7 Best Tempura Restaurants in Kyoto for Taste and Atmosphere Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Reservation Guide-

Update-Date: May 2, 2025

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

Categories: Tempura

7 Best Tempura Restaurants in Kyoto for Taste and Atmosphere

Tempura is one of the most popular Japanese dishes. Tempura is a typical Japanese dish with a range of fans, regardless of age or nationality. Here, we have selected five authentic tempura restaurants in Kyoto. If you visit Kyoto for business or sightseeing, you should definitely visit them. They will introduce you to a different world of tempura.

1. Miyagawacho Tensho

Located a six-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station, Miyagawacho Tensho is a restaurant where you can enjoy seasonal tempura kaiseki meals. The owner personally selects the most delicious ingredients from all over Japan. The menu consists of a "Tempura Course"" centered around tempura, and a ""Tempura Kaiseki" that also includes seasonal dishes. The restaurant's tempura is carefully crafted to be light and delicious.

5 Best Tempura Restaurants in Kyoto for Taste and Atmosphere

The interior is simple, with only ten seats, and features an impressive counter made from a single piece of cypress. Counter seats offer a close-up view of the food being prepared, and the tempura is served fresh, at its most delicious. The drinks selection includes premium beers, Japanese whiskeys, and rare wines and champagnes.

Miyagawacho Tensho

Open: [Monday-Saturday, National Holidays, Day Before National Holidays] Dinner 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Closed: Sunday
Average price: [Dinner] 24,200 JPY
Access: 6-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Electric Railway Keihan Main Line. It is located on the corner straight ahead from the back gate of Ebisu Shrine.
Address: 4-300-5, Miyagawa-suji, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Map
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2. Sushi Komatsu

"Located a six-minute walk from Kyoto Station, Sushi Komatsu is a sushi restaurant run by a tuna specialty store. Their signature dish is their ""Bluefin Tuna Nigiri,"" but their tempura is also highly recommended. The tempura is not served in a platter, but is fried individually, so you can enjoy it fresh. The top recommendation on the tempura menu is the ""Prawn."" This restaurant is particular about the oil they use, resulting in a fluffy texture.The restaurant has a clean, Japanese atmosphere and a relaxing space with only 13 counter seats. The seats are spaced far apart, so even if you're dining at a counter for the first time, you can relax and enjoy your meal. All seafood, except for the bluefin tuna, is sourced from the Kyoto Central Wholesale Market. This restaurant offers tempura and sushi made with the freshest, seasonal seafood, to your heart's content."

Sushi Komatsu

Open: [Sunday,Monday,Thursday - Saturday,Holidays,Day Before Holidays] 11:30 am - 9:00 pm (last order 8:30 pm)
Closed: Tuesday,Wednesday
Average price: [Dinner] 10,000 JPY / [Lunch] 10,000 JPY
Access:
Address: 573-3 Kitafudodocho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture Map

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3. Kyoboshi

Encounter tempura like no other in which techniques passed down from generation to generation shine through

A 4-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Line, Kyoboshi is tucked away on a small street in Gion. It was familiar to those in the know as a restaurant specializing in tempura for three generations, but it gained wide appeal both in Japan and abroad after it was listed in the Michelin Guide. With only 10 seats at the counter, it is a perfect setting to call a hideaway. Please enjoy the exquisite delicacies along with the joy of being invited to a special place and being embraced by the friendly smiles of the owner and his wife.

The menu consists only of a 12,000-yen set meal with 17 to 18 dishes. In addition to freshness and quality, ingredients "that would be delicious in tempura" are carefully selected according to their size, tenderness, and season. The fish are positioned like they are swimming and the beans are molded into shapes. The elaborate presentation is also a delight of the dishes. The batter is egg-free, so the fish is lightly fried, and the tempura is provided without tempura sauce. It is served with sweet and tasty salt and citrus juice.

Kyoboshi

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 8:00 pm)
Closed: Sunday
Average price: [Dinner] 15,000 JPY
Access: 384 meters from Gionshijo Station
Address: 1F, Futaba Bldg., Hanamikoji-Sueyoshicyo-Higashiiru, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Map
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4. Tominokoji Tempura Matsui

Enjoy authentic Kyoto-style tempura as a unique joy

Located a 5-minute walk from Karasuma-Oike Subway Station, this restaurant offers a tempura set meal unique to Kyoto. The warm, wooden interior with an attention-grabbing white wooden counter gives the restaurant a serious feel. At the counter, you can enjoy watching the tempura as it is fried and chat with the owner. You can also order the recommended tempura and enjoy a drink.

Delicious food and a great atmosphere. 5 tempura restaurants recommended by people from Kyoto / Kyoto

You can enjoy authentic Kyoto-style tempura at a reasonable price featuring the finest ingredients of the day, such as live prawns and fresh fish from the fish tank as well as vegetables from Kyoto. The restaurant offers a set meal that allows you to fully enjoy seasonal ingredients and skilled preparation, as well as seasonal tempura bowls and special lunches. Why not have a good time with a glass of local sake from Kyoto?

Tominokoji Tempura Matsui

Open: Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm) / Dinner 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 8,000 JPY / [Lunch] 2,000 JPY
Access: From Karasuma Oike Station, take Exit 5 and head east on Sanjo Street, then turn right at Tominokoji Street, and it's a one-minute walk.
Address: 1F, Tominokoji Mansion, 540, Asakura-cho, Sanjo-sagaru, Tominokoji, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Map

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5. Nishiki Uoriki KYOTO TOWER SANDO branch

4. Nishiki Uoriki KYOTO TOWER SANDO branch

"Located a two-minute walk from Kyoto Station, Nishiki Gyoriki Kyoto Tower Sando is a bar-style restaurant where you can enjoy the flavors of this historic restaurant. Here, you can dine on their specialty, the conger eel tempura, made with fresh conger eel. Deep-fried using a unique method, the conger eel's flavor is locked in a thick batter, resulting in a plump and exquisite dish. Other dishes available include a tempura platter and a shrimp tempura bowl.The restaurant is located in the basement of Kyoto Tower, right in front of Kyoto Station, making it an easy stop during your trip to Kyoto. While there are only three counter seats, the restaurant is located in the food court, so you can also use the eat-in area on the same floor. The main store is located in Nishiki Market, known as Kyoto's kitchen, and has been a beloved restaurant for over 100 years. Here, you can casually experience the flavors of this long-established restaurant."

Nishiki Uoriki KYOTO TOWER SANDO branch

Open: 11:30 am - 9:00 pm
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 1,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: A 2 minutes walk from the Central Exit of JR Kyoto Station. On the B1 floor of Kyoto Tower
Address: B1F, 721-1, Higashishiokoji-cho, Karasuma-dori Shichijo-sagaru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Map

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6. Kyoto Tempura Kawatatsu

Light Kyoto-style tempura in a traditional Kyoto-style room

A 15-minute walk from JR Katsuragawa Station, this well-known restaurant is located by the Katsuragawa River, a short distance from the center of Kyoto. After passing through the elegant white curtain, you find yourself in a relaxing setting with a Japanese atmosphere. All of the seating is at sunken kotatsu tables, so you can enjoy your meal without worrying about your feet. This is the perfect place to visit for entertaining clients and dinners as well as for times when you want to grow closer to others, such as banquets with close friends, family dinners, and dates.

A variety of set meals are offered, including seasonal vegetables from Kyoto and fresh seasonal seafood, served in a light Kyoto-style tempura. The beautifully arranged Shrimp Tempura features two freshly fried crispy prawns served with your choice of salt or tempura sauce. Made with Naruto Kintoki sweet potatoes from Tokushima Prefecture and deep-fried at a low temperature for about 30 minutes, the Sweet Potato Tempura is another favorite dish.

Kyoto Tempura Kawatatsu

Address: 65 Kuzekawahara-cho, Minami-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

Access: 15 minutes walk from Katsuragawa Station

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7. Tempura Shinjuku Tsunahachi Kyoto Branch

A restaurant founded in 1924 with a long-beloved taste

Tsunahachi in Kyoto is located on the 7th floor of Kyoto Takashimaya Department Store, near Hankyu Kyoto Kawaramachi Station. Founded in 1924, this long-standing restaurant has long been beloved for its reliable flavors. The calm setting with Japanese touches has counter seats that are popular among single customers as well as private rooms and booth seats where you can relax in peace and quiet. This is a place to remember where you can enjoy a meal while shopping or for casually entertaining clients or dinners.

The chef himself carefully selects ingredients at the Kyoto Central Market. Some of the seafood is purchased live and some is processed to order, ensuring freshness and deliciousness. The restaurant is particular about the oil they use to fry tempura, using their original blend of fresh pressed Taihaku sesame oil. Their original blend of oil provides both “savory” and “light” flavors and is light and easy to eat. Be sure to try their signature dishes such as Seaweed-wrapped Sea Urchin and Fried Clams.

Tempura Shinjuku Tsunahachi Kyoto Branch

Address: 7F, Kyoto Takashimaya, 52 Nishiriru Shincho, Shijo-dori Kawaramachi, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Access: 1 minute walk from Kawaramachi Station

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Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.

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