7 Best Sushi Restaurants in Kyoto

These are the best restaurants for Sushi in Kyoto

Sushi dish

When you think of food in Kyoto, you might not think of Sushi immediately. But it is very well possible that you crave for some sushi while traveling in Kyoto. Not only that, but there are many Sushi restaurants in Kyoto that serve amazing sushi!

From very affordable and easy to access restaurants to really exclusive restaurants. Here is a list of 7 of the best restaurants for Sushi in Kyoto. Hopefully, you will find one that catches your attention.

*Please note that this article contains affiliate links.


1. Sushi Matsudaya

Sushi Matsudaya entrance
© 2020 Voyagin, Inc.

Sushi Matsudaya(寿し 祇園 松田屋) is a Michelin 1-star sushi restaurant located in the Gion area.

This sushi restaurant prepares its sushi in the “Edo-mae” style and they are very particular about how they prepare their sushi. Their high-quality sushi has gained such popularity, so much that Geiko(geisha in Kyoto) and Maiko(apprentice geiko) regularly visit.

There are only 7 seats, all of which are counter seats, and the restaurant only attends 2 groups a day. This means that only 14 people can dine at Matsudaya in a day. Therefore it is very important that you make reservations well ahead of your visit.

You can make reservations from the link below!

<< Make reservations for Sushi Matsudaya, Michelin 1-Star, Kyoto>>

2. Sushi Wakon

Sushi wakon entrance
©Four Seasons Hotels Limited 1997-2020.

Sushi Wakon(鮨 和魂) is another Michelin 1-star sushi restaurant, this one located on the 3rd floor of the five-star Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto.

This is also an “Edo-mae” style restaurant and they are committed to it so much so that they air-transport their ingredients(fish) from Tsukiji.

The restaurant has 10 counter seats as well as a private room for 8 people and another one for 4 people.

To make reservations for Sushi Wakon, you can check out the following link!

<< Make reservations for Sushi Wakon Michelin 1-Star Sushi Restaurant Kyoto>>

3. Matsumoto

Matsumoto sushi dish
© 2020 Voyagin, Inc.

Matsumoto(鮨まつもと) is yet another Michelin 1-star sushi restaurant which is located just 5 minutes away from Gion-Shijo station.

This restaurant has been in business for over 10 years, and it is most famous for its sea urchin and the fatty tuna that is prepared in Tokyo’s Edo-mae style. The owner/chef trained at ”Sushi Shimizu” in Shimbashi, Tokyo, which is another highly regarded sushi restaurant.

The restaurant only has 11 seats which makes it difficult to make reservations. You can make your reservations via the following website!

<< Make reservations for Matsumoto Michelin 1-Star Sushi Restaurant in Kyoto>>

4. Tsukiji Sushisei

Sushisei interior
Copyright(c) TSUKIJISUSHISAY CO.,LTD.

If you’re looking for a more economically friendly restaurant, then Tsukiji Sushisei(築地寿司清 大丸店) is the place for you.

This sushi restaurant is located on the 1st basement floor of the Daimaru Department Store in downtown Kyoto. The restaurant in spacey having 45 seats which include 15 counter seats and 30 table seats.

It has a good balance between good quality and reasonable price, which makes it much more accessible in comparison to the other restaurants on this list.

You can make reservations for Tsukiji Sushiei from the link below!

<< Make reservations for Tsukiji Sushisei Sushi Restaurant in Kyoto!>>

5. Sushi Naritaya

Sushi Naritaya(すし 成田屋) is another relatively cheap sushi restaurant that is popular for its high-quality sushi.

Although this restaurant was just opened in 2016, it has already gained a good reputation, being highly rated on trip advisor. Their most highly praised sushi is tuna.

This sushi restaurant is located in a quiet place in the Arashiyama area. Since it is an area where people go sightseeing a lot, they are well prepared to receive foreign customers. Why not try this highly-rated sushi restaurant?

6. Sushi no Musashi Sanjo Honten

Sushi no Musashi entrance
2009-2019 (C) copyright All reserved.SUSHINOMUSASHI

Another low-cost sushi restaurant would be Sushi no Musashi Sanjo Honten(寿しのむさし 三条本店).  this sushi restaurant has been in business for over 40 years and has become a popular place among both locals and visitors.

The restaurant has over 50 different sushi ingredients and they provide the sushi at either 146 Yen or 346 Yen(per dish).

Other than the restaurant located near Kyoto Kuyakusho-mae station, there is another “Sushi no Musashi” located within Kyoto station.

7. Kaiten Sushi CHOJIRO Kyoto Avanti

Copyright (C) FOODSNET Corporation.

Kaiten Sushi CHOJIRO Kyoto Avanti (廻転寿司 CHOJIRO 京都アバンティ店) is another economically accessible sushi restaurant.

this restaurant first opened in 2011 and although there are 7 Chojiro sushi restaurants in Japan, this one, in particular, has been attracting many foreign visitors. A modern and clean interior design, easy to use touch-panel menu, and affordable prices make it popular among both locals and foreign visitors.

Since this is a Kaiten sushi restaurant, you can either order from the menu or just pick up a dish that passes by that interests you.


▽This Complete Sushi Guide introduces all about the authentic Japanese sushi▽

I hope you enjoyed this list! Here are more ideas for good food in Kyoto!

Written by

Born and raised in Costa Rica, I started living in Tokyo from college. I love traveling within Japan & around the world. Since I wasn’t born in Japan, I know the cultural impact that you can get when visiting Japan for the first time and what you might be worried about before your trip. And I’ve lived long enough to somewhat understand the nuances of the Japanese culture that make this country such an attractive place to visit. Hopefully I can provide to you both the information you’re looking for and the information you didn’t know you needed to know.