Izakaya "Akakura"

This is the closest izakaya to The GrandWest Arashiyama. It’s a popular spot not only with tourists, but also with locals in the Arashiyama area.

The atmosphere feels like a classic, old-school Japanese izakaya, and the food is amazing. In general, it’s hard to find good sashimi in Kyoto because of historical and geographical reasons, but this place serves surprisingly fresh and tasty sashimi at a very reasonable price. I was honestly impressed when I had it for the first time.

Dishes

This fish is called Kanpachi in Japanese (greater amberjack). It's one of the most popular choices for both sushi and sashimi.

Katsuo no Tataki is seared bonito. I pretty much order it every time I see it on a menu—can’t get enough of it!

By the way, the perfect drink to pair with sashimi is obviously Japanese sake. They have a great selection here, so definitely give it a try. The menu is handwritten in Japanese, but you can just use Google Translate to let the staff know what kind you like.

Of course, I could recommend Kyoto sake—but if you're a beginner, sake from Yamagata, Akita, or Mie Prefecture might be easier to start with. They tend to have a smoother, lighter taste compared to traditional Kyoto sake.

"Karei no Nitsuke" Flounder is a popular fish in Japan. The slightly sweet sauce pairs perfectly with the elegant flavor of the fish.

"Sasami no Ume Shiso maki" fried chicken tenderloin wrapped with flavorful ume (pickled plum) and fresh shiso leaves. This is the perfect dish to enjoy with a cold beer!

Unfortunately, I forgot to take a photo, but the beef stew is Akakura’s house specialty. Yep, Japanese izakayas really make just about anything!

Access

It’s just a 3-minute walk from our hotel. Please be sure to ask the front desk staff to make a reservation for you.