Restaurant in Kyoto, Japan
Monthly menu, Michelin star, book early.

Higashiyama Yoshihisa is a Michelin-starred, 14-seat counter in Kyoto's Higashiyama ward, with a monthly-changing seasonal menu, a Tabelog score of 4.37, and Silver recognition in 2025. Dinner runs JPY 34,000 (JPY 47,000 in December); lunch is JPY 10,000–14,999 and cash-only. Private room for four and full buyouts up to 20 are available. Book by phone weeks in advance.
If you have already eaten at a Kyoto kaiseki counter and want to go deeper, Higashiyama Yoshihisa is worth booking again. The menu changes every month, so a return visit delivers a genuinely different meal. At JPY 34,000 for dinner (JPY 47,000 in December), it sits at the upper end of Kyoto's serious Japanese dining tier, but the combination of a Michelin star, six consecutive Tabelog Bronze Awards, a 2025 Silver, three Tabelog 100 selections, and a score of 4.37 makes the case. Book it for a special occasion or a purposeful second visit to Higashiyama. First-timers on a budget should consider lunch (JPY 10,000–14,999) to test the kitchen before committing to dinner.
Higashiyama Yoshihisa opened in September 2018 in the Higashiyama ward, a few minutes from Kiyomizu-Gojo Station on the Keihan line. In under seven years it has accumulated a track record that most Kyoto restaurants take decades to build: a Michelin star, Tabelog Silver in 2025, and repeated selection for the Tabelog Japanese Cuisine WEST Top 100. The kitchen runs on a monthly-rotation menu built around seasonal ingredients, which means the experience genuinely evolves across visits. Come in autumn and the menu reflects what that season offers; come in December and the price climbs to JPY 47,000 to match the occasion.
The room is small and deliberate: 14 seats total, split between 10 counter seats and one private counter. That configuration matters when you are deciding how to book. The main counter puts you directly in front of the kitchen, which is the right choice for solo diners and pairs who want full engagement with the cooking. For groups of four, a private room is available. For a buyout of the entire space, the venue accommodates up to 20 people, which makes it a credible option for a corporate dinner or a significant private celebration.
The private counter is the detail worth pausing on, particularly if the editorial angle here is the group experience. At 14 total seats, Higashiyama Yoshihisa is not a venue where you stumble into privacy — you have to plan for it. A group of four in the private room gets the full seasonal menu in a setting separated from the main counter. A buyout of up to 20 covers the entire restaurant, which at this price point and award level is a serious proposition for a company or family event. If private dining in Kyoto is the goal, this setup compares well against larger kaiseki houses where private rooms can feel like an afterthought. Here, the small total capacity means even the private experience is tight and considered rather than banquet-scaled.
Drink program leans into sake, with the kitchen described as particular about its nihonshu selection and wine list. Smart casual dress code applies. A 10% service charge is added. Credit cards are accepted for dinner; lunch is cash only, so plan accordingly if you are going at midday. Reservations are strictly required and must be made by phone between 9:00 and 17:00. The restaurant is closed on Wednesdays plus occasional additional days.
One logistical note worth flagging: the venue asks guests not to post photos to social media or Tabelog until the following month. That is a genuine insider signal — it reflects the kitchen's preference for keeping the monthly menu a discovery rather than a spoiler. If you want to research what you are walking into, that information will be limited by design.
For context across Japan's broader high-end Japanese dining scene, Higashiyama Yoshihisa sits in a tier comparable to Myojaku in Tokyo or Azabu Kadowaki in Tokyo , Michelin-recognised, counter-format, seasonally driven. Within Kyoto specifically, it competes with Kyokaiseki Kichisen and Gion Matayoshi for the same well-informed diner. Compared to Isshisoden Nakamura or Kikunoi Roan, Higashiyama Yoshihisa is harder to book and more expensive, but the award trajectory since 2018 suggests the kitchen is still building rather than coasting. If you are planning a broader Kansai trip, HAJIME in Osaka and akordu in Nara are worth adding to the itinerary alongside this reservation.
Getting there is direct: approximately 11 minutes on foot from Kiyomizu-Gojo Station (Keihan Main Line), or one minute from the Umamachi city bus stop. Parking is available if you are arriving by car.
Reservations are required and taken by phone only, between 09:00 and 17:00. Call +81-75-748-1216. With a Michelin star and a 14-seat room, weekend dinners fill weeks to months out. For a December visit at JPY 47,000 per head, book as early as possible , that month is the year's highest-demand period. Lunch (JPY 10,000–14,999) is easier to secure and cash-only. Private room bookings (for four) and full buyouts (up to 20) should be arranged well in advance with the restaurant directly.
| Detail | Higashiyama Yoshihisa | Gion Sasaki | Ifuki |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cuisine | Japanese (kaiseki) | Kaiseki / Japanese | Kaiseki |
| Dinner price | JPY 30,000–39,999 (Dec: JPY 47,000) | ¥¥¥¥ | ¥¥¥¥ |
| Lunch price | JPY 10,000–14,999 | ¥¥¥¥ | ¥¥¥¥ |
| Seats | 14 (counter + private counter) | Counter-format | Counter-format |
| Private room | Yes (up to 4 / buyout up to 20) | Check directly | Check directly |
| Booking method | Phone only | Phone / online | Phone / online |
| Booking difficulty | Hard | Hard | Hard |
| Dress code | Smart casual | Smart casual | Smart casual |
| Closed | Wednesday + irregular days | Check directly | Check directly |
| Service charge | 10% | Check directly | Check directly |
At JPY 34,000 for dinner (JPY 47,000 in December) plus a 10% service charge, this is a serious commitment. The Michelin star, 2025 Tabelog Silver, and a score of 4.37 across thousands of reviews give you confidence the kitchen delivers at that price. For context, lunch at JPY 10,000–14,999 is cash-only but gives you access to the same seasonal menu format at roughly a third of the cost. If you are uncertain, book lunch first.
For weekend dinners, aim for at least four to six weeks out. For December , when the price rises to JPY 47,000 and demand peaks , book two to three months in advance. Weekday lunch seats are somewhat easier to secure, but this is a 14-seat room with a Michelin star, so last-minute availability is rare. Call between 09:00 and 17:00 on +81-75-748-1216.
Yes, with planning. A private room seats up to four. For larger parties, the entire restaurant can be reserved for private use for up to 20 people. That scale of buyout at this price point requires early coordination by phone. Walk-in groups are not an option at a reservation-only, 14-seat counter.
There is no à la carte menu. The kitchen serves a set seasonal course that changes monthly, so your meal depends entirely on when you visit. The drink program focuses on sake (nihonshu) and wine, with the team described as particular about both. Ask for sake pairings if you want to engage fully with the Kyoto seasonal framework.
It is well-suited to it, provided you plan the logistics. The private room (up to four) or a full buyout (up to 20) separates your group from the main counter. A Michelin-starred, monthly-changing menu at a 14-seat counter in Higashiyama is a considered backdrop for a birthday, anniversary, or business dinner. December is the most ceremonial option, with the price and menu reflecting the season. Smart casual dress applies.
For comparable kaiseki at a similar price: Kyokaiseki Kichisen and Kodaiji Jugyuan operate in the same tier. Kikunoi Roan is slightly more accessible on booking. For something outside Japanese cuisine at a lower price point, Gion Matayoshi is worth considering. See our full Kyoto restaurants guide for broader options.
| Venue | Cuisine | Awards | Booking Difficulty | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Higashiyama Yoshihisa | Japanese | {"Year":"2026","Award Source":"Tabelog","Award Type":"The Tabelog Award","Award Group":"bronze","Award Group Rank":"527","Restaurant Name":"Higashiyama Yoshihisa","Score":"4.37","Budget":"Dinner: JPY 30,000 - JPY 39,999; Lunch: JPY 10,000 - JPY 14,999","Budget Dinner":"JPY 30,000 - JPY 39,999","Budget Lunch":"JPY 10,000 - JPY 14,999","Price":"JPY 30,000 - JPY 39,999 JPY 10,000 - JPY 14,999","Average Price":"JPY 30,000 - JPY 39,999 JPY 10,000 - JPY 14,999","Average Price (Based on reviews)":"JPY 30,000 - JPY 39,999 JPY 10,000 - JPY 14,999 View spending breakdown","Featured Item":"N/A","Full Address (with ZIP)":"京都府京都市東山区妙法院前側町422, 6050932, Japan","Address":"京都府京都市東山区妙法院前側町422","Postal Code":"6050932","City":"Myohoin Maekawacho Higashiyama-ku Kyoto Kyoto","State":"Kyoto","Country":"Japan","Phone":"+81757481216","Phone Raw":"+81-75-748-1216","Website":"","Description":"Check out Higashiyama Yoshihisa/よしひさ (Shichijo/Japanese Cuisine) on Tabelog! Capturing the essence of seasonal ingredients, this dish beautifully expresses the changing seasons. You'll be captivated by its vibrant and lively presentation. [Private rooms available / No Smoking] Discover Japanese restaurants featuring detailed information such as menus and maps, along with user-posted reviews, ratings, and photos!","Categories":"Japanese Cuisine","Awards & Recognitions":"The Tabelog Award 2026 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2026 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2025 Silver winner The Tabelog Award 2025 Silver winner The Tabelog Award 2024 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2024 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2023 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2023 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2022 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2022 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2021 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2021 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2020 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2020 Bronze winner Selected for Tabelog Japanese cuisine WEST \"Tabelog 100\" 2025 Selected for Tabelog Japanese cuisine WEST \"Tabelog 100\" 2025 Selected for Tabelog Japanese cuisine WEST \"Tabelog 100\" 2023 Selected for Tabelog Japanese cuisine WEST \"Tabelog 100\" 2023 Selected for Tabelog Japanese cuisine WEST \"Tabelog 100\" 2021 Selected for Tabelog Japanese cuisine WEST \"Tabelog 100\" 2021 受賞・選出歴 閉じる The Tabelog Award 受賞歴 2026年Bronze受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2026 Bronze 受賞店 2025年Silver受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2025 Silver 受賞店 2024年Bronze受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2024 Bronze 受賞店 2023年Bronze受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2023 Bronze 受賞店 2022年Bronze受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2022 Bronze 受賞店 2021年Bronze受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2021 Bronze 受賞店 2020年Bronze受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2020 Bronze 受賞店 百名店 選出歴 日本料理 百名店 2025 選出店 食べログ 日本料理 WEST 百名店 2025 選出店 日本料理 百名店 2023 選出店 食べログ 日本料理 WEST 百名店 2023 選出店 日本料理 百名店 2021 選出店 食べログ 日本料理 WEST 百名店 2021 選出店","Reservation availability":"Reservation only We kindly ask that you refrain from visiting our establishment with excessive perfume. While you are welcome to take photos of the dishes, please wait until the following month to post them on social media or Tabelog.","Business hours":"Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun, Public Holiday, Day before public holiday, Day after public holiday 12:00 - 14:30 18:30 - 21:00 Wed Closed ■Business hours [Lunch] Starts at 12:00 [Dinner] Starts at 18:30 ■Closed on Wednesdays and Not fixed Price: JPY 34,000 for dinner December: JPY 47,000 For reservations, please call between 9:00 and 17:00 (please note that we may not be able to answer calls during business hours).","Payment methods":"Credit card accepted (VISA, Master, JCB, AMEX, Diners) Electronic money not accepted QR code payments not accepted","Private rooms":"Available For 4 people","Non-smoking/smoking":"Non smoking","Number of seats":"14 seats ( 10 seats at the counter, 1 private counter)","Private use":"Available For up to 20 people","Parking":"Available Parking will be provided","Space/facilities":"Stylish space, Relaxing space, Spacious seating, Counter seating","Drink":"Sake (Nihonshu), Wine, Particular about Sake (Nihonshu), Particular about wine","Food":"N/A","Service":"Take-out","Family friendly":"N/A","Service charge & fee":"Service charge 10% Original text サービス料10% This section has been automatically translated. Please check with the restaurant for accurate information.","Dress code":"Smart Casual","Maximum party size":"N/A","Location":"Hideout","Occasion":"N/A","Remarks":"* Payment by card is not accepted for lunch. * We kindly ask you to refrain from smoking while your meal is being served.","The opening day":"2018.9.1","Receipt (Qualified simple invoice)":"N/A","Latitude":"34.99207563707689","Longitude":"135.77392687906018","Primary Image URL":"","Image URL Count":"20","Image URLs":"","Restaurant ID":"26031203","Source URL":"","Raw Details JSON":"{\"Restaurant name\":\"Higashiyama Yoshihisa\",\"Awards & Recognitions\":\"The Tabelog Award 2026 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2026 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2025 Silver winner The Tabelog Award 2025 Silver winner The Tabelog Award 2024 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2024 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2023 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2023 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2022 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2022 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2021 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2021 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2020 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2020 Bronze winner Selected for Tabelog Japanese cuisine WEST \\\"Tabelog 100\\\" 2025 Selected for Tabelog Japanese cuisine WEST \\\"Tabelog 100\\\" 2025 Selected for Tabelog Japanese cuisine WEST \\\"Tabelog 100\\\" 2023 Selected for Tabelog Japanese cuisine WEST \\\"Tabelog 100\\\" 2023 Selected for Tabelog Japanese cuisine WEST \\\"Tabelog 100\\\" 2021 Selected for Tabelog Japanese cuisine WEST \\\"Tabelog 100\\\" 2021 受賞・選出歴 閉じる The Tabelog Award 受賞歴 2026年Bronze受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2026 Bronze 受賞店 2025年Silver受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2025 Silver 受賞店 2024年Bronze受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2024 Bronze 受賞店 2023年Bronze受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2023 Bronze 受賞店 2022年Bronze受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2022 Bronze 受賞店 2021年Bronze受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2021 Bronze 受賞店 2020年Bronze受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2020 Bronze 受賞店 百名店 選出歴 日本料理 百名店 2025 選出店 食べログ 日本料理 WEST 百名店 2025 選出店 日本料理 百名店 2023 選出店 食べログ 日本料理 WEST 百名店 2023 選出店 日本料理 百名店 2021 選出店 食べログ 日本料理 WEST 百名店 2021 選出店\",\"Categories\":\"Japanese Cuisine\",\"Phone number (for reservation and inquiry)\":\"075-748-1216\",\"Reservation availability\":\"Reservation only We kindly ask that you refrain from visiting our establishment with excessive perfume. While you are welcome to take photos of the dishes, please wait until the following month to post them on social media or Tabelog.\",\"Address\":\"京都府京都市東山区妙法院前側町422 Show larger map Find nearby restaurants Transportation Approximately 11 minutes walk from \\\"Kiyomizu-Gojo\\\" Station on the Keihan Main Line About 14 minutes walk from Shichijo Station on the Keihan Main Line 1 minute from the city bus stop \\\"Umamachi\\\" 3 minutes by car from the city bus stop \\\"Gojozaka\\\" 633 meters from Shichijo.\",\"Business hours\":\"Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun, Public Holiday, Day before public holiday, Day after public holiday 12:00 - 14:30 18:30 - 21:00 Wed Closed ■Business hours [Lunch] Starts at 12:00 [Dinner] Starts at 18:30 ■Closed on Wednesdays and Not fixed Price: JPY 34,000 for dinner December: JPY 47,000 For reservations, please call between 9:00 and 17:00 (please note that we may not be able to answer calls during business hours).\",\"Average price\":\"JPY 30,000 - JPY 39,999 JPY 10,000 - JPY 14,999\",\"Average price (Based on reviews)\":\"JPY 30,000 - JPY 39,999 JPY 10,000 - JPY 14,999 View spending breakdown\",\"Payment methods\":\"Credit card accepted (VISA, Master, JCB, AMEX, Diners) Electronic money not accepted QR code payments not accepted\",\"Service charge & fee\":\"Service charge 10% Original text サービス料10% This section has been automatically translated. Please check with the restaurant for accurate information.\",\"Number of seats\":\"14 seats ( 10 seats at the counter, 1 private counter)\",\"Private rooms\":\"Available For 4 people\",\"Private use\":\"Available For up to 20 people\",\"Non-smoking/smoking\":\"Non smoking\",\"Parking\":\"Available Parking will be provided\",\"Space/facilities\":\"Stylish space, Relaxing space, Spacious seating, Counter seating\",\"Drink\":\"Sake (Nihonshu), Wine, Particular about Sake (Nihonshu), Particular about wine\",\"Occasion\":\"None\",\"Location\":\"Hideout\",\"Service\":\"Take-out\",\"Dress code\":\"Smart Casual\",\"Website\":\"",\"The opening day\":\"2018.9.1\",\"Remarks\":\"* Payment by card is not accepted for lunch. * We kindly ask you to refrain from smoking while your meal is being served.\"}","Matched Location ID":"5c6a43fd-8081-46ef-b8e7-c14c34b5af3a","Match Status":"matched","Match Method":"award_page_url_exact","Match Confidence":"high","Matched On URL":"","Matched DB Name":"Yoshihisa","Matched DB Address":"Kyoto Kyoto City Higashi山 Ward妙法院前側 Town 422","Needs Review":"no","Review Reason":"","Fallback Score":"","Fallback Name Sim":"","Fallback Addr Sim":"","Fallback Loc Sim":"","Fallback City Sim":"","Fallback Country Sim":"","Fallback Phone Match":"","Fallback Domain Match":"","Fallback Explanation":""}; The chef oversees every aspect of the menu, which changes monthly. The restaurant evolves from moment to moment as seasons shift and the day’s ingredients are chosen; this impermanence inspires the passion and the flavours at the core of the chef’s creativity. He embraces the principle of shuhari, the three stages of mastery: first, master the basics; next, break the mould with creativity; finally, set out on your own to blaze a new trail. Guest and chef merge time and space, sharing a mutually felt joy.; Tabelog Silver Award 2025 Score: 4.32 Cuisine: Japanese Cuisine / Kyoto Phone: 075-748-1216 Hours: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun, Public Holiday, Day before public holiday, Day after public holiday 12:00 - 14:30 18:30 - 21:00 Address: Kyoto Kyoto City Higashi山 Ward妙法院前側 Town 422 Tabelog:; Michelin 1 Star (2024) | Hard | — |
| Gion Sasaki | Kaiseki, Japanese | Michelin 3 Star | Unknown | — |
| cenci | Italian | Michelin 1 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
| Ifuki | Kaiseki | Michelin 2 Star | Unknown | — |
| Kyokaiseki Kichisen | Japanese | Michelin 2 Star | Unknown | — |
| SEN | French, Japanese | Michelin 1 Star | Unknown | — |
Side-by-side comparison to help you decide where to book.
Parties of up to four can book the private room; the restaurant can also be hired exclusively for up to 20 people. The main counter seats 10 plus a private counter, giving the room a total of 14 seats. For groups larger than four who want privacy, inquire about full buyout when reserving by phone at +81-75-748-1216.
Kyokaiseki Kichisen is the prestige benchmark in Kyoto kaiseki — higher price, harder reservation, and a longer legacy. Gion Sasaki is the comparable seasonal counter if you want a more animated counter experience. Ifuki offers serious kaiseki technique at a lower entry price point, making it a practical first kaiseki for those not yet ready to commit ¥34,000 to dinner.
There is no à la carte — the kitchen runs a set kaiseki menu that changes monthly, so you eat what the season and the chef dictate on the day. Lunch runs ¥10,000–¥14,999; dinner runs ¥30,000–¥39,999 (fixed at ¥34,000, rising to ¥47,000 in December). The drink programme focuses on sake and wine, with the venue noted for particular care in both selections.
Book at least four to six weeks ahead for weekends; weekday dinner slots can open closer in, but with only 14 seats and a Michelin star, availability is tight throughout. Reservations are by phone only, to +81-75-748-1216, between 09:00 and 17:00. Calling outside business hours or during service is unlikely to get through, so plan around the reservation window.
At ¥34,000 for dinner (¥47,000 in December), it sits mid-range for Michelin-starred kaiseki in Kyoto, which makes it a reasonable entry point into the category relative to Kichisen but meaningfully more expensive than neighbourhood kaiseki. The Tabelog Silver award in 2025 and consistent Tabelog 100 selection from 2021 through 2025 suggest the kitchen sustains its level, which matters at this price. Lunch at ¥10,000–¥14,999 is the lower-risk way to assess the cooking before committing to dinner.
Yes, with conditions: the room seats 14 and includes a private room for four and a separate private counter, both suited to anniversary dinners or business meals requiring discretion. Smart casual dress is required. Note that photography of dishes is permitted, but the restaurant asks that photos not be posted on social media or Tabelog until the following month — something to factor in if social documentation is part of the occasion.
Keep this venue in your Pearl passport, rate it after you visit, and track it alongside every other place you collect.