Kyoto Tower has a good range of dining opportunities including Kyoto style cuisine, Chinese food, an all-you-can-eat buffet, and a relaxing café with beautiful views. To find your way around however, it is important to know that the structure is divided into two parts: the Kyoto Tower Building which acts as a pedestal, and the tower itself which rises above the lower building. To reach the upper observation levels of the tower, you must first take an elevator to the 11th floor which is the transfer point between the building and the tower.
Kyoto Tower view from Kyoto Station
Within the lower Kyoto Tower Building there are several dining venues from which to choose. In the first basement level (B1) there are three restaurants and on the 3rd floor there are two. Up on the 3rd Observation Level of the tower there is also a bar/café, and in the summer months on the roof of the Kyoto Tower Building, there is a beer garden.
Mirakuza
Mirakuza is a casual pub style eatery
Mirakuza is a casual izakaya or Japanese pub style eatery where you can enjoy a few drinks along with plenty of hearty food. This restaurant specializes in fresh seafood, and in particular sushi and sashimi. However a wide variety of dishes are available including tempura, noodles, and duck meat hotpot with tofu and vegetables. They have a huge range of nihonshu or sake available here too, including some fine local varieties. Prices are reasonable as you can expect to pay about 1000 yen for lunch here or 3800 yen for dinner.
Location: Kyoto Tower Building B1 level
Open: 11:00 – 22:30 (Last orders at 21:30)
Tel: 050-5789-7654
Fushimi
Fushimi serves traditional Kyoto cuisine
Fushimi serves Kyoto cuisine in elegant set meals. Tempura, sashimi, grilled beef, and nabe hot pots are all available but the handmade tofu is particularly recommended.
Location: Kyoto Tower Building B1 level
Lunch: 11:00 – 15:00
Dinner: 16:45 – 22:00 (Last orders: 21:30)
Tel: 075-353-5690
Toh-En
Toh-En Chinese restaurant at Kyoto Tower
Toh-En is a Chinese restaurant with an enormous variety of choices on the menu such as: Peking duck, sweet and sour pork, and mapo tofu. Set course meals and all-you-can-drink deals are both available, but you can also order a la carte.
Location: Kyoto Tower Building B1 level
Open: 11:00 – 22:00 (Last orders: 21:30)
Tel: 075-371-3077
Tower Terrace
The Tower Terrace buffet
Tower Terrace is a casual buffet restaurant on the 3rd Floor of the tower building overlooking Kyoto Station. The buffet bar places a high emphasis on healthy locally grown vegetables and seasonal dishes. Styles of cuisine in the selection including Kyoto, Chinese, and Western dishes. They also have a very popular sweets buffet with a huge assortment of cakes, pastries and desserts.
Location: Kyoto Tower Building 3rd Floor
Breakfast: 7:00 – 10:00
Lunch: 11:30 – 15:00 (90 minute limit)
Dinner: 17:30 – 21:00
Sweets: 15:30 – 17:00
Tel: 075-371-3370
Tower Terrace Dining Benishiro
Benishiro is connected to the Tower Terrace buffet restaurant but offers set course meals in a slightly more formal atmosphere. The food served is a fusion of Western and Japanese influences, but served in the local kaiseki style of high grade Kyoto cuisine. Benishiro also operates as a café/bar for those who would prefer just liquid refreshment.
Location: Kyoto Tower Building 3rd Floor
Café & Bar: 12:00 – 21:00 (Last orders: 20:30)
Lunch: 11:30 – 14:30 (Last orders: 14:00)
Dinner: 17:30 – 21:00 (Last orders: 20:30)
Tel: 075-371-3370
Sky Lounge “Kuu”
The atmospheric Sky Lounge “Kuu”
Sky Lounge “Kuu” is a chic bar on the 3rd observatory level of the Tower proper and offers spectacular views over the city. All the seats, whether table seating or box seating, are facing the panoramic windows. In the afternoon until the early evening the lounge operates as a café, serving light meals such as quiche, spaghetti, pilaf or sandwiches, as well as cakes and pastries. As night falls, it becomes a romantic spot from which to enjoy the city lights while sipping your beverage of choice from the well-stocked bar.
A cake set with tea or coffee costs 1100 yen
Location: Tower Observation Level 3
Café Time: 15:00 – 20:00 (Last orders: 19:45)
Bar Time: 18:00 – 23:00 (Last orders: 22:30)
Tel: 075-352-0253
The Beer Garden
During the summer months the 10th floor rooftop of the lower building is opened up as a beer garden with a barbecue grill. The beer garden sits directly beneath the illuminated tower.
Location: Kyoto Tower Building 10th Floor
Open: 17:30 – 21:00 (Last orders: 20:30)
Tel: 075-343-9090
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved.
