Akagakiya
Sakyō, Kyoto
Restaurant in Kyoto, Japan
Book with PearlThe Read
Price
JPY 3,000 - JPY 3,999
Dress
Casual
Why go
Tabelog 100 izakaya in Sakyo Ward serving sake, shochu, and grilled plates until 11 PM. Counter seating is walk-in only; tatami rooms take reservations. Cash-only, smoking allowed, and priced at JPY 3,000–5,999 depending on your appetite. Worth the hideaway location if you want an authentic late-night tavern experience without tourist polish.
About Akagakiya
Akagakiya is a Kyoto izakaya listed in Tabelog 100 - Izakaya - WEST - 2025. The price band is JPY 3,000–3,999, with evening hours from 5–11 PM Monday through Saturday and Sunday closed. Dress is casual, making it a straightforward choice for travelers looking for a relaxed dinner in Kyoto.
Plan Akagakiya as a dinner-only Kyoto venue with a casual dress code, and check seating layout, reservation rules, payment methods, menu specifics, and dietary accommodations before you go.
Late-Night Option in a City That Closes Early
Akagakiya’s schedule runs until 11 PM from Monday through Saturday, with Sunday closed. That makes it useful for an evening meal in Kyoto when you want a later dinner window. Plan for dinner only.
How It Fits Kyoto's Izakaya Tier
Within Kyoto dining, Akagakiya is best understood as a casual, moderately priced izakaya option with Tabelog 100 - Izakaya - WEST - 2025 recognition. If you are comparing styles, Sumiyakisosaitoriya Hitomi and Niomon MUI offer other Kyoto dining reference points, while Akagakiya’s appeal rests on its Kyoto location, evening-only hours, casual dress code, and JPY 3,000–3,999 price band.
Before you go, check payment rules, reservation policies, neighborhood details, and transit guidance. Plan your route based on Kyoto-wide travel time rather than relying on a specific station or landmark.
The safest way to approach Akagakiya is to keep expectations grounded: a casual Kyoto izakaya, open 5–11 PM Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday, with a price range of JPY 3,000–3,999. For anything more specific, menu, seating, reservations, payment, or language support, check directly before visiting.
Planning details
- Location
- Japan, 〒606-8385 Kyoto, Sakyo Ward, Magohashicho, ９
- Website
- tabelog.com/en/kyoto/A2601/A260302/26001072
- Phone
- +81 75-751-1416
Venue details
Ambiance
An ultra-local, old-school Kyoto tavern vibe with a small tatami room and counter, warm and bustling in the evenings, smoky and lively rather than polished, frequently described as a hidden neighborhood spot packed with regulars.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Small
Signature Dishes
- oden
- cabbage roll
- shime saba (vinegared mackerel)
- fried chicken
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- Japan, 〒606-8385 Kyoto, Sakyo Ward, Magohashicho, ９
Planning details
Location
Japan, 〒606-8385 Kyoto, Sakyo Ward, Magohashicho, ９ · Directions
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Also Consider
- Tha Sakai, French, French
- Sumiyakisosaitoriya Hitomi, Yakitori, ¥
- Niomon MUI, Japanese, ¥¥¥
- Chef’s Table by Katsuhito Inoue @Ritz Carlton, Notable alternative
- Yamashita, Notable alternative
Restaurant context
Akagakiya sits in the value-and-authenticity tier of Kyoto's Tabelog 100 izakaya lineup, well below the JPY 10,000+ kaiseki experiences but a step up from yakitori-only specialists like Sumiyakisosaitoriya Hitomi. If your priority is late-night availability and sake variety, this is the stronger pick, Hitomi closes earlier and leans harder into grilled chicken. For diners chasing French technique or kaiseki precision, Tha Sakai or Niomon MUI justify the higher spend, but you'll sacrifice the casual, smoke-and-sake atmosphere that defines traditional izakaya culture.
Booking difficulty is moderate: tatami seating requires advance reservation (and a phone call), but counter walk-ins remain possible for solo diners and pairs willing to arrive by 6 PM. Compare that to Chef's Table by Katsuhito Inoue, where reservations open weeks out and fill within hours. The trade-off at Akagakiya is logistical friction (cash-only, no website, minimal English) versus immediate availability and lower cost. If you want a Tabelog-recognized meal without the advance planning, this is the play.
For groups of four or more celebrating late, the tatami rooms at Akagakiya offer privacy and space that counter-only spots can't match. Solo diners should weigh the smoking policy, if you're sensitive, Yamashita may be the cleaner-air alternative, though it lacks the same late-night hours. The verdict: book Akagakiya when you want a neighbourhood izakaya with Tabelog validation, sake depth, and the flexibility to eat past 10 PM without breaking JPY 6,000 per head.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Akagakiya good for solo dining?
Akagakiya is a casual Kyoto izakaya open for dinner from 5–11 PM Monday through Saturday. If you plan to dine solo, check seating layout and reservation rules before you go.
Is the tasting menu worth it at Akagakiya?
Check directly with the venue about tasting-menu availability. Key planning details are the Kyoto location, casual dress code, JPY 3,000–3,999 price range, and dinner hours from 5–11 PM Monday through Saturday.
Is lunch or dinner better at Akagakiya?
Dinner is the service window. Akagakiya is open 5–11 PM Monday through Saturday and closed Sunday, so plan for dinner rather than lunch.
What should I order at Akagakiya?
Is Akagakiya worth the price?
Akagakiya’s price range is JPY 3,000–3,999, and it has Tabelog 100 - Izakaya - WEST - 2025 recognition. For seating, payment methods, reservation policy, and menu details, check with the venue before you go.
