Kyoto Machiya Restaurant Guide: Affordable Dining in Traditional Townhouse Spaces

Ebook updated for 2020 Kyoto Machiya Restaurant Guide. Over 100 all new must-visit restaurants + revisions throughout. (Print edition is unchanged.)

Machiya, or townhouses, are traditional wooden dwellings in Kyoto that evoke the elegance and culture of Japan’s old capital with their architectural details, beautiful gardens, and intimate rooms. Many have been converted into restaurants to create unforgettable dining experiences. Enjoying healthy food in a historic, traditional Kyoto environment is a rare pleasure. Here are some 130 restaurant listings (food, decor, hours, addresses, prices, maps, and index) and a photographic guide to machiya architecture, culture, and aesthetics.

Judith Clancy has lived in Japan since 1970 and is the author of Exploring Kyoto.

Ben Simmons is a Japan-based photographer.