Kyoto is one of the largest cities in Japan, and that means you have plenty of options when it comes to restaurants. Since Japan is famous for its sushi, it only makes sense that most tourists do their best to try to stop by sushi shops while they visit Kyoto.
You really can’t go wrong with any sushi shop in Kyoto. However, some are way better than others. If you want to try the best sushi restaurants in Kyoto, you will need to know where to go. Thankfully, we did the hard work for you and found out which venues locals simply can’t resist.
Oh, and we did our best to categorize them, too.
Before we get started, there’s some good news and some bad news here. The good news is that many of the highest-rated sushi restaurants are fairly affordable. The bad news is that you are probably going to have to stick to the city’s center, Gion, or other equally “hot” areas to find them.
If you were hoping for a quiet night out, going to a sushi restaurant is a great option. The restaurants below are regularly cited as the best sushi restaurants in Kyoto, but why stop there?
Many travelers simply ask locals at their hotel where their favorite sushi spot nearby happens to be. It’s a good method to find hidden gems in the city. Also if you’re looking for more than sushi, read our article about the best restaurants in Kyoto.
4 Best Affordable Sushi Restaurants In Kyoto
Great question! Believe it or not, you don’t have to pay an arm and a leg for great sushi. In fact, some of the most highly-esteemed restaurants are fairly affordable. These are our top picks.
Sushi no Musashi (Kyoto Station)
Are you in the mood for a sushi stop while you’re shopping or on the go? Not a problem. Sushi no Musashi is one of the most popular go-to restaurants in the Kyoto Station area. The seafood here features a wide range of fresh fish, lovingly prepared by sushi chefs.
Unlike most sushi restaurants in the area, Sushi no Musashi manages to combine a great selection of fish, an affordable price tag, and a convenient location. Fans of kaiten sushi (also known as conveyor belt sushi) will be thrilled to know you can start pulling plates as soon as you grab a seat.
Hiyoko Sushi (City Center)
Hiyoko Sushi is a bit of an anomaly as far as Kyoto sushi restaurants go. This isn’t just one of the best sushi restaurants in Kyoto; it’s also a well-regarded omakase restaurant too. In other words, the chef picks your order—not you.
Omakase is a popular Japanese serving tradition that starts off with a quick discussion with the chef. The chef learns your wants and needs, then prepares a custom-made dish specifically tailored to your cravings. You can choose from nigiri sushi, or a single large dish.
Not feeling omakase? Not a problem. This venue also has a menu that you can pick from.
Gion Ichiho (Gion)
Gion is the “geisha district” of Kyoto, which is why tourists adore this region. After all, who doesn’t adore the classic look of a geiko or a maiko in her face paint? Gion Ichiho is an internationally celebrated, surprisingly affordable sushi restaurant that goes beyond typical rolls.
Traditional foods from Kyoto grace the menu alongside unique takes on sushi, sake, and more. This venue offers set menus that include unique takes like canape sushi and more. Gion Ichiho is a perfect place for a diet-friendly meal, and the sushi chefs will go the extra mile to prove it.
If you can, snap a photo of the food you get from here. It’s Instagram-worthy and your friends back home will be jealous.
Sushi Miki (Nakagyo)
At first glance, it may be hard to believe that you can get masterfully prepared sushi at a budget price, but at Sushi Miki, that’s the norm. This omakase sushi restaurant features fresh fish brought in straight from the market prepped by chefs who truly adore the art of sushi preparation.
Unlike other sushi restaurants of its caliber, Sushi Miki offers you the option of being able to do a walk-in. As long as there are seats available, you might be able to snag an omakase lunch for under $30. Incredible? Oh, my, yes!
6 Best Luxury Sushi Restaurants In Kyoto
Are you ready to turn up the dial on great sushi? Kyoto is a city where you can get the best Japan has to offer…provided that you’re willing to pay for it.
Kaiten Sushi Ginza Onodera Kyoto (Shimogyo)
There is something unbelievably fun about kaiten (conveyor belt) sushi. Perhaps it’s the edomae-style sushi that makes peoples’ mouths water. Or, maybe it’s the gorgeous presentation via a conveyor belt and the sheer variety of choices you get to experience here. Perhaps it’s both.
Whatever it is, Kaiten Sushi Ginza Onodera Kyoto is one of the most popular sushi restaurants in Kyoto. If you ask local foodies, you might even hear them say it’s the best sushi restaurant in Kyoto, too.
Sushi Matsumoto (Gion)
Are you in the mood for upscale sushi in the heart of Kyoto’s Geisha District? Look no further than Sushi Matsumoto, one of the highest-rated sushi restaurants in Japan. This is not your typical sushi restaurant.
The owner has been carefully crafting his practice of making edomae sushi for decades. In 2005, he opened up his restaurant in hopes of bringing this elegant culinary art to the world. It’s still open, and it still features the fresh fish and beautifully seasoned rice people adore.
Sushi Giom Matsudaya (Gion)
In a lot of ways, Sushi Matsumoto and Sushi Giom Matsuyada are very similar. They are both famous for having some of the best sushi chefs in Kyoto. They also are famous for their edomae sushi—a sushi style that dates all the way back to Japane’s Edo period.
Giom Matsuyada is seriously focused on freshness. All the fish comes from one of two markets: Nishiki Market or Toyosu Market. Because the chefs insist on using only the freshest catch, there is no set menu here. It’s all about seasonal fare and finding the best of the best.
Their work with seafood hasn’t gone unnoticed. It was awarded a star on the world-renowned gourmet guide Kyoto-Osaka in 2022. There are only seven counter seats at this restaurant, so make sure that you reserve seats ahead of time.
Kyoto Saeki (Kyoto)
Chef Hiroshi Saeki is a name that’s inextricable with sushi in Japan. Prior to opening up Kyoto Saeki, Chef Saeki owned one of the most popular sushi restaurants in Tokyo. His Tokyo venueu was nearly impossible to book due to sheer demand, and now, Kyoto Saeki is seeing that same level of success.
Saeki is a firm believer in the power of rice. He seasons his sushi rice with akazu red vinegar—a rare type of seasoning vinegar used by the most elite chefs in Kyoto. The rice is so well-seasoned, you won’t ever need soy sauce or wasabi to feel the flavor.
With that said, both lunch and dinner at Kyoto Saeki will cost a pretty penny. Meals at this restaurant start at 31,000 yen. (That’s roughly $200 per person for a lunch setting.) While the meals may be pricey, it’s safe to say it’s worth every penny…erm, yen.
Nijo Kizuki (Kyoto City Hall)
Nijo Kizuki is another excellent shop for sushi in Kyoto, especially if you’re searching for good nigiri. Its stylish, modern-yet-traditional interior lets you know that you’re in the right place. Guests can choose from sitting with friends at a table, or counter seating.
This venue features a menu that features multi-course meals, complete with different numbers of sushi and sashimi. Tourists love the wide variety of fish, while locals love the friendly and intimate setting.
Gion Sato (Gion-shijo)
It’s hard to ignore the allure of old world Kyoto, and that’s something that Gion Sato channels beautifully. Held in a former merchant house dating back 150 years, Gion Sato blends history with flavor in the Gion district.
Seasonal ingredients are the focus of this restaurant, as well as mackerel sushi. No matter what you choose to eat here, you’ll be thrilled to hear that it’ll be incredible. Of course, that’s to be expected. Gion Sato is one of the most expensive sushi restaurants in Kyoto.
Rumor has it that the mackerel sushi can bring good luck during festivals, so make sure to chow down!