If you are interested in seeing what I did while in Kyoto that is here! If you want to know what to do, how to get there and around Kyoto, or how to check out the famous bamboo forest that is here.
To see a video of the Top 10 of what to do in Kyoto click here or a video on the Best Way to Spend $40 in Kyoto click here. If you want to see what I bring on every trip you can see that here or to see a minute video of my trip click here! Matcha
Kyoto is home to Uji, a small city that is famous for producing Matcha which is considered the highest quality of Japanese green tea. While drinking matcha straight (usually dissolved in water or milk) is highly recommended, matcha is also used to flavor a variety of confectioneries and desserts!
Saryo Tsujiri If you're just looking for a matcha ice cream cone or sweets to buy you can stay downstairs. If you looking for the full café experience, head upstairs. The text is in Japanese but the have pictures but it's mostly everything matcha. Nakamura Tokichi An old Uji tea shop made in a distinctive white wall/latticework tea wholesale shop style. There is also a chance to grind tea yourself with a mill and enjoy light and strong infusions of the powdered green tea in a tea ceremony room afterwards. Jouvencelle Known for skillfully incorporating Japanese ingredients such as matcha, red beans, and warabimochi (a jelly-like confection covered in powder) into famous Western style desserts. Itoh Kyuemon A three-minute walk from Kyoto Station and you'll find sweets made with Uji matcha green tea and various Ujicha teas to match the season. Umezono An authentic restaurant known for their desserts. Best Affordable Sushi
Sushisei
is one of the best moderately priced sushi restaurants in Kyoto. They’re comfortable with foreigners and the downtown location is super convenient. I stopped by and had a local asked me how I found out about this place. He said it's the best moderately priced place for sushi in Kyoto. Tip - ask for half baked salmon, it'll change your life.
Ramen
Honke Daiichi Asahi
Founded over 50 years ago and known as one of the best ramen shops in Kyoto! Ramen sen no Kaze Pure Japanese style of an all-natural ramen.
Musoshin Gion
Serve creative Ramen dishes with rich, creamy soup made with chicken, pork and vegetable stock. Ginjo Ramen Kubota Famous for it's Tsukemen with thick seafood broth, using carefully selected Kyoto miso only. Karako If you are in the Okazaki Museum District and want a hearty bowl of ramen. Ramer Muraji You'll find the this good bowl of ramen in the heart of Gion. It just may be busy if you go in peak hours. Inoichi A small 10 seat restaurant located in downtown Kyoto. No Name Ramen An ultra-hip ramen place that is the real deal. Soba/Udon
Omen Ginkakuku-ji
Just down the hill from Ginkaku-ji Temple, Omen serves some of Kyoto’s best udon noodles. I stopped by and thought it was great. They were really helpful with tourists like me! The main photo is from here. Owariya Located in an atmospheric old wooden building, Honke Owariya is arguably the best soba restaurant in all of Kyoto. Kaiseki
Kaiseki is a traditional Japanese tasting course comprised of many small and tea ceremonies that is in a set meal course chosen by the chef to highlight a seasonal theme.
Kiyamachi Sakuragawa Kiyamachi Sakuragawa is a welcoming and superb spot to sample kaiseki cuisine. Kitcho If you are looking for the over top money isn't a thing type experience this is your place. When I looked into it I think I read that it starts at $475 per meal. But hey, it is 10 courses.. Michelin 3 Star
Michelin stars are a rating system that basically means that this restaurant is fancy. If you are wondering yes the same people that make tires also put out this rating system. The internet tells me there are currently 137 three star Michelin restaurants in the world so they are semi rare. These are the ones in Kyoto.
Hyotei The restaurant specializes in kaiseki and Chef Takahashi is confident that Hyotei protects the traditional cuisine of Kyoto. Meals start at $250 a person. Kikunoi Honten Fine dining in the Gion district where lunch starts at $93 USD and dinner at $150. If you don't want to spend that much but are still interested you are able to get a bento box (a single serving take-out or packaged meal) for $16-50 at Kyoto Takashimaya Mizai All these places are nice but this may be the best of the best. This is referenced as the highest pinnacle of kaiseki while continuing to pursue excellence in hospitality. Dinner starts at $475 Nakamura Founded 180 years ago, this old Japanese restaurant is known world wide for it's traditional kaiseki cuisine. Lunch starts at $150 while dinner starts at $200. Kichisen Another kaiseki style restaurant with lunch starting at $90 and dinner at $150. iida Chef Shinichi Iida has been cooking at the restaurant since 2010 and has quickly established a great reputation in the kaiseki dining space. Drinks
The Rest
Warai
If you are looking for okonomiyaki (savory Japanese pancakes) that will be cooked up on a griddle at your table this is your spot. Located in Nishiki Warai, just steps from Nishiki Market. Torito Yakitori (various bits of chicken cooked on skewers) is one of the many staple dishes of traditional Japanese cuisine. Due to the simplicity of this dish restaurants that serve it are typically basic and very smoky.
Sou
Nestled in the Gion district away from the hustle and bustle of the city, this cosy yet elegant restaurant features high-quality Wagyu A5. Hafuu Hafuu combines the tradition of Japanese cuisine with a modern atmosphere. The restaurant pairs delicious wagyu steak with succulent seafood to deliver an unforgettable culinary experience. Hatakaku This is the birthplace of Botan nabe which is a traditional boar-based dish and a staple of rural Japan cuisine. Although it is now wildly popular throughout Japan, it was humbly invented more than 100 years ago by Hatakaku’s former owner. Kagizen Even though it is next to international chain restaurants and coffee shops Kagizen offers a traditional Japanese tearoom experience. It stands out especially for its delicate wagashi, the traditional Japanese sweets usually served with tea, and it's incredible mochi, rice cakes filled with red or white bean paste.
**This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of my links, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you and allows me to keep the lights on around here. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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I'm Jake, a dude interested in personal finance and travel creating the life I choose. In 5 years I went from living in a basement with Craigslist roommates to paying off 90k of debt, backpacking 3 continents, getting a house for myself and 5 rental units. Read my story in the about me section. All photos on the blog are from my travels
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