the sales corner products include bean curd lees, thick fried tofu, Kyoto tofu nuggets and tofu donuts and lots of customers by snacks to eat while walking about.

We were wandering around the touristy Nishiki market looking for another restaurant which we could not find. Then came across this soya place and it was a pleasant surprise. Lovely food and service...
Sushi Sakai

4.0

15 Reviews

Gourmet / Alcohol

Kyoto Kyoto-shi Nakagyo-ku Takakuradori Nishikikoji Sagaru Nishiuoyacho 592

A sushi restaurant that stands out due to its blue exterior on the western edge of Nishikikoji. This shop has been open for over 60 years and is well known for its L-shaped counter sitting that can only sit five customers. The best way to pass the time in the shop as small as a tea-ceremony room is to chat with the hostess while waiting for your sushi. The shop's specialty mackerel sushi comes in two varieties, With Skin which shines silver, and the pink Flesh Only. The lightly marinated mackerel is almost raw and the refreshing taste pairs perfectly with the vinegar sushi rice. Take away is offered so many people buy this as a souvenir.

We were recommended Sushi Sakai by a local tour guide. Its a modest place that you would not stumble upon without looking for it. The restaurant is quite small, seating about 6 people at a time...
Bajitofu

Gourmet / Alcohol

Kyoto Kyoto-shi Nakagyo-ku Muromachi-dori Shijo Agaru Kikusuibokocho 587

This charcoal-grilled yakitori chicken skewer shop is one minute's walk from Karasuma line Shijo Station, facing Muromachi-dori street. They offer fresh grilled skewers in a cozy shop interior with chic, moody lighting. You can order single skewers of chicken and spring onion, gizzards, chicken neck meat, and pair them with beer, shochu, plumb liquor, chuhai and other reasonably priced drinks. This is a fun, unpretentious shop, but it's so popular it's often hard to get in without reservations, so reservations are strongly recommended.
Kyo no Obanzai Waraji-tei

4.0

12 Reviews

Gourmet / Alcohol

Kyoto Kyoto-shi Nakagyo-ku Mibuhigashiotakecho 14 (Onmaedori Rokukaku Nishiiru Hokuto Kado)

This restaurant is located on Rokkaku Street a three-minute walk from Saiin Station. Look for its red door curtain and paper lanterns. The restaurant serves heart-warming obanzai (Kyoto-style home cooking). Its counter is packed with a stunning selection of around 25 dishes such as simmered bamboo shoots in the spring, or blanched eggplant in a soy-based broth in the summer, sweet-potato vines cooked in sugar and soy sauce in the fall, and simmered Yodo round daikon in the winter. Guests can choose which of the seasonal obanzai made with seasonal vegetables on display they wish to eat. Many people purchase their additive and artificial color-free chirimen-sansho (a preserve of dried young sardines and Japanese pepper) to take home as a side dish for rice or as an appetizer to enjoy with drinks.

有名人が通っているとのこと。舌は肥えているんでしょう、たぶん。でも有名人だからの対応が心地いいのでは? と思います。味はこれよりおいしい店を何店も知っています。値段が表記されていないのは、時価? 客を値踏みして値段を決める? いつのまにか有名になるとだめになる店になりました。

Kyoto City Center

Gourmet / Alcohol Japanese Food

Sushi / Conveyor Belt Sushi Kaiseki/Kappo Traditional Japanese Cuisine Eel Yakitori Grilled Chicken / Chicken Dishes Charcoal/Fireside/Teppan Grilling Okonomiyaki / Monjayaki / Takoyaki Tonkatsu Pork Cutlets Tempura Kushiage/Kushikatsu Fried Skewer Cuisine Crab / Blowfish / Seafood Sukiyaki / Shabu-shabu Hot Pot Cuisine / Oden Hot Pot Creative Cuisine Local Cuisine Kyoto Cuisine Okinawan Cuisine Gyutan Beef Tongue Other Japanese Food

Kyoto Areas

Its wooden tea houses, shuffling geisha, and spiritual sights have seen Kyoto hailed as the heart of traditional Japan, a world apart from ultramodern Tokyo. Despite being the Japanese capital for over a century, Kyoto escaped destruction during World War II, leaving behind a fascinating history which can be felt at every turn, from the fully gold-plated Kinkakuji Temple down to traditional customs such as geisha performances and tea ceremonies, which are still practiced to this day.