A five-minute walk from Shijo Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway, this well-known Japanese restaurant is located in the center of the tourist city of Kyoto, and has been in business for over 80 years. Passing through the noren and through the long stone-paved path sprinkled with water, you will be filled with clean air. Kinobu was opened in 1935 through the good will of ryori-ryokan called Kifuji, a purveyor to the Imperial Palace. The current owner Takuji Takahashi took over the third generation of Kinobu after studying at Tokyo Kitcho for five years.
Chef Takahashi goes to the market every morning to buy seafood. Rice, citrus fruits, spring vegetables and wild grasses are from Aomori and Nagano. Many good ingredients are directly traded with producers across the country.
Shark fin and sesame tofu hot pot is the signature of chef Takahashi. The soft texture of the homemade sesame is similar to shirako and matches the exquisite shark fin. The soup is made with Japanese soup stock, chicken bone and Kinka ham for a rich flavor. It is served throughout the year, and you should definitely try it.
Chef Takahashi, who is also a senior sommelier, is working on new ways of cooking while learning about traditional Japanese cuisine. Here, the world of Japanese cuisine is expanding, seen through the marriage of wine and Japanese cuisine. There are 40 types of wine and about 20 types of sake from all over the country, from Tohoku to Kyushu.
There are only private rooms, including 13 rooms for four or more people. The Komuten (construction firm) that built the Kyoto State Guest House made the entrance. You can relax in the horigotatsu style room, and since English service is available, this restaurant is recommended for foreign guests.
Even if it is your first visit, you can consult in advance according to your request and budget, and in subsequent visits, the restaurant can arrange the next menu based on your past visits. The attraction of Kinobu is that it responds to each guest's requests. By all means, please enjoy the taste and the essence of hospitality unique to Kyoto.
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* The availability of this webpage does not guarantee that the restaurant presented provides services in English, unless otherwise stated. Please be aware that English services may also depend on staff availability at the restaurant.
※ Awarded 1 star on world-renowned gourmet guide Kyoto-Osaka 2023.
Access
A 6-minute walk from Shijo Station (Kyoto City Subway Karasuma Line)
A 10-minute walk from Karasuma Station (Hankyu Kyoto Main Line)
