Every year, after visiting the Tenjin Festival, we stopped by "Yuyama" on the narrow street of Shinbashi-dori, just across from Chion-in. As soon as we walked in, we saw the counter where the chefs were skillfully preparing the dishes right in front of us. Despite being able to see everything, it only increased our anticipation. The young chef seemed a bit nervous at first, but as soon as we tasted the food, any doubts disappeared. The appetizer consisted of tofu with crab miso and kazunoko. It was so delicious that we became instant fans of Yuyama. The soup dish featured steamed crab with a flavorful broth poured over it. The fluffy steamed crab had a rich flavor that was unexpected. The slightly light broth paired perfectly with it. The sashimi included mackerel and flounder. Then came the tessa, which was delightful. The New Year's atmosphere was evident in the celebratory chopsticks and dishes. The highlight was the hassun, a colorful dish reminiscent of osechi, with plenty of grilled blowfish. The perfectly cooked blowfish was juicy and delightful. The grilled conger eel sushi was outstanding and I wanted to eat more of it. Finally, the main course was the stone-grilled duck. The chef grilled each piece right in front of us, and the juicy duck was simply irresistible. After the meal, we enjoyed some drinks and chatted with the staff. The friendly and attentive chefs made the experience even better. It was a night of complete satisfaction, and I was thrilled to have found such a wonderful restaurant. Thank you for the amazing meal!

I found this restaurant on Tabelog. It's located just west of Chion-in Temple, and I made a reservation for 12 o'clock. The counter with 8 seats and the four-person private room in the back were all full. There are 3 chefs and the female owner. We had the Yasaka course for 4,300 yen, tax included. The meal started with sesame tofu with red bean paste, which had a natural sesame flavor and was delicious. The Erimine course had a variety of colorful dishes packed with amazing volume. It was enough to fill us up just with that. The dishes included simmered yuba, grilled miso-marinated mackerel, simmered bamboo shoots, red snapper with cod roe and cheese, simmered cherry-blossom-shaped wheat gluten, red snapper sashimi, lemon tofu, duck loin, temari sushi, soft-boiled egg, pumpkin tempura, fruit tomato, simmered wheat gluten, and fried sticky rice cake. For the main course, we had ginger rice, water shield and red miso soup, pickled Chinese cabbage, and chilled dessert. Each dish was carefully prepared and we could see the chefs cooking in the counter area. It was a feast.

I went for lunch during my trip to Kyoto (^^) I had the Kiyomizu course (¥5800) which included: - Appetizer: The sea urchin was delicious - Soup: Clam and seaweed soup from Chiba prefecture was excellent - Assorted dishes: Perfect in every way - Rice: Bamboo shoot rice with a gentle touch of seasoning, highlighted by the sansho leaf

I made a reservation and visited for the first time. It was my first visit with two elementary school children and four adults, and we were able to use a private room. It was very much appreciated as the children are at an age where they can be noisy! We ordered the "Shimizu" course, and we were satisfied with the taste and the generous portions. In particular, the tea towel with what sounded like "aosa" (or maybe it was seaweed) was incredibly delicious. I would love to revisit this restaurant when the season changes.

This is a review of a restaurant I visited with a friend before going to the Kyoto Museum of Modern Art. We chose a restaurant with a Kyoto-like atmosphere and Kyoto-style food. We sat at the counter and were able to relax with my friend. We didn't plan to stay long, but before we knew it, two hours had passed because the atmosphere was so pleasant. I forgot to take photos, but the bamboo shoot rice was really delicious. Even though I was full, I couldn't resist getting seconds. Overall, the food was really delicious and exceeded my expectations, especially the dessert! The quality was worth the price, even if it was a bit expensive. I was completely satisfied and would like to visit again. Thank you for the meal!

On a weekend, I visited Kyoto to fetch water in a lucky direction. After visiting Yasaka Shrine and receiving the sacred water, I had lunch at Hanamikoji Shinbashi. This place holds a lot of memories for me, as decisions I made here in my youth had a significant impact on my life, for better or for worse. I think things turned out alright in the end though! Hanamikoji Shinbashi is a small cozy restaurant with a counter seating and a few tables at the back. I enjoyed the Yasaka set meal, which included various dishes like sesame tofu and colorful side dishes. The portion size was just right, and the price seemed reasonable for the quality of food. It would be a great place for a casual meal or a gathering with friends, especially with female companions. However, personally, I'm not sure if I would revisit. While the food was good overall, nothing stood out to me, and I didn't feel like switching from beer to sake after my meal. Also, I noticed that while the head chef seemed dedicated, the younger staff members lacked a bit of finesse in their presentation of dishes. Overall, a decent restaurant for a regular meal, but I felt it was lacking a bit in terms of enhancing the dining experience with drinks. After leaving the restaurant, I wandered around the area before heading to the Warhol exhibition in Okazaki.

I had the 4800 yen course. The first dish was sesame tofu, followed by a generous assortment of dishes. I was excited to decide where to start. Overall, the flavors were gentle and pleasant. The owner was friendly and made the experience enjoyable. I think this restaurant offers good value for the money in this area. Thank you for the meal.

I used this restaurant for a solo lunch. I was able to enjoy my meal leisurely at the counter seat even though I was alone. The owner lady talked to me. The price was not that high, but I was very satisfied with the variety of dishes and beautiful presentation. The dishes that I enjoyed were the tofu skin and sea bream cooked in a bamboo leaf, and the lemon tofu, which was a new experience for me. I used to dislike fish roe, but the fish roe rice here was very delicious. The dessert was rum raisin ice cream, black sesame mousse, and coffee jelly with pear.

Yes! Let's go to Kyoto! Since we're in Kyoto, let's enjoy some delicious kaiseki cuisine and have a relaxing time. It was worth making a reservation - the food was so delicious and it was a wonderful experience. Each dish was carefully prepared and I am grateful for that. The seasonal ingredients were fully enjoyed with the "Seasonal Ingredients Appreciation Plan", which included 8 dishes such as appetizers, soup, sashimi, grilled fish, and dessert. The total cost was ¥7,000 when booked through Ikkyu. I left feeling satisfied and impressed by the beautiful presentation. I would love to visit again in a different season. The friendly proprietress was also lovely. @yuyamagion, Kyoto, Higashiyama-ku, Hanamikoji-higashi-iru Art Heights 1F. #Yuyama #GionYuyama #Gion #GionGourmet #GionLunch #KaisekiCuisine #Kaiseki #Kyoto #KyotoGourmet #KyotoLunch #JapaneseFood #Sushi

I found this place online and made a reservation a month ago. It's located about a 10-minute walk from Kawaramachi Station. The restaurant has 7 counter seats and one private room, which was fully booked. I paid 3800 yen (including tax). They served sesame tofu with ponzu sauce, which was delicious with a rich texture and sesame flavor. The green plate was beautifully arranged with seasonal ingredients like bamboo shoots and firefly squid, all of which were delicious. The Isaki sakura mochi was very elegant with a delicate broth and cherry blossom flavor. The bamboo shoot rice was also tasty. For dessert, we had cherry blossom ice cream, sesame jelly, and apple jelly. I was truly satisfied. Thank you for the wonderful meal!

Gion Yuyama in Higashiyama, Kyoto. This time's order: - Hassaku (appetizer) - Goma tofu with green garnish - Sawara (Spanish mackerel) in West Kyoto style, Kinmedai (golden eye snapper) sashimi, etc. - Owan (soup) - Akadashi (red miso soup) - Rice - Sansho Shirasu (whitebait with Japanese pepper) rice - Pickles - Kombu and Sansho simmered, Takuan (pickled daikon radish), Nappa cabbage pickles - Mizumono (dessert) - Rum raisin ice cream, Apple and whiskey jelly, Black sesame mousse. I had always wanted to visit Gion Yuyama when I went to Kyoto. Everything was incredibly delicious. Each dish was carefully made and you could taste it. Everything was delicious (almost all handmade!). Especially the dish with chicken and lily root sauce in the third photo, it was irresistible. The staff at the restaurant were also very friendly. The service was excellent. I definitely want to go back to eat there again. If you go to Gion, please try visiting this restaurant! There are also tourist spots nearby, making it easy to access. The prices are a bit high at night, but you can enjoy authentic kaiseki cuisine at a reasonable price for lunch.♡

Gion Yuyama in Higashiyama, Kyoto. This time's order: Yasaka course for 3,800 yen. - Appetizer: Sesame tofu, Green salad - Sashimi: Saury marinated in sweet Kyoto miso, Fresh sea bream sashimi - Hot dish: Minced chicken and lily root in sweet sauce - Soup: Red miso soup - Rice: Rice with sansho pepper and dried fish flakes - Pickles: Kelp and sansho simmered, Pickled daikon radish, Pickled Chinese cabbage - Dessert: Rum raisin ice cream, Apple and whiskey jelly, Black sesame mousse. When I visited Kyoto, I definitely wanted to go to Gion Yuyama, and it was all incredibly delicious. The dishes were all amazing, especially the sweet sauce from the third photo. I have no idea how they can make it taste so good... Hats off to them. It's a bit pricey for dinner, but you can enjoy a relatively affordable meal at lunchtime. The atmosphere was great, and the staff were very friendly, even giving us plenty of refills on tea. I would love to go back again. Thank you for the feast!

Visited for dinner. The Kyoto-style white miso ozoni soup and the seasonal hassun platter were delightful. Each dish had a careful and gentle seasoning that was very enjoyable ☺️ Most importantly, the dishes were perfect as sake accompaniments, making the sake go down smoothly. When visiting here, I recommend taking the train or a taxi instead of driving ☺️ Thank you for the wonderful meal.

▶️ Japanese Cuisine ▷ Gion ▷ Gion Yuyama Despite few restaurants open during the New Year, this welcoming and kind restaurant is located about a 6-minute walk from Gion Shijo. I don't have a good sense of direction, so I'll skip the details. Whenever I visit Kyoto for the New Year, I always come here. As soon as you enter the restaurant, you'll see a counter seat and the kitchen. There is also a private room in the back. During the New Year, they seem to only offer course meals, so I always opt for the course. Even with the most expensive course, it's still around 15,000 yen, which is reasonable for the quality. The dishes include dishes like ankimo (monkfish liver), white miso soup with rice cakes, sashimi, a palate cleanser, and the famous grilled duck breast. The flavors are well-balanced, and the dashi (broth) typical of Kyoto cuisine is outstanding. The highlight is the stunning assortment of small dishes. They surprised us with karasumi (bottarga), which was half-dried and delicious. We couldn't stop drinking sake. The meal continues with a delicious steak of Omi beef, ochazuke (rice with tea), and a generous portion. It's a feast fit for the New Year! The wonderful dishes truly make it feel like the New Year. Average spending per customer: 18,000 yen Seating: Counter, table Closest station: Gion Shijo Thank you for the delicious meal!

In Ponto-cho. Researched and made a reservation at a small Kyoto restaurant. This was the first time I had such delicious Kyoto cuisine. The owner was a wonderful person and the heartfelt Kyoto cuisine was amazing. The conger eel and pike conger were particularly impressive. I want to come back again as a memorable taste.

First Kyoto kaiseki experience! There were so many dishes that I forgot to take photos. It's a counter-style restaurant, and the owner said, "If it's too spacious, it's hard to pay attention to every detail, so this size is just right." The owner is very friendly. Two young chefs and the owner work efficiently together. There was no menu, and each dish was explained as it was served, but I couldn't remember everything (laughs). The dishes were not just traditional Japanese, they had some creative touches. The squid sashimi was enjoyed with sesame oil, the Shine Muscat with spicy miso, and the duck loin on a hot stone was served in a broth with added sansho pepper - all unique and delicious! By the way, in Kyoto, cod milt is called "cloud child" (kumoko), and regular milt refers to blowfish milt. The cozy atmosphere was great, and I would love to visit again if I have the chance. Thank you for the wonderful meal.

In the midst of summer in Kyoto, I visited this restaurant for the first time with my friends for our annual girls' gathering. It is located in a narrow alley near the Gion district, close to the Yoshimoto Gion Kagetsu theater. We had made a reservation in advance and were seated side by side at the counter, ready to enjoy the YASAKA course priced at 3,800 yen (at the time of the visit). We started with a toast, each with our own drink. I chose a bottle of Sapporo beer. The meal began with sesame tofu, served with a separate sauce. The tofu was smooth and when combined with the sauce, it had a slightly sweet and delicious taste, similar to a mitarashi sauce. Next, we were presented with a beautiful bento box filled with various dishes. It was a delight to see the assortment of dishes, each one tempting us to try it first. The dishes were freshly prepared, with items like freshly fried tempura and grilled dishes served right in front of us. We enjoyed dishes like grilled ayu, kabocha tempura, temari sushi, duck breast, and namafu dengaku. The cold dish of eggplant in Dutch sauce was refreshing, with a flavorful dashi broth. The meal was filling, but we couldn't resist the delicious small fish sprinkled on top of the rice. It would have been nice to have the option to take some home. For dessert, we were served homemade coffee jelly and rum raisin ice cream. The cozy counter seating allowed us to relax and enjoy our conversation during our girls' night out. The price was reasonable, making it a convenient option for small gatherings or casual meals. It was a delicious dining experience. Thank you for the meal! ♬

After arriving in Kyoto, on the first day my husband and I went our separate ways until the evening. After dropping off our luggage at the hotel, I decided to check out the newly opened Ryokusuan Shimizu for a stroll around town before heading to this place near the north side of Gion, next to Yoshimoto Gion Kagetsu. This time, I had a lunch with my three close friends at the counter seats for a girls' lunch party. We took off our shoes at the entrance of the restaurant and entered through the sliding door, where the white wooden counter caught our attention. We had pre-ordered the 3800 yen lunch set online. We each ordered our favorite drinks and made a toast before starting with the food. The first dish was sesame tofu, which was served with a separate sauce to pour over it. The chilled sesame tofu had a smooth texture and rich flavor, served in a generous portion. The main course of the lunch set was served in a tiered box with a variety of dishes including grilled ayu fish, pumpkin tempura, duck breast, fruit tomato, mozuku seaweed, zucchini, egg, edamame, sea bream sushi, lemon tofu, grilled fish, and more. Each dish was carefully prepared and served hot or cold as needed. The chef and his son worked efficiently behind the counter, preparing each dish with care. The food was delicious and filling. Despite feeling full, we managed to enjoy the cold summer vegetable medley, which was surprisingly light and refreshing. The freshly cooked rice topped with plenty of dried baby sardines was flavorful and fragrant. The dessert consisted of three types of chilled sweets, which were also delightful. When we visited, there were two other groups of two dining. The restaurant seemed to accommodate walk-ins if there were available seats, even without a reservation. Overall, I highly recommend this place for a girls' lunch or family gathering. We had a delicious meal. Thank you for the feast!

I visited "Gion Yuyama" for the first time, and the head chef there is someone who also served as the head chef at Pontocho Fujita. I watched him skillfully handle the knife and each dish was made with care and looked beautiful. Despite that, the surprising prices make it a great value for money. I felt that the selection of alcohol was a bit lacking, but I would definitely like to visit this restaurant again. We started with edamame tofu! Miraculously, Maizuru's fish and shellfish were in stock. We had grilled conger eel and shellfish that were filleted right in front of us. The appetizer was very elaborate and beautiful.