Enjoy Best Sushi Found Only in Gion, Kyoto Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Reservation Guide-

Update-Date: Jun 11, 2025

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

Enjoy Best Sushi Found Only in Gion, Kyoto

Below are some sushi restaurants in Gion, where geisha and their apprentices can be spotted strolling by. Why not enjoy sushi with that special someone in a place full of Japanese atmosphere? You'll get to experience the quiet among the alleys, cleansed with sprinkles of water, while relaxing and watching time go by.

1. Sushi Gion Matsudaya

This place has regulars that come all the way from Tokyo, the home of Edo-mae sushi! It's one of those places that has to be introduced to sushi connoisseurs. Sophisticated people are sure to be impressed by its location in Gion, Kyoto.

Sushi Gion Matsudaya

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday]
Dinner 6:00 pm - 00:00 am (L.O. 10:00 pm)
[Sunday, National Holidays]
Dinner 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 8:30 pm)
[Sunday]
Lunch 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm (L.O. 1:30 pm) Need to reserve the day before for lunch
Closed: Monday
Irregular (once a month)
Average price: [Dinner] 20,000 JPY / [Lunch] 15,000 JPY
Access: From the station, walk on Shijo Street towards Yasaka Shrine (Gion) and turn right onto Hanamikoji Street. Head towards Kennin Temple, and then turn right at the 1st street. It is to your left at the end of the street.
Address: 570-123, Gion-machi Minami-gawa, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
More Details

2. Gion Sato

Gion Sato is a sushi kappo restaurant located a seven-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station. Here, you'll enjoy a la carte dishes made with seasonal ingredients, followed by sushi to finish off your meal. Only course meals are available at lunchtime, while in the evening both course meals and à la carte options are available. Mackerel sushi is a particularly popular sushi among the six to seven pieces of sushi included in the evening course. You can savor the delicious flavor of fatty mackerel. The restaurant is housed in a renovated 150-year-old townhouse, creating a traditional Kyoto-style space. There is counter seating facing the open kitchen on the first floor, and spacious tables with seating for eight and six on the second floor. This is a place where you can spend a relaxing time.

Gion Sato

Open: [Opening hours] 17:00 - 23:30
Closed: Monday
Average price: [Dinner] 15,000 JPY / [Lunch] 6,000 JPY
Access: About a 7-minute walk from Keihan Line, Gion-Shijo station.
Address: 570-118 Minamigawa Gionmachi , Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Map

More Details Reservation

3. Kyoto/Gion Hikohachi

Located a 10-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station, Kyo Gion Hikohachi is a Japanese restaurant that uses carefully selected seasonal ingredients. The owner himself visits Kyoto's markets, where fresh fish is gathered from all over the country, and mainly purchases wild caught fish. In addition to sushi dishes such as "Hikohachi Jogi Nigiri," the restaurant offers a wide variety of a la carte dishes that go well with alcohol. We also recommend the "Omakase Kaiseki" course, as well as course meals featuring conger eel in the summer and crab and pufferfish in the winter. Seating options include counter and table seating, as well as private rooms with sunken kotatsu tables that can accommodate 7-8 people. Despite being located in Gion, the restaurant's homey atmosphere attracts many local regulars.

Kyoto/Gion Hikohachi

Open: [Sunday,Tuesday - Saturday,Holidays,Day Before Holidays] Dinner 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm (last order 9:00 pm) / Lunch 11:45 am - 2:00 pm (last order 1:45 pm)
Closed: Monday
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,500 JPY
Access:
Address: 44-16 Bishamoncho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture Map

More Details Reservation

4. Sushi Matsumoto

Located a five-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station, Sushi Matsumoto is an authentic sushi restaurant that makes no compromises. The owner carefully selects and purchases ingredients daily, with the goal of "offering the best possible sushi that day." The menu consists of only two courses: "Omakase Nigiri" and "Appetizers and Nigiri." The owner meticulously prepares seasonal ingredients into the finest nigiri sushi, using techniques such as boiling and searing. The "Omakase Nigiri" course allows you to savor around 17 pieces of sushi, each made using a different technique. The interior of the restaurant is filled with the warmth and cleanliness of wood. You can enjoy authentic sushi at the beautiful wooden counter seats.

Sushi Matsumoto

Open: Lunch (Monday, Thursday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays) 12:00 am - 2:00 pm (L.O. 1:30 pm) / Dinner 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm (L.O. 8:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 20,000 JPY / [Lunch] 9,000 JPY
Access: 5 minutes walk from Gionshijo Station on Keihan Main Line
Address: 570-123, Gionmachi-Minamigawa, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Map

More Details

5. Gion Nishikawa

Like you would for a tea garden, to enter the restaurant, you have to go through a central gate from the alley. With each step, the quiet grows even deeper. The counter, made from solid hinoki (cypress), has a clean and refreshing feel to it. From the zashiki (tatami mat area with sunken kotatsu seating), you can take in views of the fantastic courtyard. There is also a waiting area for customers.

Gion Nishikawa

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, National Holidays, Day before National Holiday]
Lunch 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm *Please come at 12:00 pm.
Dinner 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm (L.O. 8:00 pm) *Food is served at the customer's pace.
Closed: Sunday
Monday noon (following day if Sunday is a national holiday)"
Average price: [Dinner] 20,000 JPY / [Lunch] 5,000 JPY - 6,000 JPY
Access: 7-minute walk from Higashiyama Yasui bus stop on the Kyoto City Bus. Enter Kodai-ji Minamimon Street from Higashi-Oji and turn north at Shimokawaracho Street. From there, go 50m to an alley on the right. You'll find the restaurant at the end of the temple alley.
Address: 473, Shimokawara-cho, Yasaka Torii-mae-sagaru, Shimokawaracho-dori, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
More Details

6. Gion Wasabi

Enjoy a special dinner at Gion Wasabi, which has a calm, modern Japanese interior. Here, you can savor reasonably priced dishes made with Kyo-yasai vegetables and seafood procured directly from the sea. Treat yourself to outstanding foods in extraordinary Gion! Have a relaxing time at this restaurant, which has the ambiance of a Kyo-machiya home.

Gion Wasabi

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday]
5:30 pm - 4:00 am (L.O. 3:00 am)
[Sunday, National Holidays]
5:30 pm - 00:00 am (L.O. 11:00 pm)
If Monday is a national holiday, it will open on Sunday and close on Monday.
Closed: Sunday
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY
Access: Hitosujime Tohoku-kado, Hitosujime Tominaga-cho Higashi-iru, Nawate-dori Shijo-agaru
Address: Hitosujime Tohoku-kado, Hitosujime Tominaga-cho Higashi-iru, Nawate-dori Shijo-agaru, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
More Details

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.