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?
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