A three-minute walk from JR Nijo Station in Kyoto, in a residential area close to Nijo-jo Castle, is a building with a mural of an early evening moon and a dramatic entryway. This is Nijo Yamagishi, the sister restaurant of
one-star Tominokoji Yamagishi, established by chef Takahiro Yamagishi.
"I want to make it a homey place where everyone can gather happily," said chef Yamagishi, whose main restaurant, Tominokoji Yamagishi, is one of the most difficult to reserve in Kyoto. Nijo Yamagishi was opened as a nabe-kaiseki restaurant in October 2019 to serve new dishes centered around the soup stock from the main restaurant. The head chef is Yushi Yokoi, who has trained at a famous restaurant in Kyoto.
Ingredients on the menu are mainly Kyoto vegetables, complemented by fresh ingredients from further afield. The first course is a dashi (soup stock) nabe instead of the typical soup. The restaurant is particular about using the well water from the main restaurant because quality water is essential for its broth. The flavors in the hot pot, which is made in front of the guests by the head chef and the proprietress, are seasonal and change monthly — you may have Szechuan pepper in the spring, or mushrooms during the autumn. To finish the meal, diners can choose zosui (porridge) made with the rice served in prior courses. About 10 kinds of unique sakes are available; the proprietress can suggest a great pairing.
The restaurant is all tatami rooms, with semi-private rooms and hori-gotatsu (sunken kotatsu) with floor heating. The dinnerware is high-quality and chef-endorsed.
The reason why the restaurant has captured the hearts of diners? It’s the complete package — food, hospitality, and a warm space. This is a restaurant where you can enjoy a heartwarming time while enjoying the soup of a one-star restaurant, be for it a business occasion or a gathering with friends and with family.
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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-minute walk from Senbon Oike from Nijo Station, East Exit (JR Sanin Main Line (Sagano Line) (Kyoto - Sonobe)
A 3-minute walk from Nijo Station (Kyoto City Subway Tozai Line)
■Reservations
For reservations, please join the Waiting List.
We will confirm your reservation once there is availability.
