Renkon Ya

Centrally located, friendly, and serves delicious homestyle food — what’s not to like about Renkon-ya? This izakaya in downtown Kyoto near Sanjo Station is a cozy little restaurant that’s popular with the locals.

When walking around Kyoto, it’s hard to tell which of the traditional wooden machiya townhouses are restaurants, hotels, or private dwellings, if you can’t read Japanese. But one indicator is the noren curtains hanging over the door. There’s just something about pushing aside the noren curtains and sliding open the door to step into a restaurant. That’s especially true when you’re anticipating a good meal — like at Renkon-ya in downtown Kyoto.

First opened in 1950, Renkon-ya is a small restaurant located in a former lower-ranking samurai home. It’s not opulent, but it’s decidedly cozy and comfortable. Even today, they still serve homestyle Japanese cooking at reasonable prices. Their dishes go down pretty damn well with cups and cups of cold sake!

What can you have here? Start with the signature dish of karashi renkon — that’s lotus root with Japanese mustard. It’s so popular that the restaurant itself was named for this dish! You’ll also want to try the Wakasa karei, which is righteye flounder air-dried overnight and prepared three ways — sashimi, grilled, and as a bone broth.

Keep sampling your way through the menu with an assortment of small dishes. From grilled eggplant (yakinasu) to meat and potato stew (nikujaga), and even herring and aubergine, there’s much in the way of Kyoto-style home cooking to try at Renkon-ya. A great little restaurant for when you’re downtown and wondering where to go. Doors open from 5pm, and it’s a good way to begin a night of bar-hopping.

For more Kyoto izakaya choices, see our Best Izakaya in Kyoto page.

Name in English:
Renkon-ya

Name in Japanese:
れんこんや

English address:
236 Yamazaki-cho, Nishikiyamachi-dori-Sanjo-sagaru, Nakagyo-ku

Japanese address:
中京区西木屋町通三条下ル山崎町236

Opening hours:
5am-11pm
Closed Sunday

Price: Mid-range

Non-smoking area: Completely Non-Smoking

Nearest Transport:
5min walk from Sanjo Station Exit 6, Keihan line or Sanjo Keihan Station, Tozai subway line

Reservations:
Possible

Telephone: 221-1061

Website: none

Near To Here:
Renkon-ya is located in Kyoto’s Downtown district. See our complete list of things to do in Downtown Kyoto, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.

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- For a quick overview, see my [First Time In Kyoto](/blog/kyoto/first-time-in-kyoto) guide. - [Check if a visa is required for Japan](/blog/japan/need-visa-japan) - Check Kyoto accommodation availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com. - [Buy Japan Rail Tickets and Shinkansen Tickets Online](/blog/japan/how-to-buy-japan-rail-tickets-and-shinkansen-tickets-online). - For tips on where to stay, see [Where To Stay In Kyoto](/blog/kyoto/where-to-stay-in-kyoto). - See my [Packing List For Japan](/blog/japan/packing-list-for-japan). - Purchase an [eSim or SIM card for Japan](/blog/japan/internet-access-in-japan-for-tourists-wifi-pocket-wifi-sim-cards-rental-phones-etc). - Compare flight prices on Skyscanner. - Consider a Japan Rail Pass - see [if it's worth](/blog/japan/japan-rail-pass-is-it-worth-it) for you. - Consider a travel insurance.