The restaurant is currently operating on a fully reservation-only basis with set courses only. There are courses priced at 6500 yen and 8500 yen, and I made a reservation for the 8500 yen course. A la carte options are not yet available. When I mentioned that someone in our group is not fond of sashimi, they said they are used to accommodating such requests. The uni wrapped in seaweed was substituted with octopus, which was tender and delicious with a nice seasoning. The dish of koi carp with sansho flowers was also very tasty. The bamboo shoot and squid with young leaves, and simmered dishes were all delicious. Instead of sashimi, we were served butter-fried seafood, including sweet shrimp which was not typically found in sashimi dishes. The tilefish soup had rice at the bottom with a flavorful sauce on top. The grilled grunt fish was well-seasoned and delicious, as was the steak which was tender and flavorful. The meal ended with an eel rice bowl, with the eel nicely grilled although a slightly stronger sauce would have been even better. The pace of serving all the dishes was about 2 hours. The explanations of the dishes were brief and not detailed. Considering the variety, quality, and taste of the dishes, the course was not cheap but also not overly expensive. Overall, the food was delicious.

This is a Japanese restaurant in Sumizome, Kyoto (Fushimi Ward), which is known for its traditional counter-style dining. The exterior of the restaurant is charming, located in an old house that exudes a welcoming atmosphere. Despite being a century-old building, the interior is well-maintained with a beautiful ambiance. The owner, who is 52 years old, has been running the restaurant for 10 years in this location after operating for 20 years in Higashiyama. The dishes served here may not use high-end ingredients, but the chef's expertise in cooking creates unique and delicious flavors. The course menu I tried cost 8,500 yen, and there is also a 5,500 yen option available. The restaurant offers a la carte ordering as well, which is convenient for solo diners like me. The meal included dishes like vinegar-cured conger eel, assorted sashimi, steamed egg custard with conger eel, grilled ayu fish, chilled simmered dish, and fried gudgeon fish. The meal ended with matsutake mushroom rice, red miso soup, and pickles, accompanied by genmaicha tea. The food was satisfying, and the cozy atmosphere of the restaurant made the dining experience memorable.

The Japanese food is amazing. It was delicious.

A small restaurant located near the famous Fujimori Shrine known for its wisteria. This time, I visited for the first time and took a taxi from Momoyama Goryo-mae Station. It was a bit difficult to find the place in the dark of night, costing 850 yen. I entered through the noren curtain and opened the sliding door, immediately greeted by the loud voice of the female owner. Isn't it supposed to be "oideyasu" instead of "irasshai"? I muttered to myself. Being the first customer, I chose to sit at the counter facing the garden in the back or the sunken counter in the front. I decided on the sunken counter to minimize strain on my knees. I had made a reservation and ordered the "omakase" course for 5,000 yen, so the first three dishes arrived along with the drinks. The owner behind the counter, despite his rough appearance, had a calm way of speaking that I found appealing. When I asked for a drink after my beer, I was informed that they only serve one brand from Matsumoto Sake Brewery, which can be served cold or warm. The sake was delicious, but I felt a bit unsatisfied as I like to vary the strength of my drinks depending on my mood. However, the sashimi, grilled dishes, and hot dishes that followed were all delicious, especially the rich flavor of the child-bearing sweetfish. Instead of the signature dish of steamed sake, this time it was a steamed pot of matsutake mushrooms, which was piping hot and perfect for enjoying with endless sake. The finale of the meal was a flavorful sweetfish rice with a hint of sansho pepper, accompanied by a very rich red miso soup, which was also outstanding. The total bill, including drinks, tax, and service charge, came to 6,800 yen, which is a great value that is hard to find in the center of Kyoto. I now have another restaurant to visit seasonally.

After enjoying a lavish meal and a few drinks at a yakiniku restaurant in September 2015, my friend and I felt like continuing the night with more drinks. We ended up following my friend to a place that looked like a residential home. I was a bit worried about the safety and the cost, since we were in Kyoto. However, my friend seemed confident and mentioned that they had been there before. Once we entered, we found out that the prices were reasonable. We ordered some delicious dishes like sasagarei, dashimaki, and ginnan, along with some shochu on the rocks. The food and drinks were excellent, and the atmosphere made us want to stay longer. This place is definitely a hidden gem where you can relax and enjoy your drinks at your own pace.

Located between Keihan "Sumizome Station" and "Fujimori Station" in December, this restaurant stands hidden along Honmachi Street near Fujimori Shrine. It appears to be an ordinary old house, with little information available, making it a hidden gem known only to a select few. I visited the restaurant based on a recommendation from someone. Upon entering, even without a reservation, we were warmly welcomed and led to a sunken kotatsu-style counter seat where we took off our shoes. The interior exudes an authentic atmosphere, having been renovated from a Showa-era machiya. The high ceilings and warmth of the machiya enveloped us, creating a very calming atmosphere. The owner of the restaurant is said to have come from a highly renowned ryotei in Kyoto's Higashiyama area. A young female chef is currently undergoing training, and her friendly and attentive service left a positive impression. The menu includes kaiseki courses (reservation required) as well as carefully selected seasonal dishes that can be enjoyed casually. There is a wide variety of dishes such as grilled, simmered, fried, rice dishes, sushi, and seasonal specialties. We started with an appetizer, a dish, and a draft Ebisu beer (500 yen). The ingredients are carefully selected daily from the market, and most dishes showcase skilled techniques. The plump texture of the kisu tempura was delightful, highlighting the deliciousness of the white fish. The fresh tomato and cucumber potato salad had a robust flavor. The grilled goby was cooked perfectly with a well-balanced seasoning, offering a tender texture and high-quality taste. The soup made from the fish head after the meal was delicious, with a rich broth. The rolled omelet was average. The grilled shirako was a bit unexpected, but overall, we were very satisfied with the meal. The dishes were served beautifully, and the homemade senmaizuke had a deep flavor. The atmosphere inside the restaurant is relaxed and peaceful, without a formal air. In addition to the sunken kotatsu counter, there is a table, a separate private room, and a banquet space on the second floor. Although there is no explanation of the dishes, the staff will kindly explain if asked. The owner of the restaurant is a veteran chef who honed his skills at the long-established ryotei "Kikunoi" and has gained many years of experience. This restaurant operates with almost no advertising, relying on word-of-mouth, creating a sense of exclusivity. It is a rare restaurant that exudes the essence of Kyoto, despite being located in a local area far from tourist spots. I believe it is a gem of a restaurant where you can enjoy kaiseki cuisine as well as a la carte dishes at a reasonable price. The highly recommended kaiseki course (5,000 yen or 8,000 yen) requires a reservation. It is a comfortable and welcoming dining place in an old house, where you can enjoy a cozy atmosphere without feeling intimidated. It was a wonderful experience to visit this great restaurant at the end of the year.

Visited around 8:30 pm on March 3, 2015. The reviewer, who actively reviews lesser-known good restaurants in Kyoto with few reviews, was the first to post about this restaurant. Intrigued, I decided to check it out. It was raining on this day, so I made a rare call to confirm if they were open before visiting. Location: The nearest station is Keihan Sumizome, located between Fushimi and Sumizome, closer to Sumizome. It is the 8th station from Gion Shijo, and only local and semi-express trains stop there, making it a bit difficult to access. After exiting the ticket gate, head east perpendicular to the Keihan railway tracks. Turn left at the first corner and head north on Yamato Kaido. It's just before the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper stand. The area is dark at night, and the restaurant looks like a regular house, so be careful not to miss it, especially if visiting at night. It takes less than 10 minutes on foot from the station, but it felt longer than that. Restaurant situation: - Soft and welcoming service even to seemingly casual customers who just called ahead. The atmosphere is not intimidating. - The interior looks like a house turned into a restaurant. From what I could see, there were only counter seats, but there are private rooms in the back and a party space on the 2nd floor. - The previous customers seemed to be a group of 3 celebrating a special occasion. The later customer was a regular male customer dining alone, who somehow got into a lively conversation and was treated to a hot sake. - The restaurant is managed by three people: a man who seems to be the owner, a woman who seems to be his mother, and a female chef who seems to be the second in command. They divide the cooking tasks among themselves. According to the reviewer, the owner has experience working at a very famous Japanese restaurant. The female chef is originally from the Kanto region and came to Kyoto alone for training. - The restaurant used to be located in the Gion area but relocated to the current location a few years ago. Dishes ordered: - Simmered octopus and rapeseed flowers - Warm sake from Matsumoto - Sashimi platter (sea bream, flounder, tuna, sweet shrimp) for 2,500 yen - Dashimaki (rolled omelette) for 500 yen - Tofu with thickened sauce for 700 yen - Fried blowfish for 2,000 yen Total bill: 8,100 yen Taste and overall impression: - Can be used casually for a la carte dining. A rare operating style in Kyoto. - For courses, reservations are required a few days in advance. - Each dish is carefully prepared and reasonably priced. The absolute prices of individual dishes are somewhat high, but the portion sizes are also appropriate, so it's best enjoyed by 2-3 people to try a variety of dishes. - The selection of sake may need a little improvement. (As of May 4, 2015: 1 review, rating 3.14/1 review from the reviewer, rating 4.00)