14 Excellent Izakaya Bars in Kyoto: Discover the City's Nightlife

Kyoto's Best Izakaya Bars

1. Bajitofu: One of Kyoto's Most Popular Izakayas
7 Affordable Izakayas with Exquisite Menus
2. Kyogoku Stand
3. Torikizoku
4. Kushiyaki Manten
5. Tachinomi Shomin
6. Torito
7. Torisei Main Store
8. Tatsumi
6 Unique Izakaya Bars in Kyoto
9. Sumibi Kazuya
10. Ichibakoji
11. Nikomiya Gaku
12. Yakino-ya Goju-ya
13. Toraya
14. Kushitanaka
Kyoto's Best Izakaya Streets
Shijo-Kawaramachi
Pontocho
Kiyamachi
Gion

Bajitofu: One of Kyoto's Most Popular Izakayas

Located near Kyoto's Shijo-Karasuma, Bajitofu specializes in charcoal-grilled chicken dishes priced at under 200 yen per skewer. It's a delicious and budget-friendly option, but we recommend making a reservation in advance due to its high popularity.

Their careful preparation of chicken offal-like hearts and livers ensures a perfect balance without any unpleasant odors. Be sure to book a month in advance to secure your spot!

Bajitofu
Address: Kyoto, Nakagyo, Kikusui-Hokocho 587
Website: http://aquadina.com/kyoto/spot/3825/ (Japanese)

7 Affordable Izakaya Bars with Excellent Menus

Affordable prices and a wide variety of dishes are the fundamental essence of izakayas. Below, we will introduce some of the beloved budget-friendly izakayas by Kyoto locals.

2. Kyogoku Stand

For those looking to have a drink at an izakaya in Kyoto during lunchtime, it might be a bit challenging compared to Osaka, as most izakayas typically open in the evening.

Kyogoku Stand, located on the bustling Shinkyogoku Shopping Street, stands out by opening for business at noon in the elegant and refined city of Kyoto.

3. Torikizoku

Originating in Osaka, Torikizoku has numerous branches in Kyoto. With a focus on chicken dishes and a fixed-price menu, it's not only popular among Japanese locals but also a top choice for many foreign tourists exploring Japan.

If you're in the mood for skewered dishes and a drink without much planning, head to Torikizoku!

Official Website: https://torikizoku.co.jp/ (Japanese)

4. Kushiyaki Manten

Kushiyaki Manten, known for its creative skewered dishes, has two branches in Kyoto. Fresh pork slices are rolled with a variety of fresh vegetables, breaking away from the traditional image of soy sauce-based skewer dishes.

In addition to inventive meat rolls, they also offer chicken skewers and a selection of side dishes made from fresh seafood delivered directly from the Sakai Port. With a diverse and ever-changing menu, it has earned the love of Kyoto locals.

Offical Website: http://fun-no1.com/manten/ (Japanese)

5. Tachinomi Shomin

Tachinomi Shomin is primarily based in Osaka but also has branches in Kyoto. It's not only loved by locals but also by many visitors to Japan who want to experience the local izakaya culture.

The alcoholic beverages here are quite affordable with a wide selection, and the cuisine mainly focuses on seafood, sourced directly from Maizuru Port in the northern part of Kyoto. This allows customers to enjoy fresh and delicious dishes at budget-friendly prices, making it a wallet-friendly izakaya choice!

Tachinomi Shomin
Address: Kyoto, Shimogyo, Shijo Omiyacho 18-6
Official Website: https://www.tachinomishomin.net/ (Japanese)

6. Torito

Torito, specializing in charcoal-grilled skewered dishes, has three branches in Kyoto. They carefully select domestically produced chicken from Kyoto and other regions, highlighting rare cuts for skewers.

They offer various sauces like radish paste, yuzu vinegar, and tartar sauce to enhance the chicken's flavors. The restaurant even serves ostrich dishes, setting it apart from typical skewer izakayas.

Official website: https://sumibi-torito.jp/ (Japanese)

7. Torisei Main Store

The owner of Torisei has been dedicated to the art of chicken cuisine since the establishment's inception, boasting a history of 50 years. Torisei has four branches in Kyoto, including "Torisei," which specializes in chicken dishes and "Torise," which offers chicken skewers.

They also operate a teppanyaki-style izakaya in the Fushimi Ward that offers iron-plate grilled dishes. The main Torisei restaurant is located in a renovated sake brewery with a history spanning over a hundred years, offering a unique ambiance.

Torisei Main Store
Address: Kyoto, Fushimi, Kamiaburakakecho 18
Official website: http://www.torisei.com/shop/honten/ (Japanese)

8. Tatsumi

Located in the alleys of Shijo-Kawaramachi in Kyoto, Tatsumi opens for business at noon. The restaurant's walls are covered with menu sheets, and it takes around 10 minutes to go through them all.

However, it's this Showa-era ambiance where you're surrounded by menu sheets and find it challenging to choose, that attracts food enthusiasts. Don't worry if you're overwhelmed by the wall of menus; dishes with red frames are their specialties, while those with yellow sheets are seasonal offerings. You can start by exploring these two categories for appetizers.

Tatsumi
Address: 572 Nakanocho, Shijo-dori Karasuma Higashi-iru, Nakagyo ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
Booking website：https://tabelog.com/kyoto/A2601/A260201/26002374/ (Japanese)

Unique Local Izakaya Bars in Kyoto

Many izakayas in Kyoto offer more than just skewers; they cater to the discerning tastes of Kyoto locals with a wide variety of dishes and cuisines!

9. Sumibi Kazuya: Grilled Dishes

Located just two minutes away from Kawaramachi Station, Sumibi Kazuya offers a unique twist on the typical izakaya experience. Instead of the usual chicken skewers, they specialize in charcoal-grilled seafood and feature Kyoto's signature dish, Kyoto nama-fu (wheat gluten), as well as duck dishes. Their drink menu is also quite extensive, ranging from beer to shochu, awamori (Okinawan sake), and Nihonshu sake.

Sumibi Kazuya
Address: Kyoto, Nakagayo, Shijo-dori Kiyamachi Nishi-iru, Kamiyamacho 364
Official website: https://www.c-e-p.co.jp/sumibi_kazuya.html

10. Ichibakoji: Duck Cuisine

Ichibakoji has four branches in Kyoto, and one of them is directly connected to Kyoto Station, making it convenient to start your dining experience right after arriving in the city.

This izakaya is known for its Kyoto duck dishes, including Kyoto-style sukiyaki with duck and low-temperature cooked Kyoto duck organs. They also offer various authentic Kyoto daily dishes. Additionally, the Kyoto Station branch is located on the ninth floor, providing a panoramic view of Kyoto Tower and the cityscape.

Ichibakoji
Address: Kyoto, Shimogyo, Higashi Shio-koji-cho 901, Kyoto Isetan 9F
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ichibacoji.isetanten/

11. Nikomiya Gaku: Stewed Beef Offal

Nikomiya Gaku is a hidden gem located among residential houses, and it specializes in beef dishes. Their signature dish is the stewed beef offal. Additionally, they offer a variety of small dishes made with seasonal Kyoto vegetables, making it a favorite among female customers.

Nikomiya Gaku
Address: Kyoto, Nakagyo, Nishinotoin-dori Shinmachi Nishi-iru, Nishikikojicho 264
Official Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/nikomiya.gaku

12. Isoya: Cuisine with Plenty of Vegetables

Isoya focuses on fresh Kyoto vegetable cuisine. Vegetables harvested from farms on the west side of Kyoto are delivered directly to the restaurant, following the "farm to table" concept.

You can enjoy fresh vegetables while drinking, which adds a healthy touch to your meal. Although it emphasizes fresh Kyoto vegetables, the restaurant also offers meat dishes for pairing with your drinks.

Yakino-ya Goju-ya
Address: Kyoto, Nakagyo, Gokomachi-dori Oike-agaru, Shimomaruyacho, 421-5
Official website: http://isozumi.jp/isoya/index.html

13. Toraya: Delicious Hot Pot Cuisine

Located near the lively Kamogawa River in Pontocho, Toraya offers rich offal hot pot cuisine (motsunabe). While organ hot pot may not be to everyone's taste, the restaurant thoughtfully provides the option to substitute it with pork hot pot. They also offer a variety of side dishes to complement your drinks, making Toraya a great choice for those who may not be keen on offal dishes.

Toraya
Address: Kyoto, Nakagyo, Shimokoshikinocho 205-1
Official website: https://motunabetoraya.owst.jp/ (Japanese)

14. Kushitanaka

Kushitanaka has a quiet ambiance, offering a discreet and homey atmosphere. Here, there's only one way to order skewers, known as the "one-way" method, where each person gets 20 skewers, served based on their eating pace, and ends with a dessert.

The restaurant carefully selects seasonal ingredients to create 20 types of skewered dishes, and many patrons find themselves pleasantly surprised even after multiple visits.

Kushitanaka
Address: Kyoto, Nakagyo, Urudoshoyamacho 310-10
Official website: http://www.kushitanaka.com/index.html (Japanese)

Kyoto's Best Izakaya Streets

In addition to specific izakayas, we have also selected several Kyoto districts with streets lined by stylish izakaya bars.

Shijo-Kawaramachi

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Located in the heart of Kyoto in an area with large department stores, Shijo-Kawaramachi is one of Kyoto's busiest districts. It combines several arcade shopping streets like Teramachi-Kyogoku and Shinkyogoku Shopping Street, making it Kyoto's most vibrant area.

Shijo Kawaramachi is home to numerous restaurants and shops and is a favorite shopping spot for local young people. In its narrow alleys, you can also find many authentic izakayas. With a multitude of bus routes passing through Shijo-Kawaramachi, it offers convenient transportation, making it an ideal place for first-time foreign visitors to explore izakayas in Kyoto.

Nearest station/bus stop: Shijo-Kawaramachi Bus Station or Hankyu Kyoto Line Kyoto Kawaramachi Station

Pontocho

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Pontocho is a narrow alley along the Kamogawa River, offering a stark contrast to the bustling atmosphere of Shijo Street. The cobbled path is lined with traditional Kyoto-style lattice-fronted houses.

In the evening, the restaurants light up their red lanterns, creating a distinctly Kyoto ambiance. Every summer, Pontocho's restaurants set up outdoor terraces (kawadoko) along the riverbank, allowing customers to enjoy a delightful izakaya experience in the refreshing breeze of the Kamogawa River—a unique Kyoto tradition.

Additionally, Pontocho is known for being a practice location for Kabuki performers, so many visitors hope to catch a glimpse of Kabuki actors here!

Location: 5-minute walk from Kyoto Municipal Subway Tozai Line's Keihan Sanjo Station.
Pontocho Norenkai official website：https://www.ponto-chou.com/

Kiyamachi

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Kiyamachi got its name from the many lumber merchants who used the Kamogawa River for timber transportation in the past. Today, it's a place where riverside restaurants abound.

Kyoto has several universities, and Kiyamachi is a favorite spot for university students to gather. As a result, there are many affordable restaurants here. If you're looking for local izakayas, you can't go wrong here! In spring, cherry blossoms bloom along the Kamogawa River, adding even more charm to dining in this area.

Location: 5-minute walk from Shijo Kawaramachi Bus Station / Hankyu Kyoto Line Kyoto Kawaramachi Station.
Kiyamachi Association official website：https://www.simokiyamati.com/

Gion

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During the night, Gion comes to life with numerous restaurants and izakayas. Prices tend to be on the higher side in Gion, and some establishements may require introductions from regular customers.

If you're determined to experience the traditional Kyoto machiya atmosphere at an izakaya in Gion without breaking the bank, consider the following two moderately priced options.

Yugame Gion Branch
Run by the Shuzo-Naoya Brewery in Shiga Prefecture, Yugame Gion Branch offers its own affordable and diverse selection of sake. Paired with delicious appetizers, this place is loved by both locals and visitors in Kyoto!

Address: Kyoto, Higashiyama, Tominaganacho 111-1
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yuuki.gion/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D

Gion Dinner Kyo-iron
Gion Dinner Kyo-iro is a restaurant located in a renovated Kyoto machiya (traditional house), offering dishes made with locally sourced Kyoto ingredients such as free-range chicken, beef, and fresh vegetables. It provides an opportunity to immerse in the rich atmosphere of Kyoto while enjoying a meal in a traditional setting.

Address: Kyoto, Hiagshiyama, Sueyoshicho 95
Official website: https://www.kyosyoku.com/gionbansan.html (Japanese)

Discover Kyoto's Izakaya Scene

Who says Kyoto can only be visited during the day to see famous attractions? Kyoto is even more exciting at night!

From the bustling streets of Shijo Kawaramachi, the popular area for university students called Kiyamachi, the beautiful Kamogawa riverside in Pontocho where you can enjoy the summer atmosphere, to Gion where you may even come across a performance by geisha apprentices, there is a wide variety of izakayas with diverse styles waiting for everyone to explore!