Kifune Nakayoshi — Restaurant in Kyoto

This is the review for their dining, not the ryokan:||||We originally went to Kibune for Hirobun, but we didn't do enough planning-- turns out the line for Nagashi Soumen at Hirobun was 2 hours long! We already went all the way, so we thought we might as well find something to eat there. Most of the places were already full for kawadoko (riverside dining). We came across Nakayoshi for the first time as we were asking around, but after we saw the menu, we weren't sure if the price was worth it. We left, and asked around some more, but figured since everywhere else was full, we might as well just go to Nakayoshi.||||We arrived back at Nakayoshi, and this time was a different person greeting us. As we were being shown the menu again, I heard the guy who originally introduced us the menu tell (I assume) the owner lady "They're the people who came earlier" in Japanese. My party looks Asian, but we're not Japanese. We spoke English to them, so there's no reason for them to assume that we speak Japanese. I've studied Japanese for over 4 years, but I've lost quite a bit of my speaking skills as I haven't studied it in the past 1.5 years. However, my listening skills are still good, so I can understand what they say. ||||We were seated, and our food didn't take too long to arrive. The experience was definitely worth it. We got to dip our feet in the river as we waited, and it was quite cool despite it being summer due to the shade and the river. I think we each ended up paying over $100 CAD for the meal though, and the meal wasn't anything special. ||||We were feeling a little ripped off but the last part where we were paying is why they get 2 stars... One of the people in my party didn't have much Japanese yen in cash left, and wanted to pay by card. We had difficulties communicating with the old man who was handling the money as he did not speak and English, and so he called over the owner lady. The owner lady told us in English that they do not accept card, and "cash only, cash only", quite dismissively. I ended up paying cash for all of us, and my friends paid me back later. Now, this was despite them having a card machine, and later on checked online to find that multiple websites say they take credit. As we were leaving, an elderly Japanese woman asked the owner lady in Japanese if they take card, and guess what the owner lady said? Yes, they do!||||Figured there's nothing we could do but not return, so we left.||||Would...

This is the review for their dining, not the ryokan:||||We originally went to Kibune for Hirobun, but we didn't do enough planning-- turns out the line for Nagashi Soumen at Hirobun was 2 hours long! We already went all the way, so we thought we might as well find something to eat there. Most of the places were already full for kawadoko (riverside dining). We came across Nakayoshi for the first time as we were asking around, but after we saw the menu, we weren't sure if the price was worth it. We left, and asked around some more, but figured since everywhere else was full, we might as well just go to Nakayoshi.||||We arrived back at Nakayoshi, and this time was a different person greeting us. As we were being shown the menu again, I heard the guy who originally introduced us the menu tell (I assume) the owner lady "They're the people who came earlier" in Japanese. My party looks Asian, but we're not Japanese. We spoke English to them, so there's no reason for them to assume that we speak Japanese. I've studied Japanese for over 4 years, but I've lost quite a bit of my speaking skills as I haven't studied it in the past 1.5 years. However, my listening skills are still good, so I can understand what they say. ||||We were seated, and our food didn't take too long to arrive. The experience was definitely worth it. We got to dip our feet in the river as we waited, and it was quite cool despite it being summer due to the shade and the river. I think we each ended up paying over $100 CAD for the meal though, and the meal wasn't anything special. ||||We were feeling a little ripped off but the last part where we were paying is why they get 2 stars... One of the people in my party didn't have much Japanese yen in cash left, and wanted to pay by card. We had difficulties communicating with the old man who was handling the money as he did not speak and English, and so he called over the owner lady. The owner lady told us in English that they do not accept card, and "cash only, cash only", quite dismissively. I ended up paying cash for all of us, and my friends paid me back later. Now, this was despite them having a card machine, and later on checked online to find that multiple websites say they take credit. As we were leaving, an elderly Japanese woman asked the owner lady in Japanese if they take card, and guess what the owner lady said? Yes, they do!||||Figured there's nothing we could do but not return, so we left.||||Would...

After a visit to the ancient and beautiful Kifune Shrine in Kyoto, dining at this riverside restaurant is an essential and magical experience. Kifune Shrine itself is steeped in over 1,600 years of history, dedicated to the god of water and rain. Legend says a goddess traveled up this very river in a yellow boat to establish the shrine, making the waters here sacred. This restaurant honors that legacy perfectly. It is built directly over the Kibune River on special platforms known as kawadoko. Even on a scorching summer day, the air on the tatami mat seating is naturally cool and refreshing, thanks to the flowing water just beneath your feet. The sound of the river and the shade of the forest create a tranquil oasis that feels worlds away from the city heat. The setting is heavenly, and the food is equally divine. We had the sukiyaki, which was made with exquisite, premium-quality beef. It was supremely delicious, with flavors that were both rich and refined—an absolute culinary highlight of our trip to Kyoto. I cannot recommend this experience enough, especially after paying respects at Kifune Shrine. To dine upon the sacred river, feeling its cool breeze while savoring an exceptional meal, is the perfect way to reflect on the deep history and natural beauty of the area. It completes the...