Tabelog ratingTakatsuji Kasui (たかつじ 佳粋) is a modern izakaya where the meal follows a distinct rhythm. First-time guests begin with a mandatory starter set called ichiju-nisai — a small appetizer, an exquisite soup, and sashimi — that sets the seasonal tone for the evening. After this, you can order from an à la carte menu of creative dishes, enjoyed mostly from a seat at the sleek counter watching the chef at work.
Guests consistently praise the precise, dashi-forward cooking. Beyond the elegant starter set, standout dishes include the soft-stewed chicken liver (asabiki liver no yawarakani) and charcoal-roasted duck with sansho pepper. The show-stopping finale for many is the donabe, a large clay pot of seasoned rice cooked to order. Past versions have featured sea bream with cured mullet roe, Shinshu salmon, or soft-shelled turtle with ginger. The chef's direct, sometimes quirky hospitality is also a highlight, and he is known to pack any leftover rice into onigiri for you to take away.
A few minor points recur in reviews. The entrance is down a hallway and can be easy to miss. Some find the owner's manner a bit brusque at first, and service can occasionally be slow. As is common in Japan, many menu items are unpriced (marked 時価, or 'market price'), which can make the final bill feel uncertain.
The restaurant's listed price range is ¥4,000–¥4,999, but reviewers suggest a full meal with drinks is more likely to be ¥8,000–¥10,000. Recent guests paid around ¥3,000–¥3,600 for the initial ichiju-nisai set, with full dinner bills for one person ranging from ¥9,000 to ¥18,000. A bottle of Sapporo Lager was recently ¥800. Most diners feel the quality of the food justifies the cost.
- Reservations: Reservations are essential. International visitors cannot book directly and must reserve through their hotel's front desk or concierge.
- Getting There: The restaurant is about a 5-minute walk from Hankyu Kawaramachi Station or a 10-minute walk from Shijo or Gojo stations on the Karasuma Subway Line.
- Seating: There are 10 counter seats and one table for four. Solo diners are welcome.
- Menu: The meal begins with a mandatory starter set. Many à la carte items are not priced on the menu.
- Age Restriction: Minors are generally not permitted, but the restaurant states you can inquire about this when booking.
- Payment: Credit cards (Visa, Master, JCB, Amex, Diners) are accepted. Electronic money and QR code payments are not.
- Practicalities: The entrance is in a hallway and can be hard to spot. Staff have limited English but are welcoming to foreign guests; translation apps are helpful. The restaurant is non-smoking.
