Isoyama
いそやま

Among the My Concierge Select restaurants, this may be the most difficult to find.

Tucked away along the narrow, stone-paved alleys of Pontocho, just off the Kamogawa River, lies a passage that might make you hesitate “Is this really the entrance?”
Venture down that path, and you’ll discover Isoyama, a hidden gem of a restaurant which opened in October 2024.

Chef Isoyama, trained at the Michelin-starred Oryori Yamada in Osaka, struck out on his own at a young age to create a restaurant unlike any other. The charm of Isoyama lies in its elusive location and its ability to transport diners back to 1980s Japan: a nostalgic, Showa-era atmosphere that feels warm, inviting, and unpretentious. It’s not sleek or extravagant but rather a place where guests instinctively want to linger.

Despite its hidden nature, Isoyama was selected for the Michelin Guide in under six months.
Its cuisine, served in a relaxed setting, is elegantly crafted with a meticulous balance of texture, aroma, and volume. Whether savoring a quiet drink alone, sharing an intimate meal for two, or enjoying the company of four or five friends, the space accommodates all styles of dining with ease.

With just eight seats at an L-shaped counter, the restaurant’s intimacy adds to its appeal.
It’s the kind of place that, once found, makes you want to return to Kyoto just to walk through its doors and say “I’m home”.