Kyoto attracts tourists from all over the world. Iconic sights like Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) and Fushimi Inari Shrine, along with geishas and maikos walking on cobblestone streets, are symbols of Kyoto. Having lived in Kyoto for many years, I love the traditional and charming atmosphere of this city. Not just me, but all Kyoto residents take pride in its long history and culture.
However, Kyoto's appeal isn't limited to traditional culture. Kyoto is also known as a city of fine cuisine, with many high-quality restaurants. In particular, there are many renowned sushi restaurants in Kyoto, representing one of Japan's most famous dishes. In this article, I'd like to introduce seven of the best sushi Kyoto 2024 has to offer.
About Japanese Sushi
Sushi is widely known overseas as a representative Japanese dish and is one of the most popular items in Japanese cuisine. There's a wide range of sushi restaurants, from affordable and casual conveyor belt sushi to luxury restaurants using high-end ingredients.
There are also various ways to eat sushi. The form that most people first imagine - small mounds of vinegared rice topped with slices of raw fish - is called "nigiri sushi." Other types include makizushi (rolled sushi with ingredients and rice wrapped in seaweed), oshizushi (pressed sushi made by filling ingredients and rice in a box), and chirashi sushi (various ingredients scattered over vinegared rice).
The flavoring of the vinegared rice, ingredients used, and serving styles differ by region, making sushi a versatile and appealing dish with many ways to enjoy it.
Recommended Sushi Restaurants in Kyoto
Kyō no Sushidokoro Suehiro
source：Tabelog
Kyō no Sushidokoro Suehiro is a long-established sushi restaurant offering traditional Kyoto-style sushi. It's conveniently located near Kyoto Imperial Palace. While traditional Kyoto sushi restaurants might seem intimidating, this restaurant has a retro Japanese atmosphere that's easy to enter.
A must-try at Kyō no Sushidokoro Suehiro is the "Saba Sushi (5,500 yen)," a dish symbolizing Kyoto sushi. This mackerel sushi, with a taste unchanged for 200 years since the restaurant's founding, has a perfect balance of fatty mackerel and vinegar, offering a refreshing yet deep, rich flavor.
For those who want to try various sushi in small portions, the "Assorted Sushi (1,270 yen)" is recommended. Sushi is also available for takeout, so feel free to drop by while sightseeing.
<Store Information>
・Address: 711 Yōhōjimaecho, Teramachi Nijō Agaru, Nakagyō-ku, Kyoto
・Closed: Mondays, Tuesdays
・Phone: 075-231-1363
・Hours: 11:00 - 18:00
・Official Website
Sushi Kappō Nakaichi
source：Tabelog
Sushi Kappō Nakaichi is a high-end sushi restaurant that has earned one Michelin star. Despite its high level, you can enjoy your meal in a homely atmosphere. It's actually one of my favorite restaurants. You can savor not only sushi made with fresh fish delivered daily from Awaji Island but also side dishes like tempura and chawanmushi.
At this restaurant, I recommend the course meal (16,500 yen) that allows you to enjoy sushi and all these side dishes. Pay attention to the beautiful dishes that further enhance the delicious food. Dining at Sushi Kappō Nakaichi is sure to be a delightful experience for both your eyes and taste buds. This restaurant is especially recommended for those who want to eat top-quality sushi in a relaxed atmosphere, making it one of the best sushi Kyoto 2024 experiences.
<Store Information>
・Address: 570-196 Gionmachi Minamigawa, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
・Closed: None
・Phone: 075-531-2778
・Hours: 12:00 - 14:00, 16:30 - 22:00
・Official Website
Sushi Eirou
source：Tabelog
Sushi Eirou is a restaurant near Kyoto Station where you can enjoy authentic sushi à la carte. It's a pleasant point for tourists who may not be comfortable with raw fish, as they can order only the sushi they like. Since sushi prices aren't displayed on the menu, those concerned can inform the staff of their budget in advance and order omakase (chef's choice).
Sushi Eirou not only offers sushi but also has a rich selection of small dishes centered on seafood and Japanese sake. The oyster tempura, in particular, is exquisite - I'd want to visit again just for this.
With only 15 counter seats inside, it's better to make a reservation in advance. This restaurant is especially recommended for those who want to enjoy drinks while nibbling on sushi and other dishes, making it a strong contender for the best sushi Kyoto 2024 has to offer.
<Store Information>
・Address: 573-3 Kitafudōdōchō, Shimogyō-ku, Kyoto
・Closed: Tuesdays, Wednesdays
・Phone: 075-278-7744
・Hours: 11:30 - 21:00
・Official Instagram
Sushimasa
source：Tabelog
Sushimasa is a sushi restaurant near Jūjō Station, with an eye-catching traditional Kyoto-style facade. The interior has an unpretentious atmosphere, creating a comfortable space. They serve sushi and seafood dishes using seasonal ingredients carefully selected by the owner himself at the market every morning.
Sushimasa boasts overwhelming cost-performance among the Kyoto sushi restaurants I know. Each piece of sushi is large, and the "Assorted Sushi" is only 1,100 yen - an unbelievably low price. It's also nice that it includes not only nigiri sushi but also rolled sushi and anago (conger eel) box sushi.
The "akadashi," a miso soup made with red beans served as a lunch service, also goes well with sushi. Sushimasa is a sushi restaurant I can recommend to anyone, where you can enjoy an unchanging atmosphere and taste from the old days, solidifying its place among the best sushi Kyoto 2024 options.
<Store Information>
・Address: 41 Higashikujō Ishidachō, Minami-ku, Kyoto
・Closed: Tuesdays, Wednesdays
・Phone: 075-278-7744
・Hours: 11:30 - 21:00
・Official Website
Kyōto Maizuru-kō Katsusushi
source：Tabelog
Kyōto Maizuru-kō Katsusushi is located in the basement of Takashimaya S.C. Department Store, directly connected to Kawaramachi Station in central Kyoto. They directly source fish from "Maizuru," one of Kyoto's leading port towns, and are committed to the freshness of their ingredients. One of the attractions of this shop is its reasonable pricing, starting from 220 yen per piece.
While ordering individual items is good, my top recommendation is the "8-piece set (2,980 yen)" filled with seasonal colors. I was captivated by the beautiful presentation that looks like a work of art. The plate is accompanied by three types of salt blended with green tea, roasted green tea, and matcha powder - a very Kyoto-like arrangement that further elevates the mood.
Kyōto Maizuru-kō Katsusushi is an ideal sushi restaurant to experience Japanese food culture, combining beauty and taste. It's definitely a contender for the best sushi Kyoto 2024 has to offer.
<Store Information>
・Address: T8 B1F, 35-2 Otabichō, Shijō-dōri Teramachi Higashi-iru, Shimogyō-ku, Kyoto
・Closed: According to Kyoto Takashimaya S.C. specialty stores
・Phone: 050-5592-8096
・Hours: 11:00 - 22:00
・Official Website
Sushi Iwata
source：Tabelog
Sushi Iwata, which opened in December 2023, is a small sushi restaurant with only 8 counter seats. With an atmosphere so homey you can chat with the chef, it's also recommended for solo diners. Sushi prices range from 500 to 1,500 yen per piece, and you can order as much as you like. My personal favorite is the "Kombu-jime Hirame (880 yen)." Try tasting the umami of the fish directly first, without adding soy sauce.
They also offer a rich selection of side dishes perfect for sake, such as "Saikyo-yaki" (grilled fish with Kyoto white miso) and "Shiokara" (fermented fish innards). For nights when you want to focus on drinking, I recommend the "Omakase Otsumami (4,400 yen)" which comes with 5 types of sashimi and 2 small dishes. It's a sushi restaurant where you can forget time and immerse yourself in a happy mood with delicious food and enjoyable conversation. As a newcomer, it's already making waves as potentially the best sushi Kyoto 2024 will see.
<Store Information>
・Address: Kyoto Charagamu 1F, 534 Asakurachō, Nakagyō-ku, Kyoto
・Closed: Wednesdays
・Phone: 075-585-4781
・Hours: 15:00 - 21:00
・Official Instagram
Kyoto Sushi Yamazaki
source：Tabelog
If someone asks me where to eat Edomae sushi in Kyoto, the first place I recommend is "Kyoto Sushi Yamazaki." The Japanese-style entrance exudes Kyoto charm, and at night, the lit lanterns further enhance the atmosphere. Inside the wood-scented restaurant, I always feel soothed by the warm hospitality of the chefs, a parent-child duo who make sushi together.
Many ingredients are sourced from Tokyo's Toyosu Market, allowing you to taste fish like "shako" (mantis shrimp) and "kohada" (gizzard shad) that are rarely seen in the Kansai region. Everything is delicious, but the medium-fatty tuna is exceptional. It's an exquisite dish where the elegant sweetness of the fat perfectly matches the refreshing taste of the vinegared rice. Enjoy authentic Edomae sushi that's hard to find even in Tokyo. Kyoto Sushi Yamazaki is undoubtedly a strong contender for the best sushi Kyoto 2024 will offer.
<Store Information>
・Address: 604 Tachibanacho, Nakagyō-ku, Kyoto
・Closed: Mondays
・Phone: 075-251-7020
・Hours: 11:00 - 14:00, 17:30 - 22:00
・Official Instagram
Summary
Have you found any restaurants that interest you among the seven recommended sushi restaurants in Kyoto introduced here? These restaurants will satisfy all five senses with not only the deliciousness of sushi but also its visual beauty, aroma, comfortable space, and warm hospitality.
In Kyoto, you can also enjoy Kyoto-specific sushi that differs from other regions, such as mackerel sushi and box sushi, which is also attractive. Kyoto, where Japanese traditional culture remains strong, pairs well with Japanese cuisine, allowing you to enjoy side dishes, condiments, and drinks that complement sushi.
Enjoy this representative Japanese cuisine to the fullest in this city that exudes the essence of old Japan.