A 3-minute walk from Gion Shijo station, in the beating heart of Kyoto, brings guests to Tokiyo, a long-standing restaurant beloved for its home cooking on a narrow street lined with restaurants and pubs.
The restaurant was opened back in 1985, during the Showa period, by the mother of the owner, Ken Inoue, and now attracts not only local food lovers but also tourists and visitors from abroad. Inoue started his culinary career at the age of 23; after honing his skills at a Japanese restaurant in Kyoto for four years, he made his way back to Tokiyo, where he offers comforting home dishes together with his mother.
At Tokiyo, 10-12 varieties of homestyle dishes featuring seasonal ingredients are available for diners at any time. The daily-changing menu is dependent on the ingredients available, and it’s easy to enjoy new dishes with repeat visits. On-the-spot ordering is quick and easy. “‘Thank you, it was delicious. I enjoyed the meal very much.’ These words are all we need,” the owner says. “Our daily efforts are about offering dishes that live up to these praises.” As indicated by his words, Tokiyo offers familiar, comforting dishes and a warm, homely atmosphere.
The restaurant’s ingredients are sourced from reliable vegetable and butcher shops that the owner visits himself. Popular dishes include a dish of simmered herring and eggplant, and vegetables simmered with beancurd lees. The subtle and well-balanced flavors unique to Kyoto cuisine delight and satisfy and are often described as something only available at Tokiyo.
The drinks menu offers a superb selection of 30 types of locally brewed sake, mainly from Kyoto but also from around Japan. Pairings of food and sake selected by the owner are available, who is committed to offering only sake in which he has full confidence.
The restaurant’s interior is bright and comfortable with warm wood accents that add to the homely feel. In addition to a private room with a low horigotatsu table (seating up to 12 guests), there are 10 counter seats and 8 table seats. Dishes are served on ceramics selected from a ceramic shop where the owner’s father used to work.
Discover delicious food with family, friends, colleagues, business clients, or in the pleasure of one’s own company at Tokiyo.
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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.
Access
A 3-minutes on foot from Gion-shijo Station on the Keihan Main Line