I visited the traditional Japanese restaurant Iimura, where I used to go for lunch. It is said that even famous writers and actors have visited this restaurant, which was also frequented by the famous author, Ryōtarō Shiba. Although the place may seem upscale at first glance, it is actually quite popular among office workers and visitors from other prefectures during lunchtime. The lunch menu used to be a daily special for 700 yen including tax, but now it is 800 yen including tax. Despite the price increase, it is still reasonable. Once seated, the food is served promptly. Today's main dish was bonito sashimi from Yaizu, Shizuoka, served with cold tofu, pickles, and miso soup. The bonito was delicious as it is currently in season. The miso soup was also to my liking. What left a lasting impression was the excellent customer service. The staff, including the elderly chef and waitress bustling around the counter, as well as the friendly owner serving at the tables, were all very polite and welcoming. I highly recommend this restaurant for lunch around Kyoto Station.

JR Kyoto Station is a 7-minute walk away. Along Shichijo Street, there is a restaurant that seems to have slipped back in time to the Showa era. There is no parking available. This restaurant is a traditional Japanese cuisine establishment beloved by literary figures and actors. Although it may seem intimidating, they offer reasonably priced set meals for lunch, making it a popular spot for salarymen. As you walk on the charming cobblestone path and enter the restaurant, you'll notice that it's quite lively even on weekdays. It seems like there are many regular customers based on the greetings exchanged. The interior is long and narrow, with table and counter seats in the front and tatami rooms in the back. I was seated at the counter. They didn't ask for my order, it seems like they only offer a set meal of the day. On this day, it was Kagoshima pork shabu-shabu, green bean sesame salad, miso soup, pickles, and rice. It was decently delicious for 700 yen including tax. Considering how close it is to Kyoto Station, it's quite affordable. The menu changes daily, so it's best to check the menu at the entrance before deciding to enter. Overall, the atmosphere was nice, but based on today's menu alone, I can't give it a high rating.

The signboard says "Lunch set for 700 yen." The restaurant is located at the end of a stone-paved path, giving it the atmosphere of a traditional Gion eatery. Could it be 1700 yen instead of 700 yen? Did they forget to add a character before the seven? To confirm this, I entered the restaurant. Inside, I was seated at a table by the waitress. There was no need to place an order as there was only one option available. It was exquisite! The set included premium tuna sashimi, simmered dish with Kyoto leeks and minced chicken, clear soup, and pickles. The tuna sashimi was not just lean meat, but also had fatty tuna, offering a rich flavor. The simmered dish had a comforting taste. I took a break with the soup containing wheat gluten. The fact that all this was offered for 700 yen was truly surprising. The restaurant was a traditional Japanese-style dining establishment, with a professional atmosphere created by the interior, kitchen, and service staff.

I visited a restaurant called Iimura in Kyoto, known for its traditional atmosphere. Despite its upscale appearance, they offered a lunch set for only 900 yen, so I decided to give it a try. The set meal consisted of eel rice bowl and udon noodles, both delicious and delicately seasoned. It came with pickled vegetables and warm tea. The elegant ambiance and affordable price made it a delightful dining experience.

There is a Kyoto-style restaurant located a short walk from the northern end of the underground passage from Kyoto Station. It is highly recommended! I visited before the pandemic, but didn't post about it because photos were not allowed at that time. It has been a while since I last went, but the elderly owner is still there. It seems to be a family-run business as there were not many staff members around. The lunch set is a great deal at 700 yen! I remember it being 600-650 yen before the pandemic, so the price increase is understandable given the current situation. Even with the price increase, the portion size and taste make it worth it! Please note that the portion of rice in the photo is smaller than usual. In the past, they would serve a huge amount of rice unless you specified otherwise, but it seems they have become more reasonable with the portion size. I enjoyed my lunch while reflecting on the impact of the pandemic. That was me.

This lunch spot offers only one daily special, and the Friday tuna set is highly praised for its deliciousness (according to people around me and the former owner of the restaurant). I arrived at the restaurant around noon. Since lunch reservations are not accepted, I was worried about getting a seat, but there was plenty of space available. I was seated in the back tatami room. In just 5 minutes, the food was served. The set included 6 pieces of tuna sashimi, tsukune (chicken meatballs) and koya tofu simmered dish, miso soup, rice, and pickled vegetables. The tuna was fatty and flavorful. However, it had a unique aroma and taste. The tsukune was fluffy, and the koya tofu was firm in texture. The broth was light. I think this set meal for 700 yen is a great deal in this place. Thank you for the meal!

The entrance is located at the end of a stylish alley that feels very Kyoto-like. Upon entering the restaurant, you are greeted by multiple cheerful "irasshaimase" (welcome) voices. Despite not having a reservation, I was guided to a private room at the back. Lucky me! Even though it was my first time there, the previous owner, a friendly old man, struck up a conversation with me, mentioning that he had retired and his son now runs the place, as well as their close relationship with a famous actor couple. The lunch menu consists of only one daily special. On the day of my visit, it was an eel bowl and udon set for 900 yen. Getting an eel bowl set at a traditional Japanese restaurant just a few minutes' walk from Kyoto Station for 900 yen is quite a deal. The eel was thick and satisfying, although I suspect it was from China. The soy sauce-based sauce was rich and evenly coated the eel. It lacked the crispy grilled flavor, though. The rice was slightly soft, freshly cooked. The udon noodles were thick and chewy, served in a slightly warm broth. There was no mention of no photography allowed. On Fridays, they serve a tuna sashimi set with fatty tuna, so they encouraged me to come back again. Lunch reservations are not accepted.

I think it's amazing that you can eat fatty tuna for 700 yen. Maybe because there's only one daily option. I was a bit surprised when I was told, "It'll be ready soon," while looking at the menu. The fatty tuna had a lot of fat and was delicious. I'm not a big fan of bamboo shoots, so they were just okay. The steamed meatball was incredibly tasty. I don't usually like meatballs, but this one had a great balance of flavors and was delicious. It's a bit far from the station, but I'd like to come back again. The atmosphere was more like a cafeteria than a traditional Japanese restaurant.

The consistent deliciousness here offers Kyoto flavors at a reasonable price. The dishes are subtly seasoned with a gentle dashi broth, making you want to come back for more. The sashimi featured good quality tuna. The grilled salmon was well-seasoned with rich flavors. This restaurant exudes sincerity through its dishes.

"Wakapon Iimura" (Kyoto) has a traditional Japanese-style entrance that gives off a classic kaiseki restaurant vibe. However, it is not a high-end kaiseki restaurant as their lunch set is only 700 yen. On this particular day, the set included fresh white fish (flounder) fry, simmered shimeji mushrooms, and shredded daikon radish side dish."

The place is located near Kyoto Station on Shichijo Street. The entrance is a bit narrow, making it hard to enter, but once you go further down the alley, you'll find the entrance. During lunchtime, the majority of the counter seats were available, so I sat down and was served tea right away. They only offer a daily lunch special, so it comes out quickly without needing to place an order. The daily special menu and prices are displayed at the entrance. This time, I tried the minced cutlet menu, which varies in price. The portion of rice was generous, and it came with a variety of side dishes. The meal also included a clear soup, giving it a Kyoto cuisine touch. The kitchen is spacious with an oven, and the staff efficiently prepare the lunch dishes. It's a great value for the price.

We visited as a party of two and opted for the course menu. We were seated in a private room and were able to enjoy a leisurely meal. We would like to visit again.

Daily lunch special of fried horse mackerel. It was crispy and delicious. Comes with mixed rice, cold tofu, miso soup, and pickles. Thank you for the meal!

The Friday menu for the daily lunch special had changed from tuna to bonito. According to the owner, due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, they are unable to get tuna anymore. Hopefully, they will be able to serve tuna again soon.

I had lunch at a traditional Japanese restaurant with a townhouse-style atmosphere a few blocks up from the theater on the Karasuma side of Kyoto Station. The entrance was a bit off the main street, giving off a very Kyoto vibe with its old-fashioned charm. Initially, I accidentally went to the back side of the restaurant, only to see a sign saying "This is the back entrance, please use the front entrance" so I made my way back to the front. The restaurant had a cozy feel rather than a high-end one, and it was exactly what I was looking for to have a nice lunch near the station without breaking the bank. I expanded my budget to 2,000 yen and found this place where I could have a satisfying lunch for just 1,000 yen with change to spare. I researched on Tabelog and found out that they offer a daily lunch special that is quite affordable and has a homely feel to it. As soon as I entered, I was greeted warmly and guided to a seat at the counter. The restaurant was mostly filled with customers enjoying their tonkatsu, and the staff, which seemed to consist of the owners and their family members, were all very friendly and welcoming. The service was top-notch and I learned a lot from their hospitality. The meal was served on a tray with a small side dish, rice, and miso soup. The tonkatsu was cut right in front of me and served hot and crispy. The atmosphere of the restaurant gave off a traditional Japanese vibe, and even though the meal was a typical lunch set, the overall experience made it feel like a high-end dining experience. The miso soup was a bit salty for my taste, but the tonkatsu was delicious and perfectly complemented by the rice. I asked for a smaller portion of rice, which the owner kindly accommodated. They even offered to give me more rice if I wanted, but I politely declined as I was already quite full. The tonkatsu had a unique breading that was different from the usual crispy type, but it was surprisingly tasty. I enjoyed the meal with the pink pickles and side dish, and left the restaurant feeling satisfied and content. The staff bid me farewell with their trademark "ookini" and I left with a warm feeling in my heart and a full stomach.

It's in Kyoto, near Higashi Honganji Temple. Along Shichijo Street, a little west of Higashi Horikawa Street, I found this restaurant by chance. The outdoor sign indicated reasonable prices, but the entrance and the narrow cobblestone alley leading to the restaurant had a nice atmosphere, giving off a somewhat traditional vibe, suggesting that the prices might be a bit high at night. Inside the restaurant, the experienced staff greeted me warmly, but it took a while for them to come and take my order. The place was quite busy, so I wondered if they had forgotten about me. Eventually, the daily special set meal arrived, consisting of shrimp fry and croquettes. It also included a generous portion of simmered beans and kelp, miso soup, steamed rice, and pickles. The miso soup was delicious, with a rich umami flavor that you would expect from a traditional restaurant. However, the shrimp fry had a thick batter and was a bit too heavy, although I was happy to have two pieces. The croquettes were average, as well as the rice and pickles. The quantity of simmered beans and kelp was excessive. The restaurant's atmosphere was nice, but the tableware was cheap-looking melamine resin. Considering the prices, it was understandable. The food was not bad, but it didn't make me want to go back again. There was a sign prohibiting taking photos of the food, so I don't have any pictures to share.

Passing through the wooden gate facing Shichijo Street, you will feel the Kyoto atmosphere on the cobblestone path. Inside the restaurant, there are counter seats, table seats, and a tatami room with chair seats in the back. Skilled chefs work efficiently behind the counter. I love watching them cook while enjoying a drink. The dishes are subtly flavored but have a nice umami taste. If you are in your 50s or older, you may know the drama "Arigato" by Kiyoko Suizenji, and this restaurant gives off a similar vibe. The taste and the kindness of the staff are top-notch in Kyoto. It's no wonder that famous people like Ryotaro Shiba have loved this place.

Fast food at Karasuma Shichijo. Lunch set for ¥700. Today's special is minced cutlet. Tomorrow will be eel bowl. Promptly seated and served upon arrival.

Nostalgic flavors, traditional Japanese pub with a Kyoto twist. The large, vinegared rice sushi with a touch of sweetness brought back memories of the Showa era. It was a delightful experience.

I went out for lunch and randomly stopped by this place. I had the eel bowl set with udon, which was delicious. The eel was fluffy and the sauce was very good. Definitely worth a visit when you're nearby.