Izuju is located just across the street from the gate of Yasaka Shrine. Izuju is tiny, historic and very, very quaint. The third generation owner, Kitamura-san is very open and friendly and knows a great deal about the history of sushi in Kyoto. While the staff at Izuju don’t speak English, they have a pretty good English with photos. There seems to be a steady stream of foreign guests enjoying the delicious sushi prepared here.
The restaurant only serves Kyoto style sushi. The kind that we are familiar with abroad is a fairly recent invention of Tokyo and not to be found here. Izuju’s most famous sushi is sabazushi, or mackerel sushi. Lightly vinegared whole mackerel fillet is placed atop a block of sushi rice, wrapped in simmered kombu (kelp) and then cut into bit sized slices. Sabazushi is rather expensive, about $20 (USD) for half and $40 for full.
Izuju is also famous for its inarizushi. This is sushi rice and simmered vegetables inside pockets of deep fried tofu. Inarizushi is relatively cheap and very tasty. Miwa from KyotoFoodie says that Izuju’s inarizushi is the most delicious in the entire world. If you are on a budget but still want to try the greatest inarizushi in the world, stop in at Izuju.
Tanigawa-san from Kichisen, told me that Izuju’s sushi, especially sabazushi is the best in Kyoto and not over priced like some other sabazushi places in Gion.
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