5 Best Restaurants in Arashiyama: Go Beyond The Bamboo

Before we get into the best restaurants in Arashiyama, of which we’re sure you’re beating down bamboo to reach, let us regale you with a tale of Kyoto and its must-see landmarks.

As any seasoned Japan traveler will tell you, Kyoto’s not a very big city. Located in the southern part of Kyoto Prefecture, the whole city is officially about 827 square km in area, which technically makes it larger than all 23 wards of Tokyo combined (616 square km).

However, the vast majority of this is taken up by the mountainous areas to the north; the actual urban area is compressed into the southern part of the city, which is less than half of the city’s designated area. 

Nonetheless, this perception of “Kyoto as a small city” tends to make visitors underestimate how far apart some of its attractions can be. With all the photos of Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine and Kinkaku-ji, the assumption is that all of these are roughly around the same place.

For the most part, though, they are. Most of Kyoto’s historical attractions are in the eastern to southeastern side of the city, such as Nanzen-ji, Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Heian Jingu Shrine.

There are two major exceptions, though: Kinkaku-ji, and Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. The former is at the very northernmost tip of the urban area, where city turns to mountain, and the latter is perched on the western edge of Kyoto City. 

As such, even after a magical stroll through Japan’s most famous bamboo forest, the magic quickly ends for many when they find that their lunch or dinner reservation is actually all the way across the city.

Planning to do some sightseeing around Japan’s most famous bamboo thicket? Between all the temptations of Kyoto street food, there’s no shortage of amazing restaurants around it. Here are our recommendations for the best restaurants in Arashiyama.

Kyoto Kitcho Arashiyama is possibly the most famous restaurant in the whole of the Arashiyama area — and that’s saying a lot, given that the Michelin-starred Okina is also in the same vicinity. Many visitors from outside of the prefecture come not just for the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, but specifically to have a meal at this restaurant. 

What makes Kyoto Kitcho Arashiyama so special? For one, it is considered one of the most beautiful restaurants in the whole of Kyoto, or even the whole country. Set in a traditional Japanese villa, it was founded by the late Yuki Teiichi, who is most famous for his contributions to kaiseki multi-course cuisine, and is credited with being the pioneer of bringing kaiseki cuisine into the mainstream, when it used to be the sole domain of tea ceremony experts. 

For his efforts, Chef Yuki was made a Person of Cultural Merit by the Japanese government — the first chef in Japanese history to receive the award. 

So it should go without saying that food is phenomenal, with third-generation head chef Tokuoka Kunio making use of impeccable technique and fine Kyoto ingredients to craft the kaiseki meals that his grandfather-in-law was responsible for popularising. 

Chef Tokuoka is just as dedicated to honing his kaiseki craft as his masters before him, of course. But just as importantly, he has the same dedication to his suppliers, sourcing only the best ingredients from farmers, ranchers and fishermen that his family has known for decades for use in his course menus.

But it’s rare to find a restaurant with views that are just as gorgeous as the food is — and Kitcho is just that. Three separate dining rooms, each with traditional tatami-style seating, allow for unrestricted views out into the garden, meaning that as they enjoy their meals, guests can enjoy the sight of falling ginkgo leaves swirling through the air, or cherry blossom petals aloft on the wind, depending on the season. It’s a beautiful accompaniment to the meal. 

There are only two real downsides to eating at Kitcho. The first is that it’s significantly more expensive to eat in peak seasons, which are during spring and fall, when the cherry blossoms and autumn leaves are at their peaks, respectively. At the time of writing, the standard price is ¥40,000, with peak season pricing being ¥50,000.

The next is that it’s especially difficult to reserve, given its popularity, and the fact that the restaurant only seats three parties per service. However, any historian or architecture buff worth their salt should try their best. This is kaiseki at its most authentic, right at the source.

The recipient of a Michelin star in the Michelin Guide Kyoto 2010, Okina is one of the very few restaurants in western Kyoto with a Michelin accolade. Most of Kyoto’s are concentrated in the central Kyoto area, or around the Gion geisha district.

But those who make the journey to Okina — sometimes also called Saga Okina — will find that the journey was definitely worthwhile. A family-run establishment, Okina is now run by a third-generation chef Inoue Yohei. 

Known for being especially particular about choosing his ingredients, Chef Inoue’s belief is that 70% of a dish’s flavor is determined by the freshness and quality of its individual components.

The other 30% is, of course, equally divided between his skill in crafting the dishes, the atmosphere of the restaurant, and the hospitality of his service. Chef Inoue puts a great deal of thought into the entire service experience. 

For instance, he took the opportunity during the restaurant’s renovation in 2020 to reorient the kitchen, making it such that he faces his guests the majority of the time, so they can see as much of the cooking action as possible, whether it’s charcoal grilling or filleting fish. 

The renovation also made Okina’s ceilings higher, counter wider and corridors more spacious,  without losing a single iota of intimacy in the experience. Large paneled windows let guests look into the indoor garden, or tsubo-niwa, as they tuck into seasonal delicacies like chilled somen (charmingly served in a wine glass) and grilled ayu sweetfish in summer.

Itsukichaya is another wildly popular restaurant that’s a lower-cost alternative to the likes of Okina and Kyoto Kitcho Arashiyama, meaning that you can try some traditional Kyoto cuisine without watching your bank account begging for mercy. 

Located at the tip of the Arashiyama Park Nakanoshima Area, the restaurant is instantly recognizable thanks to the kimono-clad rabbit mascot. Overlooking the Nakanoshima Bridge and gently flowing waters of the Katsura River, the seats that are the most highly in demand are clearly the riverside seats; essentially a long corridor with two parallel counters, all outward-facing to give the best view of the natural scenery. 

When the breeze is just right, especially in late spring and early summer, it’s a seat that you won’t ever want to leave. (But please do at some point; foot traffic is very high and there are always visitors looking to get in, so consideration is appreciated.)

Itsukichaya Arashiyama serves all manner of washoku Japanese cuisine and other traditional Kyoto cuisine, but the must-order at the restaurant is the five-item Kyoto bowl tasting course. As the name suggests, this is a selection of five miniature Kyoto rice bowls and assorted side dishes. 

It’s the ideal choice for those who want to try as many things as possible. Itsukichaya delivers in spades: the rice bowls can range from wagyu beef to sea bream to vegetable tempura. The exact type of dish changes seasonally, so not only are guests drawn back to Itsukichaya over and over again for the changing scenery, but also for the changing menus. 

The restaurant has also leaned hard into its popularity with overseas visitors. Staff may not speak the most fluent English, but there is bound to be familiarity with English given the volume of overseas visitors. Menus are also in English, meaning that if you’re tempted to add on to your order, don’t hesitate to do so.

Kyo-Suiran is the flagship restaurant of Suiran, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kyoto — a property of the world-renowned Marriott. 

And it certainly feels like a Marriott hotel in every way. Kyo-Suiran takes up residence in a villa called Enmeikaku, the former summer residence of Baron Kawasaki Shozo, industrial tycoon and patriarch of the Kawasaki zaibatsu. 

Built in 1899 and renovated extensively since then, the Meiji-era restaurant is full of natural wood, including exposed timber rafters, using floor-to-ceiling windows to create the illusion of a restaurant that is seamlessly connected to the outdoors, where immaculately manicured gardens complete the aesthetic. 

While like most Kyoto kaiseki restaurants, there is a heavy emphasis on traditional Kyoto cuisine, Kyo-Suiran’s menu has the occasional French touch, as evidenced by the service of marinated foie gras and European lobster with tomato concasse alongside softshell turtle stew. Course menus tend to skew more traditionally Japanese, while a la carte offerings are decidedly more western. 

For those with smaller appetites or just looking to rest their legs, Kyo-Suiran also has a cafe called Cafe Hassui, which offers lighter meals and an extremely popular afternoon tea option. It’s a little less formal, but by extension, also a little less intimidating. The view, however, is equally stunning.

Located opposite the Arashiyama Park Nakanoshima Area, Arashiyama Kumahiko sits directly outside the mouth of the iconic Togetsukyo Bridge. Like many of the other restaurants on this list, the restaurant was first made famous on an architectural level: it is located inside an extensively renovated 100-year-old house. 

It’s some of Kyoto’s most prime real estate; from the Heian period, almost 1,000 years ago, the area was popular among aristocrats as a boating and leisure spot. But in terms of cuisine, Arashiyama Kumahiko is no slouch either. 

If its full name — Arashiyama Kumahiko Tankuma Kita — sounds familiar, it’s likely because it’s a sister restaurant to Honke Tankuma Kitamise, one of Kyoto’s most famous restaurants, and a key restaurant in the Tankuma Kitamise Group. Arashiyama Kumahiko takes this legendary Kyoto-style cuisine and places it on the bank of the sparkling Katsura River, with the majestic crest of Arashiyama in the background. It’s a recipe for success.

What’s not to be missed in particular at Arashiyama Kumahiko is its local Kyoto cuisine. Only the most dedicated farmers, ranchers and fishermen are permitted to work with the Tankuma Kitamise Group, which ensures that the ingredients — the vast majority of them sourced from within Kyoto — are top-notch. Of particular note are the dishes that make use of wild game, in particular boar and duck, which Kumahiko acquires with the help of local hunters.

Take your pick from a number of different seating types, each one with its own charm. Several private rooms are available on the ground floor for more private occasions, while counter seating lets guests observe Kumahiko’s expert chefs at work up close. 

Whatever the choice, each one is immaculately decorated with elaborate ikebana flower arrangements and kakejiku wall scrolls; almost enough to transport one back to the Heian period.

For more of Kyoto’s best cuisine, browse their best Bib Gourmand restaurants, step into the world of Kyoto’s wagyu beef, explore vegan food or see a few of the best things to do in Kyoto with our 3-day itinerary.

Arashiyama is famous as a beautiful area in Kyoto, known for the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and stunning views in spring and fall.

Getting to Arashiyama from Kyoto is easy! From Kyoto Station, you can take one of three lines: the JR Sagano Line to Saga Arashiyama Station, the Hankyu Line to Arashiyama Station, or the Keifuku Randen Tram Line.

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is smaller than you may expect, but still takes at least 45 minutes to an hour to walk through if you explore its full 1.7-mile loop trail. This time may even increase during peak seasons, where the grove can become a slow shuffle through alongside other tourists.