Update-date: Feb 25 2025
Categories:
Kyoto
Japanese Cuisine
In Kyoto, there are numerous shrines and temples. On a day of visiting these spiritually significant power spots, why not enjoy a special gourmet experience that is different from the usual? They have selected restaurants where one can indulge in a luxurious lunch in extraordinary spaces, such as historic Western-style buildings from the Meiji era, beautiful Japanese gardens that change with the seasons, traditional townhouses characteristic of Kyoto, and hotels with stunning views on the top floors.
Nanzenji Sando Kikusui
A 7-minute walk from Keage Station, [南禅寺参道 菊水] is a ryokan that boasts a vast Japanese garden and architecture steeped in history. At this restaurant, guests can enjoy course meals prepared by two chefs, featuring both Japanese and Western cuisine for lunch and dinner. The exquisite courses include traditional kaiseki that blends tradition and innovation, as well as Italian dishes that utilize seasonal local ingredients.
Opened in 1955, it has been renamed as [南禅寺参道 菊水] and continues to take on new challenges as a Japanese auberge loved around the world. With a dining floor facing the garden, terrace seating, and private rooms in a separate building, it is a rare establishment where one can spend extraordinary moments while feeling the seasonal beauty.
Nanzenji Sando Kikusui
Open: Lunch 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm) / Dinner 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 8:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 15,730 JPY / [Lunch] 7,260 JPY
Access: 7 minutes walk from Exit 1 of Keage Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Tozai Line. Go straight north on Niomon Street. It is located on the right side.
Address: 31, Nanzenji Fukuchi-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
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Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 15,730 JPY / [Lunch] 7,260 JPY
Access: 7 minutes walk from Exit 1 of Keage Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Tozai Line. Go straight north on Niomon Street. It is located on the right side.
Address: 31, Nanzenji Fukuchi-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
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Kyoto Senryo
Located just a one-minute walk from the Hachijo Exit of Kyoto Station, [京都千両] is situated on the first floor of a building right outside the station. This restaurant specializes in sushi and offers a variety of omakase sets and courses that include dishes such as hassun, sashimi, chawanmushi, and tempura. For lunch, guests can choose from a simple set that includes seven pieces of sushi along with chawanmushi and red miso soup, to a luxurious set that features eight to ten dishes, resembling a kaiseki meal.
The restaurant has a refined atmosphere, featuring counter seats where patrons can closely observe the craftsmanship of the chefs, as well as private rooms where they can enjoy views of a small garden. Conveniently located just a short distance from the Hachijo Exit of Kyoto Station, it is a place where guests can relax and casually savor sushi prepared by skilled artisans, along with dishes that reflect the essence of Kyoto.
Kyoto Senryou
Open: Lunch 11:00 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm) / Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:30 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 15,000 JPY / [Lunch] 5,000 JPY
Access: It is on the 1st floor of a building located near the Hachijo West Exit, a 1-minute walk from the Hachijo Exit of Kyoto Station
Address: 1F, J'S Bldg., 48, Higashi-Kujo Muro-machi, Minami-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
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Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 15,000 JPY / [Lunch] 5,000 JPY
Access: It is on the 1st floor of a building located near the Hachijo West Exit, a 1-minute walk from the Hachijo Exit of Kyoto Station
Address: 1F, J'S Bldg., 48, Higashi-Kujo Muro-machi, Minami-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
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3.Piopiko
Located just a minute's walk from Karasuma Oike Station, [Piopiko] is an innovative restaurant that blends Mexican culture with the uniqueness of Kyoto. Guests can enjoy creative menus that utilize fresh ingredients from Kyoto, based on traditional Mexican cuisine. The signature dish is "Tacos with Sweet Potato, Kujo Green Onion, and Cashew Nut Salsa." This unexpected combination harmonizes each ingredient, providing surprise and delight.
The interior of the restaurant is elegantly designed with soft lighting that creates a comfortable atmosphere, vibrant yet calm. It also features private rooms, making it ideal for those who wish to enjoy their meal in a private setting.
Piopiko
Open: 11:30 am - 12:00 pm (L.O. 11:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 3,000 JPY
Access: 1-minute walk from Karasuma Oike Station Exit 5. It's on the Ace Hotel Kyoto's 2nd floor.
Address: 2F, Ace Hotel Kyoto, 245-2, Kurumaya-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
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Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 3,000 JPY
Access: 1-minute walk from Karasuma Oike Station Exit 5. It's on the Ace Hotel Kyoto's 2nd floor.
Address: 2F, Ace Hotel Kyoto, 245-2, Kurumaya-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
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Gion Tō
Located just a 3-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station, Gion Tō is a charcoal-grill restaurant that blends traditional Japanese elements with modern stylishness. By carefully grilling selected ingredients such as fresh spiny lobster and A5-ranked black wagyu beef over charcoal, it maximizes the inherent flavors of the ingredients.
The restaurant has a calm atmosphere, making it perfect for special meals such as anniversaries with loved ones. To complement the dishes, it offers a wide selection of beverages, including wines carefully selected by the sommelier, as well as champagne and sake.
Gion Katana
Open: 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
Closed: -
Average price: [Dinner] 10,000 JPY
Access: 3-minute walk from Keihan Main Line Gion-shijo Station / 298m from Gion-shijo Station
Address: 69-2, Motoyoshi-cho, Higashi-iru, Yamato-oji, Shimbashi-dori, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
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Closed: -
Average price: [Dinner] 10,000 JPY
Access: 3-minute walk from Keihan Main Line Gion-shijo Station / 298m from Gion-shijo Station
Address: 69-2, Motoyoshi-cho, Higashi-iru, Yamato-oji, Shimbashi-dori, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
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5. Meat-heavy Hokusai
Nikuju Hokusai is a restaurant where meat lovers can enjoy high-quality wagyu at an affordable price. The recommended menu item is the 'Rare Steak Ju.' It features finely textured meat and rich umami, with flavors that deepen the more one chews. The restaurant carefully selects ingredients from Kyoto, including condiments and seasonings, allowing guests to savor the unique tastes of Kyoto.
The restaurant features a calm space filled with a Japanese aesthetic. It is equipped with both table and counter seating, making it easy for solo visitors to drop by. The restaurant also displays ukiyo-e prints by the world-renowned ukiyo-e artist, Katsushika Hokusai.
Nikuju Hokusai
Open: 11:30 am - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm) Toppings such as the egg and green onions can be removed. Feel free to ask staff.
Closed: None. May be closed during end of year holiday.
Average price: [Dinner] 1,500 JPY
Access: Get off at Keihan Sanjo Station and cross the Sanjo Ohashi Bridge, then go straight until Kawaramachi-dori Street. Go south down Kawaramachi-dori Street and walk 2 minutes on the left side. Close to Uniqlo.
Address: 234-5, Yamazaki-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
More Details Reservation
Closed: None. May be closed during end of year holiday.
Average price: [Dinner] 1,500 JPY
Access: Get off at Keihan Sanjo Station and cross the Sanjo Ohashi Bridge, then go straight until Kawaramachi-dori Street. Go south down Kawaramachi-dori Street and walk 2 minutes on the left side. Close to Uniqlo.
Address: 234-5, Yamazaki-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
More Details Reservation
This article was written by AI Translation.
Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.
