I lived in Kyoto for about 5 years during my student days, but I had never been to a high-class place like a riverside dining platform. Finally, at this age, I made my riverside dining platform debut. By the way, I thought it was called "kawadoko," but it seems "kawayuka" is the correct term. However, it seems they call it "kawadoko" in Kibune, quite confusing. This riverside dining platform is quite large and extends over the Kamogawa River. When I think of a riverside dining platform, I imagine a setting where the river flows beneath my feet, but that's in Kibune's kawadoko. Here at kawayuka, you overlook the river far below, so it's quite a challenge if you drop something. Well, someone actually did drop something and caused a commotion, but the staff kindly dealt with it. Thank you very much. We started around 6 o'clock, and it was still bright around us. We were able to enjoy the gradually darkening scenery of the Kamogawa River. We opted for the evening omakase kaiseki course, the Higashiyama Gozen, with all-you-can-drink for 11,000 yen. The dishes were as shown in the photos, a mix of Japanese kaiseki with a touch of Western influence. The hamo (pike conger) was delicious, typical of Kyoto's summer. The drinks were all-you-can-drink, but the selection was limited, which was disappointing. I would have liked to try various local Kyoto sake with the meal. But overall, it was great to fully enjoy the riverside dining platform. This is definitely an experience worth having at least once. I might visit again next year.

Visit Date: 17:00 Weekday Wait Time: Reservation Menu: Course I visited for a group gathering. I was looking forward to dining on the cool floor after a long time, but until an hour before, it was raining heavily, putting the indoor event at risk. Fortunately, the rain stopped just before, and we were able to dine on the floor. The temperature dropped as the rain stopped, making it cool and the best experience on the cool floor. Thank you for the meal.

I was looking forward to visiting Kawakyu-san, a relatively northern area within Kamogawa Noryotei, and was impressed by its historic atmosphere and serene surroundings with fewer people. I was surprised to find a backup space in case of rain! The dishes were just as enjoyable as dining indoors, with a variety of Japanese and Western menus to choose from. I had a delightful time. While Kyoto cuisine is excellent, I recommend the chicken wings, minced meat spring rolls, and potato salad. The weather was perfect, not too hot or cold, allowing me to refresh my spirit with delicious food and drinks in the best environment.

During my trip to Kyoto, I wanted to try authentic Kyoto cuisine. I visited this restaurant located along the Kamo River, just off a narrow alley from Kiyamachi Street. I was seated at a table facing the river, which I imagine would be enjoyable in the summer. I ordered the Higashiyama Gozen set and added spring rolls. Everything was delicately seasoned and I thoroughly enjoyed the delicious Kyoto cuisine.

At Kayaku, they offer a mix of Japanese and Western cuisine. They have private tatami rooms as well as table seating, making it spacious. Unfortunately, I have not been during the floor seating period. My recommendation is the fried chicken wings. In addition to traditional Kyoto cuisine, they also have hamburgers and beef stew, making it a fun restaurant for both adults and children!

Utilizing the soft natural water drawn from 100 meters underground, each dish showcases the freshness of seafood from Wakasa Bay and Kyoto vegetables. The exquisite water blends beautifully into the dashi broth. Dishes like Kyoto turnip soup, quail teriyaki, and Wakasa Bay seafood exhibit delicate flavors and exceptional freshness. When dining with overseas guests who were not fond of sashimi, the chef kindly substituted it with roast beef, much to their satisfaction. What impressed me as much as the food was the premium sake not often found in the Kanto region. Being a fan of fruity sake, I was delighted with selections like Momonoshizuku Junmai and Eiko Koto Sennen Junmai. Despite being a renowned establishment, the restaurant was surprisingly quiet when we arrived at 5 p.m. The chef engaged us in conversation, sharing stories about the cuisine and the restaurant's history. Located near Keihan Sanjo, as the chef mentioned, a few minutes' walk leads to the enchanting nightlife of Pontocho. The chef's friendly demeanor, contrary to the stereotypical image of Kyoto locals held by Tokyoites, made the upscale atmosphere feel unpretentious and allowed us to relax comfortably. I wondered why this place hasn't been awarded a Michelin star. Perhaps if they laid out carpets and the chef refrained from drinking beer between dishes, they might receive one. However, this could lead to difficulty in making reservations and increased prices. With perks from the restaurant's affiliated credit card company, I would definitely return. This place is truly remarkable.

After finishing sightseeing in Kyoto, I returned to my inn along the Kamogawa River in Sanjo. I had made a reservation for a traditional Japanese restaurant on Kiyamachi Street near the inn. Moreover, it was "Kawakyu," which offers the summer tradition of Kyoto, the riverside dining platform. Walking from Kiyamachi Street through a narrow alley and passing through the curtain, I entered a calm atmosphere inside the restaurant. Walking further leads to the dining platform that extends onto the riverside of the Kamogawa River. It was late September, so by the time it was past 6 p.m., it was a bit chilly, but manageable. You can enjoy the night view of Kyoto along the Kamogawa River, the bridges over the river, people strolling or running along the riverbank, creating a luxurious and elegant atmosphere. Although the lighting outside was dim, it was a pity that the photos didn't come out nicely. The appetizers included shrimp, octopus, edamame, Satsuma sweet potato, and white miso. Unfortunately, the lack of lighting outside made it difficult to take beautiful photos. The sashimi included tuna, ark shell, sea bream, and striped jack? All delicious. The steamed dish with matsutake mushrooms and pike conger warms the body. The warm broth seeps into the body. When was the last time I had matsutake mushrooms? The pike conger is also delicious. The broth is excellent. It's a dish unique to Kyoto. I finished my draft beer, so I decided to have a warm plum wine. Next up was the specialty dish of Kawakyu, chicken wings tempura. They were bite-sized and easy to eat, with the skin crispy and the meat juicy. The seasoning was perfect, making it so delicious that you'll want more. Tempura in a traditional Japanese course meal is a great addition. Grilled small ayu fish with roe was a delightful surprise. The small ayu fish was filled with eggs. You can eat everything from the eggs and flesh to the head and bones, all crispy. This was an impressively delicious dish. There seems to be a specialized fish farm for such small ayu fish, making it a rare delicacy. Following the grilled ayu fish, fried small ayu fish with roe was served. It was another ayu fish dish, but I was so moved by the grilled one that I wanted to eat another fish, and my wish was granted. Moreover, it was fried, not grilled. Isn't that thoughtful? It had a different taste from the grilled one, but I devoured it from head to tail. The deliciousness reached its peak. Roast beef was served at this point. Unlike typical roast beef, it had a smoked flavor on the inside, with marbled meat. It might be a matter of personal preference. I was expecting tempura at this point, but to my surprise, it was matsutake mushroom tempura. It was luxurious. I enjoyed it with tartar sauce. This day turned out to be the day I ate the most matsutake mushrooms in my life. Abalone butter sauté involved thinly sliced abalone sautéed, but it felt a bit greasy, which was disappointing. Just when I thought my stomach was full, they served beef cutlet. The meat was very tender and easy to eat, so I managed to finish it. Finally, there was sea bream rice. The sea bream rice was cooked firm and felt gentle on the stomach. I forgot the ingredients of the clear soup. The dessert was pumpkin ice cream and chilled roasted chestnuts. The pumpkin ice cream was quite hard, requiring some effort. The frozen roasted chestnuts were delicious. Anyway, it was luxurious and hearty. It was quite pricey, but the ayu fish was especially delicious. The riverside dining platform, a space different from daily life, was enjoyable. During the almost two-hour meal, various people walked along the Kamogawa River, some singing songs, which was entertaining to watch. It was a very delightful experience. Thank you for the feast.

The Japanese cuisine is delicious, but the Western cuisine is also tasty. The specialty tebasaki has a distinctive appearance and is very delicious when freshly fried to a crisp. I tried croquettes for the first time and found them creamy and easy to eat. There are many menu options, including omurice, garlic fried rice, and ochazuke for the finishing rice dish. Thank you for the meal!

Amid the ongoing pandemic, we were able to enjoy a peaceful outdoor dining experience at this restaurant, which provided a sense of safety in terms of infection prevention measures. Despite it being a weekday evening, the pleasant breeze and fortunate lack of rain allowed us to have a wonderful time. The course we had this time was reasonably priced in the 7000 yen range for a kaiseki meal. Each dish that came out was carefully crafted with selected ingredients, showcasing a combination of traditional techniques, creativity, and universality. The staff's attitude was also fantastic, providing us with a truly fulfilling dining experience. Thank you for the meal. I would love to visit again.

Traveling to Kyoto with my parents to see the cherry blossoms, we were struggling to choose a restaurant for our family trip with different food preferences. We sought advice from a reliable epicurean familiar with Kyoto, who highly recommended a restaurant saying, "Location and taste are both guaranteed!". The restaurant is located off a side street along the Kamogawa River from Kiyamachi Street. We had the best seats overlooking the Kamogawa River. We ordered a la carte dishes, allowing everyone to order what they wanted. As we enjoyed our dishes, we toasted to the fully bloomed cherry blossoms. The menu included freshly fried ginkgo nuts with a subtle sweetness, grilled asparagus with a fragrant aroma and fresh green taste, and tuna sashimi fulfilling my father's preference for lean meat. We also had tempura of wild vegetables such as butterbur sprouts, bracken fern, and fiddleheads, bringing back fun childhood memories. I chose the "Nama-fu Dango" which made me happy as it might be my favorite dish in Kyoto cuisine. The fried chicken wings were recommended as a must-try and they were crispy, juicy, and delicious. We also tried a unique spring roll filled with minced meat for the first time, and butter-grilled abalone with a soft texture and balanced butter flavor. The restaurant provided nice replacement dishes regularly. We enjoyed the simmered pork belly, beef teriyaki with a sweet and savory glaze, and the "Marunabe" dish which had collagen-rich broth without the typical unpleasant taste of turtle. We also had garlic rice that was comforting and familiar, and ice cream as a complimentary dessert with choices like yuzu sherbet and roasted green tea. The atmosphere changed from a bright day to a charming night by the Kamogawa River as we finished our meal. From May, the floor seating will be available, and in summer, we can even see the "Daimonji-yaki" event. The lively atmosphere filled with excitement from the customers was captivating. Despite feeling intimidated by the high standards associated with Kyoto, we were able to enjoy a valuable time of filial piety thanks to the wonderful location, diverse menu, and friendly staff at the restaurant. It truly felt like the restaurant was there to support people in various situations. We are sincerely grateful to the restaurant staff and the person who made the reservation. Thank you for the delicious meal.

In the midst of the pandemic, a friend from Tokyo wanted to experience the taste of Kamogawa, so we chose this reliable restaurant. As the sun began to set at 5:30 PM, we walked up the Sanjo Kiyamachi in the twilight and found the entrance to Mamezuro. Inside, there were three table seats on the floor, spaced apart. Already, there was a group of customers seated by the river, while we were seated at another riverside table. The gentle breeze along the river was quite pleasant. We had pre-ordered the "Omakase Kaiseki Kamogawa 7700 yen (tax included)". Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, we couldn't drink alcohol, but the dishes were served at just the right intervals including appetizers, sashimi, soup, grilled dish, fried dish, vinegar dish, strong-flavored dish, main dish, steamed dish, rice, and dessert. Each dish allowed us to savor the flavors of the season. Especially noteworthy were the "fried gingko nuts and chestnuts", "steamed abalone", and "grilled sweetfish", which would have been perfect with some sake, but alas, the pandemic made it impossible. As we enjoyed the high-quality dishes, the flow of the Kamogawa river gradually emerged in the darkness.

I was taken to a restaurant that my friend has been a fan of for a long time. It was my second visit, and the location and atmosphere of the restaurant were excellent. I liked that we could order a la carte instead of a set course, and they offered both Japanese and Western dishes. The fried chicken wings were outstanding! The restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere, making it a safe choice even during the pandemic. I would love to visit again when the pandemic is over, maybe during the riverside dining season.

During the pandemic, we visited the restaurant at 4 pm, the opening time. There were no other customers besides us, and the interior was messy. Due to the drastic change in tourists because of the pandemic, they seemed to have a lot of free time. It felt like there was a shortage of staff due to the pandemic, as they would bring out the course dishes, retreat to the back immediately, then come out again to serve and leave. Even when we were leaving, they were hidden in the back, so no one noticed when we left our seats. There was no send-off, but after we had left the restaurant, we heard someone from the back saying, "Thank you very much!" Even though we were the only customers, we wished they had paid a little more attention. The food was delicious. The beef stew was exquisite! The demi-glace sauce was tasty, and we ended up ordering an extra hamburger.

"Kawa Hisa" is a restaurant where the second son of "Kawa Shigeru," a restaurant that helped shape Kyoto's traditional cuisine culture, opened his own establishment. While the eldest son continues the tradition of Japanese cuisine at the main restaurant, the younger son's "Kawa Hisa" incorporates some elements of Western cuisine. In my early twenties, a friend's father took me to this memorable traditional Japanese restaurant in Kyoto, which opened the door to my experiences in the city. At that time, the restaurant only had a counter, with the kitchen being more spacious than the dining area. I vividly remember the sight of delivery bicycles leaving the shop to nearby areas. Even when I visited with a classmate from junior high school, whose family owned a restaurant in Kita-Shinchi, we marveled at the scene, saying, "This is unimaginable in Osaka." I still recall being envious of the "mangetsu bento" (full moon bento) being delivered for catering. Back then, the only way to enjoy it was to stay at a nearby hotel and order catering. However, since moving to Kyoto, I now have the opportunity to order this mangetsu bento. Perhaps the greatest advantage of living in Kyoto is being able to enjoy the bento from famous catering establishments. On days when I don't dine out, I end up having the mangetsu bento from "Kawa Hisa." The flavors were as expected – the famous spring rolls, fried chicken, and fresh sashimi were outstanding. The tamagoyaki, grilled fish, and side dishes were all delicious. The rice was perfectly cooked and incredibly tasty. I was thoroughly satisfied with both the portion size and flavors.

On Sunday, I watched the Rugby World Cup Japan vs South Africa game on TV, so I decided to have a bento box for dinner. It had been a long time, so I went to "Kawakyu" in Kiyamachi. This place offers a mix of Japanese and Western cuisine, with a variety of dishes such as sashimi, hot pot, beef stew, and croquettes. I called ahead and picked up the bento box around 5 pm. I got the boxed meal for 3300 yen. You can upgrade the grade according to your budget upon request, but this time I opted for the basic bento box. It had a good variety of dishes, but the seasoning seemed a bit salty. Perhaps bento boxes tend to have stronger flavors.

This is a restaurant on the Kamo River in Kyoto. "Kawadoko" is a type of dining platform that extends over the river. You can enjoy the river breeze and have a meal in a very pleasant atmosphere. As it is a traditional Japanese restaurant, the dishes are delicious starting from the appetizers. The sashimi came with a topping of simmered pike conger with plum paste. Pike conger is a specialty in Kyoto during the summer, and the combination with plum paste is very tasty. Grilled ayu fish was also served, where you can eat the whole fish including the innards which are very tasty. Ayu fish is another summer specialty in Kyoto. It was delightful to have ginkgo nuts in the tempura. The tempura made with Kamo eggplant was very juicy. The grilled abalone steak was served with liver, adding to its deliciousness. The beef was cooked to perfection. The rice dish was a sea bream mixed rice, with a refined and delicious taste typical of Kyoto. They have a good selection of Kyoto sake, and the prices were reasonable.

In Kyoto, the riverside dining platforms are famous at Kamogawa near Sanjo Ohashi and Shijo Ohashi, as well as at Kibune further north. Even though they share the same kanji character, Kamogawa is called "Kawayuka" and Kibune is called "Kawadoko." Kamogawa can be hot even though it's above the river! Kibune is cool even in midsummer. This year, some restaurants have expanded their dining platforms, and here the seating fee is usually free for lunch, but many charge around 3000 yen per person for dinner. We made a course reservation at a place offering a blend of Japanese and Western cuisine. With everyone gathered, we started with a toast and enjoyed dishes served on small plates, including sashimi, hamo, tuna, sea bream, and yellowtail. The food was delicious overall, but the presentation or perhaps the tableware didn't quite do it justice. The dishes included fried ayu, crispy fried chicken, and spring rolls. The grilled abalone had a satisfying texture, and the beef cutlet with eggplant, lotus root, and taro in demi-glace sauce was a hit. Rice, pickles, clear soup, and fruit were served at the end, but I can't recall them all. After dining, we headed to karaoke together. Thanks for the great meal!

I went to a family celebration meal on the last day of the riverside dining. The location was fantastic, the food was of high quality, and the staff's service and consideration were wonderful. We are grateful for the various services provided. I definitely want to go again.

I revisited after 10 months. The appetizer, ginkgo nuts, matsutake mushroom tempura, thinly sliced sea bream, grilled goby fish were all delicious!

It was a calm traditional Japanese cuisine restaurant. The grilled blowfish, arasumi, and konowata were excellent!