About Izuyasu
Founded in the late Edo period, in the 10th year of the Tenpo era.
Founded in the late Edo period, in the 10th year of the Tenpo era.
The traditional inn priding itself on its cuisine, Izuyasu was established in 1839 as a restaurant and inn on the corner of Higashi Honganji, the head temple of the Otani school of Shinshu Buddhism.
With humble beginnings, providing a moment of relaxation and hospitality for monks and temple visitors, Izuyasu has naturally grown into an inn where people returned to repeatedly for tourism and business. We also take great pride in our inn being loved by writers and artists, such as Shiko Munakata, a woodblock printmaker, who stayed here for several months in his later years to create the fusuma (sliding screen) paintings of the Higashi Honganji Shosei-en Garden.
Like a hidden retreat where you can relax and enjoyに
It’s been more than 180 years since our founding, but we have always welcomed our guests with a sense of natural comfort.
Our inn is a hidden gem where you can relax and enjoy the everyday life of Kyoto with its traditions and authenticity which are still alive and well today.
With such a long history, Izuyasu is the perfect place to stay, for one night or, if you stay longer, you will feel almost as if you really are living in Kyoto.
Moments of richness and tranquillity overlap.
Not just an inn, we also specialize in Japanese cuisine.
Dining at the counter while watching the chef prepare your meal, or in private dining rooms, enjoy the taste of the 24 traditional Japanese seasons.
Deeply appreciating the changing seasons is vital to life in Kyoto.
At Izuyasu, the 7th generation owner delivers menu changes constantly to honor the nature of the ingredients and seasonal flavors. The composition of the dishes reflects each of the 24 traditional Japanese seasons.
We welcome guests to enjoy the restaurant even if you aren’t staying at the inn, for any occasion from small gatherings, to engagement dinners, Buddhist memorial services or seasonal festival celebrations.
We also have a wide variety of alcoholic beverages like Japanese sake and wine.
While protecting our tradition and history, we have renovated for your comfort.
Through the years, Izuyasu has always valued the concept of ”authentic Kyoto living” while providing the best hospitality for our guests.
Kyoto has a long history of nurturing the spirit, of cherishing the seasons, an eye for discovering beauty, careful craftsmanship of the handcraft, and an attitude of creating an exquisite space for graceful interactions between people. However, we neither flaunt the history and tradition, nor are we limited by it.
Throughout our seven generations of history, we have strived to deliver a natural sense of pleasure.
The lattice work at the front of the building that reflects the architecture of its time and the garden with its stone lanterns have remained almost unchanged since the inn’s original construction at the time of establishment. While some original features remain, aspects like the plumbing have been completely renovated. Common areas too, like the counter and lounge, have been furnished with a relaxing design, so that even if it’s your first time visiting, you can feel the atmosphere of nostalgia and the tranquillity of the space.
Providing thoughtful service while giving you the space you need
Here at Izuyasu, we provide service at a comfortable distance, so that our guests can relax and have their own space and freedom to experience the new and unexpected.
While we are available and highly prepared for our guests needs and requests, we believe in consideration in a relaxed manner. We don’t put on a show to highlight Kyoto, rather we strive for a more natural and comfortable approach. The hospitality style of Izuyasu is to let you feel the tranquillity of real everyday life in Kyoto.
A greeting from the owner
Is tradition something stagnant that doesn’t change?
In the long history of Kyoto, the way people live has constantly progressed, moving towards a better, more comfortable lifestyle. Traditional culture, art and techniques must also undergo various changes to live on.
Of course, it is important to learn from the traditional culture and techniques that our predecessors have accumulated. At Izuyasu, we are committed to this study, even if it takes a lifetime.
However, aren’t the traditions that our predecessors accumulated themselves built on the traditions that came before them as well?
If we want something to remain unchanged, it won’t be able to survive. If we want to be passed on to the next generations, it must undergo some change.
If the culture and techniques can’t live on today, they won’t be able to be passed on.
Tradition is important but it’s also important to let it grow by taking in new ideas. We should continue to learn new things every day.
Of course, we still strive to improve and continue to devote ourselves to this goal every day, but we take pleasure and pride in being able to create “a home away from home” for our long-time patrons and future generations too.
If you are looking for a new experience, or you just need to unwind, please come and visit us.
We hope you will be able to experience this here.
It would be our joy if you came to visit someday.
Kyoto traditional inn specializing in cuisine, Izuyasu
Seventh generation and present owner,
Izutsu Yasujiro