Tabelog ratingKyoaji Motoi (京味 もと井) is a kaiseki restaurant run by the Kyoto-trained chef Motoi. It occupies a restored house of 80–90 years beside Nittai-ji temple in Kakuozan, and the garden is visible from the counter. Since moving here in 2021 it has won Tabelog Award Bronze in 2025 and 2026. There is a single set course, which changes every month and rarely repeats. Recent menus add fruit and foreign touches to the Kyoto base: peach sōmen, pineapple with sashimi, and hamo (pike conger) mapo with an onsen egg.
Almost every review singles out the clay-pot rice. Refills come as tamago-kake-gohan or as a salt rice ball the chef shapes himself. Guests also value the craft on show at the counter: hamo bone-cut in front of you, ayu grilled over charcoal and matcha whisked by the chef. The amago (river trout) soup, grilled kinmedai and the summer kakigori are recurring highlights. Service is described as warm and unhurried.
Criticism is mild. Some find the fruit pairings unnecessary. One regular called the food well made but not memorable, and another found the seasoning heavier than classic Kyoto cooking. A single 2023 diner felt the courses came too quickly. Wine by the glass is expensive, and the waiting room has mosquitoes in summer.
Because there is only one set course, reviews quote no individual dish prices. Reviewers in 2024–2026 paid around ¥9,500–10,000 for lunch and ¥18,500–20,000 for dinner, tax and service included. One lunch with three beers came to about ¥12,000, and dinner for two with drinks ran to about ¥45,000–47,000. Japanese reviewers consistently call it good value for the number of courses, the ingredients and the free rice refills, though regulars note it was cheaper before the move.
- Getting there: 8 minutes' walk (526 m) from Kakuozan Station, Exit 1.
- Booking: reservation only, by phone (052-750-5942). Walk-ins are not possible. Counter seats are booked 6–12 months ahead, private rooms open up sooner, and cancellations are posted on Instagram.
- Format: set course only. Lunch starts for all guests together at 12:00. Dietary swaps have been accommodated on request.
- Payment: credit cards accepted (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex, Diners). Electronic money and QR payments are not accepted.
- Seats: 26 seats: 13 at the counter, which is the preferred seat, and 12 at tables. Private rooms are available for 2, 4, 6 or 8 guests, and the restaurant can be hired privately.
- Smoking: non-smoking throughout.
- Parking: 3 spaces next to the restaurant.
