Established in 1781, this restaurant has seen far more eras than the people living today. Located on Sanjo Street in Kyoto, amidst the bustling nightlife, it must have witnessed both glamour and darkness. It's quite moving. When I visited during the day, the interior was clean and new despite its long history. With limited seating due to COVID-19 measures, it may get crowded on holidays. I ordered the special spring menu, which was a set of popular sushi rolls, sea bream sushi, mackerel sushi, inari sushi, and mixed rice. And they were all delicious! The sushi rice was perfectly balanced in terms of firmness and vinegar amount, not overpowering the taste of the fish. Personally, my favorite was the sea bream sushi, wrapped in bamboo leaves for a lovely aroma and surprisingly tender texture. Throughout my meal, customers kept coming in to pick up their reserved items. Bringing this sushi as a gift might earn you some brownie points. It was a delightful experience.

On a Saturday night around 7pm, there were two groups of customers already seated. We ordered a combination of mackerel and eel sushi, with the request to remove the kelp before serving. The sushi rice was sticky and had a strong vinegar flavor, which was delicious. The mackerel had a good amount of fat and was very tasty, although the fish slices were thinner than expected. The eel pieces were small and thin, and didn't have the fluffy texture that eel usually has. The impact of the vinegar rice overshadowed the eel. In hindsight, I should have just ordered the mackerel sushi. It was disappointing that the staff was not readily available to take our order, despite calling out multiple times. I may have set my expectations too high based on the price and ambiance, but the mackerel sushi was definitely delicious.

I visited the restaurant around 3pm on a weekday and was able to enter without waiting in line. I ordered the set menu with mackerel sushi, but ended up trying the mackerel sushi and eel sushi set. As I took a bite of the eel sushi, both my friend and I exclaimed, "Wow, this is so delicious!" The eel sushi was amazing, with a crispy texture and a delicious aroma. We were so impressed that we ended up ordering more eel sushi. If you visit this place, be sure to try the "Mackerel and Eel Set"!

The must-try dish at the end of the Saba Kaido street in Kyoto. Although there are several places in Kyoto where you can enjoy saba sushi, I always end up coming here because you can have it with white wine. The fluffy and melting shari rice, the saba fish, and the crunchy kelp at the finish - it's irresistible. The cycle of saba sushi, white wine, and kelp is endless. I skipped breakfast just to savor the saba sushi here, so the default four pieces felt a bit lacking. It would be really nice if they offered a choice of quantity. Also, I was disappointed that they switched from mini bottles to glasses for the white wine. Even if they increased the price, I wish they had kept the mini bottles. This time, I was able to finish my visit to Kyoto here. Thank you for the meal.

I had eaten a bento box from this restaurant before, so this time I decided to eat inside the main store. I thought the cost performance wasn't great, but the food was very delicious. I would like to come back again. The atmosphere inside the store was very nice, and there was a wonderful place prepared near the restroom. I thought smokers should definitely visit that area. I came to eat both eel sushi and mackerel sushi, and I enjoyed both, but I think I felt more satisfied after eating the mackerel sushi alone.

I had a dinner meeting with an acquaintance from Osaka in Gion. They wanted to buy Izu no Sabazushi to take home, so I guided them to Shijo Kiritsugai until it was ready. I had never tried it before, so I bought some as well. It cost around 3400 yen. The flavor was deep and delicious. We removed the hump to eat the sushi, and then ate the hump later.

Hmm, maybe it's just a matter of getting used to it? The sushi in Kyoto is known for its light seasoning, with the mackerel almost raw. In Tokyo, mackerel sushi is usually marinated in vinegar, so I wasn't used to the taste and tried to ask for soy sauce, but was told to eat it as it is. Maybe it was a taboo to ask for soy sauce? It was a famous restaurant, so I had high expectations, but personally, I was disappointed with the result.

On Sunday, I came to Gion for work and noticed a famous traditional saba sushi restaurant called Izusushi while driving down the street. I had always wanted to try it, so I decided to wait in line. After about 15 minutes, I got a seat and ordered a set of saba sushi and anago sushi, as well as a set of saba sushi and tai sushi with miso soup. The saba sushi and tai sushi were wrapped in kombu, with the tai sushi being softer and more delicate. The staff kindly advised me to remove the kombu if I preferred, as the flavor could be overpowering. The sushi tasted delicious, especially the well-seasoned anago. It had that traditional, old-fashioned taste you would expect from a long-standing sushi restaurant. Overall, it was a great experience, but personally, I still prefer the saba and anago sushi from my regular go-to sushi restaurants, Sushi Jin and Sushi Iso. Nonetheless, Izusushi is a good choice for those looking for a taste of Gion's traditional cuisine.

Located on a street corner near a staircase, this long-standing saba sushi restaurant boasts a history dating back to 1781, making it 242 years old. I enjoyed their famous saba sushi in a calm and traditional atmosphere. They also offer various sets on the menu, so I look forward to trying more than just saba on my next visit!

Biden or Trump? That's too much, lol. I don't use the Shinkansen. Because I'm a food blogger, if I'm going to Kansai, I can't miss the late-night bus, haha. I want to save money on accommodations. But in capsule hotels, you can only use the shower and it's tiring. So, I use cheap hotels. I don't have much money, Biden, lol. Even though I don't have much money, if I go to Kyoto, I shouldn't miss the Kyoto kaiseki, but really, I don't have money (sweat). I'll cut the receipt and request reimbursement from the company. One of the few SILVER shops I visited is almost 10 minutes from Osaka Umeda Station on the No. 1 line, taking a limited express train to Kyoto Kawaramachi and then walking quite a bit from there because it's Gion. And you can't make reservations here; on holidays, you may have to wait. Below are the items ordered: Mackerel Sashimi Sushi 2,420 yen, Chilled Sake 770 yen. The chilled sake is Kyonoi Hitotsubu (Junmai). Sashimi sushi and ahh, ahh, and a large teapot of tea served generously. That's nice too. Now, the purpose of coming here is definitely the sashimi sushi. Can't just eat it like this, right? First, peel off the outer layer of kelp and... what? Peel it off, you like that (sexual harassment suspicion, lol). At first glance, it looks like an innocent way of eating, but first the rice inside, massive! Packed tightly? My vocabulary is too poor, lol. And then the mackerel part, mmm, the price is a bit high, but this feeling of bliss is hard to give up. Sake is a must, but something light is good. There's also the damage from the harsh travel. Finally, let's enjoy the kelp. It has a slight stickiness and seems to be packed with flavor. Yes, yes, inosinic acid! Slight changes in taste from each part starting from the middle. Couldn't make a reservation, but it was worth visiting! Alright! Let's go pick up the reserved Japanese sweets. It's too hot to go directly, so I give up and wait outside. The restroom here is high-class too! But there's only one, so wait outside. And with that, thank you. Bon appétit.

A famous saba sushi restaurant near Gion Shirakawa in Kyoto. It's a great place to visit when exploring Gion and feeling a bit hungry. They have established a brand that is also appreciated as a souvenir, so I highly recommend visiting when in Kyoto. The thick saba and kombu flavors perfectly complement each other, creating a taste that you'll occasionally crave.

Founded in the first year of Tenmei (1781), "Izuo" is a well-established Kyoto restaurant known for its mackerel sushi. It is loved as a special treat for festivals and special occasions, and has been selected for the Michelin Bib Gourmand. The moist and flavorful mackerel melts in your mouth from the first bite! By the way, the kelp wrapped around the mackerel sushi is meant to be removed before eating. Although the kelp can be eaten separately, it is quite tough and I gave up on it (laughs). In addition to mackerel sushi, the menu includes sea bream sushi, conger eel sushi, grilled conger eel sushi, and thick rolls, all of which were delicious. You can also purchase their sushi at department store events, so I recommend trying it at least once! Thank you for the delicious meal! ❤️

I purchased this at JR Kyoto Isetan, not at the main store. I made a reservation for a bento box online in advance and picked it up at the counter on the basement floor on the day of. Reservations are accepted up to 5 days before the pick-up date. The mackerel sushi was 4,752 yen (tax included) for one roll, serving two people. I bought it as a souvenir for my husband, who stayed home with our elderly dog. We arrived home after 10 pm, so we ate it the next day. The uncut sushi had a shelf life until the next day, while the cut sushi had to be consumed on the same day. The mackerel was not as thick as I expected, but the firmness of the rice and the acidity of the vinegar rice were exquisite. Most of all, I was happy to hear my husband say, "Delicious! Delicious!" He also enjoyed the pickled ginger that came with it. The wrapping paper, tailored to the season, had a nice touch. It was convenient to be able to pick it up before boarding the shinkansen on our one-night trip to Kyoto.

On a Sunday afternoon, I waited in line for about 40 minutes to get into the restaurant. There were a few people buying takeout as well. Inside, there were only about 3 groups eating, so it made sense to wait. I ordered a set called the Winter Special, which was a bit pricey but had a sophisticated taste. The kelp around the mackerel sushi was also delicious. It had just the right amount of acidity and was the kind of snack you could keep eating. The quiet atmosphere was also nice, and I left satisfied.

When I went to Kyoto, I decided to eat mackerel sushi! I made a reservation and picked it up by phone. I tried mackerel sushi at different places like Sushi no Musashi and Wakuden, but Izusen is still my favorite. The unique taste of mackerel and the chewy texture of the rice are incredibly delicious. I am captivated by it. When they had stores in Tokyo and Yokohama, they didn't have mackerel sushi, only pressed sushi with sea bream. Maybe the taste can only be enjoyed locally? Even though the size has decreased due to a price change, the number of pieces has increased to 5, so I don't feel like I'm losing out! Next time I go to Kyoto, I will definitely eat it again.

Seems like the mackerel sushi decreased by one piece~ Both the mackerel and conger eel were served in sets of 5. The mackerel sushi is consistently delicious with firm rice and the mackerel itself is pleasantly fatty in a good way. The conger eel was also tasty! It may seem like a small portion, but the rice is chewy and filling. I went on a weekday so I could get a seat, but there was a line outside the restaurant.

I had it for the first time in the store. Waited a bit before entering. Although it is old, it is kept clean. I ordered 5 pieces of mackerel sushi per person and miso soup. It was nice to have tea with a teapot. It seems that there is a shortage of mackerel, so the pieces are small. It's a shame compared to the thick mackerel sushi of the past, but it can't be helped.

On this day, I went to Kyoto. When visiting Kyoto in winter, one thing I wanted to eat was mackerel sushi. Among them, this was a shop I had always wanted to try (*´∀`)♪ So, I arrived at the shop around 12 o'clock. The shop is about a 5-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station, near Gyoza no Hyakusho. The neighborhood was quiet during the day. Despite the quiet surroundings, the shop had its curtain out, so I slid open the door and went inside. The shop had about four table seats. There was only one group of customers already there. While this shop mainly focuses on takeaway, you can also dine in. When I expressed my desire to dine in, I was guided to a round table in the back. When you think of Izusushi, you think of mackerel sushi, but they also offer options like red snapper and conger eel, as well as assorted sushi plates. Additionally, they had a special menu for the Kyoto Restaurant Winter Special 2023, and many customers were ordering that. However, I was set on mackerel sushi. So, I ordered the mackerel sushi. Normally, a serving is 6 pieces per person (2,640 yen), but because the mackerel was small, it was reduced to 5 pieces (2,420 yen). I thought around 5 pieces would be just right, so I ordered that. It was served in about 10 minutes. I dug in right away. ◎ Mackerel Sushi (2,420 yen including tax) ... Mackerel sushi wrapped in kelp. They said it was okay to eat the kelp, but to remove it before eating. I tried the kelp separately, and it tasted like vinegar kelp, which was delicious (*≧艸≦). The mackerel sushi wasn't as thick as I had expected, but it was firm and delicious (*´Д｀*). It had enough flavor even without dipping it in soy sauce. It was so delicious that I quickly finished it in no time (*≧∀≦*). When I arrived, there was only one group of customers, but by the time I finished eating, more and more people came in, and the shop quickly became full. I saw some customers also getting takeaway. It was so delicious that I wanted to buy some to take home, but I had also bought a coppepan and had plans to eat out the next day, so I had to give up on that. Next time I visit Gion, I will definitely buy some to take home (*´∀`)♪ Thank you for the meal.

On a special day, I finally got to try the beloved saba sushi at Izusen. I've always wanted to try it and my wish came true at last! Although it was past 3 pm, there were already a few groups enjoying their meal, and customers kept coming in for takeout! I ordered the saba sushi set of 5 pieces without hesitation. They used to serve 6 pieces, but due to price increases, they reduced it to 5 pieces. I was surprised to see that the sushi was wrapped in kelp! Since the kelp was thick and tough, they advised us to peel it off separately. I took a bite of the saba sushi, and the perfect balance of vinegar, rice texture, and the thickness of the saba melted in my mouth, filling me with happiness. It was truly perfect! Honestly, I was already quite full due to the time, but before I knew it, I had finished it all! They offered to wrap up any leftovers, but I didn't have any. I don't often go to Kyoto with my family, but I definitely want to visit again to buy some souvenirs next time.

At night in the Gion district, Izuo. Established in 1781. Saba sushi and kohada sushi. The kelp is peeled for you. This is delicious. Especially the mackerel. Despite a poor catch this year, the taste is excellent. The balance of salt and vinegar is wonderful. Not just a long history, but also evident skill and technique. I decided to buy some souvenirs to take home. It was delicious.

After the New Year's holiday, on a weekday without the application of the GOTO Travel campaign, I was able to enter without waiting in line. The dining area is not very spacious, but there were many customers coming in for takeaway orders. They mentioned that they don't often get large-sized mackerel. The atmosphere is distinctly Kyoto!