On December 31, 2022, New Year's Eve, many restaurants were closed, but the young proprietors of Kyoto frequented the restaurant "Shunkashuutsubu" run by the talented chef Kouichiro Kanabe. The restaurant only offered New Year's dishes for pick-up, and I was lucky to secure a seat at the counter, where I could see the chef at work. The lunch started with a rich tofu mousse with rock salt and virgin olive oil, followed by a variety of sake appetizers. The dishes included simmered oysters, lightly boiled cod milt with black seven-spice seasoning, salt-grilled yellowtail, steamed snow crab, and more. Each dish was expertly prepared and presented, showcasing the chef's skill. The meal ended with a comforting bowl of rice cooked with blackthroat seaperch and a clam soup. The sake pairings, including special junmai and ginjo sakes, complemented the seafood dishes perfectly. It was a delightful dining experience for seafood lovers.

I heard that you can enjoy various cooking methods for the fish of the day, so I made a reservation over a month ago. The tofu mousse was made with famous tofu from Mr. Mori, and it was my first time trying such a sweet tofu mousse. The idea was fresh from the beginning. There was a selection of rare labels of Japanese sake. The sashimi was three thick slices of bonito with seared skin over charcoal, seasoned with salt and Japanese mustard. The chawanmushi with Gorgonzola was a unique taste I had never experienced before, with scallops and a gratin-like flavor. The meal continued with deep-fried anglerfish, broiled mackerel with miso glaze, and boiled small sweetfish. The meal ended with a satisfying bowl of rice topped with dried young sardines and fresh seaweed. The leftover was made into rice balls for takeout as a service. For dessert, I enjoyed ice cream with a flavor similar to Yatsuhashi and tea. I had a great time for 2 and a half hours.

We splurged and visited this restaurant for our anniversary. All seating is at the counter, where you can watch the chefs at work, which was very enjoyable. The food was incredibly delicious and beautifully presented, we were very satisfied! Each dish made with Kyoto vegetables and fresh fish showed great attention to detail. The cooking methods were new to us and each bite was pure happiness. The drinks were also of high quality, I particularly enjoyed the plum juice I had. Although we didn't have alcohol, the selection seemed extensive. It was a great choice to come here with my husband for our special day. The owner was friendly and shared a lot about the dishes. I definitely want to visit this place again!

I enjoyed every dish with a sense of dedication and appreciated the beautiful tableware. The staff were friendly, conversation flowed easily, and there was a wide selection of junmai sake. The cost performance was excellent, and it was clear that this is a popular restaurant.

I visited "Shunkashuutou Zakoya" in Kyoto. Their specialty dishes were outstanding, especially the bonito tataki with perfect cooking and seasoning. Everything was satisfying. The dessert, ice cream made with Japanese cinnamon, was exceptional. The selection of sake and other drinks was top-notch. The atmosphere of the restaurant was excellent. The manager was also very friendly and made the experience even better. I will definitely visit again!

It's going overboard again, but as a member, I'm taking full advantage of the privilege of being able to make reservations! When you go with five people, you can rent out a room, so it's also recommended for large groups. The individual portions are small, so I think it's easy for women to eat. 😊

I used it for a store comparison. For the course meal, I left it completely up to the counter. It's exciting, isn't it? In reality, it felt like I could enjoy a luxurious time without being too pretentious. I was very satisfied with the content of the food! Although the ingredients themselves were familiar to me, the composition provided a surprise like "Is there such a way to eat this!?" It was a very satisfying time.

I visited the restaurant on the recommendation of a senior. They offered a 20-course meal, and I ordered all the dishes I could eat. The menu included dishes like conger eel, sashimi, nikujaga (meat and potato stew), takikomi gohan (mixed rice), and dessert. I also had a couple of drinks, and the total came to around 8000 yen. The quality of the food was so good that the cost performance was amazing. I heard they are relocating soon, which is a shame, but I will definitely visit their new location!

I visited a members-only sushi restaurant called Shunkashuutou Zakoya, located about a 5-minute walk from Karasuma Station in Kyoto! You need to be introduced by a member or visit with a member to dine at this restaurant. My sister introduced me and I have visited 2-3 times already! Reservations are essential as there is limited availability even for members. The course menu is 6000 yen (drinks not included) and they also offer private bookings where you can customize the course based on your budget. The restaurant operates in two time slots, starting at 6:00 PM or 8:30 PM, and you must be punctual. The sushi course usually includes 15-18 pieces of nigiri along with appetizers and chawanmushi for 6000 yen. The cost performance is excellent! Shunkashuutou Zakoya is known for its fresh and delicious seafood, just like the main Zakoya restaurant. Although it's not easy to visit due to the membership system, I highly recommend trying it out!

It was a very good restaurant despite being relatively unknown. The variety of dishes that pair well with sake will delight sake lovers. On this day, we had a drinking party featuring Juyondai sake, but the dishes were just as delicious as the famous Juyondai. The attention to detail was evident. It wasn't a grand course meal, but rather small dishes that pair well with sake. Perfect for those who want to enjoy a variety of dishes while drinking.

I went to Zako-Ya-san again today. I'm satisfied as always! The ingredients are always fresh, the sushi rice is just right, and the atmosphere at the small counter with about 6 seats is great. It's a very satisfying restaurant! It's a bit sad that even as a member, it's becoming harder to make reservations... For delicious sushi at a good price, Zako-Ya-san is definitely the place to go. Thank you for the meal!

I was taken to a hidden gem sushi restaurant by a friend. Before the pandemic, this place was completely referral-based and you couldn't even make a reservation without a private phone number. It seems they have changed their approach a bit due to the pandemic. I visited during the private period and the sushi, carefully crafted by the chef, was delicious. The ikura and uni that came at the end were a luxurious treat! And all of this for only 5000 yen, which was very wallet-friendly. It was amazing. I recently revisited, and the menu had changed from sushi to kaiseki. I had a course meal, and it was delicious. The hidden sushi place has now become even smaller in scale and continues to thrive! Since everything is kept private, I hope to visit again and report back.

Located on Higashinotoin-dori Street, just south of Sanjo-dori Street, Zakkoya is a cozy restaurant where you can enjoy delicious fish dishes in a spacious setting with a group at the counter. The young chef, who honed his skills at a traditional inn, has put his own twist on the flavors, creating a promising dining experience.

Hidden gem Japanese restaurant Shunkashuusouzakoya. When you open the door of the building, you enter a separate spacious space with a comfortable counter in a U-shape where you can enjoy your meal. This time, we had the place to ourselves and the quality of the seafood was excellent. The dishes prepared by the young chef were also very satisfying. I would definitely like to visit again!

You can enjoy delicious and reasonably priced Japanese cuisine at Shunkashuto Zakoya, where they offer course meals. The spacious and refreshing interior with a large counter seat allows you to relax. I had a lunch there and enjoyed a variety of ingredients in abundance! The dishes made with fresh seafood are delicious, and the broth adds a nice touch to the flavors.

Due to the impact of the coronavirus, there were fewer tourists in Kyoto than usual, so I was able to make a reservation and visit the restaurant. The restaurant used to be a members-only establishment, but it is not currently. Upon entering, I was recommended a Corona beer, but I ordered a draft beer instead. The meal consisted of a course of fish dishes, with a focus on creative cuisine that did not have outrageous combinations, but rather highlighted the flavors of each ingredient. The tuna marinated on the spot was especially delicious. Thank you for the meal.

Once again, I visited this small but charming restaurant. They offer a course menu with a variety of carefully selected fish, as well as seasonal vegetables like rapeseed blossoms. They also serve unique dishes like blue cheese chawanmushi. The staff are friendly and great at engaging in conversation, making the experience even more enjoyable. I love sake, but I usually avoid it because I'm afraid of getting a hangover. However, I couldn't resist the temptation of trying their sake, priced at 2,000 yen per cup. The staff also provided guidance on the perfect timing to enjoy the sake with each dish. I'm looking forward to visiting this restaurant again.

I went to ZAKOYA restaurant on the night of February 18th. It is located down the Higashidoin Sanjo street in Kyoto. This place is exclusive and requires a referral to enter. After meeting certain conditions a few years ago, I can now easily visit this place. The seafood here is very fresh and delicious. The head chef is friendly, polite, and the food is delicious. I started with a Sapporo beer and was served a rice dish with white shrimp and sea urchin on top, mixed with salt. It was unexpectedly delicious. Then, I had oversized oysters and shirako, followed by herring sashimi with chopped leeks and celery. The food was amazing, including seared yellowtail, tuna sashimi, and a surprising dish with turnips that were incredibly tender. I also enjoyed a steamed egg dish with melted blue cheese and a crispy white snapper tempura. The meal ended with a flavorful shrimp rice dish and strawberry dessert. The entire course, including drinks, cost 10,000 yen per person. The atmosphere, food, and service were all satisfying. I highly recommend trying different ZAKOYA restaurants for various occasions like lunch, drinks, dates, or business meetings. I had a great experience and I am thankful for it.

Tonight's dinner was exquisite. This place is a membership-only restaurant. I had a dish of white shrimp and truffle rice with salmon roe on top. Steamed oysters with sea urchin, nori, ponzu sauce, and sesame oil. The oysters were impressive! The sea urchin was a delightful addition. Sashimi included a large eel over 2 kilograms, served in a seared style. My daughter loves tuna, so they generously topped it with tuna and even added a complimentary sea urchin. The eel was rare and tender. Foie gras sautéed with turnip simmered to perfection. Both dishes melted in my mouth. A crab meat chawanmushi with melted blue cheese on top. Deep-fried red snapper with white miso sauce, satisfying my craving for red snapper. Yellowtail and daikon shabu-shabu, using the fatty belly part of the yellowtail. Sakura shrimp clay pot rice and clam miso soup from Chiba prefecture. I enjoyed a lot of sweet potato shochu with hot water and white peach sake with soda, leaving me happily full. A creative kaiseki meal with thoughtful touches, I was completely satisfied with the quality and quantity of dishes.

This time, we made a reservation for the "Luxury Course" for 5 people (@7,000 yen). The menu included: "Hanabi" - fresh oysters marinated in Tosazu vinegar and lemon, steamed egg custard with conger eel and Gorgonzola, assorted sashimi, tempura with conger eel topped with sea urchin and summer truffle, grilled Nodoguro, simmered clams and conger eel shabu-shabu, rice cooked with asparagus and miso-marinated flatfish. The meal was accompanied by 2 bottles of wine, sake, beer, and more. The total cost per person was around 11,000 yen, but the quality and quantity of the dishes made it worth it. We also tried the special "Eel Course" for a discounted price of 3,580 yen, which was equally satisfying. The restaurant will undergo changes starting in July, including the menu offered by the Zakkaya group.

This time, about a month ago, we made a reservation for the "luxury course" (@7,000 yen) for 2 people. The menu included a seafood mini-donburi (firefly squid and sea urchin), seasonal appetizers (tofu mousse, white fish, sweet boiled young ayu, white asparagus, sea bream eggs), white shrimp chawanmushi topped with gorgonzola, sashimi (bonito tataki, horse mackerel, sea bream), soba noodles (topped with salmon roe), grilled fish (grunt), simmered surf clam, tempura (razor clam, grunt), and firefly squid rice. We also had 2 bottles of white wine (@4,500 yen each) and left feeling full and blissfully tipsy. The total bill after tax came to 25,000 yen. My dining companion gave up before the tempura, so I enjoyed it myself, and they kindly packed the cooked rice for me to take home. We dined around 7 pm on a weekday, with only a group of 3 as the early customers, but by 8 pm the restaurant was full. Many customers ordered a la carte dishes, so the service was a bit slow, but we were able to leave the restaurant in just over 2 hours from entering, which we appreciated.