The major plans for the second day of our Kyoto trip, exploring Arashiyama and the Gion area, had come to an end. After finishing dinner and taking a short break at the hotel, we set out to experience the night in Kyoto. However, being a Friday evening, it seemed that many people were out for the night, making it challenging to find a suitable restaurant or izakaya nearby. The places we checked appeared empty, and when we inquired about availability without a reservation, we were often told there were no seats.
“Izakaya near Kyoto Station – Kyousuishin (京すいしん)”
After wandering around and facing several rejections, we finally discovered an izakaya where we could secure a seat by waiting. Located not far from Kyoto Station, this place was quite spacious and bore the name “Kyousuishin (京すいしん).”
“A Sushi-Famous Restaurant – Kyousuishin (京すいしん)”
In reality, Kyousuishin is renowned for its sushi. However, since we had already eaten elsewhere, we opted for a time of simple snacks and drinks instead of a full meal.
“A Restaurant with English and Korean Support”
Luckily, the manager at the entrance, where we were waiting, could communicate fairly well in English, making our interaction more comfortable. Furthermore, once seated, we noticed they had a system in place that allowed us to place orders directly from our seats, a convenience not too dissimilar to what we have in South Korea. Additionally, the availability of Korean language support made the ordering process even more convenient.
“With Simple Snacks and Japanese Draft Beer…”
We ordered a few simple snacks and enjoyed them with Japanese draft beer, creating a time to relax and unwind from the fatigue of the second day of our Kyoto trip. Trying unique and special Japanese snacks that we don’t usually encounter in Korea, along with light beer, made for a delightful experience.
At one point, we ordered a cola, and to our surprise, it came in a bottle. The size was different from what we typically see in Korea, a distinctive 190ml cola bottle. It was impressive and gave us a sense of nostalgia, making us wish for a similar-sized option in Korea.
This restaurant, with its considerable size and accessibility, located near Kyoto Station, is a good choice for those seeking a sizable eatery and izakaya.
“Kyoto, Kyoto Station Izakaya, Kyousuishin (京すいしん)”
- Address: 1F Kyoto Tower Building East-facing SK Building, 719 Higashishiokojicho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8216, Japan
- Website: kyousuishin.gorp.jp
- Operating Hours: (Sun-Thu) 11:30 – 15:00 / 17:00 – 23:00, (Fri-Sat) 11:30 – 15:00 / 17:00 – 23:30