15 Izakaya in Kyoto that are Perfect for Families Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Guide-

Update-date: Jun 06 2020

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

15 Izakaya in Kyoto that are Perfect for Families

There are numerous izakaya (Japanese pubs) in Kyoto that serve delicious, family-friendly dishes. Some of them serve typical Kyoto cuisine, but all come highly recommended. Below are 15 izakaya in Kyoto that you can enjoy with your family.

See full listings of Izakaya restaurants found in and around Kyoto.

1. Japanese Restaurant Tsugu (Shijo)

Tsugu is an izakaya on a backstreet that's just 5 minutes away on foot from Shijo Station. It is a modern pub with traditional Japanese flooring in a "naguri" finish and verdigris copper plates embedded on the wall. They serve exquisite Japanese cuisine in the restaurant’s relaxing ambiance. Their [Kani to Kani Miso Cream Croquette (800 JPY plus tax)] has a crispy texture and rich flavor of crab. It is especially popular among regulars.

Japanese Restaurant Tsugu

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] 5:30 pm - 1:00 am (L.O. 12:00 am)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY
Address: 146 Muromachi Shinmachi no aida Nishiki koji Sagaru Kanondo-cho 468 oba, Chukyo-ku,Kyoto-shi , Kyoto (Map)
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2. Hitotose (Kyoto)

A 5-minute walk from Kyoto Station, Hitotose is a stylish restaurant with an old Kyoto-style concept. Their private rooms make this restaurant ideal for families. Hitotose serves Japanese cuisine like obanzai (traditional Kyoto cuisine) made with seasonal Kyo-Yasai (traditional vegetables from Kyoto). Their signature dish, the [Shun Yasai to Meigara Buta no Seiro Mushi (1,480 JPY)], uses premium pork brands, such as Mochi-buta (Mochi pork) and Sangen-ton (Sangen pork), as well as Okutanba ji-dori (local chicken). It is a great dish eaten with a Japanese-style dashi (broth) that uses shoyu (soy sauce) as its base. Another great dish is Kyoto’s new specialty drink, [Matcha Beer (650 JPY)], which is made from copious amounts of expensive matcha (powdered green tea) from Uji.

Hitotose

Open: [Weekdays] 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:30 pm)
[Weekends, National Holidays] 4:00 pm - 1:00 am (L.O. 12:30 am)
Closed: None
Average price: 3,500 JPY
Address: 2F, K-UP Shichijo Bldg., 210, Maoya-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Map
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3. Gokenshimo (Karasuma Oike)

At this restaurant, which is located in a renovated 100-year-old Kyoto townhouse that has a courtyard and lattice door, you can savor a variety of nutritious dishes. Their dishes use a lot of Kyo-Yasai and ingredients procured from well-established food stores. They also use well water from Kyoto to make the rice and dashi. In addition, they serve meals made with medicinal herbs procured by a Chinese herbalist. Their signature hot pot dish, [Goken Nabe (1,500 JPY plus tax)], has a dashi that's made with their original waken-cha (waken tea), nutritious pork, and blended medicinal herbs. It is popular all throughout the year.

Gokenshimo

Open: [Thursday - Saturday] Lunch 11:30 am - 1:30 pm, Kyo Machiya Lunch & Cafe 10:30 am - 3:30 pm, Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:15 pm)
[Monday - Wednesday, Sunday] Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:15 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 5,800 JPY/ [Lunch] 1,200 JPY
Address: 609, Kikkoya-cho, Takakura-dori, Aneyakoji-agaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Map)
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4. Monaka-do (Kawaramachi)

Located on the 2nd floor of a building that's just 3 minutes away on foot from Kawaramachi Station, Monaka-do is an izakaya with a nostalgic vibe. Here, you can enjoy creative and healthy Japanese cuisine that's full of vegetables in the restaurant's warm wooden interior. Every dish is exquisite, beautiful, and tasty to the point where both your eyes and tongue will love them! Their [Avocado Sonomanma Gratin (550 JPY)], made with a whole avocado, and [Chicken Namban (650 JPY)] - a chicken dish served with a sweet and spicy sauce, are popular meals for people of all ages.

Monaka-do

Open: [Weekdays] 6:00 pm - 1:00 am (L.O. 12:30 am)
[Saturday] 5:00 pm - 1:00 am (L.O. 12:30 am)
[Sunday, National Holidays] 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:30 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: 4,000 JPY
Address: 378, Komeya-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Map)
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Tsukihi KARASUMA (Karasuma & Shijo)

Standing on a quiet lane, Tsukihi KARASUMA serves creative cuisine made from fresh vegetables, including Kyo-Yasai, that are delivered every morning from contract farmers all over Japan. They offer fresh vegetable dishes served steamed or pickled at reasonable prices. An especially popular menu item is the [Kisetsu no 10-shu Yasai Tonyu with Bagna Cauda Sauce (850 JPY)]. Enjoy 10 seasonal and rare vegetables dipped in KARASUMA’s original homemade soymilk bagna cauda sauce!

Tsukihi KARASUMA

Open: [Weekends] Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm), Dinner 5:30 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 10:30 pm)
[Tuesday - Friday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Dinner 5:30 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 10:30 pm)
Closed: Monday
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY / [Lunch] 2,000 JPY
Address: Back of 1F, Brodiaea Bukkoji, 215-1, Itoya-cho, Shinmachi Higashi-iru, Bukkoji-dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

6. Muromachi Kaji (Shijo)

Muromachi Kaji offers great Japanese cuisine made by their famous chef, who trained at a restaurant in Kyoto. The majority of the seating is counter seats, and the wooden interior gives warmth to this cozy eatery. The chef serves unique a la carte dishes, made with seasonal ingredients picked by the chef, that change each month. He also pays extra attention to the design of the plates that he pairs with each dish. Their [Otoshi Hassun] is a popular reservation-only dish that consists of 5 – 6 elaborate items arranged on a plate. Be sure to sample this dish if you visit the restaurant!

Muromachi Kaji

Open: 6:00 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:00 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: 7,000 JPY
Address: 1F, Vine Oak Cent, 185, Nakanono-cho, Matsubara Nishi-iru, Muromachi-dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Map
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7. Kakuredokoro Shunsai Sengyo Sanji (Karasuma Oike)

A white paper lantern inscribed with the restaurant's name is the landmark for this restaurant. Inside, there are wooden counter seats and table seats. The fresh fish served here is directly procured from fishermen. Sanji is famous for serving creative dishes, and a particularly popular dish is their [Tori Ten Jikasei Kyo-fu with Tartar (780 JPY plus tax)], which is a dish of chicken tempura served with their original tartar sauce mixed with shibazuke (pickles). It is a must-try that you don’t want to miss out on!

Kakuredokoro Shunsai Sengyo Sanji

Open: [Weekdays] Lunch 11:30 am - 1:30 pm, Dinner 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:30 pm)

[Saturday] Dinner 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:30 pm)

[Sunday] Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm)

Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 3,500 JPY / [Lunch] 800 JPY
Access: Four minute walk from Karasuma Oike Station. Head down Karasumadori street toward Marutamachi, turn right at Nijodori street, and it will be a little ways down on the left. The sign is a chinese paper lantern.
Address: Nijo Coop 1F, 40 Matsuya-cho, Nijodori, Takakura Nishi-iru , Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto (Map)
More Details Reservation

8. Kyoshoku Fuji-ya (Karasuma Oike)

Kyoshoku Fuji-ya is located in a renovated Kyo-machiya (old merchant house in Kyoto). After going through its short entrance curtains, you will see a stylish and relaxing space. Apart from counter seating, they only have private rooms. Kyoshoku Fuji-ya serves colorful, beautiful dishes made with a variety of seasonal ingredients. One example is the [Otsukuri Moriawase (2,000 JPY)] - a dish of sashimi (raw fish) served in a box that reminds one of a jewelry box. They also have a menu for parties, and serve a 12-course Kaiseki (Japanese banquet cuisine with alcohol) meal for lunch.

Kyoshoku Fuji-ya

Open: Lunch 11:00 am - 2:00 pm *Reservation required by 6:00 pm on the day before your visit, Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 6,000 JPY / [Lunch] 4,000 JPY
Access: Seven minutes on foot from Karasuma Oike Station. Located two blocks north of Kyoto Oike Junior High School.
Address: 656-1 Seimei-cho , Chukyo-ku,Kyoto-shi , Kyoto (Map)
More Details Reservation

9. BANSAN Kyoshoku (Karasuma & Shijo)

Located near Yanagi-no-Bamba Street (Yanagi-no-Bamba-dori) in Shijo, Kyoto, this izakaya serves Japanese cuisine that brings out the very best in every carefully-selected ingredient. These ingredients include fresh vegetables procured by the chef from morning markets in Tamba, his hometown, rich and savory Nanatani ji-dori, and fresh fish delivered straight from Nishiki Market (Nishiki Ichiba). BANSAN has a nostalgic vibe to it, and private rooms with a view of their garden for groups of 6 - 7 people.

BANSAN Kyoshoku

Open: 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:30 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: 3,500 JPY
Address: 473-1, Setoya-cho, Shijo-agaru, Yanagi-no-bamba-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Map
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10. Ichi (Karasuma)

“A restaurant where customers can casually enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine” is the motto of Ichi. Many of their dishes are cooked with broth made from high-quality bonito and seaweed. Their signature dish is the [Tai-dashi Chazuke], made with high-quality tai (red snapper). Another popular dish that a lot of people come back for is the [Marunabe Suppon (1,800 JPY)] - an amazing hot pot dish of soft-shelled turtle. They serve shochu and sake (both types of Japanese alcohol) in small, beautiful Japanese porcelain cups, which pairs perfectly with their nutritious meals. If you savor their food and drinks in the restaurant's elegant private rooms with horigotatsu (sunken kotatsu table) seating, your body and soul are sure to be soothed.

Ichi

Open: [Monday, Wednesday - Friday] Lunch 11:30 am - 1:30 pm, Dinner 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm (10:30 pm)
[Weekends, National Holidays] Dinner 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30)
Closed: Tuesday
Average price: [Dinner] 6,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,500 JPY
Address: 1F, Wohl Wollen, 431, Komusubidana-cho, Shijo-agaru, Shimachi-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Map
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11. Nikomiya Gaku (Shijo)

Nikomiya Gaku is a renovated Kyo-machiya that used to be the owner’s house. This nostalgic izakaya serves stews, and the signature dish here is the [Motsu Nikomi (500 JPY for small, 700 JPY for large)], made with a delicious miso-based dashi. They also serve oden (a dish of several ingredients stewed in dashi), made with bonito and seaweed soup that's been blended with the dashi of their [Motsu Nikomi]. Ingredients that you can add to their oden include daikon (Japanese white radish), boiled eggs, chikuwa (tube-shaped fish paste cake), and atsuage (thick fried tofu). Each piece is available from 100 JPY and above. Pick the pieces you want and enjoy them with sake or shochu!

Nikomiya Gaku

Open: 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Closed: Irregular
Average price: 3,000 JPY
Address: 264, Nishi Nishikikoji-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Map
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12. TUZURI (Shijo)

TUZURI is just the place for when you’re in the mood for some obanzai. When you go through the noren (entrance curtains) of this traditional Japanese restaurant, which stands outside the gates of Inabayakushi (also known as Byodo-ji), obanzai served in big plates on the counter will welcome you in. Their dishes are made with Kyo-Yasai that's freshly harvested in the morning, specialty products from Kyoto, fresh fish, and meat procured from local markets. They serve both popular staples, as well as daily specials. They have a wide variety of sake to go with every meal, including rare brands that ship in extremely small amounts and local sake that you can't find elsewhere.

TUZURI

Open: 6:00 pm - 11:30 pm (Food L.O. 10:30 pm, Drinks L.O. 11:00 pm)
Closed: Sunday *May open the day before a national holiday
Average price: 3,500 JPY
*Chef's Recommended Course costs 3,000 JPY - 5,000 JPY (more than 4 people)
Address: 728, Inaba-do, Kita-agaru, Hitosujime, Karasuma Matsubara Higashi-iru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

13. Sobashusai Sakaean (Karasuma)

Sakaean serves izakaya dishes made with carefully-selected ingredients. Along with table seats that are convenient and pleasant for both solo diners and families, they have semi-private rooms for groups of 6 - 8 people. This place is famous for their variety of skewered, roasted, and stewed domestic duck dishes. Other popular dishes include their original soba (buckwheat noodles) menu, which uses soba that's made every morning from stone-ground udon and soba flour, and they have many kinds of sake and shochu.

Sobashusai Sakaean

Open: [Tuesday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:30), Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (Food L.O. 10:00 pm, Drinks L.O. 10:30 pm)
Closed: Monday *Except for the beginning of the year
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY / [Lunch] 800 JPY
Address: 2F, Satake Bldg., 571, Obiya-cho, Nishikikoji-sagaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto (Map)

14. Kyoto Yakitori Seisakusho (Kawaramachi)

Kyoto Yakitori Seisakusho is an izakaya with a retro-modern vibe. They have tatami rooms with horigotatsu and private rooms. They use the freshest Kyo-aka jidori on the market in order to bring out the finest chicken flavors. It is so fresh that it can even be eaten raw! Their most popular meal is the [Momo Yaki (680 JPY plus tax)] - chicken thigh grilled over binchotan. They have an open kitchen, and children love watching the chefs cook with blazing fire!

Kyoto Yakitori Seisakusho

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] 5:00 pm - 1:00 am (L.O. 12:00 am)
[Sunday] Lunch 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:00 pm)
Closed: Irregular *Closed December 31 - January 4
Average price: 3,000 JPY
Address: 324, Tabiya-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Map
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15. Ichishun (Kyoto)

Located near Kyoto Station, right behind Kyoto Tower, is Ichishun. Using seafood procured from local fishing harbors in places like Wakasa Bay (Wakasa-wan) and Awaji Island (Awaji-shima), as well as fresh, organic, and pesticide-free vegetables from farms in Yawata, they take pride in serving the freshest seasonal dishes. Ichishun is known for serving rare ingredients that are not easy to find elsewhere. Other than counter seats, this izakaya also has raised horigotatsu seating.

Ichishun

Open: Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm, Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:30 pm (L.O. 11:00 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Address: 2F, Surugaya Bldg., 720, Higashi Shiokoji-cho, Karasuma-dori Shichijo-sagaru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Map
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As the old capital of Japan, Kyoto is blessed with so many great restaurants. This article introduces several great restaurants that are recommended for families. Give them a try the next time you are traveling around Kyoto!

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.