Musashi Sushi
Musashi Sushi is an affordable sushi place with a decent selection on offer. Its serves sushi Kaiten-style, when sushi plates are put on a revolving belt and diners just take what they want. The variety of sushi it offers allows you to try out new Japanese ingredients, beyond salmon and tuna, If you want more rice and nori, try a hand roll. Their hand rolls are topped with fresh seafood, which is also something that makes Musashi Sushi stand out from the others.
Price: Mid-range
Watch out for: Kaiten sushi
Opening hours : 11am – 10pm
Address: 440 Ebisucho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8005, Kyoto Prefecture +81 75-222-0634
Sushi Matsumoto (鮨まつもと)
Located in the heart of Gion, Sushi Matsumoto offers Edomae-style sushi. This is the sushi most commonly eaten around the world today and is not made with fermented rice like traditional sushi. The name comes from “Edon Bay” or Tokyo Bay, where the fish to make this style of sushi was traditionally caught. Thanks to its skillful preparation of ingredients and the chef’s dedication to the design of sushi, Sushi Matsumoto restaurant is ranked one star in the Michelin Guide. With only around 11 seats inside, reservation is required and the dining here is a calming, zen experience.
Price: Fine dining
Watch out for: Edomae sushi
Opening hours: 12:00pm – 2:00pm, 5:30pm – 9:00pm Wednesday – Monday
Address:570-123 Gionmachi Minamigawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture +81 75-531-203
Ganko Kyoto
Ganko is a large sushi place offering a wide selection of sushi and other Japanese cuisines. While Ganko excels in choosing fresh and raw fish and shrimps as their primary ingredients, it also places much emphasis on balancing the freshness of the fish and the richness of the rice in the sushi. Its freshly smashed wasabi adds a punchy layer of taste to the sushi. The restaurant also aims to provide an environment and atmosphere in accordance to the style and characteristics of the sushi which is elegant and fine.
Price: Fine dining
Watch out for: Unagi sushi
Opening Hours: 11am – 11pm
Address: 98 Nakajimacho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 604-8004
Tomizushi
When looking for the best sushi in town, diners seek out the place that uses the freshest ingredients, has the most authentic style and the most professionally trained chefs. Tomizushi ticks all three boxes. In a warm and friendly atmosphere, the chef at Tomizushi puts his every effort into both making sushi and chatting with customers. Cooking and eating here are fast paced, so get ready to dive straight in. This little gem of a sushi joint is hidden away down a tiny side street, so keep your eyes peeled because, trust us, you don’t want to miss this.
Price: Mid-range
Watch out for: eel sushi
Opening hours: 5pm – midnight
Address: Shijō agaru, Nakano-chō 578-5, Kyoto +81 75-231-3628
Nakaichi
Nakaichi, located in the Gion area, is one of the better sushi places that provides simple and affordable sushi. The sushi is served in ‘kappo’ style, sushi on one plate. You can expect to see the chef preparing your sushi for you while you wait. Interact with him and you may request different parts of fish to be prepared for your sushi. Nakaichi insists on using freshly and naturally caught fish every day to provide a high standard of authentic sushi. It’s keeping the old values alive that makes this sushi spot truly a cut above the rest.
Price: Mid-range
Watch out for: interacting with the chef
Opening hours: 12pm – 2pm, 5pm – 10pm
Address:570-196 Gionmachi Minamigawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan +81 75-531-2778
Carrie Chan