Kyoto 2026 New Hotspots: 9 Must-Visit Restaurants, Cafes & Stays

Published: April 17, 2026

A Kyoto-born editor shares 9 newly-opened gems that showcase the city's refined aesthetics and culinary innovation. From an 8-seat fermentation restaurant in a 150-year-old mansion to a weekend-only wagashi course that awakens all five senses — these are the spots locals are talking about in 2026.

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1. MUBE — Fermentation Fine Dining

Location: Genzoku (20 min by car from central Kyoto)
Price: ¥28,600 dinner course
Seats: 8 counter seats only

Hidden in a 150-year-old mansion on a 400-tsubo estate, MUBE is the passion project of Chef Takayuki Izumi, former head chef of the acclaimed Jiki Miyazawa.

The Concept: "Not Japanese cuisine — cuisine of Japan"

Chef Izumi grew up in Shiga Prefecture surrounded by fermentation culture — his grandparents ran a restaurant with a fermentation shed next door. At MUBE, he pushes these techniques in unexpected directions:

• Lake Biwa trout marinated in salt and rice bran for 2 hours, drizzled with sesame oil
• "Traveling" natto mochi — rice sent to Tottori's Kumezakura Brewery to be inoculated with koji before returning
• "A Carrot's Life" — natural-farmed carrot roasted, made into broth, garnished with its own leaves, seeds, and flowers

Reservations: Via Instagram @mube_kyoto

2. Shoukon — Where Young Chefs Shine

Location: Okazaki
Price: ¥16,500 course
Style: Counter kappo (割烹)

When Michelin-starred Nihon Ryori Kenno moved locations, the original space was reborn as Shoukon — a platform for emerging culinary talent.

The Format:

• Head chef Kanako Tabuchi (31, former boxer!) leads the kitchen
• Every 3 months, a young chef from Kenno joins to co-create the menu
• BGM includes pop music and "Rocky's Theme" when they reveal the pot-cooked rice

Current Highlights:

• "Elevator" — A playful riff on Kyoto izakaya classics with grilled Spanish mackerel
• Translucent soba noodles in kappo-style broth
• Dishes inspired by ramen and chashu may appear

Hours: 5 PM & 8 PM seatings (Tue: 6 PM only)
Closed: Sun & Mon
Website: shoukon.com

3. New Oriental — Taiwanese Steamed Soup

Location: Gojo (15 min walk from Kyoto Station)
Price: From ¥650
Style: Casual, daytime drinking welcome

From the owner of Tokyo's popular Spice Izakaya in Nishi-Ogikubo comes this Kyoto outpost specializing in zhēng tāng (蒸湯) — Taiwanese steamed soups.

How It Works: Unlike boiled soups, these are steamed from start to finish — the broth never reduces, creating an impossibly mellow, restorative flavor.

Must-Try:

• Kyoto Chicken & Pork Spare Ribs (¥900) — with fermented pineapple sauce
• Century Egg with Umami Mayo (¥650) — topped with fermented tofu and Sichuan pepper oil

Perfect for a pre-train lunch or afternoon drinks. Taiwanese craft beer and natural wine available.

Hours: 11 AM - 6 PM
Closed: Tue & Wed
Instagram: @neworiental.kyoto

4. OHARU — Ise-Shima Seafood & Artisan Bread

Location: Okazaki
Price: Morning set from ¥2,300
Style: All-day cafe

Chef Harumi Yoshida sources seafood directly from her hometown of Ise-Shima, serving it in genre-defying preparations — sashimi, grilled fish, fish & chips.

The Bread Connection: Her husband runs the cult-favorite Yoshida Bakery, known for 20-year sourdough campagne. Every seafood dish comes with exceptional bread.

Morning Set "Ohayou A" (¥2,300):

• Grilled fish, omelet, salad, warm vegetables, yogurt
• Vegetable soup, juice, coffee, bread

Hours: 7:30 AM - 4 PM (morning until 10 AM L.O.)
Closed: Tuesday
Instagram: @oharu_kyoto

5. Okashimaru Kissa — Five-Sense Wagashi Course

Location: Karasuma Oike (inside IDO KYOTO)
Price: ¥8,025 monthly course
When: Weekends only, 3 seatings (11 AM, 1:30 PM, 3:30 PM)

Wagashi artist Sayoko Sugiyama of "Okashimaru" finally opens a weekend tea salon where you can experience her creations as a full course.

The Experience: 4 wagashi + paired beverages, presented as an immersive journey through seasons and memories:

• Kinton "Kusudama" — Fluffy wormwood sweet that dissolves like a dream
• Fu-no-yaki "Leaf Pillow" — Soft wheat gluten wrap with white miso and Japanese pepper
• Salt Sweets — Sugar-free savory items like tofu "chawanmushi" with spring vegetables

Served on antique cups, Vietnamese tea ware, and artisan ceramics.

Reservations: Required via official site
Instagram: @okashimaru_

6. Souzou — Desserts Born from Photographs

Location: Omiya
Price: ¥2,800 per dessert
Style: Dessert salon

A one-of-a-kind collaboration: Photographer Jaz captures landscapes, then pâtissier Misaki Hataya transforms them into edible art.

How It Works:

• No written menu — three photographs displayed at the counter
• Choose your photo, learn its story, receive your dessert
• March offerings included Amsterdam canals and Dutch tulip markets

Example Creation:

• "Strawberry, Almond, Perilla" — Pavlova arranged like tulip bouquet, strawberry ice, almond cream, perilla leaf accent

Hours: 12 PM - 6 PM (5:30 PM L.O.)
Closed: Mon & Tue
Instagram: @__souzou

7. Donoma Studio — Pottery Workshop & Cafe

Location: Murasakino
Price: ¥13,000 for 2-hour workshop
Style: Creative pottery experience

Founded by British-born ceramicist Andrew So Saito (raised in Germany, Taiwan, and Israel), this borderless studio offers pottery experiences that prioritize your creativity.

What Makes It Different:

• Choose your technique: wheel throwing, hand-building, marbling, stamping, painting
• Start by sketching your design
• Focus on silky textures you'll want to hold forever

Also Features:

• Shop with Saito's minimal, warm ceramics (matcha bowls from ¥9,900)
• Cafe serving matcha latte (¥1,000)
• Monthly "DONO Bar" food events
• International artist pop-ups and collaborations

Hours: 9:30 AM - 6 PM (cafe until 2 PM L.O.)
Closed: Tue, Wed, Thu
Workshop booking: donomastudio.com

8. form Arukutori — Nordic Vintage Art Pieces

Location: Jingu-Marutamachi
Style: Vintage gallery

The beloved Nordic vintage shop "Arukutori" opens a spacious new gallery in a former kissaten (retro cafe), showcasing rare art pieces and contemporary works that didn't fit their original boutique space.

Featured Designers:

• Kaj Franck — Finland's design legend, ashtrays from ¥16,500
• Oiva Toikka — Nuutajärvi glassware, bud vases from ¥17,600
• Erik Höglund — Rare pieces you won't find elsewhere
• Bauhaus-inspired products and men's vintage clothing (new addition)

The original "Arukutori" nearby now focuses on vintage accessories and cute curated goods.

Hours: Weekdays 1-7 PM, Weekends 11 AM-7 PM
Closed: Wed, Thu, Fri
Instagram: @arukutori_form

9. ACOA House Nijo — Designer Machiya Stay

Location: Nijo (15 min walk from JR Nijo Station)
Price: From ¥40,000/night (whole house)
Capacity: Up to 4 guests

A 100-year-old machiya fully renovated by Kyoto interior studio "everedge" — blending everyday comfort with extraordinary design.

Design Highlights:

• Washi-covered kitchen by paper artist Wataru Hatano
• Modern tokonoma (alcove) by mounting craftsman Kogado
• Black tatami by Yokoyama Tatami artisans
• Two-story glass atrium with curated vinyl records (selected by Jazzy Sport Kyoto)

Amenities:

• Separate building with outdoor bath and sauna
• Full kitchen for cooking local market finds
• Located in Nishijin — traditional weaving district with old-Kyoto atmosphere

Book: achangeofair.com/nijo

Map: Getting to These Spots

🗾 Plan Your Kyoto Trip on Klook — Temples, experiences & day tours

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• Osaka & Kyoto Guide 2026
• Japan 2026 New Attractions
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Source: ELLE Japan