We found this restaurant to live up to its reviews! it is small place (seating less than 30) packed with ambiance. The staff was helpful, could speak english well and very accomodating. The patrons were a lively mix of locals and tourists. There were many turned away at the door while we were there. The set menu was delicious, plenty... More

This restaurant is a great choice in Kyoto. There are lots of good things to say. First, although it is a tad hard to find - best to have the address written in Japanese for the taxi driver - and even then you might need to ask, the little street is awash with cherry blossoms in season and runs beside... More

Excellent service. Must be a meat lover. Fun group grilled meat meal, grilled at the table. Full of foreigners, not locals.

A little alleyway that runs alongside the river and there are many restaurants along it. With most of them you will need to take pot luck as they do not have English written menus or pictures but sometimes this can be a very interesting and a funny surprise! Be aware that the restaurants all seem to put a cover charge... More

We stumbled on this restaurant on our first night in Gion (and third night in Japan). Still a little anxious about the language issues we were grateful for an English menu so thought we'd 'give it a go'. We were surprised to be asked if we had a reservation but fortunate enough to get a seat without one. And were... More

It's a little expensive but the food is worth it. Very friendly staff that speaks english. Its a set menu, and it's more than enough food, cooked right in front of you.

We visited Ken's restaurant in november during our Japan-trip. We ate in a lot of really good japanese restaurants that month. But this one is superb...Very friendly boss and staff. The food is of very very high quality. Just visit "issian pontocho". You will never regret it. Thank you Ken for the great time you gave us! t & a

We were looking for a place to have Wagyu beef but steak house Yoshida was closed so we came to this place instead. Turned out its specialty is on chicken, as I was told by the staff, not the Wagyu beef but we still had good food anyway. The rice is cooked per order that means you have to wait... More

After roaming the streets of Gion for over an hour my husband and I were very happy to find Issian. It isn't that there are a shortage of restaurants, but rather because there are so many that look so fancy and expensive that we were happy to see a lively spot with beers and good food. I had marked Issian... More