Restaurant in Kyoto, Japan
Eight seats, one format, no shortcuts.
Miyoshi is Kyoto's most decorated beef kaiseki counter, holding Tabelog Silver recognition annually since 2021 and Gold in 2019–2020. At JPY 60,000–79,999 per person for an eight-seat dinner-only format in Gion, it is the right booking for a special occasion if you want premium wagyu handled with kaiseki precision — and a sake program with genuine depth.
If you have already experienced Kyoto's traditional kaiseki circuit and want something that pushes the format into new territory, Miyoshi earns a return visit. The format here is beef kaiseki — a counter-only, reservation-required dinner structured around wagyu in the kaiseki style — and it is one of the few restaurants in Japan doing this with consistent, award-backed credibility. Tabelog Silver recognition every year from 2021 through 2026, plus Gold in both 2019 and 2020, places this squarely in the top tier of Kyoto dining. If you are booking for a special occasion and want something that diverges from the tea-ceremony aesthetic of conventional kaiseki, Miyoshi is the right call.
Dinner at Miyoshi is a single-format commitment: an eight-seat counter, two sittings (first from 17:00, second from 20:00), and a course meal built around premium Japanese beef under chef Tsutomu Ito. The room is described as stylish and relaxed, with counter seating only , no private rooms. The atmosphere skews quiet and focused rather than celebratory-loud. At eight seats total, the energy is more like a chef's table than a restaurant floor, which makes it a strong pick for a date or a small group of friends who want conversation alongside the cooking. Arrive on time: lateness reduces the number of courses you receive, and arriving more than 30 minutes late is treated as a cancellation.
The sake program is a genuine draw alongside the food. Miyoshi lists sake, shochu, and wine, with a sommelier on hand and a noted emphasis on nihonshu. For a beef-focused kaiseki, a pairing built around Japanese sake rather than wine is both more coherent and more interesting , this is not a venue where the wine list is an afterthought, but the real depth sits in the sake selection. If sake pairings are new to you, this is a well-supported environment to explore them alongside a course meal at this price level. Guests who prefer wine are not left behind, but the sake route is where Miyoshi's beverage program has the clearer point of view.
Budget JPY 60,000–79,999 per person for dinner, before the 10% service charge. At that price, the comparison set shifts to Kyoto's top-tier kaiseki houses. A sommelier, an eight-seat counter, and six consecutive Tabelog Silver awards (following two Gold years) represent a credible proposition at that spend , but go in knowing this is a single-session, no-substitution format. The restaurant states it cannot always accommodate requests for raw or rare meat, or allergy-based changes. If your group has significant dietary restrictions, contact the venue directly before booking.
Children are not accepted; reservations are open to middle school age and above. No parking is available on-site. The dress code is minimal , avoid heavy perfume , which keeps the format accessible without being casual. Credit cards are accepted (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex, Diners). The restaurant is a six-minute walk from Keihan Gion Shijo Station, placing it in the heart of the Gion district.
For other high-end beef kaiseki in Japan, compare Gyuho in Osaka and Niku Kappō JŌ in Tokyo. If you want to extend your Kyoto dining beyond beef, Gion Sasaki, Hyotei, and Kikunoi Honten cover the traditional kaiseki tier. Nikuryori Kanae is a closer format comparison within Kyoto itself. For broader context, Pearl's full Kyoto restaurants guide covers the city's leading tables across formats and price points. Further afield, HAJIME in Osaka, Harutaka in Tokyo, akordu in Nara, Goh in Fukuoka, 1000 in Yokohama, and 6 in Okinawa round out Japan's decorated dining tier if you are planning a wider trip. See also Pearl's guides to Kyoto hotels, Kyoto bars, Kyoto wineries, and Kyoto experiences.
| Venue | Price | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Miyoshi | — | |
| Gion Sasaki | ¥¥¥¥ | — |
| cenci | ¥¥¥ | — |
| Ifuki | ¥¥¥¥ | — |
| Kyokaiseki Kichisen | ¥¥¥¥ | — |
| Kyo Seika | ¥¥¥ | — |
What to weigh when choosing between Miyoshi and alternatives.
Dinner only — Miyoshi does not serve lunch. The restaurant operates two evening sittings, first from 17:00 and second from 20:00, Monday through Saturday. Budget ¥60,000–¥79,999 per person plus a 10% service charge. If your priority is a daytime beef kaiseki option in Kyoto, Miyoshi is not the right fit.
The counter seats exactly eight, so the whole room can be booked for private use — which makes Miyoshi workable for groups of up to eight. Parties larger than that cannot be accommodated. For groups of two to four, you are sharing the counter with other diners unless you arrange an exclusive buyout. No private rooms are available.
With caution. The venue's own policy states it may not be able to accommodate preferences for raw or rare meat, or allergies. At ¥60,000–¥79,999 per head for a fixed beef-focused course, this is not a venue where the kitchen can easily reroute the menu. If you have significant dietary restrictions, check the venue's official channels before booking — a cancellation fee applies if plans change.
No formal dress code is specified, but the one explicit rule is to avoid excessive perfume. At this price point and with only eight counter seats, smart presentable attire is appropriate. The space is described as stylish and relaxing, not ceremonially formal, so a dark smart-casual outfit covers you — just skip the heavy fragrance.
Keep this venue in your Pearl passport, rate it after you visit, and track it alongside every other place you collect.
