Many people ask me how to make a kaiseki meal out with children more do-able and for several reasons I’ve listed here, Kaiseki with kids can often be tricky than some originally imagine.
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However, here are some Kaiseki restaurants in Kyoto that I do recommend and who also welcome children and babies.
Arashiyama Kumahiko
While in Kyoto, I always recommend adding Arashiyama with kids to your itinerary and a wonderful spot to try traditional kaiseki style dining in Japan is at Kumahiko.Reservations are possible but are required at least 2 days in advance – for both lunch and dinner. Cancellation charges also apply.
Please note that this is fine dining and the budget for lunch is approximately 6000 yen and dinner is more like 18,000 yen.
The menu is based on ingredients of the season. Although the menu on the Kumahiko website is in Japanese, the prices and the pictures will give you a good idea of what types of food to expect. There is also a children’s menu.
The restaurant is right next to the Togetsu Bridge so, as you can imagine, the views are spectacular.
Kumahiko accepts most major credit cards.
The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
ARASHIYAMA KUMAHIKO
京都市右京区嵯峨天竜寺芒ノ馬場町5-1
5-1 SAGATENRYUJI SUSUKINOBABACHO, UKYO-KU, KYOTO
OPEN FOR LUNCH: 11:30AM-3PM ( LAST ORDERS 2PM)
OPEN FOR DINNER: 5PM-9PM (LAST ORDERS 8PM)
CLOSED TUESDAYS & WEDNESDAYS
See here for my tips regarding Japanese dining etiquette.
Matsui Honkan in Karasuma, Kyoto
This is actually a ryokan that also allows diners to make use of the restaurant -even when they aren’t staying here.
Children are welcome here. Lunch is approximately 6000 yen per person and more like 15,000 yen for dinner. Be sure to let them know if you are celebrating an anniversary or birthday while here. Matsui Honkan accept most major credit cards. Reservations required to dine here. This ryokan is 8 mins walk from Shijo Station or 10 mins from Karasuma Station. This restaurant can also cater to large groups.
MATSUI HONKAN
京都府中京区柳馬場通六角下る井筒屋町405
405 405 YANAKIBABA ROKKAKU-SAGARU, NAKAGYO-KU, KYOTO
OPEN 11AM-3PM & 5PM-7:30PM
This is a very casual version of Kaiseki :
Kotowari
Just 5 mins walk from Keihan Sanjo Station or 5 mins walk from Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station (or 7 mins walk from Hankyu Kawarachi Station) is family-friendly Kaiseki style Izakaya restaurant Kotowari. If you have older kids, ask to sit at the counter so that you can watch eat dish be cooked and prepared. If you have infants or toddlers, you will be seated in the tatami room (this is better as it is easier for kids to have a wriggle during the meal and less pressure to be quiet.) Kotowari can also prepare a special kids menu if they are given advance notice. They also have children’s plates and cutlery. Here, they accept most major credit cards. Reservations are required to dine here. If it’s someone in your group’s birthday, they can organize a birthday dessert plate – with a minimum 3 day notice.
Budget for lunch : 2000 yen per person. Budget for dinner : 4500 yen per person.
KOTOWARI
京都市中京区松ケ枝町463
463 MATSUGAECHO, NAKAGYO-KU, KYOTO
OPEN EVERYDAY 11AM-2:30PM & 3PM-10PM
The Kaiseki Happoen Kyoto
This is a high end kaiseki restaurant and it is 10 mins wak from Kiyomizudera.) Budget 8000 yen per adult at lunchtime and 15,000 yen at dinner time. There is a 10% service charge added to the bill at the end. Reservations are required. They accept most major credit cards. The entire restaurant is non-smoking. Dress code is smart casual – business shirts with collars for men and dresses encouraged for women. See an example of the lunch menu here – remember that the ingredients and dishes change with the seasons. 15 mins from Gion Shijo Station on foot.
THE KAISEKI
京都府京都市東山区八坂上町385-8
OPEN FOR LUNCH: 11AM-2:30PM (LAST ORDERS AT 12:30PM)
OPEN FOR DINNER: 5PM-9PM (LAST ORDERS AT 7PM)
CLOSED WEDNESDAYS
I recommend booking Tousuiro Gion for a gluten free or vegetarian kaiseki meal. They welcome children. Please let them know your dietary requirements when you make a reservation. See the full menu in English here. This restaurant specializes in incredible tofu dishes. Budget between 5,000 yen and 15,000 yen per person. They accept most major credit cards. This is also a great place for adults to try different types of sake.
TOUSUIRO GION
京都市東山区東大路通松原上ル四丁目毘沙門町38-1
38-1, BISYAMONTEN-CHO, 4 MATSUGARA-AGARU, HIGASHIOJI, HIGASHIYAMA-KU
OPEN FOR LUNCH 11:30AM-2PM
OPEN FOR DINNER 5PM-9:30PM
Kiyama
This kaiseki restaurant welcome children and babies. This is a Michelin Star awarded restaurant. This restaurant is 5 mins walk from Marutamachi Station. The lunch dining time is midday and the dinner dining time is 6pm. Please budget 20,000 yen at lunch time and 50,000 yen for dinner. They accept most major credit cards and the entire restaurant is non-smoking. Make a reservation here ahead of time in English and you can even choose your exact course AND list any dietary requirements and allergies.
KIYAMA
京都市中京区絹屋町1-3-6 ヴェルドール御所 1F
GROUND FLOOR, 1-3-6 KINUYACHO, NAKAGYO-KU, KYOTO
LUNCH TIME SERVICE BEGINS AT MIDDAY
DINNNER TIME SERVICE BEGINS AT 6PM
PLEASE NOTE: This article contains some affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Please see my Kaiseki with Kids in Tokyo post on additional tips on dining kaiseki style with children in Japan.
