Guidebook for Nakagyō-ku, Kyōto-shi
Essentials
Takatsujimibu Coin Laundry
Mibuaiaichō Nakagyo WardMake sure to bring 100 yen coins
7-Eleven Kyoto-Mibugawa-bukkoji
29-4 MibukayōgoshochōGourmet City Shijo Omiya
73-1 MibukayōgoshochōOpen 24 hours
Liquor Mountain Mibugawa Gojo
38-2 Chūdōji NishiderachōClosed Tuesday
Sento: Japanese style bath house
Doesn't get more local than this :)
TIP: Make sure to bring your own soap/towel etc.
Also read up on Sento rules or you'll be ugly stares from locals.
Mibu-yu
Mibutsujimachi-3 Nakagyo WardSento: Japanese style bath house
Doesn't get more local than this :)
TIP: Make sure to bring your own soap/towel etc.
Also read up on Sento rules or you'll be ugly stares from locals.
This is a bigger sento than mibuyu.
Here you have multiple types of baths.
There is even a bar in the entrance way if you want a cold glass of beer after your bath.
TIP: Purchase a bath ticket from the machine before entering.
15 locals recommend
Goko-yu
590-12 KakimotochōThis is a bigger sento than mibuyu.
Here you have multiple types of baths.
There is even a bar in the entrance way if you want a cold glass of beer after your bath.
TIP: Purchase a bath ticket from the machine before entering.
This is the biggest sento spa in this area. You will find a restaurant, massage area, resting area, as well as many different baths. Perfect after a long day of walking around Kyoto.
85 locals recommend
Hanano Yu
15-3 MibumatsubarachōThis is the biggest sento spa in this area. You will find a restaurant, massage area, resting area, as well as many different baths. Perfect after a long day of walking around Kyoto.
Food Scene
Yakitori Kaminari
20-1 MibuaiaichōClosed Tuesday
Open 6PM-2AM
Manhattan
18 MibutsujimachiClosed Monday
Open 7AM-8PM
Seaburano Kami
25-4 MibuaiaichōRamen
Closed Monday
Spice Curry MUJARA
832 BōmonchōClosed Wednesday & Sunday
Closed Tuesday
If you are a foodie, a MUST in Kyoto.
Chika, Jin, & Maru will make you feel right at home.
Shokudo Ruins
Inarichō Shimogyo WardClosed Tuesday
If you are a foodie, a MUST in Kyoto.
Chika, Jin, & Maru will make you feel right at home.
Closed Thursday
Opens from 7:30AM
Great atmosphere & spot for early breakfast
17 locals recommend
Hygge
Nishishinyashiki Chudojicho-74 Shimogyo WardClosed Thursday
Opens from 7:30AM
Great atmosphere & spot for early breakfast
Fukui
Closed Tuesday
The best Japanese street food
Yakisoba and Okonomiyaki
PELGAG
Great Vegan place close to Kyoto University
Mo-an
Yoshidakaguraokacho-8 Sakyo WardClosed Monday
Open 11:30AM - 6PM
Great local seafood.
Closed Sunday
Lunch: 10:30～14:00
TIP: This is a popular spot even for locals. Be ready to wait in line. If you don't want to wait in line make sure to get there a little before 10:30. The best seafood lunch under 1000yen.
Dinner: 17:00～23:00
34 locals recommend
Uogashi Miyatake
6-5 Nishishinyashiki ShimonochōGreat local seafood.
Closed Sunday
Lunch: 10:30～14:00
TIP: This is a popular spot even for locals. Be ready to wait in line. If you don't want to wait in line make sure to get there a little before 10:30. The best seafood lunch under 1000yen.
Dinner: 17:00～23:00
Modern and inventive Kaiseki.
Open: 5:30AM-11PM
TIP: Make a reservation +81 75 343 7070
88 locals recommend
Giro Giro Hitoshina
西木屋町 Shimogyo WardModern and inventive Kaiseki.
Open: 5:30AM-11PM
TIP: Make a reservation +81 75 343 7070
The best vegan kaiseki in Kyoto with a beautiful view of the garden at Kangaan Temple. The bar in a separate wing of the Temple is also a hidden gem.
TIP: For Dinner make a reservation 2-3 days prior. +81 75 256 2480
Zuishizan Kanga-an
278 ShingoryōguchichōThe best vegan kaiseki in Kyoto with a beautiful view of the garden at Kangaan Temple. The bar in a separate wing of the Temple is also a hidden gem.
TIP: For Dinner make a reservation 2-3 days prior. +81 75 256 2480
Open 3pm-1AM
The best French food you can find in Kyoto at a very reasonable price. We get it, you're in Japan, why would you eat French food but this place is a must. Get your late night fix here and walk back to komorebi ( a 30 min walk directly West) if you don't want to feel guilty about indulging.
TIP: Get the steak and fries. Seriously better than any steak we ate in Paris.
Brasserie Café ONZE
Saitōchō Shimogyo WardOpen 3pm-1AM
The best French food you can find in Kyoto at a very reasonable price. We get it, you're in Japan, why would you eat French food but this place is a must. Get your late night fix here and walk back to komorebi ( a 30 min walk directly West) if you don't want to feel guilty about indulging.
TIP: Get the steak and fries. Seriously better than any steak we ate in Paris.
Drinks & Nightlife
L'Escamoteur
Saitocho-138-9 Shimogyo WardClosed Monday
nokishita711 Gin and cocktail labo
Sendōchō Shimogyo WardA cute little bar tucked away
CLUB METRO
82 ShimotsutsumichōSpeak easy
Open 9PM-5AM
It might a little tricky to find but it right about Elephant Coffee (another great coffee place) on the 3rd floor. There is always great underground music playing and the owner/bar tender Kazu is wonderful.
Bar Kazu
309-5 BizenjimachōSpeak easy
Open 9PM-5AM
It might a little tricky to find but it right about Elephant Coffee (another great coffee place) on the 3rd floor. There is always great underground music playing and the owner/bar tender Kazu is wonderful.
The place to go for discovering the underground art scene in Kyoto. Check out their website for the monthly schedule.
9 locals recommend
UrBANGUILD
Zaimokuchō Nakagyo WardThe place to go for discovering the underground art scene in Kyoto. Check out their website for the monthly schedule.
An institution in Kyoto. You walk in to this bar and you feel like time stopped 40 years ago. This place is grunge and art in the best way possible.
TIP: Don't be alarmed if you find a drunk sitting in the entry way.
Hachimonjiya
209-3 NabeyachōAn institution in Kyoto. You walk in to this bar and you feel like time stopped 40 years ago. This place is grunge and art in the best way possible.
TIP: Don't be alarmed if you find a drunk sitting in the entry way.
Getting Around
レンタサイクル駅リンくん丹波口駅
2-2 Chūdōji Kitamachi600yen per day
Shopping
rin
523 TenshōjimaechōCarefully selected array of vintage kimonos
Open 12PM-8PM
On the 1st floor you will find the ARTZONE gallery and MEDIA SHOP with an extensive collection of art/design/architecture books.
河原町ＶＯＸ
河原町通三条下る東入-44 DaikokuchōOpen 12PM-8PM
On the 1st floor you will find the ARTZONE gallery and MEDIA SHOP with an extensive collection of art/design/architecture books.
Sightseeing
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Sagatenryūji Susukinobabachō Ukyo WardBeautiful Temple.
On the 21st of the Month there is a flea market.
On the first Sunday of the Month antique market 5AM-4PM
553 locals recommend
Toji
KujōchōBeautiful Temple.
On the 21st of the Month there is a flea market.
On the first Sunday of the Month antique market 5AM-4PM
Kitano-temmangū Shrine
Bakurocho Kamigyo WardFlea market on the 25th of the month.
Mibu-dera was founded in 991 and belongs to the Risshū school. It houses tombs of pro-shogunate Shinsen-gumi members, who fought bloody street battles resisting the forces that succeeded in restoring the emperor in 1868. Except for an unusual stupa covered in Jizō statues, the temple is of limited interest. It is, however, definitely worth visiting during Mibu kyōgen (comic drama) performances in late April, or the Setsubun celebrations in early February.
153 locals recommend
Mibudera Nursery
31 MibunaginomiyachōMibu-dera was founded in 991 and belongs to the Risshū school. It houses tombs of pro-shogunate Shinsen-gumi members, who fought bloody street battles resisting the forces that succeeded in restoring the emperor in 1868. Except for an unusual stupa covered in Jizō statues, the temple is of limited interest. It is, however, definitely worth visiting during Mibu kyōgen (comic drama) performances in late April, or the Setsubun celebrations in early February.
Sanjusangendo (三十三間堂, Sanjūsangendō) is the popular name for Rengeo-in, a temple in eastern Kyoto which is famous for its 1001 statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. The temple was founded in 1164 and rebuilt a century later after the original structure had been destroyed in a fire.
TIP: A must especially on a rainy day.
549 locals recommend
Rengeoin Sanjusangendo
657 SanjūsangendōmawariSanjusangendo (三十三間堂, Sanjūsangendō) is the popular name for Rengeo-in, a temple in eastern Kyoto which is famous for its 1001 statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. The temple was founded in 1164 and rebuilt a century later after the original structure had been destroyed in a fire.
TIP: A must especially on a rainy day.
Parks & Nature
Take the 32 or 203 bus from Shijo Omiya that will take you straight to Ginkakuji Temple. The hiking trail starts right above the Temple. The hike is relatively easy and when you reach the top of the mountain, you will see a gorgeous view of Kyoto. You can choose to take the same road back or keep on walking and you will find yourself exiting the hiking trail at Nanzenji Temple.
29 locals recommend
Daimonjiyama
Take the 32 or 203 bus from Shijo Omiya that will take you straight to Ginkakuji Temple. The hiking trail starts right above the Temple. The hike is relatively easy and when you reach the top of the mountain, you will see a gorgeous view of Kyoto. You can choose to take the same road back or keep on walking and you will find yourself exiting the hiking trail at Nanzenji Temple.