Savoring Kyoto: 5 Unique Traditional Japanese Restaurants for a Leisurely Experience Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Guide-

Update-date: Sep 30 2024

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

Savoring Kyoto: 5 Unique Traditional Japanese Restaurants for a Leisurely Experience

Kyoto, which has served as the capital of Japan for over a thousand years, is a city where the traditional Japanese landscape is still vividly preserved. Known as the ancient capital, Kyoto offers an opportunity to savor the essence of Japanese ambiance. In this guide, we will introduce unique restaurants in Kyoto where you can enjoy local ingredients and traditional architecture. Take your time to immerse yourself in the flavors and culture of Japan during your visit to Kyoto.

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

Wine to Washoku Mikuri

Mikuri, run by a seasoned sommelier and a Gion-trained chef, offers the ultimate pairing of Japanese food and wine. Relish in the masterfully selected combinations of wine and seasonal Kyoto cuisine in a relaxing ambience. The menu includes a delicate "Hassun" appetizer, traditional dishes with Japanese black beef and Kyoto duck, paired with wine or sake, promising deep flavors to delight you. Experience a memorable moment at this adult hideaway in Kyoto.

Wine to Washoku Mikuri

Open: [Tuesday-Sunday, National Holidays] Dinner (course) 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Closed: Monday
Average price: [Dinner] 22,000 JPY
Access: Opposite The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto. The 4th house to the east of the Kiyamachi Nijo Intersection.
Address: 38-1, Higashi-ikesu-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Map
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Gion Okumura

French cuisine served kaiseki-style in the emotionally rich Gion.

Nestled in the charming ambiance of Gion, Kyoto, Gion Okumura is a restaurant that combines Kyoto kaiseki and French cuisine, offering a unique dining experience. With a fusion of Japanese and Western techniques and aesthetics, patrons can savor a novel gastronomic journey. Meticulously crafted dishes feature Kyoto vegetables, premium seafood, and seasonal ingredients, earning the restaurant acclaim from both domestic and international patrons. The dining experience is further enhanced by pairing the cuisine with a selection of wines, predominantly from France, and Japanese sake.

5 Restaurants to Savor Slowly, Unique Traditional Japanese Spots in the Ancient City Kyoto

Nestled in the scenic Hanami Koji, where tea houses line the cobblestone path, Gion Okumura stands as an elegant establishment exuding the traditional charm of Japan. The restaurant, housed in a former tea house, offers a refined dining experience. Patrons can choose from counter seats, zashiki (tatami mat rooms), and private rooms with traditional sunken hearths. Away from the bustling surroundings, it provides a luxurious space to enjoy moments exclusively shared among friends or family, creating unforgettable memories.

Gion Okumura

Open: [Monday, Wednesday - Sunday, National Holidays] Lunch 12:30 pm - 3:00 pm (L.O. 1:30 pm) / Dinner 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 7:30 pm)
Closed: Tuesday
Average price: [Dinner] 25,000 JPY / [Lunch] 12,000 JPY
Access: 5-minute walk from Exit 6 of Gion-shijo Station on the Keihan Main Line
Address: 570-6, Gionmachi-Minamigawa, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Map

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Niku Kappo Futago THE JUNEI HOTEL KYOTO

Exquisite Wagyu cuisine woven with rare Kyoto beef and carefully selected seasonal ingredients.

Located near the Kyoto National Museum and Toyokuni Shrine, Niku Kappo Futago at The Junei Hotel Kyoto is a rare meat kaiseki restaurant offering the exquisite Kyoto beef. Dishes include sirloin with finely marbled red meat and white fat, as well as tail cuts featuring the high-quality Kyoto-bred black-haired wagyu known as Kyoto Beef Miyabi. The menu also incorporates carefully selected local ingredients such as Kyoto bamboo shoots and Kujo green onions, providing a delightful culinary experience.

Located on the 1st floor of the hotel, the restaurant exudes a luxurious atmosphere inspired by a traditional Japanese teahouse. The interior design creates an ambiance reminiscent of strolling through Kyoto's narrow alleyways, evoking a sense of excitement. The restaurant, featuring private dining rooms, provides a secluded space detached from daily life. Surrounded by a serene and sophisticated Japanese aesthetic, patrons can fully savor the exquisite taste of Kyoto beef.

Niku Kappo Futago THE JUNEI HOTEL KYOTO

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays] Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm (Last Entry 8:00 pm, Drink L.O. 9:30 pm) *Please note that business hours and service content (alcoholic beverages, etc.) may be temporarily changed or suspended under Kyoto Prefecture's request for shorter work hours.
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 16,000 JPY
Access: 3-minute walk from Shichijo Station
Address: 1F, THE JUNEI HOTEL KYOTO, 4-139, Honmachi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Map

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Nihon Ryouri YUEN

Located about a 4-minute walk south from the World Heritage Site Touji Temple, you'll find the exclusively reservation-based Japanese restaurant, "Nihon Ryouri YUEN." Reservations are accepted for only one party at a time, providing an opportunity to enjoy the skills of a private chef in a private setting. The cuisine is presented in a course format, featuring dishes like "Low-temperature smoked aged black Japanese beef," extracting the essence of the meat, and "Donabe Gohan," a rice dish using seasonal ingredients, showcasing the chef's exquisite techniques. Don't miss out on the selection of Japanese sake curated by a sake sommelier.

The interior of the restaurant consists of only one fully private room for 2 to 6 people. The sliding paper doors (fusuma) are adorned with dynamic dragon paintings meticulously hand-painted by a Kyoto fusuma artist, creating a striking presence. Despite being on the second floor, the restaurant offers a view of a Japanese garden, adding an extra element of interest to the dining experience. The exterior and interior, crafted by a sculptor who has worked on a certain theme park, create a sense of the extraordinary. In this completely private space, enjoy a leisurely time forgetting about the clock, savoring exquisite cuisine and fine beverages.

Nihon Ryouri YUEN

Open: Lunch 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm) / Dinner 4:00 pm - 11:30 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 20,000 JPY
Access: By bus: Take routes 16, 18, 19, 42, 71, 78, 202, 205, 206, 207 and get off at Toji Higashimon-mae, Toji Minamimon-mae, or Kujo Omiya.
Address: 60-2, Nishikujo Hieijo-cho, Minami-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Map

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Temari Sushi and Nihoncha SOUDEN

Savor the seasonal delights with temari sushi and Japanese tea.

Located a 6-minute walk from Karasuma-Oike Station, "Temari Sushi and Nihoncha SOUDEN" is a place where you can enjoy Temari Sushi and Japanese tea. The monthly rotating selection of Japanese tea is carefully brewed using soft water heated in an iron kettle. The Temari Sushi, crafted with carefully chosen ingredients, is both visually appealing and delicious. For those who want to fully savor both Japanese tea and Temari Sushi, the "Souden Set Meal" is highly recommended.

The interior of the restaurant is a blend of Japanese elegance and modern style, creating a fashionable space where every corner looks like a piece of art. The stylish atmosphere is enhanced by the glossy black counter tables adorned with brilliant illustrations, lighting fixtures crafted by a traditional umbrella shop, and vintage tableware from around the 19th century. The Temari Sushi, illuminated by soft ambient lighting, is a perfect subject for photographs, making it a memorable part of your travel experience.

Temari Sushi and Nihoncha SOUDEN

Open: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm (L.O. 3:00 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Lunch] 3,000 JPY
Access: Get off at Karasuma Oike Station on the Kyoto City Subway Karasuma Line, and it's a 6-minute walk from exits 5 and 6
Address: 110-1, Machigashira-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Map

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Taketori

Experience fresh local chicken from our own chicken farm in a over 100-year-old traditional Japanese house.

Located just a 2-minute walk from Hanazono Station and close to Myoshinji Temple, Takatori is a specialized chicken restaurant where you can savor the elusive Nanatani Jidori, also known as the phantom local chicken. Raised at their own chicken farm along the Nanasuya River in Kameoka City, these chickens have a firm texture and a rich flavor. The "Taketori Course" offers a lineup that allows you to fully enjoy the taste of Nanatani Jidori, including grilled, seared, and hot pot dishes.

The interior of the restaurant, which is renovated from a traditional Japanese townhouse that is over 100 years old, allows you to fully enjoy the charm of a Japanese house. In addition to counter seats, there are private rooms, making it suitable for family use. Immerse yourself in the traditional Japanese atmosphere while savoring locally sourced chicken that is ground fresh in the morning. As the restaurant has its own chicken farm established by a charcoal specialty store in pursuit of delicious chicken, the Nanatani Jidori, grilled with bamboo charcoal, offers a blissful taste. Experience the authentic flavors of Japanese chicken cuisine.

Taketori

Open: [Weekdays] 5:30 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:00 pm) / [Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays] 5:30 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm)
Closed: Wednesday
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY
Access: 2-minute walk from Exit 2 of Hanazono Station on the JR Sanin Main Line
Address: 26-1, Hanazono-Imachi, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Map

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Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.