禅 ZEN Kyoto
Wagyu Teppanyaki & Bar Lounge
A5 “Queen of Wagyu” teppanyaki, Japanese tea pairing with single-origin tea from Tsukigase, Nara, mixology with Japanese ingredients, and a Nihon buyo dance show.
Why ZEN
- Step into another world. A tunnel of kumihimo braided cords leads you into a space designed like a noh stage — an interior where Japanese craftsmanship speaks quietly in every detail — with a private VIP room for up to 8.
- Tea from the source. Single-origin Japanese teas from our partner tea farm in Tsukigase, Nara. Whisk matcha in our glass tea room, or enjoy a tea pairing built on Japanese tea alongside your wagyu.
- Japanese mixology. Original cocktails crafted with Japanese ingredients, plus craft Japanese whisky you rarely find abroad — Ichiro’s Malt, Akkeshi, Mars, Gaiaflow Shizuoka, Niigata Kameda and more.
- Nihon buyo on stage. On our karesansui-style stage, a Japanese classical dance show supervised by an iemoto — a grand master of Nihon buyo.
The Story of ZEN
For centuries, cultures and sensibilities from around the world have flowed into Kyoto, layering over time.
ZEN’s white swirl depicts countless threads intertwining, gathering their energy toward a single center.
From the logo to the kumihimo approach. Then pine, crane, moon, and finally the ensō circle.
Walking through the space is part of the ZEN experience.
渦 — UZU
Passion, distilled into a single essence.
Many lines carefully intertwine as they move toward one center. Different cultures and sensibilities meet and, over time, are refined into a pure essence. That journey is captured in ZEN’s white swirl.
組紐 — KUMIHIMO
Binding people and cultures together.
A tunnel of kumihimo braided cords leads in from the entrance. Each thread tied to the next symbolizes the connections made here: between people, between Japan and the world, between tradition and the present. Your ZEN experience begins the moment you pass through.
松 — MATSU
Connecting a thousand years.
The pine is the symbol of our Bar Lounge. Beneath its timeless form, relax at your own pace, from an aperitif before dinner to the lingering glow after your meal.
鶴 — TSURU
Savor the moment a dish is born.
A crane soars across the teppanyaki counter. Before it, our chefs finish each dish one plate at a time. The sizzle of the teppan, the rising aroma, the flame, the handwork. Enjoy every moment with all five senses.
月 — TSUKI
A fulfilled stillness.
Our fully private VIP room, themed on the moon. A space for unhurried private time: a meal with someone special, an anniversary, or business entertaining.
円相 — ENSO
A circle open to the future.
Pine, crane, moon. Japanese aesthetics and contemporary passion connect to form a new ensō. A story that is never complete, changing with every guest, every dish, every culture and every moment. Beyond it, a new ZEN experience unfolds.
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. Yonezawa beef must be raised for at least 33 months, and only about 3,000 head are certified each year.
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. At ZEN, you can taste Yonezawa beef, one of these heifer-only brands. And 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 — Kobe, Yonezawa or Yamagata — at ZEN, 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.
- Yonezawa beef (Yamagata) — one of Japan’s three great wagyu brands — by definition, only unbred heifers raised for 33 months or more.
- Yamagata beef (Yamagata) — deep beef flavor with a clean finish. Try sirloin, tenderloin or the rare chateaubriand.
Our Wagyu Comparison sets pair Yamagata and Kobe beef on one plate. Kobe vs Yonezawa vs Yamagata: what’s the difference? →
Glass Tea Room & Tea Pairing
Our teas come directly from a partner tea farm in Tsukigase, a mountain tea village in Nara and one of the homes of Yamato tea. Each leaf is single-origin, so you can taste the land and the grower behind it.
In our glass tea room, learn the spirit of tea, grind matcha with a stone mill and whisk it yourself — as both host and guest — then compare teas from different regions. With dinner, our tea pairing matches Japanese teas such as sencha, gyokuro, hojicha and matcha to each wagyu dish. Please ask our staff about the schedule.
Bar Lounge & Japanese Mixology
Beneath a floating bonsai pine, our bartenders create original cocktails with Japanese ingredients — including tea cocktails made with our single-origin Tsukigase tea.
For whisky lovers: Ichiro’s Malt, Akkeshi, Mars Komagatake and Tsunuki, Gaiaflow Shizuoka, Niigata Kameda, Osuzuyama, Ontake and Nagahama, alongside Yamazaki, Hakushu and Yoichi — plus Japanese sake and wine.
Nihon Buyo Dance Show
On our karesansui-style stage, enjoy a Nihon buyo dance show supervised by an iemoto — a grand master of Japanese classical dance — as you dine. The quiet, noh-like setting lets you feel every gesture up close.
Schedules are announced on our official Instagram.
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 — 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-speaking staff, halal-certified wagyu and all-day service.
Menu
All Day, No Break
Open daily 12:00–21:00.
The same menu for lunch and dinner — last order 20:00.
Chef’s Pick: Wagyu Comparison
Yamagata and Kobe beef on one plate.
From ¥15,000 for 160g (80g + 80g).
Private VIP Room “TSUKI”
A fully private room for up to 8 guests.
For anniversaries, families and business dinners.
Access
Your quiet escape from the bustle of “Kyoto’s Kitchen”.
Menu & Prices
- Yamagata Wagyu Sirloin Steak — 80g ¥4,500 / 120g ¥6,600 / 200g ¥11,000
- Yamagata Wagyu Tenderloin Steak — 80g ¥6,000 / 120g ¥9,000 / 200g ¥14,000
- Yamagata Wagyu Chateaubriand Steak — 200g ¥18,000
- Kobe Beef Sirloin Steak — 80g ¥10,000 / 120g ¥15,000 / 200g ¥25,000
- Wagyu Comparison: Yamagata Sirloin & Kobe Sirloin — 160g ¥15,000 / 240g ¥22,000 (Chef’s pick)
- Wagyu Comparison: Yamagata Tenderloin & Kobe Sirloin — 160g ¥16,500 / 240g ¥25,000
- Yonezawa Beef Steak — please ask our staff
- Halal Kumano Wagyu Steak — 100g ¥7,500 / 200g ¥15,000
All steaks are A5 heifer wagyu. The same menu 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
禅 ZEN Kyoto
Wagyu Teppanyaki Steakhouse & Bar Lounge
Address
3F First Court Kyoto Nishiki, 509-2 Nakauoya-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8125
Access
Steps from Nishiki Market (3rd floor).
Hours
Open daily 12:00–21:00 (last order 20:00)
No afternoon break
Closed
Open daily
Phone
075-366-5828
Seats
Teppanyaki counter, box seats, bar lounge (9 bar seats and lounge seating), private VIP room for up to 8
Payment
VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club, JCB, Discover, UnionPay
Parking
Not available. Please use nearby paid parking.
FAQ
Do I need a reservation?
Walk-ins are welcome and we are open every day. For the VIP room, counter seats or the tea experience, please reserve online.
Do you have private rooms?
Yes. “TSUKI” is a fully private VIP room for up to 8 guests. Box seats are also available for groups of 4 to 6 or more. Please ask about conditions when booking.
Can I watch the chef cook?
Yes. At the teppanyaki counter beneath the crane, our chefs grill each plate right in front of you.
Do you close in the afternoon?
No. We are open daily 12:00–21:00 with no afternoon break. Last order is 20:00.
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.
Can I eat Yonezawa beef at ZEN?
Yes. Yonezawa beef — one of Japan’s three great wagyu brands and heifer-only by definition — is available. Please ask our staff for today’s cut.
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. Our Wagyu Comparison sets pair Yamagata and Kobe beef, from ¥15,000.
What is the tea experience?
In our glass tea room, you learn the spirit of Japanese tea, grind matcha with a stone mill and whisk it as both host and guest, then compare teas from different regions — including single-origin tea from our partner farm in Tsukigase, Nara. Please ask our staff about the schedule.
Do you offer cocktails?
Yes. Our bar lounge serves original mixology cocktails made with Japanese ingredients, including tea cocktails, as well as craft Japanese whisky, sake and wine. Please contact us for bar lounge availability.
Do you have halal options?
Yes. Halal-certified Kumano wagyu, cooked without alcohol using dedicated utensils. The restaurant itself is not halal-certified and serves alcohol.
Are children welcome?
Yes. Families are welcome, and our box seats and private room are comfortable for groups with children.
Do you have English-speaking staff?
Yes. Our English-speaking staff will help you enjoy your meal with peace of mind.
How can I pay?
VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club, JCB, Discover and UnionPay cards are accepted.
When can I see the Nihon buyo show?
A Nihon buyo dance show supervised by an iemoto (grand master) is performed on our karesansui-style stage on scheduled days. Please check our official Instagram.
Sister Restaurants
Reservation
Reserve online, or walk in from 12:00.