Save up to $995 on all Oct-Dec guaranteed trips.
Trip destinations

10 Best Restaurants In South Higashiyama, Kyoto

Carrie Chan

Kyoto, Japan, lets history lovers explore ancient spots such as Gion, Sanjusangen-do Temple and Maruyama-koen Park. It also attracts many food lovers so we’ve compiled a list of the best restaurants.

Loved by over 40s

View All Trips
Kaiseki l

Kyoryori Shigure

Restaurant, Japanese

Kyoto Kiyomizu
© xiquinhosilva/Flickr
Kyoryori Shigure, opened in 1913 in Maruyama Park, is surrounded by historical sites such as Yasaka Shrine, Chion-in and Shōren-in. Not only can you experience the rich atmosp here of Japanese history here, but the restaurant provides the best versions of Kyoto cuisines. The restaurant incorporates fresh and seasonal Japanese ingredients into kaiseki, nabe and other cuisines in its monthly menu. With their sincerity to customers and enthusiasm for Kyoto cuisines, you will have an enjoyable and relaxing experience. You can even enjoy watching cherry blossoms outside the restaurant in April and continue your journey of Japanese history after the delicious meal.

Tsuburano

Restaurant, Japanese, Sushi

The restaurant coated by stones and stones alley
Courtesy of Kyoto Kamikura
Tired of sushi and ramen? Tsuburano is your place. Especially renowned for its Kyoto vegetables and matcha dessert, Tsuburano puts modern and traditional elements of Japanese garden together to provide customers with an elegant dining experience. They procure the freshest, best quality ingredients to create tasty delights, such as their hugely popular matcha dessert, made from the highest quality green tea. Tsuburano is only a few minutes’ walk from the spectacular Kiyomizu-Dera, a Buddhist temple and UNESCO World Heritage site.

Kyoto Kamikura

Restaurant, Japanese

Mackerel Sabazushi
© chezshai/Flickr
If you want to dine in Kyoto Kamikura, remember to reserve a seat at least a day before you go there. With only 12 seats inside, the restaurant provides diners with an exclusive and intimate environment to enjoy the most authentic Kaiseki ryori. The restaurant chef, who specializes in traditional Kyoto cuisines, will prepare your food in front of you with impressive performance and skill. Made from ingredients of high quality, served in an elegant display, the food presents the harmony of Kyoto cuisine.

Izuu

Restaurant, Japanese

Craving some sophisticated tastes of sushi? Wanting to try an authentic Kyoto dish? Izuu has got you covered, serving some of the best traditional Kyoto-style sushi in Higashiyama. Saba sugata zushi (pressed sushi) and mackerel sushi are two of the favorites here. Izuu offers to-go menus too, so their celebrated sushi can be enjoyed anywhere. Anago Hako Pressed Sushi l © Alpha/Flickr

Izuju

Restaurant, Japanese

Izuju is a popular sushi place. It introduces a new concept of sushi to those who have never tried authentic Kyoto style sushi, by surprising you through compressing sushi in a box or a tube, known as Oshizushi or ‘pressed sushi’. The freshness of the raw fish is further revealed with soy sauce and wasabi. Izuju is highly valued for its high quality sushi, affordable price and convenient location (close to Yasaka Shrine in Gion). Una-don eel on rice l © Jeremy Keith/Flickr

Uokeya U (祇園う)

Restaurant, Japanese

Japanese Tea Set
© CJ/Flickr
Uokeya U is an eel restaurant, putting rice with freshly caught eel and specially seasoned sauce in a barrel. Decorated with barrels, Uokeya U allows you to enjoy your meal on a tatami (a mat to cover the floor in traditional Japanese home) and experience Japanese culinary cultures to the fullest. No wonder it has gained a Michelin star. Pay a visit after going to Gion.

Kasagiya

Kasagiya

Overwhelmed by temples and shrines? It’s time to sit down for a pause and, of course, some delicious desserts. Kasagiya, located at the temple trail of Southern Higashiyama, excels in traditional red bean desserts and tea. Refresh yourself in the haven of peace and beauty.

349 Masuyachō, Higashiyama-ku, Kyōto-shi, Kyōto-fu 605-0826, Japan +81 75-561-9562

Omen l © Jessica Spengler/FlickrOmen l © Jessica Spengler/Flickr

Myodai Omen Kodaiji

Myodai Omen Kodaiji

If you are a fan of udon, Myodai Omen Kodaiji is a good place to check out after sightseeing in Kiyomizu-dera Temple. It offers a high standard of udon noodles at an affordable price and has English menus for foreigners. Omen-style udon is a vegetarian dish of udon (warm or cold), a soy-based dipping broth, and an assortment of local, seasonal Kyoto vegetables that are either boiled or pickled. The dish comes to your table in pieces and you create it, adding the noodles and vegetables to your bowl of broth yourself. If this exciting DIY experience still hasn’t quelled your lust for noodles, be sure to visit their main store before you go to pick up a pack to take home.

358 Matsuyacho, Higashiyamaku, Kyoto +81 75-771-8994

Bunnosuke-jaya l © hslo/FlickrBunnosuke-jaya l © hslo/Flickr

Bunnosuke-jaya

Restaurant, Japanese

Kyoto National Museum
© Japanexperterna.se/Flickr
Bunnosuke-jaya, located next to Yasaka no To Pagoda (Hokan-ji), is famous for its homemade desserts, ranging from matcha and red bean mochi to chestnut anmitsu. Founded by a Rakugo actor, the restaurant adopts old-fashioned recipes to remind diners of the old Japanese tastes. Small packaged sweet desserts are available for you bring back this nostalgic taste to your friends at home.

IL PAPPALARDO Italian Restaurant

Bar, Pizzeria, Restaurant, Japanese, Fast Food, Vegetarian

Fettuccine
© Francis Fabie Flickr
Close to Kyoto National Museum, Il Pappalardo Italian Restaurant gives you a little break from the intense experience of Japanese food and culture. Its pizzas are freshly made with fine ingredients, enticing many local people to pay a visit regularly. Perfect for home-sick Europeans and curious locals.
culture trip left arrow
culture trip brand logo

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

women sitting on iceberg

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

culture trip logo letter c
group posing for picture on iceberg
group posing for picture on iceberg

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points
culture trip brand logo
culture trip right arrow

See Our Culture Trips
landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.