5 Restaurants to Enjoy Traditional Flavors Around Nanzenji, Higashiyama, and Nijo Castle | Kyoto Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Reservation Guide-

Update-date: Dec 27 2024

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

5 Restaurants to Enjoy Traditional Flavors Around Nanzenji, Higashiyama, and Nijo Castle | Kyoto

Kyoto, with its many preserved old streets, is a city that cannot be missed in Japanese tourism, allowing visitors to feel close to Japanese culture. There are numerous historic temples and shrines, as well as historical buildings such as castles to enjoy. After experiencing Japan's history and nature in Kyoto, why not finish off by savoring traditional flavors? Let's indulge in Kyoto's unique food culture as a memorable part of the journey.

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

Kyoto Yuba Restaurant Shizuka Nijo Castle Branch

A specialty restaurant near Nijo Castle where one can fully enjoy homemade Kyoto yuba.

Kyoyuba-dokoro Shizuka Nijojo Branch, located just a minute's walk from Nijojo-mae Station, is a restaurant where one can enjoy homemade Kyoto yuba in a kaiseki course. The Kyoto yuba made at the workshop in Miyama uses 100% domestically produced special soy milk. One can savor the full experience with the 'Yuba Delicacies' course. The restaurant offers a variety of yuba dishes, including the luxurious 'Yuba Nabe' and the traditional 'Nama Yuba Sashimi', allowing guests to fully enjoy Kyoto yuba.

Five restaurants where you can enjoy traditional flavors in the autumn leaves of Kyoto, including Nanzen-ji, Higashiyama, and Nijo Castle.

The restaurant is located on the south side of the World Heritage Site, Nijo Castle, facing Oike Street. It is marked by an elegant wooden sign, black lattice, and a white noren curtain. The interior, with only 9 counter seats, is a space infused with the charm of Kyoto. As it is a small restaurant offering only course menus, prior reservations are essential for both lunch and dinner. Guests can enjoy a graceful moment in a tranquil setting.

Kyo Yubadokoro Seike Nijojo Branch

Open: [Monday, Wednesday-Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:30 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm) [Thursday-Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Dinner 5:00 pm - 9:30 pm (L.O. 7:30 pm)
Closed: Tuesday
Average price: [Dinner] 10,000 JPY / [Lunch] 5,000 JPY
Access: 1 minute walk from Exit 3 of Subway Nijojo-mae Station. (Nearest bus stop: Nijojo-mae city bus stop)
Address: 233-4, Daimonjicho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

More Details Reservation

Nanzenji Sando Kikusui

Enjoy seasonal dishes and a sense of the extraordinary while admiring the beautiful garden.

At Kikusui, located a 7-minute walk from Keage Station along the Nanzenji Temple approach, guests can enjoy kaiseki cuisine made with seasonal ingredients. The courses created by two chefs, one specializing in Japanese and the other in Western cuisine, feature a diverse array of dishes presented in a flowing composition that aligns with seasonal themes and events. While inheriting Kyoto's traditional culture, the kaiseki also offers a course centered around the famous 'yudofu' of Nanzenji.

Upon entering a narrow path from the Nanzenji Temple approach, a charming entrance appears. The expansive garden, designed by the renowned seventh-generation landscape artist, Jihei Ogawa, features a pond-style strolling garden. Guests can enjoy a meal while taking in the beauty of the garden that changes with the seasons, providing a moment of extraordinary experience. In addition to the dining floor overlooking the garden, there are various private rooms, making it a great choice for those who value privacy.

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

More Details Reservation

Gion Kitagawa Hanbei

A café run by a long-established tea wholesaler where one can fully enjoy the charm of Japanese tea.

Located a 6-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station, Gion Kitagawa Hanbei is a café run by a long-established tea wholesaler founded in 1861. Visitors can fully experience the culture and charm of Japanese tea through drinks and sweets. The 'Chayomi,' which offers a pairing of five types of high-quality Japanese tea leaves with bite-sized sweets, is particularly recommended. The 'Japanese Tea Cocktail,' made with the finest quality Japanese tea, allows for the discovery of new charms of Japanese tea.

The restaurant, utilizing a traditional Kyoto machiya that is over 120 years old, offers a charming atmosphere filled with history. The interior features a modern design incorporating Japanese materials, creating a calm and serene ambiance. The space, primarily in a slightly dark gray, enhances the enjoyment of tea and sweets. The allure of Japanese tea enjoyed in a space rich with the history and elegance of Japan is sure to become a memorable part of the travel experience.

Gion Kitagawa Hanbee

Open: [Weekdays] 11:00 am - 6:00 pm, [Saturday, Sunday] 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 2,500 JPY
Access: 6-minute walk from Exit 6 of Gion-shijo Station on the Keihan Main Line
Address: 570-188, Gion-machi Minamigawa, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
More Details Reservation

Yuba Cuisine - Higashiyama Yudofu

A specialty restaurant for yuba dishes made with the beautiful water of Miyama and Kyoto-grown soybeans.

A restaurant specializing in yuba dishes made with the beautiful water of Miyama and Kyoto-grown soybeans.

Located an 8-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station, Yuba Cuisine Higashiyama Yudofu offers dishes made with "Miyama Yuba," crafted from the pure waters of Miyama Town in Kyoto Prefecture and locally sourced soybeans. The dishes, prepared by chefs who honed their skills at long-established restaurants, feature a variety of health-conscious options. Guests can enjoy a diverse range of yuba dishes, from appetizers to desserts. Special attention is also given to dishes using "Miyama Kyojidori," Miyama game, and seasonal Kyoto vegetables.

The restaurant is located in an area surrounded by Kyoto's iconic attractions such as Kenninji Temple, Yasaka Shrine, Yasui Konpiragu Shrine, and Gion Kobu Kaburenjo. The interior features counter seats recommended for solo diners and couples, as well as table seats that encourage lively conversation, along with semi-private rooms for a more intimate experience. Wouldn't it be delightful to enjoy the melting Miyama yuba while sipping on a wide selection of wines?

Yuba Higashiyamayuuzu

Open: [Fridays-Sundays] Lunch 11:00 pm - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm) / Dinner 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm (L.O. 8:30 pm)
Closed: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 2,000 JPY
Access: 7 minute walk from Gion Shijo station on the Keihan main line.
Address: 570-218 Gionmachiminamigawa, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
More Details Reservation

Temari Sushi and Japanese Tea Soudan -SOUDEN-

Indulge in vibrant temari sushi and Japanese tea in a luxurious setting.

The hand-formed sushi and carefully brewed Japanese tea at Hand-formed Sushi and Japanese Tea SOUDEN, which can be enjoyed in a colorful array, is a 6-minute walk from Karasuma Oike Station. The monthly changing lunch set includes hand-formed sushi made with seasonal ingredients, along with tempura, obanzai, and chawanmushi. For dinner, guests can enjoy a course meal paired with Japanese tea. A la carte options and cocktails made with Japanese tea are also available.

Five restaurants where traditional flavors can be enjoyed in the autumn leaves of Kyoto, including Nanzen-ji, Higashiyama, and Nijo Castle.

The restaurant features a modern Japanese design, enveloped in a calm atmosphere. In the center, there is a large single slab table. The counter seats are adorned with Yuzen dyeing, allowing guests to enjoy a unique texture. At the back of the counter seats, there is a small garden with a flowing waterfall. The interior is stylish, with tables made of washi paper, tea utensils and incense burners displayed on shelves, and lights resembling traditional Japanese umbrellas.

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

More Details Reservation

This article was written by AI Translation.

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.