Located on Kawaramachi-dori, a short walk from the Kyoto Imperial Palace (Gosho), Sogen serves healthy and traditional Japanese meals at incredibly reasonable prices. It’s a little gem of a restaurant!
Sogen chicken lunch – image © Chris Rowthorn
At lunchtime, Sogen serves a brilliant chicken or fish lunch for Y1,300. As you can see in the picture, it comes with all the trimmings and it’s fantastically healthy. Frankly, we can’t understand how they serve such beautiful food for such a reasonable price.
Sogen fish lunch – image © Chris Rowthorn
The restaurant is clean, simple and stylishly designed. It’s a relaxing and comfortable place to eat.
Sogen interior – image © Chris Rowthorn
At dinner, they serve a variety of tasty Japanese meals and a la carte dishes. You can get a good idea of what’s on offer by looking at the menu outside.
Sogen menu – image © Chris Rowthorn
It’s easy to find the place because of the name “Sogen” on the white noren curtains out front.
Name in English:
Sogen
Name in Japanese:
そうげん
English address:
573 Takamiya-cho, Tominokoji-dori-Takoyakushi-sagaru, Nakagyo-ku
Japanese address:
中京区富小路通蛸薬師下ル高宮町573
Opening hours:
11:30am-7:30pm
Closed 2nd Wednesday
Price: cheap to moderate
Non-smoking area: Yes
Nearest Transport:
5min walk from Karasuma Station Exit 13, Hankyu line or Shijo Station, Karasuma subway line
Reservations:
No Reservations
Telephone: 252-1007
Website:
Official site (Japanese)
Near To Here:
Sogen is located in Central Kyoto. See our complete list of things to do in Central Kyoto, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.
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
- A prepaid Welcome Suica card makes travelling around Kyoto easy – here's how
- 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