Sou is an amazing, cozy izakaya a short walk from Nishiki Market in downtown Kyoto. With creative twists on izakaya favorites including great meat and fish dishes, this is a fantastic place for a midrange meal in the heart of the city.
Sou exterior – © Chris Rowthorn
Sou offers both table and counter seats making it a comfortable place for groups, couples and even solo diners. You can order in English via iPads, which removes a lot of worry for foreign travelers. The vibe is casual and the staff are friendly, making it a relaxing place to eat.
Sou exterior – © Chris Rowthorn
Standout dishes include assorted sashimi and crab croquettes, and there are enough vegetable and rice dishes to satisfy vegetarian diners. And as you’d expect from an izakaya, there’s a great selection of sake.
Expect to pay between ¥4,000 and ¥7,000 per person for food. If possible, get the concierge at your hotel to reserve for you.
Name in English:
SOU
Name in Japanese:
宗 (そう)
English address:
1F Sun Heights Irie, 460 Torouyama-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Japanese address:
〒604-8225 京都府京都市中京区西洞院通錦小路下蟷螂山町460 サンハイツ入江1F
Opening hours:
Open Sunday to Thursday: 5:30pm-midnight
Open Friday and Saturday: 5:30pm-1:00am
Non-smoking area: Completely non-smoking
Nearest Transport:
5-minute walk from Shijo Station on the Karasuma Subway Line
5-minute walk from Karasuma Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line
Telephone: 075-256-0701
Website: Official website (Japanese)
Near To Here:
SOU 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?
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