Recommended places to rent a kimono and eat around Gion, Kyoto!
If you’re traveling to Kyoto, you should definitely rent a kimono and take a stroll.
In Kyoto, kimonos look good everywhere, but if you’ve rented one, why not extend your walk to Gion, known as the geisha district?
Around Gion, there are not only places where kimonos shine but also plenty of delicious restaurants.
Here, we’ll introduce you to three recommended spots for food tasting, divided into three areas. You can choose just one, but why not try to conquer them all since you’re already here?
For sightseeing routes other than food tasting, please check here: 10 Kyoto Sightseeing Routes After Renting a Kimono!
Things to Keep in Mind When Renting a Kimono in Kyoto for Food Tasting
Some rental kimono shops may have compensation fees in case you accidentally stain the kimono, so be sure to take care and avoid staining it.
Also, please be aware that wearing a kimono may make your waist area feel tighter than usual, so it’s important to be mindful of your health and not overeat.
While visiting various shops is enjoyable, make sure to be mindful of your walking to prevent your carefully dressed kimono from becoming disheveled.
If you are concerned about walking in a kimono, you can also read this article:
＞Walking Tips to Avoid Kimono Dishevelment When Renting Kimono for Kyoto Sightseeing
Wearing Kimono and Tasting Food around Yasaka Shrine, Gion’s Symbol
Yasaka Shrine, which is considered one of Japan’s three major festivals, is the stage for the Gion Matsuri.
Locals refer to it as “Gion-san,” and it’s the symbol of Gion.
This Gion area is where you’ll find the highest concentration of kimono rental shops in Kyoto.
Pass through the vibrant red-painted main gate in your kimono, and you’ll feel like a maiko (apprentice geisha).
Within the shrine grounds or its vicinity, you’ll find a collection of must-visit food stalls.
While paying your respects, be sure to make a stop.
Nijoen Chaya
Nijoen Chaya, located within a 3-minute walk from Rikawafuku Kimono Rental Gion Store inside the torii gate of Yasaka Shrine, is known for its specialty, “Tanzaku Tofu.”
Believe it or not, its history dates back 480 years! The combination of their special miso and soft tofu has been cherished for centuries.
Since you can enjoy both the timeless scenery and flavors, it’s a must-visit place when you’re visiting Yasaka Shrine in a kimono.
Additionally, they have a variety of sweets like anmitsu and oshiruko, so it’s recommended to stop by for a break when you get tired from sightseeing.
Kyoto Western Confectionery Juvanser Gion Branch
Before visiting Yasaka Shrine in Gion, how about some sweets? This shop offers exquisite sweets made by combining Japanese ingredients with Western confectionery.
The “Gion Fondue,” a luxurious dessert where you dip seasonal fruits, dango (rice dumplings), and pound cake into matcha chocolate sauce, is exclusive to the Gion branch and can’t be found anywhere else.
The slightly warm chocolate sauce adds a delightful touch, and you’ll find yourself enjoying it more than you expected.
They also offer the “Zekkai Sambai Set,” featuring three of Juvanser’s signature baked goods: “Taketori Monogatari” with the flavors of Japanese chestnuts and black beans, “Shokora Kokon” with rich chocolate cake, and “Midoriichifuku” with the aroma of Uji matcha.
Kyoto Curry Udon Ajimika
Established in 1969, this is a popular curry udon specialty shop in Kyoto. They serve udon with a unique curry powder blended with 11 types of spices in a broth made from bonito and kelp.
The umami from the broth and the richness and spiciness of the curry powder blend together, creating an exquisite balance.
You can choose the type, thickness, and spiciness of the noodles, so if you want to savor Kyoto’s udon, this is a must-visit place.
Wearing Kimono and Tasting Food around Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, the head shrine of the 30,000 Inari
Gion, known as the geisha district, is actually a fierce battleground for sweets. Each place uses carefully selected Japanese ingredients, making it difficult to choose the best.
Since it’s hard to pick just one, it’s recommended to go with a group and taste a variety of them.
If you rent a kimono in Gion and extend your walk a bit, you’ll enter the Kiyomizu area.
Along the streets of Kiyomizu, such as Kiyomizu-zaka, Sannenzaka, and Ninenzaka, you’ll find rows of traditional Kyoto townhouses (machiya).
While souvenir shops may catch your eye, they also offer a range of Kyoto cuisine, sweets, and cafes, making it perfect for food tasting.
Similarly, Kawaramachi is a great place for food tasting.
Kawaramachi Street features casual eateries, while Ura-Teramachi Street is dotted with more common restaurants, and Shijo Street is home to Kyoto’s long-established establishments. Each street has its unique atmosphere.
As a result, you can enjoy various Kyoto gourmet experiences just within the Kawaramachi area.
Kawaramachi is only a 5-minute walk from the Gion area, and it takes about 10 minutes on foot to reach Yasaka Shrine.
Saryo Tsujiri Main Store
The long lines have become a signature of Gion. One of the top recommendations from this highly popular shop is the “Special Tsujiri Parfait.”
Inside this towering 25cm parfait, you’ll find a mix of Tsujiri’s specialties, including matcha ice cream, matcha castella cake, matcha jelly, and more. The matcha used is of the highest quality from Uji.
Furthermore, this shop offers custom-made parfaits and dishes featuring matcha, such as udon and soba, providing a wide variety of options for your dining pleasure.
Gion Kinana
This shop is famous for “Kinana,” an ice cream made at their in-house workshop using ground soybeans (kinako). Kinana is renowned for its smooth texture and refreshing, mildly sweet taste, made without eggs.
They also serve delightful parfaits featuring Kinana ice cream. Their “Kinana Habon” parfait, topped with three types of Kinana, warabi mochi, sweet red bean paste, and Yatsuhashi, is luxurious yet light and immensely popular.
Additionally, they offer sweets like the “Berry Berry Kinana” parfait, which features three types of Kinana, berries, and shiratama (rice flour dumplings) on top of yogurt.
Gion Komori
This charming establishment is located in a fantastic setting overlooking Gion Shirakawa, providing a view of swaying willow trees and a taste of Kyoto’s traditional atmosphere. Of course, they also offer sweets.
Their specialty is the “Warabi Mochi Parfait.” The layers of matcha jelly, sweet red bean paste, warabi mochi, and matcha ice cream neatly stacked inside a glass are so artistically arranged that you can’t resist taking a snapshot.
With its beautifully layered structure, every bite offers a variety of textures to enjoy. This subtly sweet matcha dessert adds a touch of sophistication to your Kyoto experience.
Gion Manya
If you’re looking for something other than sweets and want to enjoy a delicious meal, how about some udon? Manya is a shop that has been serving customers for over 20 years in the geisha district.
Their signature dish is the “Negi Udon,” generously featuring 7-8 fresh Kyoto negi (green onions). With the use of fresh negi, you can savor their crisp texture and the natural sweetness of negi to the fullest.
Furthermore, the bonito and kelp dashi broth is light and never gets tiresome no matter how much you eat. This is a recommended shop for those who want to enjoy plenty of Kyoto vegetables.
Fumino Suke Chaya – Kiyomizu Store
Located near Yasaka Pagoda, this confectionery shop was established in the late Meiji period.
Their specialty “Warabimochi” has a melting texture, a fragrant aroma of roasted soybean flour (kinako), and a subtle hint of cinnamon (nikki) flavor that blend exquisitely, creating a unique flavor you can only experience here.
As an accompaniment to the warabimochi, they also offer green tea with adjustable sweetness, making it a great pairing.
In addition to warabimochi, they have a variety of sweets like anmitsu, zenzai, and parfaits that will surely catch your eye.
Tenno
Tenpura restaurant operated by Tawaraya, a famous traditional inn in Kyoto.
When you think of delicious Japanese cuisine, tempura might come to mind for many. Tenno doesn’t disappoint in that regard. Its secret to deliciousness lies in its commitment to using high-quality ingredients.
They source pesticide-free vegetables from contracted farms in Saga and natural fish caught in Akashi as the ingredients for their tempura.
Additionally, the crispy texture achieved by frying in vegetable oil is another key to its deliciousness.
The “Tempura Donburi” with their secret sauce drizzled over the tempura is a luxurious dish worth trying.
