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The 10 unmissable restaurants in Kyoto and Osaka area, October 2018

Update-Date: Jun 3, 2025

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

The 10 unmissable restaurants in Kyoto and Osaka area, October 2018

Planning a trip to Kyoto and Osaka area and looking for something specific to eat? There are plenty of restaurants to suit every tastes. Discover the best places to eat here, from traditional meal and quintessentially comfort food to western-style dishes and varied ethnic cuisine.

1. Gion Hana Usagi

This restaurant is a 10-minute walk from Gion-shijo Station, as well as only 2 minutes on foot from Yasaka Shrine. Here, you can savor enjoy painstakingly-made Japanese cuisine and teppanyaki in the form of course meals. There are many seating options, such as counter seats and private rooms for 2 - 10 people. While this dining spot is perfect for everyday meals, it is also great for special occasions or for those who happen to pass by Kyoto whilst travelling.

Gion Hana Usagi

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, Day Before Holidays] 17:30 - 03:00
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 6,000 JPY
Access: From Yasaka Shrine, take the street south of Gion Kaikan and head west for 20m. It's a 2-minute walk.
Address: 1F, Dojo Bldg., 290-6, Gion-machi Kitagawa, Hanamikoji Tominaga Higashi-iru, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Map
More Details Reservation

2. Shio Horu Kuro Aka Dare NIKUMON

[Shio Horu Kuro Dare NIKUMON], a 1-minute walk from Hankyu Omiya Station, serves tasty yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) with the addictive taste of the original sauce. Enjoy our yakiniku with a thick sweet [black sauce], spicy miso-based [red sauce], and [rock salt]. We especially recommend [hoso], which is the small intestine of Japanese beef containing an abundance of collagen. The more you bite it, the more you can enjoy. We also recommend [Chige (Korean hot pot)] with a unique scent which is very popular. Our various conditioning equipment does not make your clothes smelly. We have mainly counter seats and horigotatsu (sunken tables). Many of our rooms are private or semi-private, ideal for a date, party, and girl's party. You can also book the whole restaurant for a banquet, etc.

Shio Horu Kuro Aka Dare NIKUMON

Open: 5:00 pm - 1:00 am (L.O. 0:30 am)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 4,500 JPY
Access: In front of Osho Main branch
Address: 1F, Maison d'Or Shijo Omiya, 130 Nishiki Omiya-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto city, Kyoto

3. Wagamama Shokudo Khiibou

Our parent company is a tuna wholesaler at the Kyoto City Central Wholesale Market. The name of our restaurant [Khiibou] is named after the manager's boyhood nickname, as the president wished for him [to love the restaurant as it is his own]. Our No.1 recommendation is [tuna], especially [red meat] with melting savory taste which is highly received even among tuna lovers. We also serve a wide variety of dishes, using ingredients stocked via our special routes, such as [Assorted Appetizers] with fresh seasonal vegetables, and [Steak with Matured Thigh Meat] which goes well with alcohol. Please visit this exquisite restaurant with its relaxing space full of the warmth of wood, for various occasions such as a lunch, date, or business meal.

Wagamama Shokudo Khiibou

Open: [Tuesday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm *We do not accept reservations for lunch. Thank you for your understanding in advance. [Tuesday - Saturday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm) [Sunday] Dinner 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm (L.O. 8:00 pm)
Closed: Monday
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,500 JPY
Access: A 5-minute walk from Hankyu Kawaramachi Station, at Nishiki Tominokoji-agaru
Address: 1F, Petite Maison, 594 Tominokoji-dori Nishiki-agaru Takamiyacho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Map
More Details

4. GOZAfuku

[GOZAfuku], a restaurant specializing in fugu (pufferfish) and crab cuisines, which is 2 minutes on foot from Namba Station, is located in the Dotonbori 2-chome area, otherwise known as Tecchiri street (Tecchiri-dori). In this competitive area for fugu cuisine, GOZAfuku strives to provide the best in quality, quantity, and price. Quality fugu and crab dishes can be enjoyed at reasonable prices in the [Goza Full Course], which includes torafugu (Japanese pufferfish) from Shimonoseki that comes boiled, raw and as karaage (deep-fried), and the [Kanichiri] of seasonal crab served with a special ponzu (citrus-seasoned soy sauce). The restaurant has only private room seating, and the quiet atmosphere will take you away from the hustle and bustle of Dotonbori. The rooms along Dotonbori River with views are particularly popular for business dinners, parties, and dates. This restaurant is a great place to relax and enjoy a night with luxurious food in the Minami area of Osaka.

GOZAfuku

Open: [Weekdays] From 4:00 pm (L.O. 11:30 pm) Open at the beginning and end of the year [Weekends, National Holidays] From 12:00 pm (L.O. 11:30 pm) Open at the beginning and end of the year
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 6,000 JPY
Access: Walk 2 minutes from Exit 25 of [Namba Station]. Across from New Japan, facing Dotonbori River.
Address: 2-4-5, Dotonbori, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka

5. Teppanyaki En Sky Bldg. branch

Various restaurants are in the Umeda Sky Bldg. Our restaurant, located on its basement floor with an antique atmosphere of the era of Showa, is popular among foreign tourists as well. You can select your favorite cuts of Japanese black beef that is also popular to share, as you can also select how many grams you would like to order. [Kobe Beef Sirloin Steak], our No.1 recommendation, is offered with a reasonable price so that many people can enjoy. We also offer various teppanyaki (grilled on iron griddle) dishes such as very fresh [Teppanyaki with Four Different Seafood] and fluffy [Okonomiyaki (Japanese savory pancake)] and are well-suited for various occasions.

Teppanyaki En Sky Bldg. branch

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, Sunday] 11:30 am - 2:00 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm) [Weekdays, Saturday] 5:30 pm - 10:30 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm) [Sunday, National Holidays] 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY / [Lunch] 850 JPY
Access: 10 minutes walk from Umeda Station on each line
Address: B1F, Umeda Sky Bldg., 1-1-90, Oyodonaka, Kita-ku, Osaka, Osaka Map
More Details Reservation

6. Hanaten Sakaihigashi Branch

This restaurant has all the standard ramen flavors, such as [Shoyu Ramen] (soy sauce noodles), [Shio Ramen] (salty noodles), and [Goma Miso Ramen]. On top of that, they also offer the popular [Tsukemen] and the soupless, easy-to-eat [Abura Soba]. Even the side dish menu is plentiful, containing light fare like [Hinepon] and [Otsumami Chashu], which go great with beer. Furthermore, they have a wide variety of a la carte dishes that make them great for parties, including [Chicken Karaage] (deep-fried chicken) and [Pari-uma Gyoza] (crunchy and delicious dumplings). Tons of people also visit this restaurant to finish off their 2nd or 3rd round of drinking with some [TKG] (rice with raw egg on top) or [Chamayo-don] (rice bowl with char siu and mayonnaise)! People dropping by on their own will be pleased with their counter seating. Their table seats are perfect for regular dining and their raised tatami seating are perfect for groups to relax in.

Hanaten Sakaihigashi Branch

Open: 10:00 am - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:30 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 950 JPY / [Lunch] 850 JPY
Access: 3-minute walk from [Asakayama Station]. Head west on Prefectural Road 30 and you'll find it right before the Sunamichi traffic light.
Address: 2-1-10, Sunamichi-cho, Sakai-ku, Sakai, Osaka

7. HELLO KITTY SMILE SMILE Restaurant

HELLO KITTY SMILE SMILE Restaurant cuisine

Here, you can enjoy an order-style buffet and courses filled with dishes made with luxury ingredients, such as shark fin and soft-shelled turtles. You can also savor dishes that fuse traditional Chinese cooking techniques with Japanese elements, such as the [Special Abalone and Shark Fin Herbal Soup] that is packed with umami (Japanese savory taste) and [Deep-fried Sichuan Pepper Flavored Karaage of Cuttlefish From Yura Port, Awaji], which has a distinct smell of Sichuan peppers. The restaurant is cute yet luxurious, with pictures of Hello Kitty on the walls. On the floor facing the ocean, you can enjoy a view that was chosen as one of the top 100 sunsets in Japan while digging into your food. Why not have an anniversary, date, or celebration in one of their private rooms?

HELLO KITTY SMILE SMILE Restaurant

Open: [Monday, Wednesday, Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm), Yum Cha 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm, Dinner 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm (L.O. 7:30 pm)
Closed: Tuesday
Average price: [Dinner] 8,000 JPY / [Lunch] 6,000 JPY
Access: Take the Honshi Kaikyou or Awaji Kotsu bus to Awaji IC. 10 minutes on a free shuttle bus from Awaji IC.
Address: 985-1, Nojima Hikinoura, Awaji, Hyogo Map
More Details Reservation

8. NISHITANI

[NISHITANI] is a restaurant that serves [Yakuzen Nabe] (medicinal hot pot dishes) with carefully selected meats and vegetables. Five-star lamb, Takara pork procured directly from a contracted farm in Kagoshima and Waton Mochi pork from Hyogo are served in a special dashi (broth) made with 10 types of medicinal herbs. It is an extremely healthy dish with plenty of Kawachi vegetables delivered directly from a contracted farm in Osaka. The [Lemon Shabu-shabu] (sliced meat parboiled with vegetables with thinly sliced Lemon from Setouchi) is popular for its refreshing flavors. It can be ordered as a la carte, but it is recommended to order as a course menu so that you can sample a variety of other dishes as well. They have an all-you-can-drink option so it's perfect for banquets and other gatherings. The whole restaurant can be booked for parties of up to 36 people. This is a restaurant that is appropriate for a variety of different occasions.

NISHITANI

Open: Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm (L.O. 1:30 pm), Dinner 5:30 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY / [Lunch] 900 JPY
Access: Located approximately 300m from Exit 8 of [Higobashi Station], a 4-minute walk.
Address: B1F, Higobashi Bldg., 1-23-13, Edobori, Nishi-ku, Osaka, Osaka

9. HAMAYAKI TARO Yamato-yagi branch

HAMAYAKI TARO Yamato-yagi branch cuisine

HAMAYAKI TARO Yamato-yagi Branch is popular for its warm, welcoming and lively atmosphere. The biggest appeal of the place is that the food is cooked by the customers themselves. Here, you can not only enjoy the process of cooking but can cook the food exactly as you like. The courses all come with a 2-hour all-you-can-drink option and are perfect for parties or nights out with friends. The entire restaurant can be rented out for parties of 40 or more guests. The all-you-can-drink plan is also available for those who order a la carte. The drink menu includes ji-zake (local sake) from Nara among others, so it's perfect for anyone visiting from afar. This is a restaurant to enjoy a fun night with many laughs, along with plenty of seafood and a wide selection of alcohol.

HAMAYAKI TARO Yamato-yagi branch

Open: [Monday - Thursday, Sunday, National Holidays] 5:00 pm - 12:00 am [Friday, Saturday, Day before National Holidays] 5:00 pm - 2:00 am
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 3,800 JPY
Access: Walk 2 minutes from the South Exit of Yamato-Yagi Station
Address: 2F, Skypia Ueda Bldg., 1-2-15, Naizen-cho, Kashihara-shi, Nara Map
More Details

10. Chinese Restaurant RO-LAN

Nara has many tourists from inside/outside Japan for its temples, shrines, and beautiful valleys. You can visit us by car including large sightseeing buses, as we have a huge parking lot for up to 4,200 vehicles. We also have excellent access to public transportation; within walking distance of the stations, and there are also nonstop buses. Many local guests visit us alone or with their families and friends, to reasonably enjoy our authentic Chinese buffet. We offer a unique service called [Kids Omotenashi Supporter] to small children as well. We are ideal even for foreign tourists to casually enjoy our buffet. Please visit us to enjoy eating, drinking, and socializing as well.

Chinese Restaurant RO-LAN

Open: 10:00 am - 11:00 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm) (Only the drink menu is available between 10:00 am - 11:00 am)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 2,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,500 JPY
Access: 13 minutes walk from Koriyama Station. 1 minute walk from AEON Mall Yamato Koriyama Bus Stop on Nara Kotsu Bus. On the first floor of AEON Mall Yamato Koriyama branch
Address: 1F, AEON Mall Yamato Koriyama branch, 741 Shimo Mitsuhashi-cho, Yamato Koriyama city, Nara

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.

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