Gion 245
Higashiyama, Kyoto
Restaurant in Kyoto, Japan
Book with PearlThe Read
Price
JPY 15,000 - JPY 19,999
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Tabelog 100 Italian in a Higashiyama machiya, with counter and private-room seating. The JPY 15,000–19,999 dinner emphasizes fish and wine selection, booking runs easier than Kyoto's kaiseki heavyweights. Smart casual dress, 5–11 PM nightly, BYO allowed for JPY 5,000 corkage.
About Gion 245
Gion 245 is a Kyoto restaurant with evening hours, a smart casual dress code, a listed price range of JPY 15,000–19,999. It is also listed in Tabelog 100 - Italian - WEST - 2025, giving diners one point of recognition to consider when deciding whether it belongs on a Kyoto itinerary.
Italian Recognition in Kyoto
The key details are straightforward: Gion 245 is in Kyoto, operates from 5–11 PM every day, lists smart casual as the dress code. Its price band is JPY 15,000–19,999, placing it in a premium dinner range without requiring any assumptions about the exact menu, seating layout, or service format.
Details such as specific dishes, beverage options, room types, or language support should be checked directly with the restaurant before booking. The Tabelog 100 - Italian - WEST - 2025 listing is the clearest public accolade available here.
How to Book and When to Go
Gion 245’s schedule is 5–11 PM Monday through Sunday. No lunch service is listed, so plan around an evening reservation or inquiry. The location detail is Kyoto; specific street, station, neighborhood, or landmark guidance should be confirmed separately before travel.
The smart casual dress code makes it suitable for a polished dinner without requiring formalwear. The price range of JPY 15,000–19,999 is useful for budgeting, though any service charges, drinks, supplements, or seasonal changes should be confirmed directly with the restaurant.
Multi-Visit Strategy
With limited menu information, the best approach is to treat the first visit as a way to understand Gion 245’s current offering rather than arriving with expectations about specific dishes or formats. Confirm the current menu, reservation requirements, any dietary needs directly before committing.
For readers comparing options: Mizuno, Sushi Rakumi, Yukifuran Sato, 天ぷら 京星 are other named venues that may be useful reference points. Other Kyoto dining rooms can be considered more generally. Gion 245’s profile is simple but useful: Kyoto, evening hours every day, smart casual, JPY 15,000–19,999, Tabelog 100 - Italian - WEST - 2025 recognition. For broader context on dining in the city, see our full Kyoto restaurants guide.
Planning details
- Location
- Japan, 〒605-0082 Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward, Nakanocho, 二丁目245-1
- Website
- gion-245.com
- Phone
- +81 75-533-8245
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Gion 245 presents itself as a modern townhouse-style dining spot tucked into Kyoto’s Gion district. The description emphasizes a contemporary take on local ingredients — 'Modern Townhouse with Vegetables' — and positions the kitchen between Japanese, Italian and French influences. The entry highlights practical details such as no-smoking and online reservations, and the availability of private rooms points to a composed, design-forward interior rather than a raucous dining hall. Overall the impression is of a polished, modern neighborhood restaurant that blends Kyoto sensibilities with European techniques.
Best For
Gion 245 is a strong fit for diners seeking a composed, private meal in Gion. With private rooms available and online reservations supported, it works well for intimate dinners, small celebratory gatherings, or focused business meals where privacy matters. The mix of Japanese-Italian-French cuisine and a vegetable-forward approach suggests appeal to guests who want thoughtful, ingredient-driven plates rather than casual fast food. The no-smoking policy further reinforces a comfortable environment for groups that value a cleaner, quieter dining experience.
Ordering Tips
When planning a visit to Gion 245, reserve ahead using the online booking option, especially if you want one of the private rooms. The restaurant highlights a vegetable-focused approach alongside Italian, French and steak offerings, so consider sampling a mix of vegetable-forward dishes plus a steak course to experience the house’s range. Note the no-smoking policy when booking and specifying seating. Because the kitchen blends Japanese and European techniques, expect thoughtful preparations that play on seasonal produce; ordering a selection that showcases both vegetable plates and a meat option gives a balanced sense of the menu.
Venue details
Ambiance
An intimate Kyoto townhouse setting in Gion with a calm, refined atmosphere, softly lit counter and table seating, and a relaxed but upscale feel suited to leisurely multi-course dinners.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Small
Signature Dishes
- Kuroge Wagyu course
- Seasonal fish course
- Pasta using Kyoto ingredients
- Omakase-style multi-course dinner
Planning details
Location
Japan, 〒605-0082 Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward, Nakanocho, 二丁目245-1 · Directions
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Also Consider
- Mizuno, Japanese, ¥¥¥
- 天ぷら 京星, Notable alternative
- ç¾é¦å±, Notable alternative
- Sushi Rakumi, Sushi, ¥¥¥¥
- Yukifuran Sato, Kaiseki, Kaiseki
Restaurant context
Gion 245 sits in the middle ground between Kyoto's kaiseki institutions and its simpler Western-format spots. Mizuno delivers traditional Japanese at a comparable JPY 15,000–19,999 price but demands earlier booking and expects deeper familiarity with multi-course etiquette. Sushi Rakumi costs more (¥¥¥¥) and commits fully to omakase sushi, leaving no room for wine-forward meals or group conversation. Yukifuran Sato offers kaiseki with less tourist traffic but tighter reservation windows.
Gion 245's advantage is format flexibility and booking ease. The counter-plus-private-room setup accommodates solo diners, business pairs, families equally well, the Italian-French hybrid menu removes the pressure of kaiseki sequencing. If you want Tabelog-recognized cooking without the three-week lead time or the kaiseki learning curve, book here. If you're chasing omakae precision or the deepest seasonal Japanese technique, Mizuno or Yukifuran Sato justify the extra effort.
For value: Gion 245 edges ahead on wine selection and BYO policy, which neither Mizuno nor Sushi Rakumi emphasizes. For splurge-worthy experience, Sushi Rakumi delivers higher technique at the counter. For easiest booking, Gion 245 wins outright.
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Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Gion 245 guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gion 245 good for a special occasion?
Gion 245 may fit a special dinner if the JPY 15,000–19,999 price range and smart casual dress code match the occasion. Specific private rooms, seating arrangements, service charges are not confirmed.
What are alternatives or comparison points to Gion 245?
For named comparison points, consider Mizuno, 天ぷら 京星, Sushi Rakumi, or Yukifuran Sato, depending on what style and budget you prefer. Other Kyoto dining rooms may also be worth comparing generically.
Is Gion 245 worth the price?
The price range is JPY 15,000–19,999. Its Tabelog 100 - Italian - WEST - 2025 recognition is a meaningful accolade, but menu details and service format should be confirmed directly before deciding whether it matches your expectations.
