The Ultimate Guide to Bamboo Shoot Dishes in Nagaokakyo, Kyoto | 21 Top Restaurants for Bamboo Shoot Dishes in This Famous Production Area

Located southwest of Kyoto City, Nagaokakyō City stands on the site of “Nagaokakyō,” which served as the capital for just 10 years, from 784 to 794. The city boasts many attractions, including Nagaoka Tenmangu Shrine, Otokuni-ji Temple, and Kōmyō-ji Temple, and some theories suggest that this area served as the inspiration for *The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter* during the Heian period.

Nagaokakyo City is known as one of Kyoto’s premier regions for “bamboo shoots.”
In this article, we’ll cover everything from the reasons behind the deliciousness of Nagaokakyo’s bamboo shoots to a roundup of 21 renowned restaurants where you can enjoy seasonal bamboo shoot dishes, information on direct sales, and simple recipe ideas.

Table of Contents

■　Why Is Nagaokakyo City Famous for Its Bamboo Shoots?

■　21 Top Restaurants in Nagaokakyo Where You Can Enjoy Bamboo Shoot Dishes

■　Can I buy bamboo shoots from Nagaokakyo?

■　5 Easy Recipes Featuring Bamboo Shoots

■　Summary: Things to Keep in Mind During Your Visit

■Why Is Nagaokakyo City Famous for Its Bamboo Shoots?

The Otokuni region, where Nagaokakyo City is located, has acidic, clay-rich soil with good drainage and ample sunlight, and has long been known as a producer of high-quality bamboo shoots.
According to local lore in Nagaokakyo City, the story began in the early Heian period (during the Kōnin era, 810–823), when Venerable Dōyū—the founder of the local temple, Kaion-ji Jakushō-in—brought back Mōshō bamboo from China (the Tang Dynasty) and planted it in this area (though there are various theories).
By the Edo period, transportation links to the two major consumer markets of Kyoto and Osaka had been developed, and the cultivation of bamboo and bamboo shoots began in earnest as specialty products of Otokuni.

The secret behind the deliciousness of Nagaokakyo’s bamboo shoots lies in the “Kyoto-style softening cultivation method,” which is said to have been established in the late Edo period.
This is a traditional farming method used to harvest bamboo shoots while they are still tender and mild in flavor—before they emerge from the ground—and involves repeating the following labor-intensive tasks throughout the year.

• Late March–April: Harvest; Select parent bamboo (bamboo to be used the following year)
• Early May: Trim the tips of the parent bamboo and apply fertilizer
• June–August: Weeding, removing overgrown bamboo, and applying additional fertilizer
• September: Thinning, Fertilizing
• October–December: Spread straw to prevent the soil from cooling and drying out; continue to add soil.
• January–March: Waiting for the bamboo shoots to grow

The harvest season typically runs from late March to early May, with peak harvest occurring around mid-April.
Since bamboo shoots begin to develop a bitter taste the moment they are dug up, “morning harvesting”—which begins around 5 a.m.—is the most common practice.
The fact that they are grown over the course of a year with great care and attention is why Nagaokakyo’s bamboo shoots are tender and have a clean, mild flavor.

■ Restaurants in Nagaokakyo Specializing in Bamboo Shoot Dishes

Throughout Nagaokakyo City, there are numerous restaurants—ranging from long-established ryotei to casual cafes and Western-style restaurants—that serve bamboo shoot dishes during the seasonal harvest. Here’s a breakdown by area and cuisine type.

＜Important Notes for Use ＞
Bamboo shoot dishes are available only during the spring season (generally from late March through May).
Business hours, days off, prices, and menu offerings are subject to change, so we recommend checking with each location before your visit.
Since many restaurants offering kaiseki courses require reservations, it’s best to call ahead to make one.

○ Kyoto Cuisine / Kaiseki

■Uo-ju
A long-established restaurant with a history of over 70 years, renowned for its elegant Kyoto-style kaiseki and Kyoto-style sushi.
In the spring, the restaurant is famous for its “Bamboo Shoot Kaiseki” meal, featuring Kyoto bamboo shoots from Nagaokakyō, and its “Bamboo Shoot Sushi,” which retains the natural shape of the bamboo shoots. The bamboo shoot sushi also includes chopped bamboo shoots to enhance its texture and aroma, and it is served year-round.

Address: 2-17-8 Imazato, Nagaokakyo-shi, Kyoto
Phone: 075-951-0325
HP:https://www.uosu.jp/

■Kyoto Cuisine Ippuku-tei
Established in Showa 47. Located near Kōmyō-ji, Yōkoku-ji, and Zenpō-ji temples, the restaurant offers authentic Kyoto cuisine featuring the rare “Shirako bamboo shoots.” The “Shirako Bamboo Shoot Kaiseki: Special Selection” is a course dedicated entirely to bamboo shoots, featuring sesame tofu, kinome salad, sashimi, fried dishes, and whole grilled bamboo shoots.
It accommodates both celebratory events and memorial services, and features amenities such as a diaper-changing table, making it family-friendly.

Address: 4-1 Saijo, Awao, Nagaokakyo-shi, Kyoto
Phone: 075-954-7777
HP:http://www.kyoto-ippukutei.jp/

■Kyoto, Rakusai: Buhei
A modern Japanese restaurant popular for its Hōraku-yaki pottery and Kyoto cuisine.
In the spring, you can enjoy the “Bamboo Shoot Set Meal” and “Bamboo Shoot Kaiseki” while gazing at the cherry blossoms; the highlight is the tempura made from bamboo shoots harvested that very morning.

Address: 48-1 Inouchi Konishi, Nagaokakyo-shi, Kyoto
Phone: 075-956-0727
HP:https://buhei.gorp.jp/

■Japanese Cuisine Takemori
A Japanese restaurant located in a quiet area just outside Kyoto City that serves bamboo shoot kaiseki and fugu dishes.
Using fresh bamboo shoots harvested that morning from local contracted farmers, the restaurant offers seasonal specials such as the “Ultimate Course with Grilled Bamboo Shoots and Bamboo Shoot Manju.”

Address: 2-6-5 Hachijogaoka, Nagaokakyo-shi, Kyoto
Phone: 075-953-2350
HP:https://www.chikumo.co.jp/

■Yamanaka
About a 3-minute walk from Hankyu "Nagaoka-Tenjin Station."
The menu focuses on sushi made with fresh ingredients and kappo-style cuisine, and during this season, kaiseki and à la carte dishes are also available.
We can accommodate banquets for up to 30 people.

Address: 1-2-7 Nagaoka, Nagaokakyo-shi, Kyoto
Phone: 075-953-9084

■Ennin of Nagaokakyō
A creative Japanese restaurant run by an owner who trained at a traditional ryotei in Ponto-cho.
Simmered young bamboo shoots, bamboo shoot tempura, and authentic bamboo shoot rice cooked in an earthenware pot are all popular.

Address: 1F, 1-2-19 Tenjin, Nagaokakyo City, Kyoto Prefecture
Phone: 075-204-6790

■Wisteria Trellis
A hidden gem of a Japanese restaurant overlooking the pond at Nagaoka Tenmangu Shrine.
The “Bamboo Shoot Set Meal” lets you enjoy a variety of bamboo shoot dishes, including clear soup, tempura, dengaku, and bamboo shoot rice. We recommend making a reservation.

Address: 2-2-7 Tenjin, Nagaokakyo-shi, Kyoto
Phone: 075-951-3027

■Kaida Chaya Ryuhachi
A restaurant located on the grounds of Nagaoka Tenmangu Shrine.
Their signature dish is udon made with homemade flying fish broth, and their bamboo shoot sushi and Wakatsuki udon are also popular.

Address: 2-15-13 Tenjin, Nagaokakyo-shi, Kyoto
Phone: 075-955-7800

■Kinsuitei
A long-established traditional Japanese restaurant situated on the shores of Hachijō-ga-ike Pond at Nagaoka Tenmangu Shrine.
We serve Kyoto cuisine featuring seasonal ingredients, and in the spring, you can fully savor the delights of bamboo shoots with our “Bamboo Shoot-Themed Kaiseki” meal.

Address: 2-15-15 Tenjin, Nagaokakyo-shi, Kyoto
Phone: 075-951-5151
HP:https://www.kinsuitei.co.jp/

■Tenrin-ya
A traditional Japanese restaurant in the style of a neighborhood diner that’s beloved by locals.
In addition to the bamboo shoot set meal, we also offer unique dishes such as bamboo shoot steak and sashimi-style bamboo shoots.

Address: 1-18-2 Tenjin, Nagaokakyo-shi, Kyoto
Phone: 075-954-5140

■Kyoto Nagaoka Uozoku
About a 4-minute walk from Nishiyama-Tennozan Station. The restaurant’s signature dishes include unaju (eel over rice) and sukiyaki, and during certain seasons, it offers the “Bamboo Shoot-Themed Shokado Set Meal,” which is available by reservation only.

Address: 1-24-31, Shonen, Nagaokakyo-shi, Kyoto, Japan
Phone: 075-951-1860

○Desserts, Coffee, and Light Meals

■Kokura Villa Chikubusato
The flagship store of "Ogura Sanso," a well-known rice cracker shop in the Kansai region.
At the café-restaurant on the grounds, surrounded by the natural beauty of the four seasons—including weeping cherry trees—we serve bamboo shoot rice as part of our “Cocotte Rice Set” in the spring.

Address: 45 Hasugaito, Imazato, Nagaokakyo, Kyoto, Japan
Phone: 075-957-0707

■Campanula Coffee Shop
A small coffee shop about a minute's walk from the West Exit of Nagaoka-Tenjin Station.
We offer bamboo shoot pilaf made with bamboo shoots we grow ourselves, and depending on the season, we also sell fresh bamboo shoots directly to customers.

Address: 1-1-4 Tenjin, Nagaokakyo-shi, Kyoto
Phone: 075-951-0362

■Kamiashi Fureai Machiya
A facility created by renovating a traditional townhouse over 170 years old that still stands along the Saigoku Kaido.
In the café area, we serve our special Machiya-style udon and soba noodles with bamboo shoots.

Address: 2-13-10 Kamisoku, Nagaokakyo-shi, Kyoto
Phone: 075-951-5175

○Western and Italian Cuisine

■SUBACO Town Bar
A casual dining spot attached to a hotel, about a 1-minute walk from Nagaoka-Tenjin Station.
A seasonal "Bamboo Shoot and Ground Meat Pizza" is now available for takeout.

Address: 1-7-3 Tenjin, Nagaokakyo-shi, Kyoto
Phone: 050-5488-4901
HP:https://kdmk200.gorp.jp/

■ Osteria Luce
An authentic Italian restaurant that opened in 2011.
In the spring, you can enjoy “Pasta Stuffed with Bamboo Shoots, Beef, and Pork,” which is renowned for how well the aroma and texture of the bamboo shoots complement the pasta.

Address: 3-3-10 Kaida, Nagaokakyo-shi, Kyoto
Phone: 075-874-7073

■Pasta Vincolo
A restaurant specializing in fresh pasta, located about a 2-minute walk from the station. Its specialty is a spring-only pasta dish made with bamboo shoots harvested that morning.

Address: 1-18-1 Tenjin, Nagaokakyo-shi, Kyoto
Phone: 075-952-3090
HP:https://vincolo.owst.jp/

■AKIRA Western-Style Restaurant
Founded in 1993, this Western-style restaurant is known for its house-made hamburg steaks made with Japanese Black beef.
The spring-limited “Japanese Black Beef and Bamboo Shoot Hamburger Steak with Sesame Miso Sauce” is a must-try dish.

Address: 3-8-11 Kaida, Nagaokakyo-shi, Kyoto
Phone: 075-952-3885
HP:https://akira-bull-1993.jimdofree.com/

■Kitchen Blue Lake
A Western-style restaurant popular with families.
We offer seasonal bamboo shoot curry and pasta made with bamboo shoots from Nagaokakyo.

Address: 4-21-13 Tomooka, Nagaokakyo-shi, Kyoto
Phone: 050-5485-3039
HP:http://www.kitchen-bluelake.com/

○Izakaya and Restaurants

■Hashigen
An izakaya that specializes in seasonal seafood. It offers many à la carte dishes available in limited quantities, and you can also enjoy seasonal items such as bamboo shoot tempura.

Address: 1-21-21-21 Kaida, Nagaokakyo-shi, Kyoto
Phone: 075-955-1564
HP:https://c367500.gorp.jp/

■Wakatake
About a 1-minute walk from the West Exit of Nagaoka-Tenjin Station.
The restaurant offers a wide variety of Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes, and the daily lunch specials include bamboo shoot udon and bamboo shoot rice.

Address: 2nd Floor, Maruoka Building, 1-1-2 Tenjin, Nagaokakyo City, Kyoto Prefecture
Phone: 050-5484-0857
HP:https://kdmp100.gorp.jp/

■Can I buy bamboo shoots from Nagaokakyo?

The bamboo shoots from Nagaokakyo are available only for a short period each year, from April through mid-May.
Around this time of year, you can buy bamboo shoots at farmers' markets and unstaffed farm stands throughout the city.
Since the farmers' markets are scattered along roadsides and other locations throughout the city, we recommend exploring the area on foot to find them. When you make a purchase, the vendors will often give you tips on how to cook and store the produce.

If you’d like to order from a distance, you can also purchase these items online through the Nagaokakyo City Tourism Association and other organizations (availability is limited to certain seasons).
For more information, please contact the tourism association directly.

Nagaokakyo City Tourism Association
Address: 1-1-2 Tenjin, Nagaokakyo-shi, Kyoto
Phone: 075-951-4500

■5 Easy Recipes Featuring Bamboo Shoots

Here are some simple recipes you can make at home that will come in handy when you buy bamboo shoots at farmers' markets or similar places.

○Bamboo Shoot Steak
Cut the bamboo shoots in half lengthwise, then make diagonal cuts on both sides.
Make a sauce with 1.5 tablespoons of soy sauce, 4 tablespoons of mirin, and 1.5 tablespoons of sake. Sear both sides in a skillet, coat them with the sauce, and garnish with kinome to finish.

○Bamboo Shoot Tsukudani
Cut about 500 g of bamboo shoots into 2 mm-thick diagonal slices, parboil them, and simmer in 2 cups of dashi broth for about 5 minutes.
Add 1/2 cup of sake, 5 tablespoons of mirin, 4 tablespoons of soy sauce, and 3 tablespoons of sansho peppercorns, then simmer for about 15 minutes to make this long-lasting tsukudani. It’s perfect for ochazuke or as a side dish in bento boxes.

○Braised Bamboo Shoots with Minced Meat
Cut 300 grams of bamboo shoots into bite-sized pieces and combine them with rehydrated dried shiitake mushrooms.
Sauté the green onions and ginger in oil, then add the ground meat and shiitake mushrooms and cook until done. Next, add the sake, bamboo shoots, the soaking liquid from the shiitake mushrooms, water, and soy sauce, and simmer over medium heat. Skim off the scum frequently for best results.

○Bamboo Shoots Baked in Foil
Cut off the tips of the small bamboo shoots, make slits in the skin, wrap them in aluminum foil, and bake in a 200°C oven for about 30 minutes. Serve them tossed in sesame sauce or ume paste sauce.

○Bamboo Shoot Rice
Cut 150g of bamboo shoots, and drain the oil from the deep-fried tofu before cutting it into thin strips.
Just add kombu, bamboo shoots, and fried tofu to rinsed rice and cook it—and you’ll have a simple yet spring-inspired mixed rice dish.

■Summary: Things to Keep in Mind When Visiting

Nagaokakyo City, with a history dating back to the Heian period, is renowned as a leading producer of bamboo shoots and boasts some of the finest bamboo shoot dishes in all of Kyoto. Another unique charm of Nagaokakyo is that each restaurant—from long-established Kyoto-style restaurants to Western and Italian eateries—offers its own creatively crafted bamboo shoot dishes.

Since many bamboo shoot dishes are only available for a short time in the spring, we recommend checking with each restaurant before your visit to confirm the serving period and whether reservations are required.
While sightseeing in Kyoto, why not take a short detour to Nagaokakyō to enjoy some bamboo shoot cuisine?