Takocho is a long-standing oden restaurant sitting just outside Kyoto’s Gion district. Since opening in 1882, Takocho has been loved by local Kyotoites, and during the chilly winter months, boasts constant lines out the door. While oden is known for its rainbow of varied ingredients, Takocho takes it to the next level with different broths for each ingredient. The time each ingredient is cooked also varies, meaning that they’re all soaked to the core with the delicious oden broth. The fantastic flavors this method produces has captured the hearts of both Kyoto locals and out of towners alike. The word tako in Takocho nowadays refers to “octopus,” but back in the day, it used to refer to oden restaurants. The original owner tacked on the first character of his name, cho, and that’s how the name Takocho came to be. In addition to the name, there are little things all around the restaurant that give you a sense of just how rich the restaurant’s history is, including the toilet door that was painted by a regular of 50 years and the Taisho period shop curtain made specifically for Takocho that features a traditional Japanese painting. Takocho is so beloved that it even has foreign regulars who make it a point to stop by whenever they’re in Kyoto. Takocho only has counter seating, so we recommend going when you want to enjoy a night of oden with other adults. Takocho is also incredibly popular and you often have to wait, so it’s best to get there before open or only go when you have time to spare (reservations not accepted). If you’re looking for legendary oden in Kyoto, then try Takocho!