Sushi Taizo is a great little sushi shop located a short walk south of downtown along a beautiful canal. The sushi here is superb and the atmosphere is perfect for enjoying it. And while most guests are local, they’re comfortable with foreign visitors.

Sushi Taizo entrance – © Chris Rowthorn
Sushi Taizo is a well-kept secret that knowledgeable locals have been recommending for years. There are only 12 seats at the counter and one private room for 4, and the decorations are wonderfully minimalist. This focuses your attention on the food and the work of the sushi chef. And this is as it should be, since the sushi here is fantastic. Unless you’ve eaten at one of the starred places in Tokyo, it will likely be the best you’ve had anywhere.
Sushi courses here will run between ¥10,000 and ¥15,000 per person, not including drinks. Given the quality of the fish, the refinement of the preparation and the wonderful service, we consider this an amazing bargain.
It’s best to have your hotel concierge call to reserve in advance.
Name in English:
Sushi Taizo
Name in Japanese:
鮨 泰蔵
English address:
1F Presence Building, 174-1 Minoya-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto
Japanese address:
〒600-8025 京都府京都市下京区美濃屋町174-1 プレゼンスビル 1F
Opening hours:
Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: 6:00pm-8:00pm
Open Saturday and Sunday: noon-1.30pm, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Closed Wednesday
Non-smoking area: Yes
Nearest Transport:
5-minute walk from Kiyomizu Gojo Station on the Keihan Main Line
Telephone: 075-746-5432
Website: N/A
Near To Here:
Sushi Taizo 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.

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