The restaurant review describes a visit to a traditional Japanese restaurant in Kyoto. The reviewer enjoys a beautiful New Year's feast consisting of various dishes such as herring roe with daikon radish, sashimi of sea bream, miso soup with sake lees, grilled trout, vinegar-marinated red king crab with blowfish milt, turnip steamed dish, and red bean porridge. The reviewer praises the exquisite presentation and flavors of each dish, highlighting the freshness and quality of the ingredients. The meal ends with a refreshing fruit dessert. Overall, the reviewer highly recommends the restaurant for its elegant atmosphere and delicious traditional Japanese cuisine.

I heard that this place has a good reputation, so I decided to visit. The counter seats were full, so I had a kaiseki meal in a room on the second floor. Even though it's still hot in September, dishes like grilled conger eel and matsutake mushroom hot pot were served. The dishes, from appetizers to dessert, were colorful and made good use of autumn ingredients. It was a pleasant time enjoying the flavors of autumn. The only downside was that the sashimi was a bit watery. Other than that, everything was delicious. It's not a place you can casually visit due to the price, but I'm glad I went.

Gion Kawakami is a Japanese restaurant located a 6-8 minute walk from Gion Shijo Station. It is housed in a building that is over 100 years old and has a great atmosphere. It has been selected as one of the top 5000 restaurants on Tabelog. They offer a range of dishes from affordable lunch kaiseki courses to authentic evening kaiseki meals. With counter seats and private rooms available, it is a great place for a leisurely meal with family. I tried the Hamo Nabe set this time. It is a great deal with plenty of pike conger, hamo fish balls, onions, and leeks, all served with a delicious broth. Even the 2-person portion is quite filling, and the combination of the rich broth and unique texture of the pike conger is wonderful. The special ponzu sauce and plum meat also pair perfectly with the hamo. The refreshing flavor added by the vinegar citrus is also a nice touch! It's a luxurious dish perfect for summer, so be sure to visit and try it out. Thank you for the delicious meal!

I had a mini kaiseki meal in a private room. The atmosphere was calm and cozy, although the space was not very large. The service was provided by a polite and refreshing young man, and the owner also greeted us warmly. The dishes were beautifully presented, and even though it was a mini course, the portion was satisfying. I particularly enjoyed the grilled pike conger with egg and sansho pepper. It was a lovely lunch that allowed me to forget about the heat of Kyoto and enjoy a relaxing meal.

I had a refined Japanese kaiseki meal. I don't often go to Japanese kaiseki restaurants, so I was a little nervous, but thanks to the friendly proprietress and delicious food, I had a great time. Every dish had delicate flavors that made me want to keep eating. Thank you for the wonderful meal.

Located a 5-minute walk from Gion Shijo Station. I visited this restaurant based on a recommendation from a friend, who has been a regular customer for a long time. The place was fully packed on the day of my visit, with the counter area being crowded, but that didn't matter because the food was absolutely amazing! We had the Chef's Special Course (22,000 yen) which included beer, highball, 1 cup of sake, and 2 sake glasses. The total bill for two people was around 54,000 yen. Considering the quality of ingredients, the quantity of the course, and the taste, the cost performance was outstanding, something you wouldn't find in Tokyo. I was impressed from start to finish! The portions were huge! There was so much grilled conger eel that I felt like I had my share for the year (laughs). The abalone with vinegar rice was excellent, and the matsutake mushroom steamed in a pot was so fragrant, making it a perfect match for sake. Despite the generous servings, we managed to finish everything, including the final rice set, because everything was just so delicious. Amongst the many regular customers, we were the last ones to leave, and the master even chatted with us and saw us off until the very end... It was a heartwarming and happy night. I definitely want to visit this restaurant again, perhaps in a different season.

Corn and tomato jelly, hairy crab and sea urchin, mashed edamame with scallops, a dish shaped like a float with sea bream, pickled eel and mackerel, Kumamoto ginkgo nuts and beef, simmered conger eel, sashimi of white bream and squid, conger eel soup, grilled young ayu fish, simmered Kamo eggplant, Funori somen noodles, conger eel rice, and Dutch-style stewed fruit tomatoes.

A cozy and charming restaurant in Gion, Kyoto, serving seasonal kaiseki cuisine that truly captures the essence of Kyoto. The small counter is usually filled with regular customers, showcasing its popularity. Each dish is carefully prepared and the staff is friendly and attentive, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Enjoying Kyoto kaiseki in such a fun and friendly setting is truly wonderful.

I had a reservation for a ¥20,000 course at Gion Matayoshi's place, but due to some mix-up, the reservation was not made. Luckily, I was referred to this place by Matayoshi-san. It's said to be run by Matayoshi-san's older brother figure. It's a good thing they had availability. The food is really delicious. The cost performance is much better compared to Matayoshi-san's place. I left it to the staff to choose a sake that would go well with the dishes. There weren't many options, even though Kyoto is known for its sake. There was only one type of Kyoto sake available. At the end, I took a photo with the chef. He was a friendly and youthful chef.

I am not used to visiting Gion or high-end traditional Japanese restaurants, but here is my impression. The food was delicious. The staff were polite, but overall not very memorable. Also, the ordering process became progressively slower. Despite the restaurant being busy, I don't think there were many seats available. We had a 20,000 yen course meal. I don't remember all the details, but you can see the images. What I remember most is: - Corn dish: The corn had a light dashi flavor, refreshing. - Grilled eel: Served on a lid that made a sound when opened, it was grilled on a stone and had a hint of sansho pepper. - Sashimi: The squid had a rich umami flavor. - Soup: The best dish, but I can't remember the contents. The sansho pepper added a nice touch. - Salmon rice: I thought plain rice would be heavy, but it was actually delicious with salmon mixed in. The miso soup at the end warmed my stomach. They offered to pack leftover rice balls, which I enjoyed the next morning. Oh, I only had beer, so I didn't rate the drinks. I would like to visit again on my own. Thank you for the meal.

I went to Kyoto for cherry blossom viewing. I really wanted to have lunch in Gion, so I made a reservation here. The first floor has only a counter, and there are also second floors and annexes. When I sat down, the master was very attentive. He greeted various customers - groups, regular male customers, solo diners, etc. - and created a warm atmosphere at the counter. He also gave clear instructions to his apprentice, making it easy to listen. There was a knee blanket with "Kawakami" written on it at the seat, which you can take home (so I took it home) and it made me happy even after returning. ・Food: The cherry blossom-patterned appetizer for the 6600 yen lunch was stunning. The sashimi and fish dishes were delicious, and the miso soup was so good that I had to ask what kind of miso they used. The rice was so tasty that I ended up having seconds and felt full! ・For solo diners: No problem at all. ・Price: It was 6600 yen including tax. The master, who was not the typical gentle Kyoto type but very attentive and considerate, made the place very comfortable. The master is from Nagoya, and both customers on either side of me happened to be from Nagoya as well, which was surprising. When leaving, I was seen off all the way until I turned the corner. Delicious food, cozy atmosphere, and a friendly master - I will definitely visit again when I come to Kyoto!

Maiko-san came. She looks young up close. Geiko-san also came. She is beautiful even up close. The food is amazing. Can't list them all. Full stomach. So many kinds of sake, satisfied. It's the season for pike conger, right? Everything is delicious.

I don't want to write too many negative things, but this is what actually happened. The room being run-down can be seen as having a certain charm and character! It's a common sight in traditional establishments in rural areas, so it doesn't bother me much. The food seems to be prepared in advance and served without much attention to detail, similar to a mid-range restaurant like "Kisoji", which is still acceptable. The disappointing part was the service - the sound of closing the sliding doors was too loud!!! And despite wearing a kimono, they didn't even pay attention to such details. The dishes were served without any explanation. Even when asked, they couldn't provide an answer. Are they just focused on getting the customer to spend more money? They didn't engage in any small talk either. It seems like they haven't received any training on customer service or hospitality, and lack the intention to provide good service. The food industry is facing a shortage of staff, and sometimes new employees have to be thrown into the job without proper training. But shouldn't everyone try their best to provide good service despite the challenges? I eventually gave up and just focused on eating quietly. And to top it off, there was no send-off! This is unacceptable - not a simple oversight, but a series of mistakes leading to a send-off being neglected. The chefs may be decent, but in the restaurant industry, a single negative aspect can bring the overall rating down to zero. So why is this place so poorly managed? Perhaps it's an extraordinary establishment and a unique challenge. P.S. I really don't like writing negative reviews - I'll make sure to share a positive experience in my next review!

During my trip to Kyoto, I really wanted to have a meal in Gion, so I chose Gion Kawakami. It was definitely the right choice! The head chef was very friendly, the food was carefully prepared, and the service was tailored to each customer. Even though I had lunch there, the prices were reasonable considering the location in Gion. I would love to visit again. Here is the menu from the day I visited: Appetizer: Sesame-dressed green soybeans, steamed rice with young yellowtail Assorted dishes: Boiled fish skin, sea bream roe, tempura of mountain asparagus, simmered octopus, myoga, grated yam with plum, and potato from Wakayama Bowl dish: Whole onion stewed beef with onion sauce and asparagus Kyoto specialty: Somen noodles with conger eel, ginger rice, barley miso soup with sansho pepper, and pickles (wasabi greens, cucumber pickled in rice bran)

It had been a long time since I had a meal with my sister-in-law and her husband. They came to Kyoto for sightseeing during Golden Week from Kitakyushu, so we had lunch in Gion. It was May 1st, the day when Crown Prince Naruhito ascended to the throne as the Emperor, at that very moment. Despite boasting about their patriotism, they didn't even bother to listen to the important words of the Emperor's ascension, and instead indulged in drinking with my brother-in-law, which was quite disrespectful. (Although I did make sure to witness the abdication ceremony... (^_^;)) The restaurant we went to was located on Nishi Hanamikoji Street, a quaint street just off Hanami-koji Street in the bustling Gion district, offering a peaceful atmosphere away from the noise. It was a traditional Japanese restaurant in a machiya-style building. We were led to a private room on the second floor, beautifully decorated with helmets and irises, which I had previewed beforehand and was delighted by. We opted for the lunch kaiseki course (priced at 5000 yen). We started with a toast with beer. Engaging in lively conversations after a long time, we got carried away with the drinks and missed out on the explanations of the dishes... Soon after, I ordered some sake (Dewazakura). The meal included: - Anago (conger eel) and rice with sauce - Hassun (assorted appetizers) - Fresh bonito sashimi - Soba noodles - Beef shabu-shabu with leeks - Anago (conger eel) with egg - Rice cooked in dashi broth, miso soup with sake lees - Kabosu citrus agar jelly The female staff members served the dishes and drinks at the right moments, showing thoughtful consideration, as expected from a long-established restaurant. The food was delicious, the ambiance of the room was pleasant, and it turned out to be a delightful meal with my sister-in-law and her husband, who were clearly pleased. We have a close relationship with my sister-in-law and her husband, as our children and grandchildren are of similar ages, making us a harmonious group. We decided to go to Kinosaki Onsen next time. On our way back, we enjoyed viewing the twin dragon ceiling painting and the paintings of the Wind God and Thunder God at Kennin-ji Temple nearby. I just love it here. Wind God and Thunder God. (^_−)−☆ Thank you for the delicious meal.

Prologue: I was invited to a academic conference in Kyoto on the last weekend of September and decided to make a reservation at Gion Kawakami, a restaurant highly recommended by my forever friend on Tabelog. However, the conference was cancelled due to a typhoon, so I had to cancel my reservation. This time, I was invited by Breguet to Four Seasons Kyoto and rebooked at Gion Kawakami. When I entered the restaurant, my son pointed out the entrance to the right, leading to the counter seats. We arrived just before noon and were the only customers. I sat at the L-shaped counter with the Captain K and two chefs, who had Japanese flags on their sleeves as a souvenir from a trip to Germany. - Sesame spicy salad with lawler, chrysanthemum, and chrysanthemum leaves - Appetizer: mozuku vinegar, kelp with eggs, fried taro, yam, dried persimmon with raisin butter, pumpkin, ginkgo nuts, red leaf carrots - Grilled horse mackerel: large and fatty, didn't seem like horse mackerel at first - Sashimi (bigfin reef squid, bluefin tuna, mackerel) - Steamed turnip: my favorite dish of the meal - Shinshu beef shabu-shabu - Yellowtail with daikon radish - Crab and salmon salad - Takikomi rice with carrots and fried ingredients - Red miso soup - Pickled vegetables (turnip, cucumber, and one other) - Almond jelly with red wine sauce The total cost was 5940 yen, including tax and service charge. The atmosphere at the counter was calm yet strict, and the Captain K even saw us off outside the restaurant. My son thought it was good value for money, but personally, I don't plan to return immediately as there are other restaurants in Gion I want to try.

I had some free time for lunch, so I decided to visit this restaurant. I ordered the 8000 yen course. The dishes were carefully prepared, and the dashi in the steamed dish was delicious. The grilled anago was fluffy and expertly cooked. The food was very delicious. However, it was a bit disappointing that it took 3 hours for a lunch course. I wished the pace of serving the dishes was a bit faster. Even when I asked for a rice refill, I felt like it would take about 10 minutes. Nevertheless, it was tasty Kyoto cuisine.

For those living in Tokyo, Gion is far away so it's not easy to visit. This time, I came with a friend while on a business trip to the Kansai area. My friend took me to their favorite restaurant and we were seated in a private room. We enjoyed luxurious dishes such as matsutake mushrooms, king crab, abalone, and conger eel. It was a straightforward and delicious meal, not overly fancy. The service, broth, flavors, presentation, and atmosphere were all excellent. I was satisfied in every aspect.

It's not flashy, but they serve proper dishes at this restaurant. I like the atmosphere in Gion, it gets me excited. Even in small restaurants like this, there are many places in Kyoto that take cooking very seriously, and I respect that. Thank you for the meal. I would like to visit again someday.

I decided to visit Gion Kawakami for lunch as I was looking for a place where I could experience the essence of Kyoto cuisine in a not too formal setting. It was my first time wandering around Gion in the daylight, and I found the straight rows of traditional townhouses along the streets with sprinkled water quite refreshing. Upon arriving at Kawakami, I was seated in a private room without any seating charge, which I appreciated. I ordered some cold sake and the lunch kaiseki course began. The autumn-themed appetizer with yellow leaves was a delightful start, especially the eggplant with sesame cream which had a distinct Kyoto cuisine flavor. The sashimi course featuring sweet shrimp was impressive. The tai fish hot pot with dashi and ponzu was irresistible, prompting me to order some hot sake. The grilled mackerel with mushroom sauce was perfectly balanced with a slightly sweet dashi flavor. The grilled beef loin shabu-shabu, served elegantly with scallions and sauce, resembled a refined sukiyaki. The prawn and okra tempura in a beautiful lacquered bowl was a delight, although I wished for more variety after several dishes with a similar dashi base. The vinegar-marinated vegetables with octopus jelly refreshed my palate. The meal concluded with rice, red miso soup, pickles, and lightly seared cod roe, followed by a refreshing tomato compote for dessert. Although the menu leaned heavily towards dashi-based dishes, I still felt satisfied with the exceptional culinary skills displayed in the 5,000 yen course. I would definitely love to visit again.