[5 Must-Visit Restaurants for Kyoto Insiders] From reservation-only kaiseki to Sukeroku Sushi, the official supplier to Fushimi Inari Shrine

Kyoto is home to numerous popular restaurants whose reputations have been steadily growing among local foodies and gourmet media, making them consistently difficult to book. Even if they aren’t featured in guidebooks for tourists, these are the places that Kyoto residents choose for “special occasions.” In fact, the more these hidden gems are known only to those in the know, the harder it is to secure a reservation.

In this article, our Kyoto-based staff have carefully selected five must-visit restaurants—all of which require reservations—based on up-to-date business hours and reservation information. From kaiseki cuisine and traditional Kyoto townhouse restaurants to open-air dining along the Kamogawa River and takeout-only Sukeroku Sushi, the genres and reservation policies vary widely. Before visiting, be sure to check the latest business hours and closed days on the official website or by phone, and make a reservation well in advance before heading out.

Disclaimer: Restaurant hours, prices, and reservation procedures are subject to change. The information in this article is based on details confirmed at the time of writing (September 2026), but we strongly recommend that you contact each establishment directly to verify the details before making a final decision.

Table of Contents

■ Get to Know Kyoto’s “Reservation Culture”

■ Kyoto, Kamigamo: Akiyama Restaurant

■ Ushinohone Restaurant (Main Branch)

■Yoshiya

■Marikoji Nakamuraya (Specialty Shop for Sukeroku Sushi)

■Edoro Edoro Hitoshina

■ Tips for Booking Travel for Inbound Tourists

■ Summary

■ Get to Know Kyoto’s “Reservation Culture”

It is not uncommon for many of Kyoto’s renowned restaurants to accept reservations only by phone.
Some restaurants are listed on online reservation sites (such as Ikyu.com Restaurants, TableCheck, and Hot Pepper Gourmet), but even if they are listed, there are cases where they only accept phone reservations or only list same-day availability online. In reality, if you want to ensure you get a reservation, calling is often the quickest way.

For international travelers, making reservations by phone in Japanese can sometimes be a challenge. We recommend asking the concierge at your hotel to make the reservation for you or using one of the booking sites described below.

■ Kyoto Kamigamo: Akiyama Cuisine | A hard-to-book kaiseki meal enjoyed in a traditional Japanese house

"Kyoto Kamigamo Goryori Akiyama" stands quietly in a peaceful residential neighborhood not far from Kamigamo Shrine.
The interior of this renovated traditional house—said to have been relocated to this site in Showa 11 (1936) and approximately 90 years old—features an irori (traditional sunken hearth) and an okudo-san (kitchen stove), creating an atmosphere that evokes a sense of nostalgia.

The chef behind the kitchen is Naohiro Akiyama, the owner, who trained for 13 years at the renowned restaurants “Kyoto Kitcho” and “Hana Kitcho.” Driven by his desire to “face customers across the counter and cook while chatting with them,” he struck out on his own and opened this restaurant in 2006.
Centered around Kyoto vegetables grown by contracted farmers in the Takamine area of Kita Ward and fish from Akashi, the restaurant showcases a unique sensibility in its combinations of ingredients and use of dashi. From white rice cooked in a traditional rice cooker using rice sourced from contracted farmers in Gifu—milled fresh in the exact amount needed each time—to black rice porridge and the matcha served by the hearth after a meal, this “once-in-a-lifetime” hospitality continues to captivate Kyoto’s food connoisseurs.

About Reservations

Known as one of the nation’s most difficult-to-book restaurants, it operates on a reservation-only basis and accepts reservations by phone only. Reservations open at 10:00 a.m. on the 1st of the month preceding the month you wish to visit (for example, to make a reservation for December, reservations open at 10:00 a.m. on November 1). If the 1st falls on a day the restaurant is closed, reservations will open on the next business day.

While it’s said to be particularly difficult to secure a reservation for the evening kaiseki meal, there are reports that seats tend to open up more easily for lunch service or single diners, and it seems you may be able to secure a seat at the last minute by putting your name on the cancellation waitlist. If you’re looking for a good opportunity, it’s a good idea to start by inquiring about the lunch service or small-group reservations.

○ Kyoto, Kamigamo, Akiyama Restaurant
Address: 58 Kamigamo Okamoto-cho, Kita Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Phone: 075-711-5136 (By appointment only; phone inquiries only)
Hours: Lunch 12:00–14:30 (last order 12:30) / Dinner 18:00–around 22:00
Closed: Wednesdays and the last Thursday of the month
Directions: About a 15-minute walk from Kitayama Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line (also a few minutes’ walk from the “Kamigamo Elementary School” city bus stop, among others)

*The restaurant offers only the chef's choice menu. Please be sure to call before your visit to confirm the latest reservation availability and business hours.

■ Ushinohone Main Restaurant | Open-air dining with a view of the Kamogawa River and the restaurant’s famous beef stew

"Ryoriya Ushinohone Main Store" is located in an alley in Ponto-cho, just off the Kamo River.
Since its founding in 1985, this Japanese restaurant has continued to offer its timelessly popular dishes, such as homemade tofu and its signature “Beef Bone-Style Stew,” made with a fond de veau slowly simmered from beef bones. From the windows of the modern Japanese-style interior, guests can enjoy views of the Kamogawa River and relax while dining in tatami-mat rooms or private dining rooms.

One of the restaurant’s main attractions is the ability to casually enjoy an à la carte selection of seasonal vegetables from Kyoto, wild greens delivered directly from Ohara, fresh fish from Ise, and Kyoto-brand beef and pork. The restaurant also offers an extensive selection of sake and wine, and you can pair your meal with a bottle carefully selected by a sommelier or sake sommelier.

A Summer Tradition: Open-Air Dining Platforms

The “Noryo-yuka” on the Kamogawa River—a quintessential summer tradition in Kyoto—is typically open from May 1 through around October 15 each year. Dinner courses on the open-air platforms start at 7,500 yen, and a course featuring the restaurant’s signature stew is also available. Since “Noryo-yuka” is a seasonal event and subject to weather conditions, please check directly with the restaurant in advance to confirm the operating period and whether they will be open on the day you plan to visit.

About Reservations

Since this is a popular restaurant, we strongly recommend making a reservation in advance, especially on weekends and during the "noryo-yuka" season (early summer through fall). While online reservations through sites like Ikyu.com are available, making a reservation by phone may be more reliable during peak periods.

○ Ushinohone Restaurant (Main Branch)
Address: 137-12 Wakamatsu-cho, Ponto-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Phone: 075-212-1023
Hours: Lunch: 12:00 p.m. to around 1:00 p.m. (last order) / Dinner: 5:00 p.m. to around 11:30 p.m. (last order: 11:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.)
　　　　　*Business hours may vary during the "Noryo-yuka" season.
Closed: Irregular holidays
Directions: About a 5-minute walk from "Sanjo Station" on the Keihan Main Line, and about a 5-minute walk from "Sanjo Keihan Station" on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Tozai Line
HP:https://www.ushinohone.com/

*Business hours vary depending on the season and day of the week, so we recommend checking them before your visit.

■Yoshiya | Tucked away in a back alley in Ponto-chō, an authentic kappo restaurant that has been in business for over 60 years

"Yoshiya" is located at the end of a narrow alley in Ponto-chō, further back down the street.
Since its founding in 1960 (Showa 35), this traditional kappo restaurant has been beloved by local food connoisseurs for over 60 years. Led by second-generation owner Yukishige Kawanabe, the restaurant specializes in kama-meshi (rice cooked in a pot) and à la carte dishes. Guests can enjoy dishes featuring the bounty of the mountains and seas, as well as Kyoto’s seasonal ingredients, through omakase, à la carte, or set-menu options.

The menu features dishes such as autumn eggplant with sesame dressing, sashimi, salt-grilled Wakasa guji fish, duck loin, and vegetables in a thick sauce with fresh wheat gluten. While the dishes aren’t flashy, they’re renowned for their subtle, heartwarming flavors that linger. Although Mr. Kawanabe is a renowned chef in Kyoto who has published several books, he is beloved by regulars for his down-to-earth personality, which makes for enjoyable conversations across the counter.

About Reservations

Because of its secluded location, it can be difficult to find using Google Maps alone, but that’s all part of the charm that makes this restaurant so typical of Ponto-chō. Reservations are accepted by phone only. Since this popular restaurant tends to fill up quickly, we recommend contacting them as soon as possible once you’ve decided on a date to visit.

〇Yoshiya
Address: 188 Zaimokucho, down Pontocho-dori from Sanjo, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Phone: 075-221-5115 (Phone reservations only)
Hours: 5:00 PM–11:00 PM (Last order at 10:30 PM)
Closed: Mondays (may be closed on other days as well)
Directions: About a 5-minute walk from "Sanjo Station" on the Keihan Main Line, and about a 10-minute walk from "Kawaramachi Station" on the Hankyu Kyoto Line

■Marikoji Nakamuraya (Specialty Sukeroku Sushi Shop) | Official Supplier to Fushimi Inari Taisha; Takeout Sukeroku Sushi Available by Reservation Only

"Marikōji Nakamuraya" stands quietly in a peaceful alley in the Demachiyanagi and Hyakumanben areas of Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City. Established in 1954, this takeout-only Sukeroku sushi shop is also known as the official supplier to the administrative office of Fushimi Inari Taisha. It is also a renowned establishment with deep ties to the world of Kyoto’s hanamachi (entertainment districts) and traditional performing arts, having long been used for “backstage gifts” at the Minamiza Kabuki Theater.

Made with locally sourced Kyoto seasonings such as vinegar and soy sauce, these dishes are prepared in the shōjin style—using absolutely no raw ingredients—with inari sushi, shinkō-maki, and cucumber rolls as their signature items. The small, hand-pressed inari sushi is characterized by a rich sweetness derived from brown sugar and tamari soy sauce, combined with a subtle, understated touch of vinegar, making it a favorite among people of all ages. Since it can be eaten without dipping in soy sauce—keeping your hands clean—it’s popular as a hiking lunch and as an elegant gift.

Additionally, on “repeating-digit days”—such as March 3 and April 4—the “chirashi sushi,” which was previously available only as a non-commercial item and features a mix of lotus root, sansho pepper, and fried tofu, may be sold in limited quantities (advance reservation required).

Since the sign isn't very noticeable and the exterior looks like an ordinary house at first glance, it's a good idea to double-check the address before visiting for the first time.

About Reservations

Orders are accepted by reservation only and must be placed by the day before (or three days in advance); walk-in purchases on the day of are not accepted. Depending on our preparation schedule, we may not be able to accommodate your request, so we recommend making your reservation well in advance.

〇Marikoji Nakamuraya
Address: Marikoji, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture (up the street from Imadegawa)
Phone: 075-781-4048 (If you can't get through, please call 075-702-0464)
Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Closed: Irregular holidays
Directions: About a 5-minute walk from Keihan Demachiyanagi Station
HP:https://nakamurayasukeroku.com/

■Eru Eru Hitoshina | A pioneer of “Kuzushi Kappo,” popular among foreign tourists

“Girogiro Hitoshina” is located about a 5-minute walk from Shimizu-Gojo Station, in a charming alley along the Takase River. Since opening in September 2002, it has been a popular restaurant known as a pioneer of “kuzushi kappo”—a style of Japanese cuisine designed for everyday enjoyment. In addition to Kyoto, the restaurant has branches in Tokyo, Hawaii, and Paris; the Paris location is known locally as a highly sought-after spot where reservations are hard to come by. With staff who can communicate in English, the restaurant also enjoys strong support from international tourists.

The restaurant offers only a set menu, which changes monthly. Guided by a commitment to never serving the same dish twice, guests can enjoy creative Japanese cuisine that highlights seasonal ingredients—such as whitefish tempura, egg tofu, and sashimi of firefly squid and cherry salmon—all served in elegant tableware. Despite its reasonable price range (approximately 6,000 to 8,000 yen per person), the restaurant offers an authentic dining experience, making it highly popular not only among Japanese diners but also among tourists from around the world.

About Reservations

Since the restaurant offers only set menus and seating is limited, reservations are required. While some guests have reported getting lucky and securing a table on the day of their visit when a spot opened up, we strongly recommend making a reservation in advance. Due to an increase in last-minute and no-show cancellations in recent years, some reservation sites clearly state their cancellation policies, so it’s a good idea to check these when making your reservation.

〇Eda Ruru Hitoshina
Address: 420-7 Namba-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture (Nishikiyamachi-dori, Matsubara-sagaru)
Phone: 075-343-7070
Hours: 5:30 p.m. to around 11:00 p.m.
Closed: Irregular holidays
Directions: About a 5-minute walk from "Kiyomizu-Gojo Station" on the Keihan Main Line

■ Tips for Booking Travel for Inbound Tourists

We’ve put together some helpful tips for visitors to Kyoto from overseas who are looking to make reservations at these popular restaurants.

• Many restaurants primarily accept reservations by phone.
  Of the five restaurants featured here, “Goryori Akiyama,” “Yoshiya,” and “Nakamuraya” generally accept reservations by phone only. If you’re unsure about making a phone call in Japanese, it’s best to ask the staff or concierge at your hotel to make the reservation for you.
• Some stores also accept online reservations
  Ushinohone Main Store and Eru Eru Hitoshina may accept online reservations through sites like Ikyu.com. Since some of these sites offer multilingual support, it’s worth trying a search first.
• Be sure to check the cancellation policy
  Restaurants that serve set menus, such as kaiseki restaurants, generally impose penalties for no-shows (such as charging 1,001 TP3T). If you need to reschedule, be sure to contact them as soon as possible.
• The harder it is to get a reservation at a restaurant, the sooner you should act
  At restaurants like Akiyama, which have set reservation start dates, the phones start ringing off the hook first thing in the morning on those days. Once your travel plans are finalized, we recommend making your reservations as early as possible.
• It's a great deal for solo diners and lunch
  Even if it's hard to get a reservation for dinner, there tend to be more openings for lunch or small groups. Try being flexible with your preferred time slot.

■ Summary

The five restaurants featured here are all renowned establishments that enjoy high acclaim among Kyoto foodies and tourists alike—and reservations are a must. Reservation policies vary by restaurant: some operate on a strictly reservation-only basis with set dates for accepting bookings; others may allow walk-ins on the day of your visit if you’re lucky; and some are takeout-only shops that require reservations to be made by the day before. Since you’re making the trip to Kyoto, be sure to plan ahead thoroughly so you can enjoy a truly unforgettable dining experience.

*Please note that the business hours, prices, and reservation procedures mentioned in this article are subject to change. Be sure to check the latest information on each store’s official website or by phone before making a reservation or visiting.