Kyoto’s World of Wagyu: 9 Best Wagyu Restaurants and Steakhouses in Kyoto

Kyoto is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Japan. Of course, as the ancient capital for over 1,000 years, many innovations and traditions cultivated in this beautiful cultural hub. 

Best known for professional geisha experiences in Gion’s geisha district, immaculate shrines and temples, tea ceremonies and the famous Gion Matsuri, Kyoto is a must-visit spot for first-time visitors. 

Kyoto also has some of the best authentic Japanese food, but with so many delicious options what should you try first? We recommend the most popular beef on the market: Japanese wagyu beef! 

As you’ll soon see if you watch our Kobe beef video with Shizuka, wagyu beef is Japan’s most premium meat known around the world. It’s a rich and fatty cut of beef that is easily recognized by its mesmerizing white and crimson marbling. While Kyoto isn’t the birthplace of wagyu, it has made a name for itself thanks to its abundance of wagyu yakiniku spots and steakhouses.

Being an archipelago country, meat was not a staple of the Japanese diet like fresh seafood. However, after the Meiji Restoration, when Western influence began to take hold, so did the popularity of eating meat, and even a centuries-old meat ban was lifted.

Wagyu, which literally means "Japanese beef," is one of Japan's most prized culinary treasures. Unlike normal cuts of beef, the texture of wagyu beef is finer with a rich fattiness that melts in the mouth. Wagyu cattle, initially bred in Kobe, are cared for and fed the best diets to ensure the highest quality meat on the market. Graded on a 1-5 scale, the most coveted type is A5 wagyu. 

Today, A5-grade wagyu can be found throughout Japan. Want to try the best wagyu in Kyoto? Here are nine wagyu restaurants and experiences you must try during your trip!

Find out more: What is Wagyu Beef?

Exclusive to ZIPAIR passengers flying from Narita airport to US or Singapore destinations, you can order hand-selected A5-grade wagyu beef from Japan without any of the usual paperwork and declarations.

ZIPAIR will make sure your chosen wagyu beef is waiting for you at Narita airport when you arrive, ready to present your gourmet parcel at check-in so you can confirm its quality and freshness firsthand before boarding your flight.

When you arrive at your destination, simply collect your tantalizing souvenir alongside your luggage.

Order your A5-grade wagyu beef.

Offering an exclusive glimpse into the lesser-known Kyoto style of yakiniku (grilled meat) — in which the everyday yakiniku sauces are exchanged for a thinner, lighter sauce that resembles a dashi stock — Tendan Gion is the place to be, featuring a carefully curated selection of wagyu beef course menus, complete with enviable views over the stunning architecture of Kyoto’s historic Gion district.

The hard part is deciding which kind of wagyu beef experience you fancy tonight. Will you embrace the summer-exclusive nomihoudai all-you-can-drink option, treating you to 100 blissful minutes of unlimited drinks — the refreshing Asahi Super Dry included — alongside a variety of premium beef cuts?

Or are you leaning towards an omakase chef’s choice option, crafting an element of surprise as the chef creates your menu based on the season’s freshest ingredients? No matter which you choose, you’ll soon get to experience the melt-in-your-mouth luxury that is kuroge wagyu black beef; once more, with a chilled glass of Asahi Super Dry in your hand. 

Experience elite wagyu beef at Tendan Gion in Kyoto.

Not far from the Kamo River and Kyoto National Museum is Nikukappo Futago, a traditional Japanese kaiseki (multi-course meal) restaurant. Accessible through the first floor of the Junei Hotel, immerse yourself in this full-sensory dining experience. The restaurant matches the bamboo and moon theme with elegant interiors.

A refined addition to the city’s dining scene, the restaurant embodies the ideal of "iki," which translates to "breath" or "will.” Offering luxurious, seasonal wagyu dishes inspired by Japan's four seasons, guests can enjoy a moon-themed wagyu kaiseki meal, complete with a wagyu knuckle appetizer, grilled fish, broth-based courses, wagyu shabu-shabu hot pot and a seasonal dessert. 

All are perfectly paired with expertly chosen Japanese sake, providing a truly immersive and seasonal dining experience.

Book a traditional waygu kaiseki dinner in Kyoto.

Indulge in a feast of high-quality wagyu teppanyaki in the heart of Kyoto's historic Gion district at Nikunotakumi Miyoshi. Specializing in the finest cuts of Japanese beef, this establishment caters to meat lovers who crave a unique selection of wagyu. 

The course-only menu changes monthly, aligning with the seasons to ensure the freshest meats and vegetables are served. The restaurant features Japan’s highest-grade beef varieties, including Omi, Mita, Kobe and Matsuzaka, maintaining an unwavering commitment to quality.

The cuisine is a blend of tradition and innovation. Guests can savor innovative dishes like vegetables fried in beef tallow, kelp-marinated beef tongue, and unique meat-based soups, alongside traditional favorites. For the main steak course, diners can choose from five different cuts of beef, tailored to their preference, offering a personalized and unforgettable dining experience.

Book your tailored teppanyaki wagyu experience in the Gion District!

Discover the exquisite flavor of wagyu beef expertly prepared from pasture to plate at Kuishinbo Yamanaka in Kyoto.

Wagyu beef quality is extremely important and the chef here insists that the farms he works with maintain the highest standards of health and nutrition for their cows, raising them far longer than average. This dedication results in a deep, rustic red color in all the Omi beef served, a true indicator of prime quality.

Such a commitment to excellence draws steak enthusiasts from across the country. Guests enjoy dishes such as beef cutlet, the signature consommé soup, Hamburg steak and, of course, a superb wagyu steak.

Book luxury-grade teppanyaki wagyu steak in Kyoto!

Near the famous Kyoto Gyoen National Gardens and Nijo Castle is Matsusakagyu WHAT'S, an 80-year-old renovated machiya featuring private rooms, including traditional Japanese-style rooms for use. 

The restaurant only sources beef directly from a contracted farm known as Matsusaka Beef Village Ocean Farm, and prepares everything in its own butcher shop, always ensuring top quality and consistency. 

Escape the hustle and bustle and savor the finest Matsusakagyu in this historic and serene setting, including a six-piece set of Matsusaka beef sushi or stone-grilled garlic rice topped with fried Matsusakagyu.

Steak Misono Kyoto is a renowned Teppanyaki steak restaurant, just a 5-minute walk from Kawaramachi Station. Located on the 5th floor, it offers stunning views and a private dining atmosphere. 

Known for its exquisite Kobe and kuroge (Japanese black cow) wagyu beef, Steak Misono's dishes are expertly grilled by chef Yoshimoto Noboru. The restaurant's elegant design, inspired by the Taisho Roman style, creates a calming ambiance with Japanese-inspired counters and geometric table designs. 

Enjoy a serene meal while overlooking the historical streets of Kyoto, frequented by celebrities and cultural figures like kabuki actors and maiko, geisha in training.

Nikuryori Yama is for those who only want the most exclusive wagyu dining experience. With no signs or a phone number, it’s marked only by a blue noren curtain. This intimate restaurant offers just six counter-seats and a small table for four, providing a cozy dining experience. 

The omakase chef’s choice course features the highest-quality Japanese black beef, with dishes ranging from beef tail gyoza and beef somen noodles to Korean-style yukke tartare. 

Guests enjoy personalized service and engaging conversation with the chef, who tailors the pace and presentation of each dish to perfection. Every bite contains the perfect amount of marbling — the meat just melts in your mouth.

Premium Kyoto wagyu beef and sushi mix at this new specialty store in Fushimi Inari OICY Village. Halal Kobe Beef Sushi Roll is run by a 63-year-old rice mill and a halal Kobe beef producer, offering exquisite dishes like the Kobe Wagyu Beef Seared Salmon Roll, wagyu steak, roast beef, yakiniku and sukiyaki. 

Enjoy dining in or opt for convenient take-out, including sushi burrito-style rolls that are perfect for eating with one hand. Plus, it’s only a three-minute walk from the red torii gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine. Steak and a shrine — does it get any better?

Savor a melt-in-your-mouth wagyu beef meal with drinks and side dishes at a local Kyoto yakiniku restaurant. Enjoy an assortment of expertly grilled beef cuts, a main course featuring several wagyu varieties, and sides like kimchi and namul (seasoned, edible leaves).

Your local expert will guide you in grilling techniques and share local insights during this private dining experience. After you get your fill of buttery-rich wagyu beef, enjoy a 30-minute night-time stroll through Gion, Yanaka or Pontocho, concluding with a delightful dessert.

Book a private wagyu yakiniku experience and Kyoto walking tour!

Kyoto's wagyu beef restaurants offer more than just a delicious one-of-a-kind meal, they provide an immersive cultural experience. Whether you're a seasoned foodie or a curious traveler, dining at one of Kyoto’s premium wagyu spots is a journey into Japan's culinary artistry.  

From learning how to grill A5 wagyu beef yakiniku to personalized wagyu omakase, each bite of wagyu beef tells a story of tradition and innovation. As you explore Kyoto's vibrant streets and historical sites, the unforgettable taste of premium wagyu, paired with the warmth of local hospitality, will undoubtedly be a highlight of your visit.

If it’s your first time in Kyoto, take this 3-day itinerary to find the best spots to visit, book an exclusive private food tour, and discover must-eat dishes while in Kyoto.

Wagyu beef, literally meaning “Japanese beef,” is bred and sold across Japan. Kyoto’s neighboring prefecture, Hyogo (known for Kobe beef), is the birthplace of the wagyu beef we know today.

Kyoto has an abundance of A5 wagyu-serving restaurants. Everything from yakiniku to intimate steakhouses serve this delicious delicacy. 

There are multiple factors to consider when reviewing wagyu prices — location, the grade of meat and the specific cut. If you want the absolute highest quality of meat available, look for A5 wagyu; it may come with higher cost, but it also comes with a flavor you won’t forget.

Where you choose to dine can also make a difference in the overall price. Do you want a Michelin experience or are you in the mood for a more relaxed teppanyaki-style dinner? Use our restaurant and experience search to find the best wagyu in Kyoto for your budget.#

Wagyu beef is sold at a higher price than non-wagyu beef due to the animals’ high level of care and attention. Wagyu cattle are also more mature, meaning they had a longer time to develop than other cattle.

This meticulous rearing process of Japanese cows is thought to affect the quality of meat, resulting in better marbling and a more equal distribution of fat to meat. Giving the meat that “melt-in-your-mouth” taste and feel that meat lovers obsess over. It’s definitely worth splurging!

Wagyu is considered a luxury gourmet meat everywhere it's sold. Both in Japan and in other wagyu-serving countries. 

Wagyu in countries such as the US and Australia have different grading systems than Japan and tend to be a mixed breed of wagyu rather than purebred Japanese wagyu cows. This will affect the price overall.

Kyoto was the ancient capital of Japan for over 1,000 years. This led to a lot of cultural innovations and traditions. To this day, artisans and masters of the traditional arts still work on refining their skills in this city. 

Kyoto is also the heart and soul of geisha culture, Japanese tea ceremony and traditional architecture seen in its many shrines and machiya-style buildings.