Sushi is the most famous Japanese food worldwide, and most of you might hope to eat authentic sushi during your trip to Japan.
You can eat delicious and high-quality sushi everywhere in Japan, especially in the area close to the ocean. Tokyo is one of the best sushi spots, especially around Tsukiji Fish Market and Toyosu Fish Market, where there are many good restaurants (especially, Sushi Dai and Daiwa Sushi are the two most famous Sushi restaurants at the fish market).
However, how about Sushi in Kyoto?
Kyoto is the ancient capital of Japan. It’s a historic area where you can find many sophisticated sushi restaurants as well as cheap sushi such as conveyor belt style like the other areas of Japan. Kyoto also has its own traditional style of sushi called temari-sushi and saba-sushi (pressed mackerel sushi).
In this article, we will introduce some of the best sushi restaurants in Kyoto in various styles and price ranges!
Higher price range
1. Sushi Matsumoto / 鮨 まつもと
Sushi Matsumoto is one of the best sushi restaurants in Kyoto, which earned one Michelin star. It is located on Hanamikoji-Dori Street in the Gion area known as Geisha District. The owner had trained his skills to make Edo-style sushi (Edomae-sushi) in Tokyo. After years of hard training, he opened his restaurant in Kyoto in 2005 to spread Edo-style sushi in Kyoto. Enjoy Edo-style sushi made with the finest ingredients across Japan!
【Price range】Lunch: 10,000~15,000 JPY / Dinner: 20,000~30,000 JPY
【Address】570-123 Gionmachi Minamigawa, Higashiyama-Ku, Kyoto
【Google map】https://goo.gl/maps/hSHpvZ8vaQvRbaCw5
【Remarks】Reservation can be made by telephone only.
2. Gion Sushi Tadayasu / 祇園 鮨 忠保
Gion Sushi Tadayasu is a sushi restaurant that opened in the Gion district in 2017. Shortly after opening, they became very famous among the locals in Kyoto.
The counter seats on the first floor are perfect for casual occasions. A private room is also available for customers that is suitable for family events with a capacity of 4-6 people. The authentic Edomae-style sushi restaurant is a must-visit when in Kyoto. Customers can experience carefully prepared sushi in a dignified environment.
【Price range】Lunch: 6,000~8,000 JPY / Dinner: 30,000 JPY ~
【Address】572-9 Gionmachi Minamigawa, Higashiyama-Ku, Kyoto
【Google map】https://goo.gl/maps/sJtJ2Hiskeu
【Remarks】Reservation can be made by the website.
(https://pocket-concierge.jp/en/restaurants/244178)
3. Sushi Giom Matsudaya / 寿し 祇園 松田屋
Sushi Gion Matsudaya is an Edo-style sushi restaurant located on a corner of Hanamikoji Street in the Gion District. The fish provided at the restaurant are all natural and they are either from Toyosu Market in Tokyo or Nishiki Market in Kyoto.
Matsudaya provides only the best fish of the day so there is no fixed menu. A must-try sushi is caviar sushi! You will be impressed by both its appearance and flavor. Other sushi are also very well elaborate and original.
【Price range】Lunch: 20,000~30,000 JPY / Dinner: 20,000~30,000 JPY
【Address】570-123 Gionmachiminamigawa, Higashiyama-Ku, Kyoto
【Google map】https://goo.gl/maps/6jp3NR6X3Er
【Remarks】Reservation can be made via the website.
(https://pocket-concierge.jp/en/restaurants/243856?seat_date_eq=)
4. Sushi Kawano / 鮨 かわの
Sushi Kawano is located in the local and hidden area of Kitaoji (Northern Kyoto City). This restaurant has only a counter with 9 seats. The owner explains the seasonal ingredients through the counter. You can dine in a quiet area of Kyoto.
【Price range】Lunch: 8,000~9,000 JPY / Dinner: 20,000~30,000 JPY
【Address】72-8 Shimogamo Higashihangicho, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto
【Google map】https://goo.gl/maps/AvRyi7itXu42
【Remarks】Reservation can be made by telephone only.
5. Sushi Wakon / 鮨 和魂
The five-star Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto opened in October 2016 in the Higashiyama area, Kyoto which is a popular area with a large number of temples and other historical buildings. Sushi Wakon is a stunning location next to the beautiful 800-year-old Sekisuien pond garden. The restaurant was founded by Michelin-starred master Sushi chef Rei Masuda. Chef Masuda has assembled and trained a world-class team that focuses on providing a truly unforgettable Edo-Mae-style sushi dining experience. Sushi Wakon was awarded 1 star in the gourmet guide in Autumn, 2017.
【Price range】Lunch: 30,000~ JPY / Dinner: 30,000~JPY
【Address】445-3 Myohoin Maegawa-Cho, Higashiyama-Ku, Kyoto
【Google map】https://goo.gl/maps/JGdep7hX7wR2
【Remarks】Reservation can be made by the website.
(http://www.sushiwakon.com/contact/?utm_source=tripadvisor&utm_medium=referral)
Under the middle price range
6. Izuju/ いづ重
Izuju is a traditional sushi restaurant that was established in front of Yasaka-shrine over 100 years ago. Izuju is not an ordinary sushi restaurant serving nigiri sushi, which is the most common style of sushi in Japan, but they serve the authentic inari sushi and Kyoto-style pressed mackerel sushi called saba sushi, which are reasonable and very tasty. If you wish to try authentic and unique Kyoto sushi, Izuju could be the best choice.
【Price range】Lunch: 2,000~3,000 JPY / Dinner: 2,000~3,000 JPY
【Address】605-0073 Gionmachi Kitagawa 292, Higashiyama-Ku, Kyoto
【Google map】https://goo.gl/maps/s8DPqPstzxG2
【Remarks】You don’t need the reservation. But you need to wait a bit to enter because it’s too popular.
7. Nishiki Sushi shin / 錦 鮨しん
Nishiki Sushi Shin is a sushi restaurant newly opened in Nishiki Market Kyoto in August 2017.
We would like to recommend visiting there during lunchtime as you can taste Edomae Sushi at a reasonable price.
【Price range】Lunch: 2,000~3,000 JPY / Dinner: 8,000~10,000 JPY
【Address】169-2 Higashiuoyacho, Nakagyo-Ku, Kyoto
【Google map】https://goo.gl/maps/Gd5TfvVYrZG2
【Remarks】Reservation can be made by the telephone.
8. Gion Mametora / 祇をん 豆寅 祇園店
At Gion Mametora, you can taste Kyoto style Temari sushi (bite-sized sushi). Sushi was originally made to be bite-sized but Temari sushi is even smaller and rounder. This was so that the geiko and maiko (=Traditional Geisha dancers in Kyoto) wouldn’t mess up their elegant make-up such as their lipsticks that would smudge if they couldn’t eat in one bite, and also because they couldn’t open their mouths widely. So Temari sushi is the best Sushi dish for elegant Gaisha girls in Kyoto.
Mametora is located on the “Gion Hanami-koji” in front of Kaburenjo where Maiko and Geiko practice their performances.
Mametora serves delicious Temari sushi with seasonal ingredients, and colourful Sushi are placed in a box just like jewels
【Price range】Lunch: 4,000~5,000 JPY / Dinner: 10,000~15,000 JPY
【Address】570-235 Gionmachi Minamigawa, Higashiyama-Ku, Kyoto
【Google map】https://goo.gl/maps/7TRzTjHq5S52
【Remarks】Reservation can be made by the telephone.
Conveyor belt sushi
9. Sushi no Musashi / 寿司のむさし
Sushi no Musashi is a conveyor belt Sushi restaurant opened in 1977, and currently has two branches in Kyoto. Aiming to become a simple restaurant that is specialized in using fresh ingredients since opening, Sushi no Musashi offers authentic and fresh sushi flavors at reasonable prices. You can eat over 50 kinds of sushi including the standard tuna and salmon sushi from 1~2 dollars per plate at this restaurant. It’s not only a reasonable price but also very tasty.
【Price range】Lunch: 1,000~2,000 JPY / Dinner: 2,000~3,000 JPY
【Google map】
(Sanjo Head store) https://goo.gl/maps/dMiCCdyaGFt
(Kyoto Station) https://goo.gl/maps/LcDLEuAbTQT2
【Remarks】You don’t need the reservation. But you need to wait a bit to enter because it’s too popular.
10. Kappa Sushi / かっぱ寿司
Nowadays the conveyor belt sushi is common style to enjoy Sushi in Japan. Even foreign tourists also know it and it’s a popular place to eat out. Kappa Sushi is a chained Sushi restaurant that has branches across the country, and all Sushi dishes are served at ONLY 100 yen (plus tax)! It’s super cheap, but the taste is still very good. Kappa Sushi has a unique conveyor belt system with a cute Shinkansen train carrying the Sushi dishes in front of you! If you are traveling with your kids, we highly recommend to dine there.
【Price range】108 JPY per plate ~
【Movie】https://youtu.be/9eWaw__IlYI
【Address】2 Nishikyogoku Higashiomarucho, Ukyo-Ku, Kyoto
【Google map】https://goo.gl/maps/Rm3KYWm8SMq
【Remarks】You don’t need the reservation
How do you think about that?
Do you have an urge to visit the sushi restaurant in Kyoto now?
We hope you can enjoy your stay in Kyoto.
Recommended Guide Tours in Kyoto
Apart from eating delicious Sushi in Kyoto, it’s also recommended to take guided tours to learn the rich history and culture of Kyoto! There are a variety of tours and activities available in Kyoto today including food walking tour in a local market and private tour through the famous temples and shrines. We are sharing some of the most popular tours and activities available in Kyoto today, so please check out the list below for more details!
| Type | Tours |
|---|---|
| Private Photo tour | Private Photo Shoot and Walk in Kyoto |
| Private Tour/Guide Tour | Kyoto Customize Private Walking Tour |
| Highlight Tour | Kyoto 4-hour Highlight Private Walking Tour |
| Food tour | Food tour in Nishiki market and Gion district |
| Bike tour | Arashiyama Bamboo Bike Tour (Early Bird) |
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Happy traveling!
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