Famous Kyoto Restaurant and Pride of Japan
Kyoto Kiu
京都きう
Kyoto
/
Sushi
SPECIAL RELEASE
A top-secret sushi establishment only accessible through a referral and if privately booked.
- children 13up
- Counter Seat
Kiu is a unique, referral-only restaurant in Kyoto, meaning its phone number isn’t publicly available, and reservations can’t be made through social media or email.
Founded by Chef Kazuo Hisada, the owner of Sushi Hisada in Okayama, the restaurant wasn’t intended to seek Michelin recognition. Chef Hisada initially trained in Italian cuisine but started working at his uncle’s sushi restaurant after graduating. At just 23, he opened his own sushi restaurant in Okayama, which quickly gained popularity for its use of fresh ingredients from the Seto Sea.
Twenty-five years later, Chef Hisada opened Kiu in Kyoto with a different vision: to offer a fusion of sushi and Italian cuisine in a non-sushi setting. This is reflected in the name “Kiu”, which doesn’t include the kanji for sushi. The referral-only policy and private bookings were designed to create a home-like atmosphere, where guests can relax and enjoy their meal without being surrounded by strangers.
If Chef Hisada’s cuisine could be summarized in a few words, it would be “Sushi Innovation.” His dishes offer a unique experience that surprises diners with something new on every visit.
| Address | 2nd Floor, 230-2 Shinmeicho, Shimogyoku, Kyoto |
|---|---|
| Business hours | 13:00 17:00 20:00 |
| Closed | Irregular |
| Directions | 5 min walk from Karasuma Station of Hankyu Kyoto Line. |
| Price | From ￥66,000 |
| Service Charge | 15％ |
| Seating | 5 Seats (Only for private bookings of 2 to 5 guests) |
| Smoking | Prohibited |
| Children | children who can order and eat an adult's course are allowed. |
| Wi-Fi | None |
| Language | None (1 guest who speaks Japanese is required in each reservation) |
| Parking | None |
| Dresscode | ・Smart Casual required. ・Short pants, sandals and sportswear etc are not allowed. |
| Payment method | 【Advance payment for online reservation】 PayPal or Credit Card 【Payment for additional orders at the restaurant】 Cash or Credit Card |
| Cancellation Policy | 【Cancellation Policy】 ※ Cancellations made up to 15:00 JST of 21 days before the reservation date are eligible to receive a full refund. ※ Cancellations made after 15:00 JST of 21 days before, or within 20 days of the reservation date are not eligible to receive any refund. ※ All changes to the reservation are required to be made at least 21 days before the reservation date. ※ Requests to change or cancel a reservation made after the specified days above will not be eligible for any refund and requests to change the reservation to an alternative date/time will not be accommodated. |
2nd Floor, 230-2 Shinmeicho, Shimogyoku, Kyoto
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