Best Izakayas in Kyoto

What’s the Difference between Bars and Izakaya?

There are mainly two differences. First, they sell different alcohols. Bars sell Western alcohols like cocktails, whiskey, and schnapps, while Izakaya usually provides Japanese alcohols like sake, umeshu, and beer.Second, unlike bar 588 s, Izakayas are more like restaurants now. Apart from drinking alcohol, locals would come with friends or colleagues to have meals after work. With delicious food and cool beer, Izakaya has always been a good place to relax after work.

Izakayas

You may change your impression about Japanese characteristics after coming to Izakaya. With the stress-free atmosphere in Izakaya, serious and quiet Japanese on common days would become chattier and more extroverted.Like western bars, Izakaya is another way for Japanese people to relax. If the emphasis of bar is various drinks, then Izakaya’s emphasis must be delicious Japanese dishes and lively atmosphere. Apart from dishes, the other indispensable thing in Izakaya is beer.

See more: Best Bars in Kyoto

5 Best Izakayas in Kyoto

1. Shinme – Most ancient Izakaya in Kyoto

Budget: 8,000 yen – 10,000 yen
Location: 38 Tamayacho, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto
How to get there: Take Kyoto City Bus 201, get off at Senbon Nakadachiuri bus stop, and then you can get there by walking for 1 minute.
Opening hours: 
  17:00 p.m. – 21:30 p.m. from Monday to Saturday
  Closed on Sunday
Unmissable dishes: 
This most ancient Izakaya in Kyoto was opened in 1934 and it provides authentic Japanese dishes including tempura and Saba Sushi, as well as various seafood like Hokkaido scallops, mussels, and abalone.

Shinme

Hitomebore Kyoto

2. Hitomebore Kyoto

Budget: 1,000 – 2,000 yen for a quick meal; 3,000 – 4,000 yen for dinner
Location: Shijocho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto City 
How to get there: Take Hankyu Railway, get off at Kyoto Kawaramachi Station, and then you can walk there in 1 minute.
Opening hours: 
  17:00 p.m. – 23:30 p.m. from Monday to Thursday
  17:00 p.m. – 24:00 a.m. on Friday
  12:00 p.m. – 24:00 a.m. on Saturday
  12:00 p.m. – 23:30 p.m. on Sunday
Unmissable appetizer: salt-boiled edamame, tofu, and assorted pickles
These appetizers are just a part of this Izakaya’s menu, it also provides various salads, sashimi, and desserts.

3. Kyogoku Stand – Cheap Izakaya

Budget: 1,000 – 2,000 yen for a quick meal; 2,000 – 3,000 yen for dinner
Location: Nakanocho 546, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto
How to get there: Take Hankyu Railway, get off at Kyoto Kawaramachi Station, and then you can walk there in 2 minutes.
Opening hours: 
  12:00 p.m. – 21:15 p.m. every day except for Tuesday
  Closed for Tuesday
Kyogoku Stand is also an Izakaya enjoying high reputation among local people. Compared with other Izakayas, Kyogoku Stand is featured by cheap but delicious food. Most dishes are sold under 1,000 yen. Here you can taste ramen, oden, Omelet Curry, and so on. 

Kyogoku Stand

Tsujiya Kyotoekimaeten

4. Tsujiya Kyotoekimaeten – Barbeque Izakaya

Budget: 3,000 – 4,000 yen
Location: 570―3 Kitafudodocho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto
How to get there: Take Kyoto City Bus 206/208/6/9/29, get off at Shimogyoku Sogochosha-mae bus stop, and then you can walk there in 2 minutes.
Opening hours: 17:00 p.m. – 23:30 p.m. every day
Must-order: Assortment of 3 types of Kyo selection red chicken, Three servings of chicken sashimi

5. Kushiyaki Manten Kyoto Shijo Karasuma Ten

Budget: 3,000 – 4,000 yen
Location: 664-12 Bantoyacho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto
How to get there: Take Kyoto Subway’s Karasuma Line, get off at Shijo Station, and walk for 4 minutes to get there.
Opening hours: 
  17:00 – 23:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday
  16:00 p.m. – 23:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays
Must-order: Grilled meat sushi