Due to time constraints, I couldn't visit the shop in Gion and decided to buy some souvenirs here instead. I went inside because there were about 4 seats at the counter where you could eat in. I ordered two sets of mackerel sushi. Izusushi's mackerel sushi always has a rich flavor with the perfect amount of fat, and this time was no exception. The souvenir mackerel sushi portion has been downsized to 5 pieces due to sourcing reasons as of April 2023, with a change in price compared to when it was 6 pieces. I'm looking forward to enjoying the souvenir.

Last year, I bought some delicious mackerel sushi from "Izuo" as a souvenir, so this time I decided to go to the restaurant for lunch. The main store in Gion has a nice atmosphere, but the lunch menu there is a great value. So, this time I decided to visit the Kyoto Daimaru store, disregarding the atmosphere. There are three counter seats next to the takeout area where you can enjoy freshly made sushi. We ordered a variety of sushi platters and swapped dishes to try different things. In addition to the mackerel sushi, we tried the Kyoto Daimaru store exclusive inari sushi, futomaki, hosomaki, and anago sushi. The mackerel sushi was as delicious as ever, with thick slices providing a satisfying bite. The inari sushi had a gentle flavor with a mix of ingredients in the fried tofu pouch. The rolls were average, with the futomaki having an unusual double layer of seaweed that made it difficult to bite through. The anago sushi was good, but I prefer the taste of traditional Edo-style anago sushi. When it comes to lunch in tourist areas, popular restaurants are often crowded with long lines or require reservations. However, at this place, you can easily enjoy your meal like a local shopper without much hassle. It's a hidden gem, even though it lacks the traditional Kyoto charm.

Saba sushi is something I occasionally crave as a souvenir from Kyoto or the Hokuriku region. It's a bit heavy for breakfast, so I bought it as a late-night snack after a lunch meeting in Kyoto. Despite already enjoying sushi for lunch, the Saba Sushi dinner set (4,752 yen) was quite delicious. It wasn't as good as the Oni Saba Sushi or Saba Kaido Hanaore that I had before, but still very satisfying. Maybe next time I'll make the trip to Saba Kaido Hanaore's Shimogamo store, even though it's a bit far. The location is on the first basement floor of Daimaru Kyoto.

I came to Kyoto from Osaka in search of the unforgettable Inari-san that I love so much. It's very popular, so I couldn't stay on Sunday night. The staff told me they also accept reservations by phone, so next time I'll definitely make a reservation. I enjoyed the mackerel sushi, eel sushi, and thick rolled sushi. They were all delicious!

In October 2022, I wanted to eat famous Izu's mackerel sushi, so I used the eat-in corner here. The set of 2 mackerel sushi and 2 inari sushi was just the right size to finish. I had it with miso soup for an early lunch. When you peel off the kelp on the surface of the mackerel sushi, the beautiful shiny mackerel skin appears. It's packed tightly, so it fills you up. They also mentioned that you can eat the kelp, but it was too hard to eat. If you take it out, you can finely chop the kelp and make it into simmered dish. The inari sushi was also delicious with an elegant seasoning. (Side note) I heard that in Kanto and Kansai, the serving position of soup is opposite, and I was half in doubt. But in this shop, it was served on the left back, and I finally understood. However, I still moved it to the right side as I always do.

The mackerel sushi is as delicious as ever. It seems like it will become a routine when I visit Kyoto. The mackerel is thick and has a great chewy texture when bitten into, making it a delightful taste. The seasoning of the kombu-marinated fish is also perfect. The sparrow sushi, which is basically small sea bream sushi, is at an okay level.

I just got back from a 2-night, 3-day food trip in Kansai. I took the afternoon off on Thursday and headed to Arima Onsen from my work in Tokyo by Shinkansen, where I stayed with my parents in Nara for one night. On Friday, I stayed at my parents' house in Nara for one night. Early Saturday morning, I left my parents' house in Nara and wandered around Kyoto alone. My parents insisted that I have a hearty breakfast before leaving, but I declined because it would be too many calories. I did eat a lot of tomatoes grown in the garden by my dad though. When I arrived at Kyoto Station, I stored my luggage in a locker and walked towards Shijo. I love mackerel sushi, and I wanted to try various delicious mackerel sushi in Kyoto. In the past, I had mackerel sushi alone in Kyoto, and it was delicious, but the inari sushi was also incredibly tasty. Lately, I've been really appreciating inari sushi. Although I haven't posted a review, I love the inari sushi from Mamedanuki. I'm happy that I can buy it at Tokyo Station or Kamata Station. This time, I debated whether to walk all the way to Shimogamo Shrine to eat famous mackerel sushi, or go to Izusushi in the basement of Daimaru Department Store, where I can quickly and easily enjoy a smaller portion of mackerel sushi and inari sushi. I chose the latter and arrived as soon as the store opened. It was great that they opened at 10 am because I tend to eat slowly, and waiting makes me anxious. When the department store opened, I was the only one eating at the counter (which had three seats), while the takeout counter was busy. I was able to enjoy my meal in peace. I also love conger eel sushi, but mackerel sushi and conger eel sushi are quite filling because the rice is packed tightly, so I had to give it up. I tried Izusushi's mackerel sushi for the first time. According to reviews, the taste of mackerel sushi changes when it is freshly made versus when some time has passed after takeout. Also, Izusushi's inari sushi is only available at the eat-in counter in the basement of Daimaru Department Store. I caught a glimpse of the skilled craftsmen working inside, and it made me happy. The mackerel sushi came with a piece of kelp, and the chef explained that I should remove it before eating to fully appreciate the flavor of the kelp. Of course, I also ate the kelp after removing it! The mackerel was thick and delicious. I got to taste the freshly made version, and next time, I'd like to try one that has been sitting for a while. Inari sushi was so beautiful! The combination of yuzu, sesame, and sweetness was just right, and as soon as I put it in my mouth, I felt happiness spreading through me. It was amazing. Mackerel sushi, inari sushi, the best! I would also like to try the conger eel sushi. I savored my meal slowly and enjoyed every bite. Ah, happiness. I want to complete the soba shops in Togakushi, Nagano, but I also want to try mackerel sushi and inari sushi in Kyoto. Now, it's time to go for a walk.

During my trip to Kyoto, I was having trouble finding a place for lunch as many of the restaurants I wanted to visit were closed. Then I remembered this place in the basement of Daimaru where I always buy my favorite inari sushi to take home. It turns out they also have a small dining area, so I decided to give it a try. I visited around midday on a weekday and was able to easily find a seat at the counter, with only one other customer there. I ordered the small sea bream sushi and mackerel sushi set, which I had never tried before. The sea bream sushi was light and flavorful, and I quickly became a fan. The staff mentioned that it's very popular with women. And the difference between the mackerel sushi I usually get for takeout and the freshly made one was surprising. It made me understand why this place, Izusushi, is so popular. On my last day in Kyoto, I made sure to get some inari sushi, mackerel sushi, and sea bream sushi to take home. Since it's located in the department store basement, it's almost always open. It's not only a great place for souvenirs but also a lifesaver when you're in need of a meal. Thank you for the delicious food! ♡

When I went to the main branch of Izuya, it was quite crowded with a line forming outside the store. I gave up and moved to Daimaru Department Store instead. The Daimaru Department Store only has a counter with three seats for dining, so only up to three people can enter. It can be difficult to get in during busy times, but this time we were able to get in at the right time. It was delicious.

I went to Daimaru Kyoto to buy souvenirs, and also visited Izuya. Izuya is famous for its mackerel sushi, but this time I was aiming for their inari sushi. It had received high praise on various blogs, so I wanted to try it out. I bought five small inari sushi pieces. When I ate them back at the hotel, I found that they had a strong dashi flavor and left a quite heavy impression. Although each piece was small, they were satisfying as a snack.

During the peak season of autumn leaves, I am currently traveling in Kyoto. There is a famous restaurant called "Izu" that I have seen on TV before. My husband also said, "It seems expensive, but I want to try their mackerel sushi once." So, during our previous trip to Kyoto, we went to the front of the restaurant in Gion. However, we felt intimidated by the high-end atmosphere, and since I don't eat raw fish and my husband wanted more than just mackerel sushi with his beer, we decided to avoid it. Today, during snack time, we visited a shop inside Daimaru department store. I had done some research and found out that they also sell small souvenir boxes at the department store, so we decided to stop by. It's a corner of the department store, so you can easily look at the samples in the display window and check the prices. Among the choices that the staff recommended, we chose a set of sushi for souvenirs called "Mackerel, Inari, and Small Rolls Assortment." It's a rectangular small box with 2 pieces of mackerel sushi, 2 pieces of inari sushi, and 3 small rolls. My husband wanted to eat mackerel sushi, and I could eat the inari sushi. It was a perfect assortment for us. After having a few drinks and snacks at an izakaya, we bought beer and tea at a convenience store on our way back to the hotel. We took a shower, changed into pajamas, and then opened the rectangular box from "Izu"... The neatly arranged sushi inside. I took a bite of the inari sushi. My husband enjoyed the mackerel sushi. "So delicious!" "It's so good." We sipped on our tea and beer. We had a delicious late-night snack. Posted in March 2022.

[May 2021 - Mackerel Sushi] I received a grateful invitation from a Foodlog reviewer I get along with, saying, "There is a private party at Kiu in Kyoto, would you like to join?" Although I didn't know a thing about Kiu, I trust this person, so I immediately confirmed my participation and checked what kind of restaurant it was. It turned out to be quite promising, so I was excited to welcome the day and enjoy Kiu's fantastic and innovative SUSHI cuisine. And since I was in Kyoto, I arrived at Kyoto Station a little early to have some fun before lunch. Recently, I've been seeing a lot of reviews about mackerel sushi from my friends, so my mind was in mackerel sushi mode, leading me to this place. After wandering around a bit because there was no floor map at the entrance of Daimaru connected to Hankyu Shijo Station (or maybe I just couldn't find it), I finally found the shop. I was planning to buy a single piece of mackerel sushi (serves 2), but I hesitated a bit at the storefront and ended up buying mackerel sashimi sushi (2,916 yen per person) and red snapper sushi (2,430 yen per person), both in half-size portions of 6 pieces. Initially, I planned to have this for dinner after returning from Kyoto, with a bread festival for the night, and save this for breakfast the next morning. However, the main lunch in Kyoto was so filling that I wasn't hungry: sweat: So, I had this as the main dish for dinner, with wine and the kelp around the mackerel as a snack. The mackerel sushi had a satisfyingly thick cut, but I couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed by how thin and flimsy the red snapper was. I left 2 pieces of the red snapper for breakfast the next morning: laugh: Honestly, when I think about it in retrospect, I might prefer going to this place or stopping by here on the way back from Hieizan Sou. Location: Daimaru Department Store B1F directly connected to Hankyu Shijo Station.

Personally, I really love mackerel sushi. I had heard that there are some famous shops in Kyoto, so I was curious. I thought that Izu-san's shop was only available at the main store, so I was pleasantly surprised. I happened to come across it and couldn't resist buying it. I had it for breakfast the next day. When I opened it, I was surprised to see the sushi wrapped in kelp. Apparently, you're supposed to remove the kelp before eating, but the slimy kelp made me feel a bit weird. The vinegar rice has a sour taste, and the large, fatty mackerel is moist and delicious. However, it costs around 2600 yen, so personally, I find it a bit expensive. I wonder if the taste would be different if I had it made at the main store. I had never imagined that mackerel sushi would taste so different from what I've had before, so next time, I think I'll try a different shop.

I had mackerel sushi and miso soup at the eat-in area in Kyoto Daimaru's basement. It was quick and satisfying. I have been enjoying the mackerel sushi here since I was a child. I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious it was the first time I tried it. It has always been consistently tasty.

Recently, due to the impact of the coronavirus, the bustling streets of Kansai are quiet. This time, I visited Yasaka-san (Yasaka Shrine) in Kyoto for both purification and sightseeing. After finishing work, I visited the shrine at night. As a side note, I stopped by "Izuo," a favorite of students, and bought their classic mackerel sushi. I had it the next morning, and it was delicious. With events being canceled recently, it's hard to find in Kanto, so I'm happy.

I had always wanted to try it after seeing it on TV, but I never had the chance and it was a bit pricey, so I couldn't bring myself to buy it. On this day, I had some time before my next appointment, so I was wandering around the underground shopping area. There were so many tempting foods to try, but since I was going out for a meal later, I was looking for something I could take away. That's when I found Izusen! I had been wandering around the underground area several times but didn't notice it because it was tucked away in a corner. The seller said, "This is the last one we have!" and since it was small, I decided to buy it. The seller was very friendly, saying, "There's kelp wrapped around it, please remove it before eating. The expiration date is until tomorrow." She wrapped it up quickly while chatting with me, and she was very kind. I tried it the next day, and the mackerel was tender with no peculiar taste, very delicious. I removed the kelp, but it was also tasty to nibble on afterwards, so I ended up eating it. The taste was good, but I felt that the rice was a bit too soft. (Maybe it's different when eaten at the restaurant.) Personally, I didn't think it was worth the price, so I probably won't be getting it to go again. If I have the chance, I would like to visit the restaurant next time and try it there.

The souvenir from Kyoto trip is sushi from Izusushi. It includes boiled conger eel and mackerel sushi. It cost around 3,000 yen for 8 pieces, so it's quite a luxurious item. When I opened the package and tried it, the mackerel sushi was wrapped in kelp, and it looked delicious when I separated it from the kelp. I appreciate the brand, but the mackerel sushi indeed has a good balance of fresh fish and vinegar. The rice is not packed too tightly, and it melts well in the mouth. It's expensive, but it's really delicious. I realized after finishing it that I was supposed to remove the kelp. I ate it together. Is this the right evaluation? But it's delicious, and I didn't want to leave the kelp behind, so this is fine. Thank you for the meal.

Today, I traveled from Maizuru City on the Japan Sea side to Osaka via Kyoto. Along the way, I decided to have dinner in Kyoto since it was a good time. I went to the area near Daimaru Department Store on Shijo Street. I bought a serving of mackerel sushi from my favorite restaurant "Izuo" at the underground food section. The mackerel sushi I had for breakfast the next day was especially delicious, with the perfect amount of fat. I have tried several types of mackerel sushi in Kansai, but there is nothing that beats "Izuo's" mackerel sushi.