Kyoto Prefecture, bordering the Sea of Japan, boasts an abundant supply of fresh seafood. Therefore, sushi restaurants in Kyoto offer fresh and delicious sushi. Particularly, sweet shrimp, nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch), and hamo (pike conger) caught in the Sea of Japan are exquisite.
Kyoto is the birthplace of Japanese cuisine, and the techniques of Kyoto cuisine are also applied to sushi. Delicate seasoning and beautiful presentation are hallmarks of Kyoto-style sushi. Kyoto has a variety of sushi restaurants, from high-end establishments to affordable places and conveyor belt sushi. You can find the perfect sushi restaurant that suits your budget and preferences.
In this article, we will introduce 14 recommended sushi spots in Kyoto that you should visit.
1.Kyoto’s Sushi Culture
Sushi is a traditional Japanese dish consisting of vinegared rice topped with seafood and other ingredients. Its history dates back to the Nara period, with the existence of narezushi, a preserved food made by fermenting fish with salt and rice. In the Edo period, the precursor of modern nigiri sushi emerged, becoming popular as a convenient fast food sold at stalls.
Kyoto, a city that flourished as the ancient capital, has developed a rich culinary culture, including a unique sushi tradition. Among Kyoto’s representative sushi is saba-zushi, a type of pressed sushi made with vinegared mackerel. The balance between the fatty mackerel and vinegared rice is perfect, and many visitors to Kyoto buy it as a souvenir.
2.14 Recommended Sushi Spots in Kyoto
Kyoto offers a variety of sushi restaurants, from traditional establishments serving classic Kyoto-style sushi to places offering new styles. Recently, more sushi restaurants have been providing English menus for foreign tourists.
Kyoto is well-prepared to offer a delightful sushi experience, so be sure to try various sushi spots when you visit.
2-1.Sushi Eiro
Sushi Eiro is a hidden gem near Kyoto Station. Owned by a tuna wholesale company, it offers fresh, high-quality tuna selected by the owner. Rare cuts and the daily recommended items provide a new discovery with every visit.
In addition to sushi, there is a wide selection of dishes made with seasonal ingredients, as well as appetizers that pair well with sake.
2-2.Kyo・Sushi Ookini
Kyo・Sushi Ookini is a sushi restaurant located near Kyoto Central Wholesale Market. It is known for serving authentic sushi made with fresh seafood at reasonable prices.
Its lunch menu is particularly popular, attracting both locals and tourists with its generous portions and good value for money.
2-3. Azuma Sushi
Azuma Sushi in Kyoto is a hidden sushi restaurant about a 5-minute walk from Shichijo Station. The fresh seafood is sourced from the market each morning and the chef’s skills shine through in the nigiri sushi, which brings joy with every bite.
The restaurant has only 9 counter seats and the atmosphere is clean and comfortable. You can enjoy conversation with the chef while savoring your meal.
2-4. Sushi Matsumoto
Located in Kyoto’s Gion district, Sushi Matsumoto is a Michelin-starred restaurant and one of the most famous in Kyoto. It offers only an omakase course, featuring the best ingredients of the day. The extensive selection of side dishes also pairs excellently with sake. For lunch, they offer a special sushi set.
The interior, with its refined yet warm ambiance, resembles a hidden retreat amidst the cobblestone streets of Gion.
2-5. Gion Sato
Gion Sato, located in Gion-Shijo, offers a delightful combination of Kyoto cuisine and Edo-style sushi.
Set in a renovated 150-year-old townhouse, it provides a space with ambience to enjoy both Kyoto cuisine and sushi. The first-floor counter seating allows you to watch the chef in action, while private rooms are available on the second floor. Its welcoming atmosphere makes it accessible for tourists.
2-6. Sushi Gion Matsudaya
Sushi Gion Matsudaya in Gion offers an intimate setting with only 6-7 counter seats and is by reservation only. Enjoy a relaxing meal while conversing with the chef, with the menu based on the best ingredients available that day.
Using only the finest natural seafood from Toyosu Market and Kyoto’s Nishiki Market, the aged fish enhances the umami (flavor), creating a delicate and flavorful sushi experience.
2-7. Gion Tsuzaki
Gion Tsuzaki, located in Gion, is run by a chef with over 20 years of experience at the renowned restaurant Jyubei. It serves authentic Edo-style sushi using fresh ingredients from the market each morning, starting at just 250 yen per piece.
With a casual and homey atmosphere, it is a welcoming place for tourists as well.
2-8. Gion Sushi Tadayasu
Gion Sushi Tadayasu, located in the Gion district of Kyoto, features a beautiful interior with a cypress wood counter.
With years of experience, the chef masterfully brings out the umami of each piece of sushi. The attention to the temperature and vinegar balance of the rice ensures that each bite delivers a moment of bliss.
2-9. Gion Ichiho
Gion Ichiho in Kyoto offers a unique dining experience with its innovative “canapé sushi.”
The restaurant provides a broad menu including course meals, Kyoto vegetables, obanzai (traditional Kyoto home-style dishes), salads, and desserts. It also boasts a wide selection of sake from Kyoto’s renowned breweries.
2-10. Temari Sushi and Japanese Tea Souden
Located near Karasuma Oike Station, Temari Sushi and Japanese Tea Souden offers beautifully crafted temari sushi and Japanese tea.
The colorful, visually appealing bite-sized temari sushi are made with seasonal ingredients. The restaurant also serves monthly selected Japanese teas such as gyokuro, sencha, and hojicha, brewed with care to complement the meal.
2-11. Sushi Saeki
Sushi Saeki, originally famous in Osaka’s Kitashinchi, relocated to Nanzenji in Kyoto and now resides between Nijo Castle and Kyoto Imperial Palace.
The restaurant offers an exceptional dining space overlooking a stunning garden, providing a memorable experience alongside delicious sushi.
2-12. Ganko
Ganko, a chain of sushi and Japanese cuisine restaurants primarily based in Osaka and Kyoto, offers fresh sushi and seafood bowls at reasonable prices.
Besides sushi, the extensive menu includes tempura, hot pot dishes, and various Japanese appetizers, making it ideal for family and group dining.
2-13. Daiki Suisan Kaiten-Sushi
Daiki Suisan Kaiten-Sushi is known for its fresh ingredients and affordable prices. Operated by Daiki Suisan based in Osaka, the chain has several locations in Kyoto.
With its own fishing rights and direct procurement bypassing the market, the restaurant offers fresh seafood at reasonable prices. Their specialty is natural bluefin tuna sourced through exclusive routes.
In addition to traditional nigiri sushi, the menu features creative sushi, appetizers, desserts, and a variety of kid-friendly options.
2-14. Hiyoko Sushi
Hiyoko Sushi, within walking distance from Hankyu Omiya Station, is popular for its affordable Edo-style sushi. The menu includes a la carte nigiri and maki sushi, as well as two omakase (chef’s choice) courses.
The 3,000-yen light drinking course includes sake, small dishes, sashimi, five pieces of nigiri sushi, and miso soup, making it a great option for those looking to enjoy a casual meal with drinks.
Conclusion
Kyoto offers a variety of sushi restaurants. High-end sushi restaurants typically cost over 10,000 yen per person, neighborhood sushi spots range from 3,000 to 5,000 yen, and conveyor belt sushi is around 1,000 to 3,000 yen.
When planning to enjoy sushi in Kyoto, it is important to first choose an area. For example, the Gion and Pontocho areas are known for their concentration of high-end sushi restaurants, offering a luxurious dining experience amidst picturesque surroundings. Meanwhile, the area around Kyoto Station provides easy access for tourists with convenient transportation options.
*This article is based on information available as of July 2024.