Torisei — Restaurant in Kyoto

After wandering through the serene streets of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, my wife and I were both starving but didn’t want to walk too far.

Right across the way, we spotted Torisei (鳥せい)—a cosy yakitori restaurant, identifiable by the lantern with the kanji 鳥 (“tori” meaning chicken), a classic sign of a grilled-chicken joint.

Inside, the place was compact and bustling, filled with the smoky warmth of charcoal grill scent. While it felt family-run under the surface, Torisei is actually a branch of a historic Kyoto yakitori chain that dates back to 1966, founded and run by Yamamoto Honke, a sake brewery established in 1677 .

Their flagship, Torisei Honten, is located in a former sake warehouse in the Fushimi district and still serves sake directly from the traditional tanks inside the restaurant .

This branch near the temple area is more intimate than the main store—but still part of the same reputable brand.

Here, a small team ran things smoothly: the chef on the grill, a server handling the counterside, and someone taking orders.

Despite being a chain, the teamwork had warmth and efficiency, and the place felt well-loved.

A selection of fresh yakitori—including tender thigh, lean breast, gizzard, and tail—each expertly grilled over charcoal, just right with a sprinkle of salt or brush of tare sauce.

The atmosphere: small and lively, with sizzling sounds filling the air. It had the lively vibe of a local izakaya.

Excellent and approachable service, with staff recommending dishes, asking about doneness, and clearing plates promptly.

The “鳥” lantern signals a proper chicken-skewer restaurant—always a good find in Japan.

Despite being a chain, Torisei’s heritage from a 300+ year-old sake brewery added depth to the experience .

Small indoor seating and grilled aromas provided an authentic local feel—something bigger outlets often lack.

Torisei near Ninenzaka is the perfect spontaneous yakitori stop—compact, flavourful, and rich in Kyoto’s food culture. While it’s part of a well-established brand, the local branch still feels personal and authentic.

If you’re hungry after exploring the old town and want a genuine taste of Kyoto yakitori with an atmospheric twist, Torisei is a spot you won’t regret...

Found this place walking home after some exploring. Was greeted quickly and friendly. We sat quickly and was offered our otoshi. The bar was probably 70% tourists, which I understand is not ideal. But we were all treated very kindly and friendly. The food came out promptly and was very good! We ordered a couple rounds of skewers and some karaage. Was it the best yakitori that I had in Kyoto, no. But was it the best treatment I had at an Izakaya in Kyoto, definitely! The price was right, food was good quality. I would definitely...

Wow! We were looking for a place to eat on our first night in Kyoto and found Toresei by chance. There was a small line up but we only had to wait for 20 minutes to get a seat. We ordered the chicken set and the tofu set. What an unbelievable experience it was. Food was fantastic, service was fast and super friendly, the atmosphere was what you would expect from an authentic yakitori bar and the price was very reasonable. I would definitely recommend a visit or two to Toresei. ** Make sure you try the tofu agedashi....