Nakashimaya
Discover a traditional Kyoto dining experience with a 4.6-star rating. Savor outstanding Japanese cuisine in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Book your table today.
Family-run restaurant for traditional Kyoto obanzai cuisine & an understated Japanese ambience.
About Nakashimaya
Nestled on a quiet side street, a mere ten-minute stroll from downtown Kyoto, this esteemed establishment offers a truly authentic Japanese dining experience. Diners consistently praise the genuine warmth and hospitality, from the moment shoes are removed and guests are welcomed to a beautifully appointed horigotatsu seating. The atmosphere is one of genuine connection, with hosts radiating happiness and generosity. The food itself is consistently described as outstanding, presenting simple dishes that burst with complex and mouthwatering flavors. With a strong 4.6/5 rating and a $$ price range, this is a place that many find themselves eager to revisit.
Restaurant Analysis
Restaurant Characteristics
This restaurant has been analyzed using our formula-based system to help you understand its key features and match it with your dining preferences.
Price Range (Moderate)
Moderate pricing ($$) - Mid-range restaurants with good value
Meal Time (dinner)
This restaurant primarily serves dinner. Based on opening hours.
Group Size (Groups Welcome)
Welcomes large groups and families. Great for group dining.
Atmosphere (Casual)
Relaxed and laid-back atmosphere
Dining Style (Flexible)
Flexible options. Reservations available but not required.
Features & Amenities
This restaurant offers: Cocktails, Beer, Groups Welcome, Reservations
Set your restaurant preferences in your profile to see how well this restaurant matches your dining style.
Why Travelers Love Nakashimaya
Sourced from recent guest feedback and verified reviews.
What a wonderful experience! A beautiful place on a quiet side street only a 10 minute walk from downtown Kyoto. A true traditional experience. Greeted genuinely and warmly by the host, chefs and wait staff and asked to remove our shoes. Taken to a beautiful horigotatsu. The hosts were AMAZING and REALLY COOL! I loved their style, happiness, generosity and kindness! The food was OUTSTANDING! Simple dishes with complex and mouth watering flavors! I think we will go back before our trip is over LOL! I loved it so much! It is my favorite restaurant Kyoto :) Thank you everyone for a BEAUTIFUL experience :) Very good obanzai place. Fresh ingredients, tasty food, quick, pleasant and professional service (by Mana), nice Japanese ambiance. Sashimi was very fresh and tasty. The duck loin, the Manganji pepper tempura, shiitake mushroom and shef's obanzai selection were delicious. Very good value for your money. Highly recommend. Reservations are a must! They offer a variety of dishes with an English menu. We had simmered pumpkin which was excellent plus duck loin, fried chicken, dashi egg roll, potato salad and komatsuna (Japanese spinach) with sesame sauce. Staff spoke limited English but were quick and friendly! Use google translate to check their specials menu as you may find some interesting items that are not on the English menu Be prepared to take your shoes off when you enter.
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Recent Reviews
Miss B.
November 19, 2025
What a wonderful experience! A beautiful place on a quiet side street only a 10 minute walk from downtown Kyoto. A true traditional experience. Greeted genuinely and warmly by the host, chefs and wait staff and asked to remove our shoes. Taken to a beautiful horigotatsu. The hosts were AMAZING and REALLY COOL! I loved their style, happiness, generosity and kindness! The food was OUTSTANDING! Simple dishes with complex and mouth watering flavors! I think we will go back before our trip is over LOL! I loved it so much! It is my favorite restaurant Kyoto :) Thank you everyone for a BEAUTIFUL experience :)
Arie R.
November 10, 2025
Very good obanzai place. Fresh ingredients, tasty food, quick, pleasant and professional service (by Mana), nice Japanese ambiance. Sashimi was very fresh and tasty. The duck loin, the Manganji pepper tempura, shiitake mushroom and shef's obanzai selection were delicious. Very good value for your money. Highly recommend.
Regina C.
October 22, 2025
Reservations are a must! They offer a variety of dishes with an English menu. We had simmered pumpkin which was excellent plus duck loin, fried chicken, dashi egg roll, potato salad and komatsuna (Japanese spinach) with sesame sauce. Staff spoke limited English but were quick and friendly! Use google translate to check their specials menu as you may find some interesting items that are not on the English menu Be prepared to take your shoes off when you enter.
liri G.
September 17, 2025
The service was flawless, we set on the bar so we could watch how they are preparing the food, which was delicious. The best food we had in Kyoto. Actually it’s out of the tourist center restaurants near the river and it’s much more better area. Another point is that the menu was English friendly and easy to manage, with a scanner at the beginning
Justus
November 6, 2025
A real gem in my humble opinion. The food was tasty, the portions more than enough and you can always order more:-)) staff attentive, you just have to accept that there might be sometimes a misunderstanding because of language differences. Beer tasted great. A place i would highly recommend, but be aware,that booking is more or less essantial.
What to Expect
Features and amenities that make Nakashimaya special
Cocktails
Beer
Groups Welcome
Reservations
Practical Information
Everything you need to know before you visit
Payment Options
Parking
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