Sean’s Online Guidebook to Kyoto
Scroll down for bakeries and cafes, nightlife and shopping,
services, and sightseeing.
Click on the address to go to your chosen location on google maps.
Restaurants
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Honke Owariya
Honke Owariya: My wife's family soba shop. They've been in business since 1465, possibly the oldest restaurant family in the world. Soba, udon, and rice dishes, as well as small Japanese cake treats. Mainly a lunch option, last order is at 2:30pm.
604-0841 Kyōto-fu, Kyōto-shi, Nakagyō-ku, Niōmontsukinukechō, 中京区車屋町通二条下ル仁王門突抜町322
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Hafuu
Legendary wagyu (Japanese beef) place. A bit pricey, but worth the splurge. A classic experience in Japan is eating soft, delicious steak sizzling on a hot rock.
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Tadka 2
Terrific Indian fare. All you can drink chai and wonderful lamb curry, dahl, and aloo-gobi dishes. Really authentic India-atmosphere too and the staff is very friendly. Owner frequently travels to India for inspiration. Tadka 2 is the dinner spot. The original Tadka is good for affordable lunch thalis.
〒604-0944 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Tachibanacho, 612 ２階北側 バインオークアイイナ
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Menami
Classic Japanese fare, everything from sashimi to tempura to obanzai to tofu dishes. No English menu but staff is very helpful.
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Manmaru no Tsuki
Japanese fusion cuisine. Affordable considering the quality. Their okonomiyaki is famous. Magical sardines! And pork kimchi, yum. And for some reason they have one of the best Ceasar Salads I've ever had. Finish your meal with their french toast. A bit difficult to find: crossing the street from Starbucks, walking west down Sanjo-dori, about 30 meters you'll see a Cafe Jinta on the 2nd floor. Restaurant is upstairs behind cafe. There is a second Manmaru restaurant on Nishiki-dori as well— it’s a little bit bigger and they have private rooms.
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Tsuneya Densuke 恒屋伝助
Classic Japanese restaurant with limited seating and a tad fancy. No English menu. They have blowfish sake if that’s on anyone’s bucket list.
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Mughal
Indian restaurant on Kiyamachi-dori with all the classic dishes. A bit quieter and more formal than Tadka, but great food, and often available if Tadka is full or you’re strolling in that area. It has my young son’s favorite meal (kid’s set with butter chicken curry and mango lassi)
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Felafel Garden
Nice lunch place if you're in the Demachiyanagi area hanging by the Kamo River and are craving Middle Eastern. Good felafel and kebobs. Mellow, relaxed environment.
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Neuf Creperie ヌフ クレープリーNEUF
A machiya remodeled into a friendly crepe restaurant. Probably my favorite breakfast place in Kyoto. Try the BLT & then a Nutella crepe for dessert (if sharing). Great atmosphere and value and staff quite friendly.
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Kushikura Honten 炭火串焼き 串くら
The best place in the neighborhood for yakitori and other great Japanese food, in a beautiful old building (with English menu).
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Que Pasa
One of my favorite places when I don’t feel like cooking or feel a little nostalgic for California-style burritos. Friendly staff, laid-back restaurant, though I often order takeaway and eat by the river.
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Huong Viet フォーンヴィェット
Really delicious Vietnamese food. Now a course menu, but quite a good deal— I think the 6000 yen option has about 6-8 courses. You’ll be quite sated at the end. Convivial atmosphere and good lighting.
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Com Ngon
Probably my fave SE Asian restaurant these days. Really delicious pho soup and their meat dishes are excellent. I often come for lunch but it is very popular so don't aim for 11:30-1pm or you might be waiting in line.
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Pop Pizza
Love Pops Pizza. Run by a friendly American, it’s one of the only places in Kyoto for pizza by the slice. Lots of 1980s nostalgia vibes too with the atmosphere, movies & music selections.
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Stardust
Beautiful cafe/vegetarian restaurant in north Kyoto run by my good friend, Kana. You really should go if you are vegetarian. In a beautiful space with fresh salads, great tea selection, and desserts. Sometimes closed, so good to call Kana to make sure it's open (English fine). It’s a bit northwest, so it’s best to visit when you’re in the area for Ryoanji or Kinkakuji.
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Awomb
Very popular and unique sushi restaurant. Hard to explain (kind of like sushi presented as art objects), so check the website.
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Icchan
This Jamaican jerk chicken ramen is my favorite. Somehow overlooked, but this is a supreme case of fusion cuisine winning. I love the coconut curry jerk chicken ramen best. Owner plays reggae radio with booming bass speakers. it’s in Gion so it’s a great meal when you’re in the area.
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Kousagisha
Some of the better vegan fare in Kyoto. It’s located near Ginkakuji and the Philosopher’s Path
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Ottimo
Very good neighborhood Italian restaurant with classic Italian fare prepared with excellent Japanese ingredients. There is an English menu but you can also order "omakase" via the chef's suggestions. Good wine & elegant music and affordable prices make this a very nice dining experience.
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Osteria La Balena
A nice local spot for pizza and past with a huge oven. Friendly chef speaks English well.
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China Tongue
The closest restaurant to the flat with a strange name has one of the most delicious tantanmen noodle soups I've ever had (see the picture). There are also a number of very good lamb dishes. It also opens most mornings at 7AM if you're craving some Hong Kong-type fare to get an early start to your day.
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58 Diner
58 Diner is my go-to burger place with my son. It's in the Heian-Jingu neighborhood (near the big torii gate and the Tsutaya bookstore). They put herbs in their burgers that give them a lot of flavor and sometimes even have wagyu "burger-of-the-month" opportunities. Has classic American diner vibes with the music too.
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Vegan Raman Uzu
The famous Team Labs experience has a vegan ramen restaurant in Kyoto. Not only is the ramen healthy and delicious, but being sponsored by Team Labs it's a memorable dining experience. You'll need to book reservations online well in advance here.
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Toriyasu
Simple place with a small menu. Basically karaage-don (fried chicken over rice) and oyako-don (chicken and egg cooked in dashi served over rice. A great no-nonsense place for lunch.
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Campo Su Ovest
Around the corner from the flat is Campo Su Ovest. A bit expensive (2000-4000 yen entrees) but cozy atmosphere and excellent presentation of various exotic meats with decent vegetarian options too. They make a mean margarita as well.
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Goichi Panino
Simply the best sandwich you’ll eat in Kyoto, or more likely, in all of Japan. It’s just down the street from City Hall so if you’re Downtown and craving an authentic Italian sandwich (run by a chef from Verona), you know where to go. They also have a pizza place 15 minutes walk from the flat that’s popular too.
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Tantanmen
Tantanmen is my very favorite ramen and this shop is my favorite. Tantanmen has its origins in Szechwan province in China, so it is a spicy dish. This place only does tantanmen with four options: soup or no soup, hot or cold. That’s it. The place is small with only counter seating and plays good jazz music. I eat there almost once a week.
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Challe
If you’ve gone for a walk in the Imperial Palace gardens, this cafe is just outside the southeast corner in a narrow alley. They play the rock music a little loud but the donuts and coffee are both pretty good, and you can have quite decent tacos for about 1100 yen.
315-1 Shintomicho, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, 602-0875ption goes here
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Ebisu Second
It’s not my favorite restaurant in the neighborhood, but a number of guests have really enjoyed it. Menu is mostly Japanese comfort food in a lively, cozy space a few minutes walk from the flat.
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Jun
A really nice, if popular chicken ramen shop a short walk from the flat. What I love about this place, is they give you three different flavored vinegars to vary the tastes of your ramen. I go at least once or twice a month.
Bakeries and Cafes
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Flip Up
Easily the best bakery in all of Kyoto, and only two blocks away. 10Am is my favorite selection time with delicious pizzas, salmon bagels, and cream cheese baguettes. Closed Sunday, Monday.
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Fiveran ファイブラン
Love the bread at this bakery and the items. The strawberry chocolate is really yummy, but I also often buy their baguettes. Closed on Tuesdays, open at 9am.
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Doughnut Cafe Nicotto & Mam
Great donuts. Try maple, cinnamon, or peanut. Good for dessert after you have lunch at Owariya.
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Sunny George
Vegan cafe run by some friends of mine. Great design and natural light, amazing cinnamon rolls, and deliciously roasted coffee. And it opens at 7:30 early bird risers.
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bibliotic hello
Really beautiful and popular cafe in a renovated Japanese machiya. I often get lattes or smoothies but their set lunches are good too. Tons of design magazines and books to peruse and a bakery and gallery too.
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Weekenders Coffee 富小路
I come often go to Weekenders for a cappuccino and to catch up with friends. They take their coffee quality seriously. Behind a parking lot, but a little bit of an oasis with a lovely garden to enjoy your coffee by.
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Shinshindo (Oike)
Another Kyoto institution. Good coffee and baked goods & decent breakfast. The address linked below is for the one on Oike, but there is another nearby on Teramachi (which I believe still does free refills on coffee).
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punteggiatura (プンテッジャトゥーラ)
A classic Italian cafe in the middle of Kyoto. Espressos are just 150 yen. Opens at 7:30AM and faces a children’s park where you can have a quick (or lingering) shot standing outside. Love this place and come often.
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KURS
A wonderful neighborhood bakery that opens at 7. Lots of goodies, but I’m always returning for the cardamon roll, which if you like the spice, is amazing! The carrot cake is pretty good too.
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Common
A cozy cafe with cool design, reliably delicious coffee, located on a quiet street nearby, run by a friendly owner.
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Sentido
Miinmal design, good coffee, friendly owner, and they have good breakfasts. Open early too (around 8am).
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Inoda Coffee イノダコーヒ 本店
One of the first cafes in Kyoto. They have a great Old Europe room and a nice al fresco terrace (pictured). I love the Vienna coffee best (two shots of strong espresso with whipped cream). This address is for the honten (main cafe).
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Blue Bottle (Nanzenji area)
The famous Blue Bottle cafe from the US. It’s a bit pricy but I’m a longtime fan and this renovated space is a wonderful cafe to enjoy a coffee in. This address is near Nanzenji in Eastern Kyoto, so perfect if you’ve visited the Heian Shrine or about to walk the Philosopher’s Path. There’s a closer Blue Bottle on Rokkaku-dori.
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Quil Fait Bon キルフェボン
For those of you with a sweet tooth: delicious cake slices, from strawberry custard to orange chocolate. You really can't go wrong here. Long wait to eat in but get it to go and sit by the river or bring it home.
〒604-8005 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Ebisucho, 534-18, Stellam, 1F
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Kamogawa Cafe かもがわカフェ
Friendly owner on a quiet back street who serves good coffee and nice lunches. There's a small gallery too.
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Ippodo Tea Kyoto Main Store 一保堂茶舗 京都本店
Maybe the oldest tea house in Japan. Try the matcha or if you want to write a tip-top haiku, splurge for the gyukuo.
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Toraya とらや 一条店
Classic teahouse west of the Imperial Palace, a few blocks south of Imadegawa-dori. Very famous, great reputation, and serene place to sip tea.
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Kyoto Imperial Palace (Gosho)
Honestly, you can’t go wrong just getting a coffee from a convenience store and walk up the huge park that surrounds the grounds of the Imperial Palace. I visit every day with my dog and often meet friends there for a coffee and a stroll.
Nightlife (bars) and shopping
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Cafe Independants カフェ・アンデパンダン
Fun place, youthful crowd with cheap good beer (Suntory on tap) and decent food (good fish & chips). Convivial, sometimes international atmosphere.
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Cafe/Bar OIL
Jazz bar with great atmosphere. Owner has an amazing vinyl collection, particularly 1970s soul and jazz. 6th floor.
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Sake Bar Yoramu 酒BARよらむ
A sake bar run by an Israeli expat who speaks the local Kyoto dialect.
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Beer Pub Takumiya
An early arrival in the craft beer craze hitting Kyoto. A bit expensive, but fun. Good food too.
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Takanoya
A local pub just down the street. Same owners as Takumiya. Good craft beer and good food.
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Before 9
Another craft beer bar in a renovated machiya. They do different international craft beers every week or so.
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UrBANGUILD アバンギルド
Great live venue with all kinds of musical acts that aim for an artistic aesthetic. Check the nightly scheduling of events.
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Kiyamachi Dori 木屋町通
Kiyamachi is where locals and visitors go for drinks. Stay away from any place with a suit out front and look for buildings with multiple bars on each floor. Very niche bars for jazz, rock, and reggae lovers.
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Pontocho Alley
Atmospheric narrow pedestrian-only alley that has many bars, restaurants. You can sit on the terrace during sunset for dinner in the summer. Sort of expensive considering the quality (mostly) but you're paying for the atmosphere.
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Gion
Kyoto’s famous traditional nightlife district. In the day or night you might bump into maiko or geisha. It’s somewhat closed off for tourists, but you might find a bar or two to have a drink. And it’s beautiful to wander at night.
The most interesting areas for walking is east of Kawabata (east of the Kamo River) between Sanjo and Gojo Streets all the way east to Higashiyama.
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Nishiki Market
Now for some shopping suggestions.
Nishiki is the famous food market in the covered arcade. It can be very crowded as it's quite popular. Good for sampling different foods.
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Teramachi shopping Arcade
Teramachi is a classic Japanese arcade (covered shopping area). There are all kinds of shops, from antiques to used records to knickknacks. Good visit for a rainy day.
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Shinyogoku Shopping Arcade
A shopping arcade parallel to Teramachi is more youth-centric. There is a downtown movie theater at the north end of the arcade near Sanjo.
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Muji Kyoto BAL
The classic Japanese stationery shop with its popular minimalist design is on the 5th floor. Good for something you need or a souvenir for friends. On the other floors are cafes, restaurants, and clothing shops and on the lower levels is a bookshop Maruzen, that has perhaps the best English language book section in Kyoto.
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COOP コープ御所南
The closest grocery store, and where I do most of my shopping. Open 9am-8:30pm every day.
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Yaoichi 八百一本館
Yaoichi is a very nice market, more international than your average Japanese grocery and has excellent produce and meat selections as well.
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Aritsugu 有次
This is where you come to buy souvenir knives for yourself or your family or friend who enjoys cooking. Beautiful steel knives with the option of engraving.
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Shoyeido 香老舗松栄堂京都本店
One of the best incense stores in Kyoto and in the neighborhood. Quite lovely scents and boxed presentations make it a very nice gift.
Services
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Coin Laundry
24 hour coin laundry with four machines. It's 1000 yen for a wash/dry combo (and comes with detergent). It's on Karasuma Street, the east side of the street, midway between Nijo and Oshikoji. The coin laundry is actually across the street.
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SUZUKI bicycle rentals
All-day bicycle rentals are ¥500, best deal in Kyoto I've seen. If you walk to Oike-dori, a few blocks west of Karasuma there are nicer bikes for rent, about ¥1300 a day.
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Humhumhug Cycle
If you want more stylish bicycles or just more options, this is a good nearby rental place, prices around 3000 yen a day.
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Kyōto Koromodana-Ebisugawa Post Office
The closest international ATM, open Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm. Around the corner, a two-minutes walk.
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Sakabe International Clinic
English-speaking health clinic. Hopefully, you'll stay healthy throughout your stay in Japan but if you need a doctor, this might be a good option.
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7-11 (Convenience store)
The closest convenience store. Open 24 hours.
Sightseeing
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Kyoto Imperial Palace 京都御所
I love the Palace. You don’t need to go inside to visit. It's basically a huge park with hundreds of trees and plenty of people-watching opportunities. If you are here in February, the peach blossoms are gorgeous, in late March, April, the cherry blossoms, in November and December, the autumn colors are my favorite. Pick up some baked goods and have breakfast here on a lovely day. It’s just a five-minutes’ walk from the space.
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Nijō Castle 元離宮二条城
Not so far away and if you do go to one castle, this might be it. Lovely painted walls and doors inside. Can be crowded with tour groups.
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Fushimi Inari 伏見稻荷大社
You're probably already planning a trip to Fushimi, where there are hundreds of torii (gates). It can be very crowded so consider going very early in the morning or even at night when it's lit up by lanterns. Though if you plan to pray for good business (as many do), do try to come in the daytime! It’s a nice two/three-hour hike if you do the whole route.
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Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Arashiyama is justly famous and definitely worth an all-day excursion. Of course you should visit the Bamboo Grove (preferably before 8am when the crowds start to arrive) but also Tenryu-ji. Less well-known, the Temple of Life and Temple of Death are lovely and mostly undiscovered. I love a coffee and stroll by the Katsura River, as well as a visit to the tea house and villa of Okochi Sanso.
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Heian Shrine 平安神宮
The Heian Shrine is a nice place to visit with its enormous torii, however if you do come you really should visit its garden, which is among my very favorite in Kyoto. Well worth it. There is also a park and zoo nearby. ROHM theater complex is not so far either and has a Tsutaya bookshop and nice terrace seating.
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Ninna-ji
You’ll probably visit the Golden Temple (Kinkakuji) and the famous zen garden nearby (Ryoanji). But also in the area is Ninna-ji, an often overlooked large temple complex with a gorgeous pagoda and a small cherry tree forest. You have to visit when the flowers are in bloom as it’s rather incredible (they bloom late so it’s around the second week in April when it’s really special).
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Kurama Temple
One of Kyoto’s greatest temples is a 30-minutes’ train ride north of the city. Kurama has been a Buddhist sanctuary for centuries and is where the healing process Reiki was conceived. If it’s lovely weather, you can get off at Kibune Station, visit the shrine there, have lunch, then climb the trail that crests over the mountain to Kurama and then climb down or take the ropeway. There is also a lovely onsen with an outdoor bath (rotemburo) facing a tree-lined mountain.
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Kamo River
The Kamo River makes Kyoto the city that it is. It winds its way through the city, from the dense downtown area to the more rural north. You can do a lot worse than riding a bike along its shore, picnicking, and having a beer with a friend on its banks while the sun sets.
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Honen-in
My favorite temple on the Philosopher’s Path. It’s very tranquil and has a lovely cemetery next door. Of course if you’re in the area you should also visit Ginkakuji (the Silver Temple) and Eikando if it’s autumn as the foliage will be terrific (if a little crowded). It’s nice to stroll nearby Nanzenji too.
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Saihoji
Also known as Kokedera (Moss Temple), this is a highlight to any trip to Kyoto. You have to reserve on their website in advance because they regulate the entrance so it’s never too crowded. The walk around the gardens is very peaceful and it’s all the more special because you begin your visit with some calligraphy tracing to relax your mind. It’s worth booking a visit in the morning and combining it with a visit to Arashiyama if you’re short on time as both places are located outside the city center.
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Kyoto International Manga Museum 京都国際マンガミュージアム
If you are into Manga, you really should come visit as they have hundreds, maybe thousands of manga available to peruse, going decades back. In the neighborhood so can't miss if you are a fan.
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Team Lab Kyoto
You’ve probably been or read about the TeamLab venues in Tokyo. The one in Kyoto recently opened and it’s huge, more than twice the size of the Tokyo branches. This one is called Biovortex and there are some amazing light installations, some calming, some frenetic, but you’ll probably find something vividly experiential if you explore the whole space. My favorite is the room where hundreds of very light balls are spinning as if caught in a cyclone (with you in the middle of it!).
You can book your tickets here.
21-5 Higashikujo Higashiiwamotocho, Minami Ward, Kyoto, 601-8006