Sweet tonkatsu curry and cool jazz is a great combination and Coltrane is the place to enjoy it. Coltrane is a hip little joint on the edge of downtown, within easy walking distance of many hotels in the city core. It’s one of our favorite curry joints in Kyoto.

Filet tonkatsu curry at Coltrane – © Chris Rowthorn
For just over ¥1,000 you can enjoy either filet (ヒレ or “he-ray”) tonkatsu curry or loin (ロース, “row-sue”) tonkatsu curry. The former is fatty and the latter is lean. The katsu (pork cutlet) comes perfectly fried, placed on a bed of steaming rice and covered with an insanely delicious, sweet curry. Don’t let the word “sweet” put you off here – this is no kiddie curry (although your kids might well love this stuff), it’s a complex curry with excellent notes of spiciness to offset the sweetness.

Coltrane exterior – © Jun Kitayama
This is a good place to eat if you’re on your own as there are counter seats. There is an English menu and the staff speak some English. During peak lunch hours, there can be a bit of a wait, so you might want to go just off-peak.
For a casual and quick meal while you’re downtown, Coltrane is a great choice. It’s quickly becoming one of our go-to spots for one of our favorite Japanese dishes.
Name in English:
Coltrane Sweet Tonkatsu Curry
Name in Japanese:
とんかつ甘辛カレー Coltrane
English address:
502-2 Kamikoriki-cho, Kiyamachi-dori Nijo-kudaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan 604-0923
Japanese address:
〒604-0923 京都府京都市中京区木屋町通二条下る上樵木町502-2
Opening hours:
Open daily: 11:30am-3:30pm (last order: 3:00pm), 5:00pm-7:30pm (last order: 7:00pm)
Non-smoking area: Completely non-smoking
Nearest Transport:
1-minute walk from Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station (Exit 2) on the Subway Tozai Line
5-minute walk from Sanjo Station on the Keihan Main Line
10-minute walk from Kyoto Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line
Telephone: 075-366-5848
Website: Official website (Japanese)
Near To Here:
Coltrane 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.

Where Is This Place Located?
See these places on our Kyoto Google map:- Open the Kyoto map
- You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
- Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
- Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
- If you're using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.
Kyoto Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Kyoto guide
- Check Kyoto accommodation availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Kyoto to Osaka and Kyoto to Tokyo
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Kyoto
- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a data-only SIM card online for collection when you arrive at Tokyo's Narita or Haneda Airports or Kansai International Airport. You can also rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- Compare Japan flight prices and timings to find the best deals
- If you're making frequent train journeys during your visit, you might save money with Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help