On the ninth floor of Kyoto’s Isetan department store is Ichibakouji, a convenient izakaya. Those who want to enjoy a meal before getting on the crowded evening or late night trains can kick-back and relax. Although they don’t deter from their chain restaurant menu, they feature local ingredients like Kyoto-grown vegetables and Kyoto-made yuba (tofu bean curd skin) as well as other Kyoto specialties. The price per dish ranges from about ¥400 to ¥900—a very reasonable price that keeps customers happy. The smoking and non-smoking sections are completely separate. If you choose to sit in the non-smoking section, you can marvel at the gorgeous views from the top of the restaurant; particularly at night when Kyoto tower is lit up in the skyline. More often than not, you can hear the Kyoto dialect from the locals who are on their way home just after their shopping expedition. As it can get crowded after 6 pm, I recommend reserving seats in advance.
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