Gion Katana

Restaurant Details

It was not a coincidence that Gion Katana found its home in one of Gion’s traditional machiya townhouses, among the cluster of under-the-radar restaurants and the labyrinth of mysterious alleyways.

Guests will immediately notice the timeless beauty of Japanese design interwoven with modern accents — plush beige sofas, hammered copper panels and a soft ambient glow that bathes the space in a near-monochromatic warm palette. This sublime harmony of tradition and contemporary touches permeates the entire setting.

At Gion Katana, the chefs embrace a primitive approach to cooking, championing charcoal grilling over modern techniques. This primal method unlocks the unique, layered flavors of each ingredient, creating dishes that are at once fresh, curious and deeply memorable.

The menu is thoughtfully drafted with the ebb and flow of seasonal produce and a desire to encourage diners to linger longer. A5-grade Japanese Black beef, the highly coveted wagyu breed, meets fiery heat over an iron mesh, absorbing the subtle smokiness of the charcoal fire. Alongside it, seasonal Kyoto vegetables Kyoto’s famous local chicken — Kyoto Akajidori — and fresh spiny lobster are charred to perfection, each bite infused with a delicate flame-kissed taste. The multicourse degustation peaks with various servings of expertly grilled chicken skewers, continuing the theme of charcoal mastery.

Drinks, of course, are just as local. Alcohols from all over Japan, as well as Kyoto sake, are recommended by their sake sommelier for a blissful evening. Just a 3-minute walk from Gion-shijo Station, people connect and gather under Gion Katana’s reverently stunning space.