Nishigawa is a restaurant I have been to in Horikawa Marutamachi. They have a good selection of Japanese sake, but for some reason, I couldn't shake off the underwhelming impression. The value for money wasn't great either, so I went a couple of times and then stopped going. I wondered what happened to them when they closed due to COVID, but I found out later that they reopened in Kawaramachi Gojo. The restaurant now has a more casual feel, but they still have a good range of Japanese sake brands. However, the quality doesn't seem to be great. It feels like they are not managing things properly. What I clearly noticed this time is that the food is not very delicious. They seem to have a menu that goes well with sake, but it's not very tasty (sorry for being rude). Furthermore, the service is rough. Orders are forgotten or not taken care of promptly. Is this the restaurant's management attitude? Having a good selection is not enough, you need to polish things properly to create value. I quickly headed to another place.

I stopped by Kyoto on a whim and visited this place after half a year. The dishes and drinks are still delicious as ever! From firefly squid and sashimi to conger eel...etc. Since my evening plans were over, I decided to stay until the end. I tried the chirimen rice and crab miso soup!! It was incredibly delicious... It warmed my tired body...!! I made a relatively early reservation at 7 o'clock, but the seats were already full before I arrived... Depending on the timing, you might be able to get in easily, but I recommend making a reservation before visiting!

The selection of sake at this restaurant is extensive, with various types of fresh sake and cloudy sake available for tasting at reasonable prices. The staff are willing to provide recommendations and explanations, making it enjoyable even for those who are not familiar with sake. The restaurant is always fully booked or reserved, so it is recommended to make a reservation in advance when planning to visit. The dishes are on the pricier side overall, but each dish comes in a large portion. It is advisable to be mindful of the quantity of dishes ordered as they come in generous portions.

It's been a while since I visited Kyoto, and this was my first time at Iseshigawa since they moved from Nijo. Their selection of sake is unbeatable! It's rare to find a restaurant with such a wide range of sake, whether it's from the east or west. They offer a sake tasting set of three varieties, so you can enjoy not just one, but three different sakes! It's a great place where you can ask the owner for recommendations based on your preferences. And the food is also delicious! There are plenty of options for great dishes to pair with your drinks. When you're in Kyoto, this is definitely the number one place I recommend visiting!

This was my first visit to this restaurant, recommended by a friend, and I immediately made a reservation for delicious food and drinks. I opted for the course menu and was impressed by the generous portions and great value. The sashimi platter was especially impressive, with enough for more than one person. They have a wide selection of sake, including rare varieties, so it's a must-visit for sake lovers. They also offer a variety of a la carte dishes, perfect for sharing with a group.

Horikawa Matagai's Sakadon Nishikawa has moved to "Kawaramachi Gojo"! The nearest stations are Gojo Station on the subway or Kawaramachi Station, both within a 10-minute walk. It is also accessible from Kyoto Station by a single bus ride or a 5-minute taxi ride. They open at 3 pm on this day. I visited right after they opened. The dishes I had were: - Assorted appetizers (rapeseed greens, ginkgo nuts, fish yukke) - Sashimi (salmon, yellowtail) in half size - Shime saba (half size) - Fried sardines (half size) The sake I had included: - Hayashi (junmai ginjo) And a tasting set of: - Juyondai (junmai) Unfiltered - Hitorikko (special junmai) - Setsugekka (junmai daiginjo 40) The total bill came to 3820 yen. The prices are very reasonable. They have a wide selection of sake in the refrigerated case, and the lineup is impressive. The tasting set allows you to try different varieties, and the knowledgeable sommelier can help you choose. The a la carte menu is also extensive, so you won't have trouble finding a sake accompaniment. They also offer half sizes for solo diners. Thank you for the meal. I look forward to dropping by again.

First visit. A place where you can drink various types of sake at a reasonable price. The food is also delicious. They offer a variety of dishes, from sake appetizers to tempura and grilled dishes. I ordered a tasting set for 980 yen, a sake and appetizer assortment for 950 yen, and a bit of tempura. If you're tired of the hustle and bustle of Sanjo, why not take a little walk and visit this cozy place.

"Sakunomi Nishikawa" is highly regarded as the best place in Kyoto with a wide selection of sake and reasonable prices. The restaurant reopened in mid-January 2022 after a pre-opening period of about a month. The space and some dishes have changed since the closure of the previous "Horikawa Marutamachi" location. The restaurant now offers a modern space on one floor, and the menu has changed to à la carte only. Although the traditional kaiseki and ryotei elements have diminished, there is still a wide variety of interesting dishes available. During my visit, I ordered dishes like Grilled Long Yam, Grilled Natural Buri, and Simmered Daikon, which exceeded my expectations. I also enjoyed a tasting flight of seven different sakes, including innovative ones like "Gekkeikan Studio no.1" which features a prominent melon flavor. The restaurant's new location near the Kawaramachi Gojo intersection offers a modern setting with a focus on quality ingredients and traditional Japanese cuisine. The restaurant is currently open from 3 pm to midnight, and they plan to offer lunch and coffee in the future. I recommend checking their social media for the latest updates and encourage everyone, locals, and visitors alike, to experience this casual Japanese sake bar and izakaya that values authenticity and quality."

The dishes were delicious. It was a bit pricey, but the sake was also delicious, so I am satisfied!

On my third visit. I finally got to try the Shami I wanted to drink! It was refreshing, fruity, and just the taste I like. The food was delicious with good portion sizes, and this is definitely a great restaurant.

This was my second visit. I was very happy with the sake tasting set of three for 980 yen. I think the best one was "Toyo Bijin" this time. There are various dishes that go well with sake, and they are quite generous in portion and delicious.

Great atmosphere, delicious food, generous portions, and an excellent selection of drinks make this restaurant a top choice! They also offer a 3-drink tasting set for around 1000 yen, which is a great deal. I always end up drinking too much here...

Ideal place for tasting different drinks.

The grilled firefly squid was delicious. It was also my first time trying both Echigo and Juyondai in a while.

The fried food was just so delicious, I might end up going there often because it's nearby.

The portions are very generous.

Opening in mid-January next year ('22), a new restaurant is set to follow the renowned "Sakunomi Nishikawa" stores in Kyoto, which are known for offering Japanese sake at reasonable prices. The restaurant has been operating irregularly since December 1st, with a special pre-opening event held in late November. The event featured a variety of exquisite dishes, including tempura prepared by the owner, Mr. Nishikawa, and dishes crafted by a young chef, Taro, who honed his skills at a top restaurant in Kyushu and a renowned kaiseki restaurant in Kyoto. The selection of sake included premium brands such as a special edition sake by the legendary sake brewer Naohiko Noguchi, as well as rare sakes from Juyondai and Shinsei. Each dish and drink offered a luxurious and rich experience. The new restaurant, located along Kawaramachi Street, will also operate as a café during the day, serving lunch. In mid-January next year, the Marutamachi Horikawa store will be relocated to Gojo Kawaramachi for its grand opening. The current Horikawa Marutamachi store is also worth a visit before the move. The restaurant is conveniently located about a 4-minute walk from Kiyomizu Gojo Station, within walking distance from Shijo Kawaramachi and Gion Shijo. As it is already operating irregularly, please check their social media for more information and pay a visit. Thank you to Mr. Nishikawa and the staff for a wonderful experience.