Wagyu teppanyaki steak house
Gion 舞 MAI
A5 “Queen of Wagyu” — heifer wagyu aged in-house, and genuine Kobe beef — grilled before you.
Why MAI
- On Gion’s most elegant street. Yasaka-dori is lined with machiya townhouses and fine restaurants. We are 3 minutes on foot from Yasaka Pagoda, close to Kennin-ji Temple — the perfect stop as you walk down from Kiyomizu-dera.
- Heifer wagyu, aged in-house. We choose long-fattened A5 heifers and age them in our own restaurant, for a depth of flavor you will not find on an ordinary steak menu.
- The teppan, up close. On the ground floor, 8 counter seats face the teppan so you can watch the chef at work. Upstairs, 4 tables are made for relaxed meals with family and friends.
- Rated 5.0 on Google. More than 630 guests have given us five stars for the wagyu, the chefs and the hospitality.
The Queen of Wagyu
Why Japan’s top brands insist on heifers
- Fat that melts on your tongue. Heifer fat is rich in unsaturated fatty acids and melts at a lower temperature, so the richness is clean and sweet, never heavy.
- Silky tenderness. Finer muscle fibers make every bite softer.
- Time and patience. Fewer heifers, raised longer — and at MAI, aged in-house before they reach the teppan.
Why we serve only heifers
Japan has around 300 wagyu brands. Only a handful make heifers part of their definition — and they include the very top. We go one step further: even for Kobe beef and Yamagata beef, which may come from steers, we choose only heifers — A5 grade, bought directly from producers or hand-selected at market. Our Kobe beef is genuine, traceable by its individual ID number.
Whatever you order at MAI — Kobe or Yamagata — every steak is the Queen of Wagyu. Read more: why Japanese connoisseurs choose heifer beef →
A Wagyu Tasting Journey
- Kobe beef (Hyogo) — Japan’s most famous name, served as a genuine, ID-traceable heifer. Delicate marbling and an elegant, melting finish.
- Yamagata beef (Yamagata) — long-fattened heifers, aged in-house at MAI. Deep beef flavor with a clean finish.
- Sirloin vs fillet — our Yamagata Wagyu Tasting Course lets you compare both cuts in one meal.
Order Kobe and Yamagata side by side and share them at the counter. Kobe vs Yonezawa vs Yamagata: what’s the difference? →
Halal-certified Wagyu
We serve halal-certified wagyu (Kumano beef), cooked without alcohol using dedicated utensils and tableware. Please note that the restaurant itself is not halal-certified and serves alcohol. Let our staff know your needs when you order.
Why Our Group Is So Highly Rated
- Tripadvisor Best of the Best — our sister restaurants 創 SOU (#4 in Japan 2025, #13 in 2026) and 和 NAGOMI (#7 in Japan 2025 and 2026).
- One standard at every restaurant — A5 heifer wagyu only, bought directly from producers or hand-selected at market, with genuine Kobe beef at every location.
- Hospitality, not just a meal — from welcome to farewell, our team turns your meal into a memory of your trip to Japan.
- Made for travelers — English menu, halal-certified wagyu, all-day service and free Wi-Fi.
Menu
All Day, No Break
Open 11:30–20:00 with no afternoon break.
The same menu and prices for lunch and dinner.
Chef’s Pick: Tasting Course
Yamagata sirloin and fillet, side by side.
With wagyu appetizers, wagyu sushi and sukiyaki rice — ¥12,000.
Counter or Upstairs
8 counter seats right at the teppan.
4 tables upstairs for relaxed meals with family and friends.
Access
Just below Kiyomizu-dera, Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka — and close to Kennin-ji Temple and Hanamikoji.
Menu & Prices
- Yamagata Wagyu Sirloin Steak — from ¥4,500
- Yamagata Wagyu Fillet Steak — from ¥6,000
- Yamagata Wagyu Sukiyaki Rice Box — ¥3,800
- Yamagata Wagyu Tasting Course — ¥12,000 (Chef’s pick)
- Kobe Beef Sirloin Steak — 80g ¥14,000 / 120g ¥21,000 / 200g ¥35,000
- Halal-certified Wagyu Steak — please ask our staff
- Tasting Course (example): wagyu appetizer, salad, wagyu sushi, Yamagata sirloin and fillet steaks, sukiyaki rice, soup of the day
- Wine list from ¥6,000 (half bottle of Champagne) — including Château Lagrange and Gevrey-Chambertin
All steaks are A5 heifer wagyu. Same menu and prices for lunch and dinner. A 10% service charge is added to the listed prices. Prices are a guide and may vary by season.
Shop Information
Shop Name
Wagyu teppanyaki steak house
Gion 舞 MAI
Address
594-7 Komatsu-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0811
Access
3-minute walk from Yasaka Pagoda on Yasaka-dori. About 10 minutes’ walk from Gion-Shijo Station.
Hours
11:30–20:00 (last entry and last order 19:00)
No afternoon break
Closed
Wednesdays
Phone
075-335-9740
Seats
22 (8 counter seats at the teppan, 4 tables upstairs). Baby chairs available.
Payment
VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club, JCB, UnionPay
Parking
Not available. Please use nearby paid parking.
FAQ
Do I need a reservation?
Walk-ins and same-day bookings are welcome. Counter seats fill up quickly in the evening, so we recommend booking online or by phone.
Can I watch the chef cook?
Yes. Our 8 counter seats face the teppan, so you can watch every step up close. Ask for the counter when you book.
Do you have private rooms?
We do not have fully private rooms. Upstairs, 4 tables offer a calm space for families and groups.
Do you close in the afternoon?
No. We are open 11:30–20:00 with no afternoon break. Last entry and last order are at 19:00.
Which day are you closed?
We are closed on Wednesdays.
What is the “Queen of Wagyu”?
It is our name for heifer wagyu — female cattle that have never calved. Heifer wagyu is more tender, with fat that melts at a lower temperature for a cleaner, sweeter taste.
What does “aged in-house” mean?
We age our long-fattened Yamagata heifers in our own restaurant before grilling, for a deeper, more concentrated flavor.
Is your Kobe beef genuine?
Yes. Our Kobe beef is genuine and traceable by its individual ID number — and, like all our wagyu, it is a heifer.
Can I compare different wagyu?
Yes. Order Kobe and Yamagata beef together, or choose the Yamagata Wagyu Tasting Course to compare sirloin and fillet.
Do you have halal options?
Yes. Halal-certified wagyu (Kumano beef), cooked without alcohol using dedicated utensils. The restaurant itself is not halal-certified and serves alcohol.
Are children welcome?
Yes. Baby chairs are available, and our upstairs tables are comfortable for families.
How can I pay?
VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club, JCB and UnionPay cards are accepted.
How far are you from Yasaka Pagoda and Kiyomizu-dera?
We are a 3-minute walk from Yasaka Pagoda on Yasaka-dori — an easy stop on your way down from Kiyomizu-dera.
Is there a service charge?
Yes. A 10% service charge is added to the listed prices.
Do you serve wine?
Yes. Our wine list includes Champagne, Bordeaux and Burgundy, chosen to pair with wagyu.
Sister Restaurants
Reservation
Reserve online or by phone, or walk in from 11:30.