Top 6 Restaurants Near the Jidai Matsuri – Festival of the Ages

Jidai Matsuri is one of Kyoto’s three big festivals. A massive parade of people dressed in traditional garb stretching back to Japan’s Heian period makes its way from the Kyoto Imperial Palace to the Heian Jingu Shrine.

Every year this famous parade is watched by crowds of both Japanese locals and foreign tourists alike.

In this article, we showcase what we think are some of the most delicious restaurants along the route of the parade. With both Japanese and western restaurants in the list, there’s sure to be something that’ll satisfy your post-parade appetite.

Located close to the Heian Jingu Shrine, Yamamoto Menzo is a Michelin starred udon restaurant that regularly boasts long lines out the door. 

The silky-smooth udon noodles are unbelievably springy and slide down your gullet like no other. 

We recommend the staple dish, “burdock tempura and cold noodles.” 

The crunchy, thin-batter of the freshly fried burdock tempura gives off the most exquisite smell, and when paired with the beautiful homemade udon noodles, makes every minute you waited in line totally worth it.  

Located 5 minutes from the Higashiyama Tozai Subway Station in the Furukawa Shopping Arcade, Nakasei Nikuzuki is a restaurant specializing in aged beef.

Owned and operated by a historic Kyoto butchery, Nakasei Nikuzuki is thought of as the god-father of Kyoto aged beef specialists. 

Nakasei Nikuzuki uses only Tajima Wagyu and in addition to their steaks, recommend their hardy hamburger steaks.

A selection of wine and Japanese sake is also available.

Located in the peaceful neighborhood next to the Heian Jingu Shrine, Cenci has been called the hottest Italian restaurant in Kyoto. From start to finish, Cenci’s courses treat you to an entire range of unique and exciting dishes. The mozzarella cheese appetizer with its use of fresh mozzarella and silky smooth, creamy textures is a particular winner.

Enjoy a magnificent night out at one of Kyoto’s most talked about restaurants. 

Kyoto Modern Terrace is a spacious café with high ceilings and a lovely interior that sits only a few minutes from the Heian Jingu Shrine. At Kyoto Modern Terrace you can enjoy the taste of some of Kyoto’s best seasonal ingredients in either their À la carte dishes such as pasta and Japanese omurice, or their courses, which contain an appetizer, main, dessert and after-meal coffee.

With an authentic Italian pizza oven that can be seen through the window, you already know Da Yuki is serious about good pizza. Each morning, after the restaurant sees which ingredients they have on hand, the menu is decided. 

As Da Yuki offers a special menu with unique dishes only found here, it’s the kind of place you never get sick of going to. 

Our recommendation is their smoked water buffalo mozzarella Margherita pizza. 

The combination of the acidic fresh tomatoes and naturally sweet cheese is downright exquisite.