On the way to Sanzenin Temple, we stopped for lunch. The sushi was thick and fresh, and delicious. The couple running the restaurant were friendly, and the head chef was entertaining. It was nice that they even gave us a complimentary strawberry after the meal. No smoking allowed. Popular among foreign visitors to Japan. Thank you for the meal! Address: 36 Shikagaya Honenin Nishicho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8427, Japan.

After enjoying the camellias at Reiganji Temple, I decided to step into Sushi Ishimatsu's shop. The lively voice of the head chef greeted me. A steaming hot steamed eel dish was served in a steamer. The aroma of the delicious sauce filled the air, along with hints of sansho pepper. The dish was garnished generously with shredded egg, creating a vibrant presentation. As Kyoto is known for its eel culture, I have tried eel dishes in the past that left me feeling unsatisfied. However, Sushi Ishimatsu's steamed eel dish was quite satisfying. The rice, already coated evenly with sauce, was steamed to a chewy texture, and the addition of sansho pepper was exquisite. Soba noodles were served instead of soup, along with seasonal items, making for a satisfying meal. The chirashi sushi and nigiri sushi were also well-received, with large cuts of fish and delicious flavors. The head chef's entertaining banter added to the enjoyable experience at Sushi Ishimatsu. It was delicious, thank you for the meal.

I first discovered this place in the summer of 2000. I stumbled upon the sign for "Eel Steamed in a Bamboo Basket" while wandering the streets after finding out my planned cafe for lunch was unexpectedly closed. Without hesitation, my companion and I decided to go in. The restaurant had a counter and a raised seating area like a typical sushi restaurant. While my companion ordered sushi, I opted for the eel steamed in a bamboo basket. I had only ever tried it in Yanagawa and Hakata, so I was surprised to find it in Kyoto. The owner had trained in Kyushu and even had the bamboo steamers custom made. The eel steamed in a bamboo basket was delicious, with the hot eel and sauce soaking into the rice. Although my friend's sushi looked tempting, I knew I made the right choice with the eel dish. Since then, this place has been etched in my mind as the "eel steamed in a bamboo basket place." If you're ever in Kyoto and unsure of where to eat, don't hesitate to visit this place. It's located right in front of the Hounen-incho bus stop. While the Philosopher's Path and Ginkaku-ji are great places to visit, I recommend exploring the Hounen-in and Anraku-ji areas as well.

We visited this restaurant on the third day of the New Year, and we were fortunate to have the whole tatami room to ourselves. We brought our 2 and 3-year-old children along, and they enjoyed dishes like tamagoyaki, ikura, and hamburg steak. The sushi selection included squid, yellowtail, egg, salmon roe, sweet shrimp, and eel, all of which were beautifully presented and delicious. The attentive service allowed us to relax and enjoy our meal, even as the kids played around the room. We also had sweet oranges for dessert. We had a great time and would love to visit again, perhaps to try the eel steamed in a bamboo basket next time.