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We have started a forum for discussion of all things ‘Kyoto’ at Open Kyoto. So, come on over and start asking your questions!

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Are you planning a trip to Kyoto? Did you just arrive and you haven’t found the places to dine yet? Japan, especially Kyoto can be a difficult place to find the local color. The historic places don’t change much, so a guide book can be relied upon. But seeing the sights works up quite an appetite, then it’s time to eat! But where? The guide books are weak on this point. Blogs and social media are the place to go for the this information. And just what is it that we are eating? Find out where (and what) the locals are eating from some longtime residents of Kyoto, both ex pat and Japanese here on Kyoto Foodie!

Comments 27

  1. Keizo says:

    Sugoi! Umasou! I’ve been to Kyoto once but most of my family is in Tokyo. I’ll definitely consider your recommendations the next time I’m in Kyoto…maybe this winter. Jaane!

  2. Mr. Gohan says:

    The last time I was in Kyoto a friend of mine took me to eat omusoba ( i think thats what it was called). It was yakisoba , fried rice, omelette. They also served this alcoholic beverage called aka. It was one the best meals that i had in a long time. I don’t know the place, but if you know what i’m talking about please let me know.
    thanks! I enjoy your blog very much!

  3. PekoPeko says:

    Hello Mr Gohan,
    You had this in Kyoto? There are many, many restaurants that serve omuraisu, omusoba, and etc. So, I am not sure. Also, I have never heard of ‘aka’. Do you know where in Kyoto this place was?

  4. Vincent says:

    Hi,

    I will be traveling to Kyoto for the first time with a study abroad group from Virginia Tech, USA. We are trying to plan our first meal in Japan (which will be in Kyoto, the Gion area) and our group leader wants to show us a traditional, spectacular meal. Do you have any places in mind?

    Thanks,

    Vincent

  5. PekoPeko says:

    Hello Vincent,
    Traditional and spectacular and in Gion — Kikunoi is the place. (www.kikunoi.jp)
    In Kyoto there are two choices, Kiyamachi or Honten. The Honten is a little nicer and in a much nicer neighborhood where can walk around before or after dinner.

    Please see the Kaiseki-ryori in Kyoto at ‘Kyoto Support‘ forum for details on Kikunoi and ask any questions that you might have there.

    https://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/kaiseki-ryori-in-kyoto

  6. Vincent says:

    Ah, thank you so much your your reply!
    I think my friends and I will have to eat there on our own while in
    Kyoto…I forgot to mention that the budget per person is a max of 3,000 yen.

    Sorry!

    So in that case, do you have any ideas for this limited budget?

    Thanks!

  7. Vincent says:

    or, at least around in that area… let’s say what are the best options for 5000-3000 yen per person…

    i believe i can haggle with my group leader on this budget hopefully 🙂

  8. PakuPaku says:

    Hello Vincent.
    In that case, I really recommend a restaurant called 豆ちゃ(Mame-cha)
    It is in the very old-fashioned area called 石塀小路(Ishibei-koji), Gion.
    All of the restaurant around there are very expensive, but this place serve really good modernly arranged Kyoto food for a very reasonable price. Their set course starts from 3500 yen, so if you don’t drink too much, you will really enjoy and still be under 5000 yen per person.
    The building itself and the atmosphere is very beautiful. The staff are very friendly,too. It may be difficult to find it, because the stone paved path is very narrow,but I hope you manage to find the place and enjoy their food!

    It is a popular place, so I think it is better to make a reservation.
    TEL: 075-532-2788 OPEN:17:00~24:00

    https://r.tabelog.com/kyoto/rstdtl/26001963/

    https://www.jellyfish.bz/shop/kansai/mamecha-kyoto/mamecha-kyoto.html

  9. PakuPaku says:

    In addition, if you are student and want to enjoy Japanese food, I also recommend a restaurant called はーべすと(Harvest) on the 8th floor of The Hankyu department store. The department store is SouthEast corner of Shijo-Kawaramachi crossing, very center of the town.

    They are not traditional Kyoto food, but have about 60 variety of good quality Japanese household food, for all you can eat!
    If you are student and want to enjoy all about Japanese food, this is another option to go. They are very popular among local people.

    weekdays lunch 11:00〜17:00(80 min)¥1,572
    weekdays dinner 17:00〜22:00(90 min)¥2,097

    weekend lunch 11:00〜17:00(90 min)¥2,097
    weekend dinner 17:00〜22:00(90 min)¥2,097

    https://r.gnavi.co.jp/k623512/

  10. PekoPeko says:

    Hi Vincent,
    Here is another idea that might accommodate vegs in your party, and your budget.
    Nishiri Tsukemono Company Restaurant:
    (Tsukemono is Japanese pickles — very, very good!)
    Tsukemono Kaiseki: lots to eat, many courses, every imaginable way to eat tsukemono. Lots of rice.
    Tsukemono Sushi (set): cheaper, a light meal
    There are two locations that I know of. Gion (on the south side of Shijo Street a bit west of Hanami Koji Street) and Nishiki Market (on the west end). They are both on the second floor. First floor is the tsukemono store.
    No English site that I can find.

  11. Vincent says:

    Thank you so much for the post! My program leader looked at your recommendations and likes it.

  12. Michelle says:

    Konnichiwa Peko Peko! I love your blog. I can’t wait to try some of the places listed to eat in Kyoto. I am nissei Japanese born in America but my dad still lives in Osaka. I just remember we hired a taxi driver for a day to take us to all the temples and I think we ate at a very small traditional, old restaurant where all they served was battera zushi. Do you know where it is? This was so long ago for me.

    I will take your survey soon. I love the macha KitKat, my friend who lived in Tokyo sent it to me along with Wasabi Doritos (yum!). If you get the chance, take a look at my blog: https://desperatelyseekingcrab.com

    Jya mata kimasu.

  13. PekoPeko says:

    Hi Vincent, Let us know how you do in Kyoto!

  14. PekoPeko says:

    Hello Michelle,
    Thanks for coming to visit!
    battera zushi? I have never heard of that. Will investigate.
    I hadn’t had wasabi Doritos yet — probably never will as I ODed on them when I was a kid. I do remember the first time I had wasabi potato chips though. They kicked!!
    Love your site!

  15. Guy says:

    hi!
    what a great site, thank you for sharing all of this wonderful local knowledge.
    i’m an australian living in sapporo, hokkaido with my wife and 2.5 yr old son. we love food and we are coming to kyoto in early May. i think we’ll try Mame-cha from your recommendation above. that leaves 2 other nights!
    any suggestions? we are staying in the Higashiyama-ku area. our budget is probably ¥3,000 to 5,000 per adult. i’ve read about some kansai-style ramen in kyoto? can you recommend it, or should we try other things we can’t have back home in sapporo?

    cheers!

  16. Rose Roth says:

    Hi, PekoPeko,

    Thank you for your quick response and the recommendations. Can you answer two related questions:

    1) What is Kikunoi? Is it a place for the gourmet food? What is honten vs. kiyamachi? Different restaurants in different parts of Kyoto? What is the difference between Kikunoi and honten vs. kiyamachi? Sorry, I am confused about the classification of these Japanese names. Also, can you let me know the approx. budget for the gourmet food? I like the sound of Mame-cha and Harvest. Great to have these budget-oriented recommendations.

    Thank you!

  17. Peko Peko says:

    Hello Rose,

    Kikunoi is the name of the restaurant. Honten is the main restaurant and Kiyamachi is the restaurant in the Kiyamachi district of Kyoto.

    Honten is a bit more expensive. The owner recently wrote an English language book entitled, ‘Kaiseki’ that has received quite a bit of press.

    Here is the link on Amazon.

  18. Rachelle says:

    I love your advice. I tried out many of the places listed and you’re right, they’re awesome!!! I’m moving to Kyoto actually very soon – can you recommend some good safe areas to live in with good foods?

    Thanks!
    Rachelle

  19. Peko Peko says:

    Hello Rachelle,

    Really? Glad to hear that you liked our recommendations!!

    Actually, Kyoto, like the rest of Japan is very, very safe. It is probably the safest country in the world to live in. There aren’t really any ‘rough’ neighborhoods in Kyoto. Good food can be had most anywhere, however it does take some time to discover the restaurants that you will like.

    As far as where to live, I would say that the north of the city is better than the south. I would not live south of Shijo Street, unless I were going to live in Fushimi. A bit of a distance from the center (Shijo-Kawaramachi/Karasuma), either the Western Hills (Arashiyama), Kita Yama (North Mountains) or Higashi Yama (East Mountains) areas are great for living as you can often live near some greenery — a temple, etc and still be a 15 – 20 minute bicycle ride to the city center. I have lived in several neighborhoods between the Kamo River and the East Mountains, above Sanjo Street and always been pleased.

    Enjoy and tell us about your discoveries and experiences here!

  20. Kumiko says:

    Great Site, I think the information will be useful for the next time I visit Kyoto. I will add you to my site!

  21. Nonolita says:

    Hi, Peko peko
    I am checking your site from NY, wondering you are related to Peco peco Hot news which is a fun site as well.
    https://www.pecopecony.com/
    You will enjoy this site.
    I will be back in Kyoto from September for one year, your site helps to get my senses back. Definitely.

  22. Zenchas says:

    Arigatou gozaimasu…for your reply on my blog. it´s a pleasur to link your page. i like your posts a lot. i´m crazy about japanese food and tea, as you figure. as a student of “History of Arts from Eastasia” maybe not a wonder 😉

  23. Chau says:

    Hi,

    I am going to Kyoto for 3 days at the end of March. Would you be able to recommend a good and reasonable places to eat (up to $150 for 3 people for dinner and up to $30 p/person for lunch)? I heard so much about Kyoto cuisine that i would like to try the must have.
    Could you please recommend places to eat for the 3 nights?
    1. Somewhere in Gion district
    2. Somewhere in Pontoncho alley
    3. Anywhere in central Kyoto.
    Would you know where a good tea place in Gion that we can experience a traditional tea ceremony?
    Also, could you please let us know anything particular cuisine we should tryout for lunch. We eat anything. Is there a good spot near Kyoto train station for lunch and in Arashiyama?

    Thank you in advance.

  24. Y says:

    What a lot of mouthwatering food you have on your blog! Wish I had discovered it before going to Kyoto on holiday! Nevermind, there’s always next time.. 🙂

  25. steph says:

    I miss Kyoto…very very jealous.

    If you’re a ramen fan, will you please check out Genya ramen in Fushimi? I’m appalled at the lack of blog coverage of this fantastic place. They use sakekasu in their broth and it’s phenomenal. It’s been…four years now? I still dream about that bowl.

    Also, Jumbo okonomiyaki near Kitanotenmanguu is yummy and fun.

  26. Wen says:

    Your blog is such a treasure trove of a find! Am enjoying it immensely. I’m currently on a round-the-world sabbatical and will be in Kyoto next April. Will be doing plenty of Kyoto food research using your blog 🙂

  27. david says:

    Hello. Do you have any connections where I could get some higashi molds? I want to make them for tea ceremony here in San Francisco. I’m looking for small ones of flowers or maybe a fuyu persimmon. I saw someone posted a pic of a stall at a flea market with a bunch of them.

    david

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