Be sure to arrive hungry! As sushi is the most famous dish in Japan, you’ll want to include some reservations to a sushi restaurant or two on your itinerary. In this guide, we’ve not only included the best sushi restaurants in Kyoto as recommended by locals, but tips on how to eat sushi like a pro and a roundup of the many varieties of sushi.
There are many great options in Kyoto, so it may be hard to choose. Use this guide to learn about some of the best local sushi restaurants as recommended by the Kyoto MACHIYA INNS & HOTELS team! Keep reading below to find out where to eat sushi in Kyoto.
First, a little history on sushi. You may be surprised to learn that sushi originated not in Japan, but Southeast Asia! Historians estimate that it arrived in Japan during the Nara Period (700s AD) as a fermented rice delicacy.
Over time, sushi evolved with Japanese culture and tastes, and began to use its vinegared rice and raw fish toppings during the Edo Period (1603-1868) and Meiji Period (1868-1912). Inventions such as refrigeration and the popularization of conveyor belt restaurants made sushi available—and affordable—to the masses!
Nowadays, there are over 150,000 Japanese restaurants around the world, many of them serving sushi. A dish synonymous with Japanese culture, a trip to Japan wouldn’t be complete without indulging in some of the best sushi in Japan!
Here’s what to know about sushi etiquette and how to eat sushi like a pro. These are the few key points that you should remember:
When you think of sushi, you likely picture nigiri sushi – small pieces of raw fish on rice with vinegar. However, there are actually a variety of different sushi types that exist!
Travel Tip: Below are the most common sushi types you’ll find in Japan. Keep this list on hand to make choosing and ordering easier!
Best described as Japan’s original fast food, this is the classic “raw fish on rice” sushi. Edomae sushi developed during the Edo Period as a quick and easy way to fill up traveler’s stomachs. Sushi chefs always caught the fish locally, because there was no refrigeration in those days.
Fun Fact: Edomae Sushi got its name, because it became famous in Edo, now known as present-day Tokyo. It used fish from Edo no Mae, which is now Tokyo Bay.
To guarantee the freshest and best seafood of the season, we recommend always going for the omakase (chef’s choice). Many different restaurants in Kyoto offer sushi, but below are some of the best that we’ve had!
This is your quintessential Edomae nigiri sushi experience. Our top recommendation is Gion Sushi Nakamura, situated in the historic Gion District, offering stunning views of the Gion Shirakawa River.
At Gion Sushi Nakamura, the emphasis on seasonality enhances the ingredients and preparation of traditional Japanese cuisine. Enjoying your meal while taking in the picturesque surroundings creates a truly immersive dining experience.
When you visit, we highly recommend the Omakase Dinner Course priced at 22,000 yen per person (tax included), which lasts approximately two hours. This exquisite sushi kaiseki dinner features a selection of appetizers, soups, and sweets, complemented by 12 pieces of nigiri sushi crafted from the freshest ingredients available that day, including squid, prawns, sea urchin, eel, and various fish.
Information
Location: Approximately a 6-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station and near Yasaka Shrine.
BOOK A TABLE: Gion Sushi Nakamura
Please note that opening hours, prices, and menu items are subject to change; it’s advisable to check their website for the latest information.
Locals and our staff at MACHIYA INNS & HOTELS highly recommend Sushi no Kura for an elevated and elegant sushi dining experience. Enjoy carefully selected seafood while seated at a counter carved from a 200-year-old cypress tree. The sushi kaiseki course for dinner is 16,500 yen/per person (tax incl.) and includes nigiri sushi and a la carte dishes made with seasonal ingredients.
“It’s a unique career, but before becoming a sushi chef, I was a pastry chef and a chef in a Western restaurant.
After that, I was in charge of auctioneering at a wholesale fish market, so you can count on me to be a connoisseur of fish. We serve fish from Hokkaido in the north to Kyushu in the south, and we also serve fish that can only be found in those locales. We are a small restaurant with a total of 10 seats, so please enjoy your meal at your leisure without worrying about the time.”
BOOK A TABLE: Sushi Restaurant Reservation
Location: In the heart of Gion, near the Yasaka Shrine
Please note that opening hours, prices, and menu items are subject to change; it is advisable to check their website for the most up-to-date information.
For a new sushi experience, try saba sushi (mackerel sushi), which has a long history in Kyoto city, at Gion Kawamoto.
Gion Kawamoto is a family-owned restaurant offers an omakase sushi kaiseki 10-course meal for 10,000 yen/person (tax incl.). Each menu is curated based on seasonal ingredients for dishes such as appetizers, soup, fried and grilled dishes, dessert and of course, saba sushi. Saba sushi is not your typical nigiri sushi! This restaurant flavors its saba sushi with yuzu citrus vinegar, giving it a fresh aroma and unique taste.
Gion Kawamoto welcomes children and offers counter seating, table seating and private rooms, so it’s perfect if you’re traveling with family! This is also a great option for visitors with dietary restrictions or allergies—you can contact the restaurant in advance to request adjustments.
BOOK A TABLE : Sushi Restaurant Reservation
Location: 4-minute walk from Gion Bus Stop or 8-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station near Yasaka Shrine
Please note that opening hours, prices, and menu items are subject to change; it is advisable to check their website for the most up-to-date information.
Located in the historic Gion district, Wasabi offers a delightful selection of fresh sushi and sashimi, alongside a variety of traditional Japanese dishes crafted from seasonal and local ingredients. The chefs at Wasabi take great pride in the freshness of the ingredients, and purchase seafood directly from markets located at ports along coastal Japan.
The menu at Wasabi changes with the seasons, ensuring a unique dining experience each time you visit. Highlights include Japanese kamo duck hot pot, wagyu beef, fried fugu (pufferfish), and Kyoto pork. Guests can choose between table seating or counter seating, where you can watch the chefs at work.
Kaiseki Courses and Pricing
Choose between their 6,600 yen Kaiseki Course or their 9,250 yen Kaiseki Course. Reservations are required for dine-in, but takeout sushi is also available for those on the go.
Location and Accessibility
Wasabi is conveniently located about a 5-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station, near Yasaka Shrine in the heart of Gion.
Please note that opening hours, prices, and menu items are subject to change; it is advisable to check their website for the most up-to-date information.
Experience authentic Japanese cuisine at the best restaurants in Japan as recommended by locals.
Book a table at top-rated restaurants to enjoy exquisite kaiseki (course-style) Japanese dinners.
Travel Tip: If you don’t know how to make a restaurant reservation in Japan or can’t speak Japanese, the MACHIYA LOCALS platform is a useful tool to make restaurant reservations in Japan!
Through the MACHIYA LOCALS platform, you can choose a kaiseki course dinner ahead of time, specify any food allergies or dietary needs, indicate if you are celebrating a special event and more to ensure that you have a great dining experience. In addition to sushi restaurants, there are restaurants specializing in wagyu beef, tempura, traditional Kyoto cuisine, and more. They’re always adding new restaurants to the platform, so be sure to check back often!
