Kyoto Higashiyama Walking Itinerary Guide

by Emily | posted in: Kansai Japan | 0

Last updated on July 24th, 2024

This Kyoto Higashiyama walking itinerary guide will take you to some of the area’s most notable highlights in the area.

Kyoto is one of my favorite places in Japan. The beautiful city is an amazing place to immerse yourself in the historical, cultural, and wonderful traditional cuisine. Despite all of those options, Kyoto is a compact city, and some of the attractions are best enjoyed on foot.

There are many Kyoto city walking routes that you can plan. Among all, the Higashiyama District (東山) is Kyoto’s best-preserved historic district and most famous sightseeing district. There are many attractions in the area and is best to explore on foot.

Here. I’m going to try my best to give you a Kyoto Higashiyama Walking Course itinerary to explore the Southern Higashiyama District. This walking tour itinerary will take you to some of the highlights in Southern Higashiyama that you shouldn’t miss when visiting the area. It covers everything I think is worth seeing in Kyoto Southern Higashiyama.

The Southern Higashiyama walking guide itinerary is designed to take half a day to a full day, depending on the pace at which you want to move and the amount of time you’d like to spend at each stop. Below is our Southern Higashiyama walking itinerary during one of our visit to Kyoto

How To Plan the Kyoto Higashiyama Walking Course Itinerary

The Southern Higashiyama walking itinerary covers a 10km route with several stops along the way.

Starting from Gojozaka and Chawanzaka, you’ll visit Sannen-zaka and Ninnen-zaka, Yasaka Shrine, Kodai-ji Temple, Choin-in, Yasaka-jinja Shrine, and end at the Gion. You can also do the route in reverse. The walk takes about three to four hours, but it could take longer if you take your time and have lunch on the way.

How to Plan Higashiyama Walking Itinerary Route:

Start from Gojozaka and Chawanzaka
Kiyomizudere
Sannenzaka and Ninnenzaka path
Yasaka Pagoda
Yasaka Koshindo
Nene-no-Michi and Kodai-ji Temple
Maruyama Park
Choin-in
Yasaka-jinja Shrine
Gion District

If you’re short on time, you can modify the itinerary to fit your preferences or split it over multiple days. Keep in mind that Southern Higashiyama is a popular district with many attractions, so expect it to be busy with lots of people.

Start from Gojozaka and Chawanzaka

To begin your Kyoto Southern Higashiyama walking itinerary, it’s best to arrive in the Kiyomizudera area as early as possible. You can take a bus to the Gojozaka bus stop and then walk up the Gojozaka and Chawanzaka to Kiyomizu-dera Temple. it’s a half-mile hike up the hill to get to the temple

This narrow paved shopping street is a half-mile hike up the hill to get to the temple. It is lined with wooden merchant houses that have been converted into small stores and restaurants.

Alternatively, you can take a taxi ride to the entrance of Kiyomizudera temple in the early morning, before 8:00 am, to avoid the steep uphill walk. This is especially helpful for the elderly and those with knee problems.

Kiyomizudera

As we move on to our next destination, we head north and slightly further east towards Kiyomizudera Temple. The UNESCO world heritage sites, Kiyomizudera is one of the must-visit for the Higashiyama walking itinerary.

Higashiyama Walking itinerary Must-See Kiyomizudera — Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺)

The Kiyomizudera temple complex was founded in 798 and is very extensive. The main temple with its enormous wooden deck built without the use of nails.

Your visit to Kiyomizudera includes the main temple, a dramatic pagoda, the Otowa-no-taki waterfall that may grant blessings to those who drink from it, and a variety of other temple buildings and attractions. Take some time to explore the temple.

Kiyomizu-dera | 清水寺
Address: 1-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Hours: 6:00 to 18:00 (Hours may change seasonally)
Entrance fee: ¥400
Official Website: http://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/en/

Sannenzaka and Ninnenzaka Path

After visiting Kiyomizu-dera, you can walk down to the scenic Sannenzaka (産寧坂) and Ninnenzaka (二寧坂) path. These pedestrian streets are lined with traditional houses and cobblestone, creating a charming atmosphere. The surrounding area is designate as a traditional architectures preservation district.

You can explore the area to find many teahouses and restaurants for a relaxing break. Sample local delicacies such as matcha confectioneries, pastries, Japanese pickled treats, and a variety of Japanese snacks. Most stores and restaurants in the Higashiyama district operate from around 10:00 to 17:00.

The streets are usually crowded with both local and foreign visitors, as well as large tour groups in the middle of the day.

For coffee enthusiasts, a unique Starbucks branch, Starbucks Kyoto Ninenzaka Yasaka Chaya, is worth a visit. Here, you can enjoy your regular Starbucks coffee while sitting on tatami seats in an interior that resembles a traditional Japanese home.

Keep in mind that there’s usually a long queue and limited seating, so plan your visit accordingly.

Yasaka Pagoda

After exploring some of the smaller streets, look for Yasaka Pagoda (八坂の塔). The picturesque five-storey pagoda is the most recognisable and easily-spotted landmark of Higashiyama.

The Yasaka pagoda is part of Hokan-ji Temple. As you approach through the old neighborhood, you can really appreciate the ornate pagoda looming up before you. It was originally founded in 589 by Imperial Prince Shotoku.

Yasaka Pagoda | 八坂の塔
Address: 388 Yasaka Kamimachi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

Yasaka Koshindo

Next, make a detour to visit Yasaka Koshindo (八坂庚申堂), a small temple with many colorful balls called “kukurizaru”. Worshippers write their wishes on a colorful ball and then hang them at the site. The balls represent the good faith monkeys and are in the shape of a monkey with hands and feet bound.

Many young women dress up in kimonos to take photos with the balls as a most colorful backdrop. This is a wonderful place to come for an unusual photo shots.

Yasaka Koshindo | 八坂庚申堂
Address: 390 Kinen-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00
Entrance fee: free!

Nene-no-Michi and Kodai-ji Temple

Most of the visitors will end their Higashiyama walking itinerary that covers the Kiyomizudera area. This will be spend about 3 to 4 hours for time of visit. If you have more time and would love to continue immerse yourself in history, continue your walking itinerary to Kodai-ji, Maruyama Park, Choin-in, Yasaka-jinja Shrine, and further to Gion District.

At the bottom of Ninnen-zaka, continue heading into Nene-no-Michi (ねねの道), also known as the Path of Nene. This street is named after Nene, the wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, one of Japan’s greatest historical figures. Similar to Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, you will find numerous beautiful stores selling a variety of goods.

Consider a visit to Kodai-ji Temple, which is located above Nene-no-Michi.

Kodai-ji Temple (高台寺) is an outstanding temple in Kyoto’s Higashiyama District. The temple is renowned for its stunning Zen gardens and intricate architecture, providing a serene escape from the bustling streets outside. It was established in 1606 in memory of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

Kodai-ji | 高台寺
Address: 526 Shimokawara-cho, Kodai-ji, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00
Entrance fee: ¥600

Maruyama Park

Keep following Nene no Michi until you reach Maruyama Park (円山公園). This is a public park located next to the Yasaka-jinja Shrine. It’s renowned as one of Kyoto’s most popular spots for viewing cherry blossoms and is usually quite crowded during the cherry blossom season.

Maruyama Park | 円山公園
Address: 473 Maruyama-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Hours: Always open.

Choin-in

Chionin is located just north of Maruyama Park in Kyoto’s Higashiyama District. It is definitely worth a visit when you are in the area.

The Chionin (知恩院) is the head temple of the Jodo sect of Japanese Buddhism, which has millions of followers and is one of the most popular Buddhist sects in Japan. The temple boasts extensive grounds, large buildings, and houses revered effigies.

One of the most striking features of the Chionin temple is its grand Sanmon Gate.

You can explore most of the temple grounds for free and pay ¥500 to enter the Yuzenen Garden and Hojo-Teien Garden. As you walk up the steps through the impressive San-Mon Gate, be sure to visit the main hall, which is also free to enter.

Chionin | 知恩院
Address: 400 Rinkacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto
Hours: 9:00 to 16:00
Entrance Fee: Free for temple group and ¥500 to enter the Yuzenen Garden and Hojo-Teien Garden.

Yasaka-jinja Shrine

Next, continue to the Yasaka-jinja Shrine (八坂神社), the main shrine of the Gion area.

The Yasaka-jinja Shrine is a vibrant symbol of Shinto spirituality. It stands as a testament to Kyoto’s cultural legacy and is particularly important to the local community, including the Geisha in the area. The shrine hosts lively festivals throughout the year. It’s beautiful to visit during the day when you can see lots of people dressed up in traditional kimonos.

Yasaka-jinja | 八坂神社
Address: 625 Gion-machi Kitagawa, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Hours: Always open.

Gion District

Lastly, Gion (祇園) is the ancient district of Kyoto. Its history dates back to the 15th century Sengoku period. It is famous for traditional teahouses, winding cobbled streets, and Japanese Geisha. Just out the front gate of Yasaka-jinja and across the street, you’ll find plenty of lunch and coffee shop options on the main street and throughout this area.

That’s the end of the Higashiyama walking itinerary. The walking journey takes about 4 to 6 hours, depending on the time spent at each stop. You can also continue walking to the Gion district and see the famous sights, including Pontocho, Kamor river, and Hanami-koji Street.

Higashiyama Walking Guide Tips

Remember the following tips for visiting the Southern Higashiyama area:

Start early if possible. Southern Higashiyama is a popular route and tends to be crowded with both local and foreign visitors.

Take your time and avoid rushing. Allocate time in your day to stop often, explore the narrow streets, visit local tea or coffee shops, enjoy a leisurely lunch, and indulge in treats at the market.

Wear comfortable, flat shoes as the beautiful Higashiyama area is best explored on foot. Expect to do a lot of walking on the Higashiyama walking itinerary.

Utilize city buses as a convenient way to access the Hiyashiyama area. Additionally, you can reach the area via Gion-Shijo or Kiyomizu-Gojo Stations on the Keihan Line. Taxis in Kyoto are also an affordable option for reaching the area.

Overall: Kyoto Higashiyama Walking Course

All in all, we hope you enjoy this Kyoto Higashiyama Walking Course itinerary that we’ve shared. It’s a beautiful and fascinating area to discover, and the best way to do it is on foot, at your own pace.

Lastly, if you are planning to explore Kyoto, you may also like our Kyoto travel stories below:

More Kyoto Day Trip Suggestion:

Maruya Honten Nagoya: Popular Hitsumabushi Restaurant

by Emily | posted in: Chubu Japan | 0

Last updated on July 24th, 2024

Maruya Honten Nagoya is a renowned restaurant known for its Hitsumabushi dish, beloved by locals. Savor the Hitsumabushi in 3 different ways!

Hitsumabushi is considered one of the best regional dishes in Nagoya. The grilled unagi (freshwater eel) is served over a bed of rice and is a specialty of Aichi prefecture.

During our recent visit to Japan, we stopped at Nagoya before heading to the next destination. We couldn’t miss the opportunity to try Hitsumabushi. This time we went to Maruya Honten, and the food was amazing. It was one of the best bowls of eel rice ever. Whatever style it was served in, the eel was cooked perfectly and flavorful.

For more details, you can continue reading my food review on Maruya Honten, one of the best places to savor the mouthwatering Hitsumabushi in Nagoya.

Nagoya Hitsumabushi – Maruya Honten

The popular Nagoya Hitsumabushi Maruya Honten has many branches in Nagoya. The most convenient for travelers will be the store located on the Taiko-dori side of Nagoya Station or the Maruya Honten Meieki Branch in Nagoya Station.

Maruya Honten – JR Nagoya Station store (まるや本店　JR名古屋駅店)
Address: 〒450-0002 Aichi, Nagoya, Nakamura Ward, Meieki, 1 Chome−1−4 名古屋うまいもん通り.
Business Hour: Daily from 11:00 to 22:00

Maruya (まるや本店　名駅店)
Address: 〒450-0002 Aichi, Nagoya, Nakamura Ward, Meieki, 1 Chome−2−1 名鉄百貨店本館 9F レストラン街.
Business Hour: Daily from 11:00 to 22:00

Official Website: https://www.maruya-honten.com/

We chose to visit the Maruya Honten Meieki Branch located on the 9th floor of the Meitetsu department store at Nagoya Station.

Another popular option to savor the mouthwatering Hitsumabushi in Nagoya is Hitsumabushi Atsuta Houraiken – Read my food review here.

My Visit to Maruya Honten Nagoya

This time, since we were staying at the Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel – connected with Nagoya Station, we decided to visit Maruya Honten to try the Hitsumabushi Eel dish.

Maruya Honten is quite famous in Nagoya. When we arrived 30 minutes before the opening time, there was already a line. It’s worth noting that there is no reservation system or system for writing your name down, so we simply had to wait in line. Many locals were waiting in line to taste the mouthwatering Hitsumabushi.

Fortunately, we managed to get in once the shop opened.

What To Order

They have an English menu so ordering is easy.

Almost every dish was complete with eel. Basically you just need to decide the portion size of the unagi you want. Choose from 3 sizes – mini, regular, deluxe, or the Special Set and you can eating your Hitsumabishi 3 ways. There are also option for 2/3 or 1/2 eel set. A set meal was slightly more than ¥3,000 but it was worth it.

We had the Special Hitsumabushi Set to enjoy the meal fullness.

Hitsumabushi from Maruya Honten

Although there were many people, the food arrived quickly after we ordered.

The presentation was unique, with the rice and eel served in a wooden bowl, presumably traditional. The eel was grilled to a crispy perfection and tasted delicious. It is smoky, hot, and perfectly seasoned flavor that was truly heavenly. It paired wonderfully with the tender Japanese rice.

Eating Hitsumabushi in 3 way

Maruya Honten - The 3 ways to eating Hitsumabushi

The instructions for each way of eating Hitsumabushi are conveniently listed in the menu, making it easy to follow and savor the dish. Just stir the eel and rice in a wooden tub and put the different portions and enjoy it follow the simple steps.

The Hitsumabushi can be enjoyed in three different ways:

Maruya Honten - Eat Hitsumabushi in Original Way

1) Eat it on its own to taste the original flavor.

Maruya Honten - Eat Hitsumabushi by adding condiments

2) Add condiments such as spring onions, wasabi horseradish, nori-dried laver, and a bit of soy sauce (optional) to taste.

Maruya Honten - Pour Tea to Hitsumabushi

Maruya Honten - Eat Hitsumabushi in o-chazuke way

3) Pour broth over the third portion, similar to o-chazuke (茶漬け) with rice.

The experience of eating Hitsumabushi in three ways was well explained and enjoyable. It was a perfect finish for a perfect meal!

Overall: Maruya Honten Nagoya Food Review

All in all, the Hitsumabushi from Maruya Honten was absolutely delicious, and we really enjoyed the three different ways of eating it. There are numerous places in Nagoya and throughout Japan where you can sample hitsumabushi, and Maruya Honten is definitely one of the best. However, be prepared to wait in line, as this restaurant is extremely popular. Nevertheless, the wait is definitely worth it.

Lastly, trying hitsumabushi is a must if you find yourself in Nagoya. If we ever visit Nagoya again, we will definitely return to Maruya Honten to try their unagi rice bowl.

If you enjoyed this Nagoya food post, you could also read about other Nagoya travel guide including Nagoya itinerary planning, where to stay and what to eat in Nagoya.

Complete read in Chubu travel blog:

8-Days Chubu Itinerary: Complete Central Japan Travel Guide

Takayama and Shirakawago Travel Blog:

Tateyama Alpine Route and Kamikochi Travel Blog:

Kanazawa Travel and Food Blog:

Steakland Kobe-kan: Affordable Kobe Beef Teppanyaki

by Emily | posted in: Kansai Japan | 0

Last updated on July 24th, 2024

Anyone visiting Kobe should make a point to stop by Steakland Kobe-kan and savor the world-famous Kobe beef at an affordable price. The meat is juicy, tender, and simply melts in your mouth!

While in Kobe, trying Kobe beef is a must. Renowned as one of the best beef in the world and considered a delicacy, Kobe beef is pricey and dining at the top restaurants can be challenging. Near the Sannomiya JR Station, there are numerous options for Kobe beef, and we chose to visit Steakland, known for its affordable cuts.

Steakland Kobe offers various grades of steak and their Kobe beef lunch set provides the best value. The meal includes a generous portion of meat, seasoned and cooked right in front of you according to your preference. The accompanying dishes were also excellent.

We visited Steakland as part of my trip to Kobe and was thoroughly impressed. The meal was fantastic, and the beef was exceptional. I highly recommend this place for a delightful meal in a great atmosphere. Be sure to check out Steakland Kobe for affordable Kobe beef Teppanyaki!

Table of Contents

Steakland Kobe-kan

Steakland Kobe is a restaurant specializing in Kobe Beef. It is an expansive Kobe beef restaurant that spans multiple floors and offers teppanyaki-style seating, providing everyone with a view of the chef’s skills. The restaurant is easy to spot when walking down the main street of Kobe. It is ideally located in a lively part of the city, just a short walk from either the Kobe Station or the Shin-Kobe Station.

There are two restaurants where you can enjoy affordable Kobe beef at Steakland. They are located close to each other.

While Steakland Kobe may not be the best Kobe beef restaurant in the city, it offers one of the best-value Kobe beef sets in the country. The restaurant is popular and filled with locals and foreigners for good reason. It is one of the best places to enjoy authentic, affordable Kobe beef in Kobe. Although not cheap, the affordable lunch set menu costs only JPY 3,180 for the Kobe beef meal, which is truly a steal!

Steakland Kobekan (ステーキランド神戸館)
Address: 1-9-17, Kitanagasadori, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo Prefecture, 650-0012
Opening hours: Daily from 11:00 to 13:00, Reopened at 17:00 to 21:00.

Steakland Kobe (ステーキランド神戸店)
Address: 1-8-2, Kitanagasadori, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi Miyaba building 1F, 2F
Opening hours: Daily from 11:00 to 22:00 (L.O 21:00)

Nearest Station: 5-minute walk from Sannomiya JR Station

My Food Visit To Steakland Kobe-kan

Steakland Kobe has been popular for years and it looked absolutely enticing, so we decided that this would be our restaurant of choice when looking for Kobe Beef in the city. Note that Steakland reservations can be made by phone; it is highly recommended for larger groups.

When we walked in for Saturday lunch without a reservation, we saw a long line of people waiting at the lift lobby. The queues can be really long during lunch, so we recommend coming early to avoid crowds.

There are no instructions on what to do, but eventually we figured out that we need to get a queue number from a machine near the entrance of the restaurant. There is a seating area for diners to wait for the numbers. We waited for around 30 minutes before our number got called.

Following the group, we were next seated at a teppanyaki grill and table. This was a large U-shaped table with seating around the centered grill and a central opening for the chef to stand and cook.

Steakland Kobe Menu

We were presented with a lunch set menu featuring a wide selection of beef dishes. The lunch sets range in price from ¥1,200 for the steak lunch to ¥4,500 for the Kobe tender beef set meal. The tender beef had a higher marbling and was more tender.

Each set includes a generous portion of vegetables (bean sprouts), garlic, rice, soup, and your choice of orange juice or coffee to complement the succulent steak, which is cooked to your preference by skilled chefs. It’s important to note that the drink is served at the end of the meal.

Regardless of the set you select, you’ll receive a substantial, mouthwatering steak that remains tender even when cooked right in front of you in teppanyaki style.

Kobe Beef in Teppanyaki-Style

Best place to eat Kobe Beef - Steakland with Teppanyaki-style

After we placed our order, there was a brief wait for the preparation.

Shortly thereafter, our skilled chef appeared and made a humble introduction. He then meticulously cleaned the hot plate and proceeded to grill sliced garlic to crispy perfection. This was followed by a delightful combination of bean sprouts, and greens.

Steakland Kobe - Garlic Chips in Teppanyaki Style

Lastly, the Kobe beef. We were given the choice of having our steak cooked rare or medium rare. The chef at Steakland Kobe demonstrated exceptional precision as he expertly sliced, diced, and prepared each piece of meat to perfection, tailored to our exact preferences.

Affordable Kobe Beef

Kobe Beef refers to Wagyu beef from the Tajima strain of Japanese Black cattle raised in Hyogo Prefecture. It is considered one of Japan’s top three beef brands, revered for its flavor, tenderness, and fatty, well-marbled texture. Quality like that comes at a price, with customers typically paying around ¥10,000-¥20,000 for one certified Kobe Beef steak.

The Steakland Kobe menu, especially the lunch set, offers a great opportunity to try affordable Kobe beef. Since this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, we both chose the Kobe Beef set. We chose the Kobe beef steak set and found it to be relatively good value for the money. The chef will cook the steak in front of you in teppanyaki style.

The Meat and The Taste

It was a delight to watch the chef prepare the Kobe Beef right in front of us at Steakland. We had been eagerly anticipating that first bite for a long time, so I was a bit worried that it might not live up to my expectations.

Fortunately, we were not disappointed at all. The first bite was truly amazing.

The medium-rare Kobe beef steak was flavorful and practically melted in our mouths. The taste was outstanding, and the texture was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. Personally, I prefer a bit more fat, but considering the price and the way it was cooked, it was still enjoyable as part of the set meal. Overall, the Kobe Beef experience was everything I had hoped for and more.

We also tried the garlic chips and bean sprouts, which were served as sides. The garlic chips added a nice subtle flavor and were great to munch on, while the bean sprouts were crisp and juicy.

The Drawback

While the staff are efficient and doing their best to serve us, the service is not up to the Japanese standard. Our afte-meal drink was delaye and we had to remind the staff to bring it to us.

If you prefer a more private dining experience, Steakland Kobe-kan may not be the best choice for you. Random guests are seated together at the teppanyaki table to maximize seating capacity.

Additionally, since it’s a teppanyaki style restaurant where the chef cooks in front of you, it may not be the best environment for infants or small children. The atmosphere can be smoky and greasy, and the slippery floor was a real downside.

Overall: Steakland Kobe Food Review

Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our experience at Steakland Kobe-kan. The Kobe beef was excellent, but everything else was mediocre. There are plenty of other Kobe beef places in the same area, but they come with a much higher price tag. I’m not sure if we could have gotten a better meal elsewhere compared to Steakland. Considering the price, we left happy.

Lastly, traveling to Kobe and other interesting places in the Kansai region? If you are interested, please read about our visit to Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Uji, and Kobe.

Related Kobe travel Stories:

Kyoto and Osaka Travel Stories:

Best Day trip from Kyoto or Osaka:

How to travel to Osaka, Kyoto & Nara:

Yaekatsu: Local Favorite Osaka Best Kushikatsu

by Emily | posted in: Kansai Japan | 0

Last updated on July 24th, 2024

We tried the best Kushikatsu in Osaka at Yaekatsu, a popular traditional Japanese restaurant among locals. Check out how to order and what to eat at Yaekatsu.

When visiting Osaka, don’t forget to try the delicious kushikatsu (串揚げ), especially when you are in the Shinsekai area. Kushikatsu is made by frying beef and vegetables with bread crumbs attached to a skewer. This local dish is very popular in Osaka and is a common food among locals.

While there are many kushikatsu restaurants in Osaka, we highly recommend Yaekatsu as the best kushikatsu restaurant in Osaka. Below, you can find our dining experience at Yaekatsu.

Table of Contents

Yaekatsu – Osaka Best Kushikatsu

Yaekatsu (八重勝) is a beloved local restaurant in Osaka with a prime location in Shinsekai (新世界), boasting over 50 years of history. The restaurant specializes in kushikatsu, a Japanese-style dish featuring deep-fried skewered meat and vegetables.

The restaurant is extremely popular, and there is always a line of people waiting outside. Many people visit this restaurant frequently for its delicious food.

We always visit Yaekatsu for its food whenever we return to Osaka. The restaurant is easy to find and is the best place to eat when you are visiting the Shinsekai area. Even though it wasn’t peak lunch hour, we had to wait for about 30 minutes in line. So we recommend coming early or avoiding peak hours. But the queue moves pretty fast.

Yaekatsu (八重勝)
Address: 3-4-13 Ebisu Higashi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka, Japan.
Business Hour: Daily from 10:30 to 20:30. Closed on Thursday.
Getting there: 3 minutes walk from Dobutsuen-Mae metro station

Depending on how much food you order, but expect to pay 2,000-3,000 per person.

How To Order in Yaekatsu

Once inside, we were seated at the counter where the chef prepares the food in front of you. It’s a casual place where everyone seems to be having a good time. Most of the patrons are locals, and we enjoyed the vibe inside the restaurant.

After being seated, we received a menu with prices and started ordering. You can choose from vegetables, seafood, or meat. No need to order all at once as you can continue to order more as you go.

If you are seated in front of the food bar, you can also point to the skewer food for ordering. The server behind the counter will take your orders. The staff was very polite and accommodating, and we didn’t feel pressured to rush through our meal and vacate the seats.

What To Eat in Yaekatsu

Yaekatsu has only the two popular items on the menu, Kushikatsu (串揚げ) and Doteyaki (どて焼き). We recommend you try these Osaka specialties in this delicious restaurant.

The menu is quite extensive. But generally, the range of choices goes from various types of veggies, meat, and seafood kushikatsu. Just get a mixture of all. The most expensive items here are the prawns and oysters with the rest sitting between ¥100 to ¥200 yen per stick.

Don’t forget the cold sake or beers! They also serve non-alcoholic drinks as well as other drinks.

Kushikatsu

Let’s decide what to order at Yaekatsu today. The tiger prawns and scallops look really nice.

We ordered a variety of items: prawns, oysters, eggs, meat, green peppers, shiitake mushrooms, onions, and more. After placing our orders, we turned our attention to the chefs working behind the scenes, while we enjoyed our cold beer.

The servers will dip the food in batter, fry it in front of you, and serve it to you. Besides, there was a big bowl of soy sauce served with a dipping sauce and lettuce right in front, which was shared by all the customers before or after you.

It didn’t take long before the first batch of our orders arrived.

Two of my favorite skewers (not surprisingly the most expensive ones) – prawn and oyster.

The deep-fried oyster was so creamy and the batter was so crispy and light, making it very good. Perfectly match!

The prawn was seriously tasty, with a very nice bouncy texture.

The fried onion was really nice and sweet, and the batter was perfect.

Despite being deep-fried, it was not oily at all! Even my friend, who hates fried food, loved them. They were very cheap, so we tried different kushikatsu. I recommend trying everything on the menu. I had to order more than once to ease my craving. Great to enjoy with a cold beer for sure!

Doteyaki – Miso Tendons

As I mentioned earlier, Yaekatsu also specializes in doteyaki (tendon simmered in miso). This is a classic menu item at Yaekatsu that many Japanese restaurants offer. At Yaekatsu, you can see the tendons being cooked in miso paste at the restaurant. Almost everyone orders it.

This dish was surprisingly delicious. Its texture reminded me a little of Korean glutinous rice cake, but with a more aromatic taste and some earthy notes. The food might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s definitely mine. I really enjoyed it.

No Double Dipping

Just a reminder: NO DOUBLE DIPPING!

When enjoying kushikatsu, please dip your skewer into the sauce just once. The kushikatsu will be served with a pot of sauce in front of you. After you receive the skewer, dip it in the sauce as much as you like and then place it on your plate. It’s important not to take a bite and then dip the skewer again – this is considered taboo.

The restaurant is very strict about this rule, and there are numerous signs to remind patrons. Additionally, you can use the cabbage provided as a side, dipping it into the sauce to complement your kushikatsu.

Overall: Osaka Best Kushikatsu

Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed the ambiance and our meal at Yaekatsu. The food was delicious and reasonably priced. The wait time of 15-20 minutes wasn’t too bad, especially considering the long line. The restaurant had a good mix of both local and foreign patrons.

In short, I will definitely make it a priority to revisit Yaekatsu when I’m in Osaka again!

Related travel stories to Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Uji in Kansai region:

Osaka Food Guide: Top 8 Unique Food To Eat in Osaka

Blog Full

How To Plan the Kyoto Higashiyama Walking Course Itinerary

Start from Gojozaka and Chawanzaka

Kiyomizudera

Sannenzaka and Ninnenzaka Path

Yasaka Pagoda

Yasaka Koshindo

Nene-no-Michi and Kodai-ji Temple

Maruyama Park

Choin-in

Yasaka-jinja Shrine

Gion District

Higashiyama Walking Guide Tips

Overall: Kyoto Higashiyama Walking Course

Nagoya Hitsumabushi – Maruya Honten

My Visit to Maruya Honten Nagoya

What To Order

Hitsumabushi from Maruya Honten

Eating Hitsumabushi in 3 way

Overall: Maruya Honten Nagoya Food Review

Steakland Kobe-kan

My Food Visit To Steakland Kobe-kan

Steakland Kobe Menu

Kobe Beef in Teppanyaki-Style

Affordable Kobe Beef

The Meat and The Taste

The Drawback

Overall: Steakland Kobe Food Review

Yaekatsu – Osaka Best Kushikatsu

How To Order in Yaekatsu

What To Eat in Yaekatsu

Kushikatsu

Doteyaki – Miso Tendons

No Double Dipping

Overall: Osaka Best Kushikatsu