16 Restaurants Around Gion for Touristy Lunch Breaks! Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Guide-

Update-date: Jun 15 2020

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

16 Restaurants Around Gion for Touristy Lunch Breaks!

Renowned as an elegant red-light district, Gion has been a popular tourist hotspot ever since ancient times. Easily accessible from Kyoto Station, it is home to lots of famous attractions like Kamo River, Yasaka Shrine and Minamiza, and offers a lovely Japanese townscape at any time of the year, so tourists come and go endlessly from all parts of the world! The machiya street (lined with old merchant's houses) crowded with geisha, may seem a bit unapproachable, but it also hosts plenty of restaurants where you'll feel the local hospitality. This article collects a few spots in Gion where you can enjoy a casual lunch.

See full listings of Japanese Cuisine restaurants found in and around Kyoto.

1. Pontochotakara

It's only 1 minute on foot from Gion-Shijo Station. Located right next to Kawaramachi Station, Pontochotakara is a historical Kyoto cuisine restaurant founded over 120 years ago. For their typical Kyoto-style dishes, they use fresh seafood carefully selected every morning at the central market by the chef himself. You'll get to savor to your heart's content lots of must-eats meticulously crafted according to ancient traditional recipes so to maximize the features of every ingredient. If you're looking for a casual Kyoto-style kaiseki (traditional Japanese course meal) lunch, order the luxurious [Lunch Kaiseki], and you can feast with both your eyes and tastebuds. Also, their popular cakes, warabi-mochi (bracken starch cakes covered in soy flour) and homemade desserts made with plenty of fruit are so voluminous they could work as main dishes, and the deliciousness is no way inferior to those from a specialized shop! Why not treat yourself and your loved one to a special lunch in one of their classy and cozy private rooms or at the sophisticated Japanese-style counter?

17 Restaurants Around Gion for Touristy Lunch Breaks!

Pontochotakara

Open: [Tuesdays - Sundays, days before national holidays, and national holidays] Lunch 12:00 pm - 2:30 pm (last order 2:00 pm) / Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:30 pm (last order 10:00 pm)
Closed: Mondays
Average price: [Dinner] 10,000 JPY / [Lunch] 4,000 JPY
Access: 1 minute walk from Kawaramachi Station. Take Exit 1, follow along the Kamo River towards Sanjo and it will be on your right.
Address: 173-2 Pontocho-dori Shijo Agaru Kashiwaya-cho , Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto (Map)
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2. Sushi Gion Matsudaya

Established in what used to be a lovely tea house, Sushi Gion Matsudaya is a counter-only sushi spot that was even listed on a popular gourmet guide. The cozy interior, featuring a gorgeous, lightly colored wooden counter lined with 7 high-back chairs, combines a casual atmosphere with the splendor of Gion. Kyoto is crowded with gourmet experts, and the Edo-style sushi served here, crafted with self-taught techniques, manages to enhance the flavor of natural ingredients to the point it captures the hearts of countless of customers! Today, it's an extremely famed restaurant visited by hordes of people from both inside and outside Japan. Sunday's limited edition lunch must be reserved by the day before. Letting the sushi chef recommend and craft the best nigiri available, will grant you an exceptional meal. On top of sushi rice and seafood, the wasabi from Azumino offered for each order was specially selected to add a unique and rich flavor.

Sushi Gion Matsudaya

Open: [Weekday/Saturday] Dinner from 6:00 pm - 00:00 am (last order at 10:00 pm)[Sunday/national holiday] Dinner from 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm (last order at 8:30 pm)[Sunday] Lunch from 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm (last order at 1:30 pm)
Closed: Mondays
Average price: [Lunch] 15,000 JPY
Access: From the station, walk up Shijou-dori towards Yasaka shrine (Gion), turn right on Hanami-koujidori towards Kenniji temple, turn right at the first corner, then make the first left.
Address: 570-123 Gionmachi Minamigawa, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Map
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3. Oraé Gion

Sitting on Gion Shinbashi Street, Oraé Gion is a unique restaurant where you can savor unconventional Italian food and plenty of wines that match incredibly well. Other than Kyoto vegetables and domestically produced ingredients, they offer different sauces according to the current season and climate. Their convenient lunch options consist of a luxurious seasonal course made with fresh Kyoto vegetables, and a reasonably priced course including their super popular bagna cauda. They renovated a Kyo-machiya (Kyoto-style old merchant's house) and decorated it with stylish furniture to create a fancy atmosphere that combines the essence of both Japan and the West. According to your preferences, they can arrange a surprise like a cake or a flower bouquet in your very own private room! This place is perfect for anniversaries, birthday parties, dates, but also business dinners and all sorts of special occasions.

Oraé Gion

Open: Lunch 11:30 am - 2:30 pm (L.O.) Dinner 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm (L.O.)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 7,000 JPY / [Lunch] 2,000 JPY
Access: 5 minutes walk from Gionshijo station on Keihan Main line
Address: 71-7, Motoyoshi-cho, Shinbashi-agaru, Yamato Oji-dori, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

4. Harukami

Harukami is conveniently located just 1 minute away from both Kawaramachi Station and Gion-Shijo Station. Inside its evocative atmosphere, enriched by traditional Kyoto-style sliding doors and Kitayama cedar wood, you'll get to savor authentic kaiseki cuisine even for lunch. They only use local seasonal products when they're at their best condition to carefully prepare their many popular must-eats! Above all, don't miss their abundantly flavoursome [Lunch Kaiseki Course]. The private and semi-private rooms are equipped with sofas, horigotatsu tables (sunken kotatsu tables) and even raised tatami-floored seats, and the calm atmosphere perfectly suits the restaurant's name ("spring god"), which was received by Bunpo, zen priest of the Nanzen-ji Temple. The 1st floor is wheelchair accessible, while the 2nd floor is equipped with tatami rooms and tables, so the restaurant can welcome literally anyone, from kids to elderly.

Harukami

Open: Lunch 11:00 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm), Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
Closed: None
The restaurant can be fully reserved for private parties, so please check beforehand.
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 2,000 JPY
Access: A 1 minute walk from Kawaramachi Station / A 1 minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station.
Address: 10m on the west side of Pontocho Shijo-agaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

5. Pontoyaki Shin

Head to Pontoyaki Shin, which is pretty close to Gion-Shijo Station, to savor their "Pontoyaki", an original specialty created after several trial and error sessions to obtain the perfect combination of ingredients, texture, and flavor. Other than the [Momo Yukhoe-don], made with super fresh domestic beef, and their [Roast Beef], wherein plenty of vegetables are wrapped in meat, there are also many delicacies available only for lunchtime, so the variety is huge! Suitable for both lunch and dinner, their innovative okonomiyaki (Japanese savory pancake) called [Pontoyaki] can be topped with many different ingredients, so it can offer a new experience every time. The classy and unique interiors, work of a designer, are a key appeal point of this restaurant. Consult with them beforehand to arrange a course meal or organize a private party. Its stylish yet homey atmosphere is perfect for all situations: dates, drinking nights and even welcome parties.

Pontoyaki Shin

Open: Lunch 11:30 am - 2:30 pm, Dinner 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: A 3-minute's walk from Exit 1A of Gion-Shijo Station, towards Kamo River.
Address: 169-4, Kashiwaya-cho, Shin Kawaramachi-dori Shijo-agaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

6. Shoan

In a silent alley a little distant from the lively Yamato Main Street sits a detached house that feels like the perfect hideaway from the daily grind: that's Shoan. Only here you'll find unique delicacies made with fish from Kochi Prefecture, natural seafood from the central market and other novelty products from both sides of the ocean, carefully selected by the boss, who is constantly looking for new flavors. The most recommended items are the [Omakase Course], packed with the playful spirit of the chef, and their highly praised lunch options. If you want to try lunch limited edition items like their [Shoan 3-layer Bento], available only on weekdays for a maximum of 10 servings, or the luxurious [Lunch Omakase Course], you may prefer to check their availability and/or make a reservation beforehand. Also, their wide assortment of high-grade sake, and the elegant cypress wooden interiors provided with horigotatsu tables and counter seats will satisfy all types of customers!

Shoan

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, National Holidays, Days Before National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm), Courses (minimum 4 servings, from 5,000 JPY) only available upon prior reservation, Dinner 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)
Closed: Sunday
Every 3rd Monday of the month. Check beforehand about summer holidays and the beginning and end of the year.
Average price: [Dinner] 8,000 JPY / [Lunch] 2,500 JPY
Access: From Exit 6 of Gion-Shijo Station take Yamato Main Street. It's at the end of a street that is next to [Chitose].
Address: 18-11, Yamato-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Map
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7. Nikujiro Shijo Kiyamachi

Located at the 6th floor of Imagium, Nikujiro Shijo Kiyamachi is an izakaya that offers various food genres, with the main focus on premium meat, as well as a large selection of drinks and limited edition sake. They pride themselves on selecting the best and safest meat among small cuts of which only a few kgs are available in one cow. Indulge in its flavor by ordering items like their tender and juicy [Zabuton Steak]. Take it to the next level by pairing it with one of their amazing beers, whose quality control is performed every day. In its spacious and stylish interiors, you can make a reservation up until the previous day to ensure a table for lunch or make arrangements for a cake and other types of surprises. There are horigotatsu private rooms for both large banquets and small groups, so they can accommodate couples, groups of girlfriends or moms, and even business lunch banquets.

Nikujiro Shijo Kiyamachi

Open: Lunch from 12:00 pm *Reservation required up until the day before, Dinner 5:00 pm - 1:00 am (L.O. 12:00 am)
Closed: Irregular
Closed on New Year's Day. *On January 2nd and 3rd, an additional fee of 10% of the total food and drinks bill will be applied as New Year's special charge.
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY / [Lunch] 3,000 JPY
Access: A 1 minute walk from Kawaramachi Station / A 2-minute's walk from Gion-Shijo Station
Address: 6F, Imagium, 97, Shincho, Nishi Kiyamachi-dori Shijo-agaru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

8. TOILO x TANITA CAFE Kyoto Branch

TOILO x TANITA CAFE Kyoto Branch was established 1 minute away from Kawaramachi Station thanks to a collaboration between the health supplies company TANITA and the meat-specialized restaurant Toilo. Here, you can enjoy course meals made with highly nourishing vegetables carefully selected by an expert, and healthy dishes designed by a chef and a nutritionist with the aim of "increasing the awareness towards health and beauty through food". Other than the [Loaded Vegetables One Plate], that will grant you about half of your daily vegetables intake, and the top popularity contender [Premium Wagyu Hamburg with Tomato Cheese Sauce], whether you order steak, pasta, curry or club sandwich, you'll almost always get salad and soup on the side! Equipped with kids seats and semi-private rooms, the bright and wide interiors are great for your lunch with girlfriends or mom friends or, if you prefer, for a surprise date or anniversary dinner at night! So why not give it a try?

TOILO x TANITA CAFE Kyoto Branch

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays] 11:00 am - 9:30 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 1,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: A 1 minute walk from Exit 2 of Kawaramachi Station. A 3-minute's walk from Exit 3 of Gion-Shijo Station.
Address: 7F, Kyoto Sumitomo Bldg., 68, Shincho, Shijo-dori Kawaramachi Higashi-iru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Map
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9. Marutomi

A few steps from Kawaramachi Station, Marutomi is a stylish yakiniku spot where you can enjoy high-quality beef from whole cows bought from an auction by the owner himself. They serve rare cuts of top-grade wagyu brands like Saga Beef, Miyazaki Beef and Shikoku Beef, prepared so as to get the most of their original flavor. Other than the convenient [Marutomi Recommended Assortment], that will allow you to enjoy popular cuts for a reasonable cost, and the [5,500 JPY Course], which pairs meat with delicious rice and vegetables, you'll definitely appreciate the [Fresh Vegetables Bagna Cauda], premium local vegetables with a special sauce, and other fantastic delicacies prepared with mastery by the chef. The rich lunch options, all of which include soup and salad, are extremely convenient and everyone is crazy about them! Differently from the typical yakiniku restaurant, the warm wooden interiors create a relaxing atmosphere, and other than a counter and tables, there are tatami rooms with a night view that are perfect for dates, business dinners and all sorts of banquets.

Marutomi

Open: Lunch 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
[Monday - Thursday] Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
[Friday - Sunday] Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:30 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: A 1 minute walk from Exit 2 of Kawaramachi Station / A 3-minute's walk from Exit 3 of Gion-Shijo Station
Address: 8F, Kyoto Marui, 68, Shincho, Shijo-dori Kawaramachi Higashi-iru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

10. Kyoto Mamehachi

Pick Mamehachi if you're in the mood for creative tofu dishes and obanzai (traditional Kyoto cuisine). Made with plenty of Kyoto products, obanzai is an assortment of delicious handmade delicacies, different every season. One single bite of their lovingly prepared food will immediately melt your heart. The [Kumiage Yuba Sashimi], made just with water and soybeans from Miyama (Kyoto), the healthy and delicious [Mamehachi Lunch], and the tofu-loaded [Bubu Tofu - Mamehachi Original] are all highly recommended! This restaurant combines a somewhat nostalgic food culture with an innovative and unique tofu cuisine. The tranquil interiors, which are pure machiya style, are provided with spacious counter seats, fully reservable tatami rooms and private horigotatsu rooms. It's suitable for dates, business meetings and parties of all sizes.

Kyoto Mamehachi

Open: Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm), Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:30 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 4,500 JPY / [Lunch] 2,000 JPY
Access: A 3-minute's walk from Exit 1 of Kawaramachi Station heading north.
Address: West side of Shijo-dori Pontocho-agaru, 210-4, Nabeya-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Map
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11. Mamehachi Hanare

At Mamehachi Hanare in Pontocho, you can savor vegetables and soybean-based healthy food, including obanzai recipes developed for the vegetarian Shojin cuisine of the Buddhist temples of Kyoto. Tofu and vegetables produced from pure waters and lush nature are abundantly used for super popular lunch sets such as the [12-kind Obanzai and Soy Milk Nabe Set], which includes their original soy milk nabe available only here, and the reasonably priced [Obanzai 8-kind Assortment with Large Fried Tofu Set]! Aside from tofu-based dishes, you'll also find flagship items of Mamehachi Main Branch, like sashimi and kumiage yuba (fresh tofu skin). In its wide Japanese-modern interiors, customers can choose between quiet table seats, recommended for dates, business meals and families, and private horigotatsu rooms. Bring a special person to spend some quality time together here.

Mamehachi Hanare

Open: Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm), Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 4,500 JPY / [Lunch] 2,000 JPY
Access: Street address: 20th alley on the west side of Shijo-dori Pontocho-agaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi
Address: 208-4, 2-chome Shimokoriki-cho, Higashi Kiyamachi Shijo-agaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Map
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12. Ishigamatei

Accessible within a 3-minute walk from Kawaramachi Station, Ishigamatei offers delicious Japanese dishes made with lots of premium products from Kyoto. In addition to their [Today's Fresh Sashimi], stocked every day from the central market, and the [Kyoto Duck Roast Shabu-Shabu] whose recipe was inherited from the 1st generation, they're mostly famous for their stone-oven baked delicacies, which are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside! You'll get to enjoy simple grilled vegetables, duck steak, and even pizza. As for the lunch menu, it offers an appealing lineup of options like the voluminous [Conger Eel Tempura with Obanzai Plate], whose main dish varies according to the season, and the [Kyoto Duck Shabu-Shabu Lunch], featuring a thoroughly boiled, tasty and fragrant soup. The restaurant, from which you get a full view of Kamo River, is divided into a 1st floor dedicated to casual tables and a 2nd floor with tatami rooms ideal for special occasions.

Ishigamatei

Open: [Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday, National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:30 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm), Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)
[Saturday, Days Before National Holidays] Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:30 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm)
Closed: Wednesday
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,800 JPY
Address: A 3-minute's walk from Kawaramachi Station

13. Shangri-La Kawaramachi Branch

You can get here on foot in 1 minute from Kawaramachi Station. The stylish Shangri-La Kawaramachi Branch is renowned for its large variety of delicious healthy dishes. Among the countless food and drink genres, the most worth mentioning items are the [Camembert Cheese Fry], crispy outside and creamy inside, and the [Teri-Mayo Pizza], a mouth-watering combo of fluffy dough, tasty duck meat and a special sauce! You can order both a-la-carte options and courses. Customizable in terms of the number of courses, preferences, usability and budget, the [Lunch Banquet Plan] must be reserved up until the day before. You can add a luxurious all-you-can-drink plan even for lunch. Often booked for girls' nights and birthday parties, the restaurant is equipped with gorgeous private rooms illuminated by beautiful chandeliers. Invite a close friend or a someone special to enjoy a relaxing meal together in this lovely restaurant.

Shangri-La Kawaramachi Branch

Open: 5:00 pm - 1:00 am (L.O. 12:00 am)
Closed: None
Closed on New Year's Day. *On January 2nd and 3rd, an additional fee of 10% of the total food and drinks bill will be applied as New Year's special charge.
Average price: 2,500 JPY
Access: A 1 minute walk from Kawaramachi Station / A 2-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station / A 1 minute walk from Shijo Kawaramachi Station
Address: 376-2, Komeya-cho, Kawaramachi-dori Shijo-agaru Futasujime Higashi-iru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Map
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14. Yuzu no Niwa Kawaramachi Branch

Super close to the station, Yuzu no Niwa is a Japanese cuisine izakaya that boasts a rich all-you-can-eat menu and luxurious dishes made with fresh seafood directly stocked from the production area. Customers of any age and gender love must-eats like their [Salmon Yuzu Kosho Marinade], wherein fatty sashimi is enriched with a spicy touch, and the ultra-tender [Yuzu-flavored Pork Kakuni]! Plus, you can pair your food with an all-you-can-drink plan that includes around 200 drinks. If you make a reservation a day in advance, you can also enjoy their rich lunch banquet plan, composed of plenty of premium delicacies thoroughly prepared by the chef. A soft illumination creates a lovely and relaxing atmosphere in its Japanese-style interiors. There are private horigotatsu rooms that can host from 2 people and up, so other than lunch, they're also perfect for chatty girls gatherings, banquets, and after-parties.

Yuzu no Niwa Kawaramachi Branch

Open: 5:00 pm - 1:00 am (L.O. 12:00 am)
Closed: None
Closed on New Year's Day. *On January 2nd and 3rd, an additional fee of 10% of the total food and drinks bill will be applied as New Year's special charge.
Average price: 2,500 JPY
Access: A 1 minute walk from Kawaramachi Station / A 2-minute's walk from Gion-Shijo Station / A 1 minute walk from Shijo Kawaramachi Station
Address: 376-2, Komeya-cho, Kawaramachi-dori Shijo-agaru Futasujime Higashi-iru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Map
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15. Gion Sekiya

On the 2nd floor of Kusazono building, near Shijo Street, sits Gion Sekiya, a Japanese restaurant whose chef makes superb delicacies. His [Mikawa Eel Sumibiyaki], stocked raw and grilled on charcoal until crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, his [Mitsuse Chicken Sumibiyaki] dressed with refreshing yuzu kosho (spicy citrus paste) from Kyushu and rock salt, and the luxurious [Today's Sashimi Assortment] he carefully selects every morning, are all highly appreciated for their lovely appearance as well! When you're up for a budget-friendly lunch, you can order their lunch limited edition [Tempura Ozen]. This restaurant is a little-known hideaway for grown-ups who visit Gion for the first time or for a date but prefer a cozy and homey restaurant where to enjoy Japanese cuisine.

Gion Sekiya

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, Sunday] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:30 pm, Dinner 5:30 pm - 11:00 pm
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 5,500 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: A 3-minute's walk from Gion-Shijo Station. Proceed east on Shijo Street, then turn left and take Nawate Street. At the next corner, turn right and you'll find it on the 2nd floor of the Kusazono building 100m ahead.
Address: 2F, 202, Kusazono Bldg., 132, Tominaga-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Map
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16. Gion Tensou

Sitting at a quiet corner reachable through a stone-paved lane, Gion Tensou is a well-known restaurant that serves course meals only, meticulously crafted from appetizer to soup. Here, in addition to the voluminous and gorgeously presesnted [Anago] (conger eel) and their highly praised [Kisu] (sillago), you'll get to enjoy tempura of different products according to the season. Its extremely thin batter enhances the main features of the ingredients and tastes amazing with the dip. Deep-fried in cottonseed oil, the texture turns out crispy yet so light you could keep eating it for hours on end. The chic interiors offer counter seats with a kitchen view on the 1st floor, and cozy private rooms you can access to directly from the 2nd floor. It opens at 11:30 am, so keep this in mind as a classy lunch option.

Gion Tensou

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, National Holidays, Days Before National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm)
[Weekdays, Saturday, Days Before National Holidays] Dinner 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm (L.O. 8:30 pm) On National Holidays and festival days it's open only for lunch
Closed: Sunday
On National Holidays and festival days it's open only for lunch. Always open during spring and fall.
Average price: [Dinner] 12,000 JPY / [Lunch] 4,000 JPY
Access: A 3-minute's walk from Gion-Shijo Station
Address: Shijo Hanamikoji-sagaru Misujime-iru, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Map
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Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.