Based on the belief that food is medicine, this 25-year-old sushi venue in Kyoto employs organic vegetables and wild-caught fish to assemble a hyperlocal menu that heals the body and the soul.
Sushi may not fit the traditional definition of junk food — at least, not like greasy burgers from fast-food joints. But it was once Japan’s hawker food, designed for quick bites on the go.
Murata Tsutomo, who founded KYO SUSHI OOKINI in 2000 by Kyoto’s Mibudera Temple, is elevating these iconic morsels with a focus on nutrition, designing a course of carefully calibrated nigiri that balances health and flavor.
It’s all made possible for a few reasons. The restaurant's softly lit, traditionally designed space is located near the Kyoto City Central Wholesale Market, Japan's first wholesale market, allowing easy access to fresh seafood and vegetables. And Murata is pretty serious about where his items come from. All seafood is wild-caught, while the vegetables are organic. The salt used is 100% seawater, free from chemical seasonings, and the miso comes from Gifu, which is made with soybeans grown without pesticides.
The menu remains as seasonal and thoughtfully composed as ever, showcasing Murata’s expertise as a chef with over 45 years of experience with kyo-ryori (Kyoto cuisine) and nihonryori (Japanese cuisine). And if his guests already marvel their way through striped horse mackerel, boiled conger eel dressed in thick sauce or the chef-special mugwort pasta, they'll be even more pleased to discover they can also request their favorite sushi. A vegetarian or avoiding animal-based products? Murata, a city-certified dietary education instructor, can work his magic on a new menu.
Such hospitality typically comes at a premium, but KYO SUSHI OOKINI’s courses are surprisingly affordable. Grab a seat at the counter to witness the talent at play.
Restaurant Detail
| Address | 41, Mibuhigashitakadacho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, 604-8845 |
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| Japanese Address |
〒604-8845 京都府京都市中京区壬生東高田町41
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| Access | Hankyu Kyoto Line Saiin Station 9-minute walk, Keifuku Arashiyama Main Line Saiin Station 9-minute walk |
| Parking | No Parking |
| Phone Number | +81-75-323-1172 |
| Hours | Day: 12:00 - 14:30(L.O.14:00), Night: 18:00 - 21:00(L.O.20:00) |
| Close |
Every Wednesday 1st Tuesday 3rd Tuesday GW(May 12, 2025 - May 15, 2025) Summer holidays(August 18, 2025 - August 21, 2025) Others(August 26, 2025) |
| Average price | Lunch 2,500 JPY Dinner 7,000 JPY |
| Payment method |
<Cards Accepted> VISA, MasterCard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club, Discover Card, MUFG, UC, DC, NICOS, UFJ, UnionPay <Electronic Money / Other Payment Methods> iD, Edy, Rakuten Pay, QUICPay, LINE Pay, WAON, Apple Pay |
| Time of payment |
●If only reserving seats Date of visit |
| Canceling |
●If only reserving seats The following rules will be applied in the case of canceling reservation. ～海外からご予約のお客様へ～ 当店ではご予約内容の確認でご登録のメールアドレス宛にメールをお送りさせていただいております。 ご来店日の2日前23:59までにご返信いただけない場合は、恐れ入りますがご予約をキャンセルさせていただきます。 必ず普段からご使用のメールアドレスをご登録の上、ご来店日時やご予約内容にお間違いがございませんでしたら、お手数ですがご返信くださいますようにお願いいたします。 ○前日：ご予約料金（税別）の50％（消費税は不課） ○当日：ご予約料金（税別）の100％（消費税は不課） ○無断キャンセル：ご予約料金（税別）の100％（消費税は不課） ○2週間前以前：0円 ○2週間前～前々日：ご予約料金（税別）の30％（消費税は不課） |
| Free & Instant Reservation | |
| For business names, representatives or business managers, and contact information, please contact the store. | |
Seating/Facility information
| Seating Capacity | 46 |
|---|---|
| Smoking | No smoking inside the store |
| Wi-Fi / Plug-in | Free Wi-Fi Spot |
Menu and Others information
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Infection prevention FAQUpdated on May 10, 2021 |
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| Information |
May restrict number of guests during peak hours. |
*Infection prevention are provided by the shop and are not checked by Gurunavi for accuracy.