Jisai Kyouman Gion

Jisai Kyoman Gion is an eel restaurant in a narrow alley about a five-minute walk north of Gion-Shijo Station in Kyoto. Its signature course starts with eel jelly, fried bones and sashimi, then moves to seasoned eel and rice cooked in a pot, eaten three ways. The restaurant runs by reservation, and at the counter diners watch the eel being prepared and grilled over direct fire while staff explain how to eat it. Walk-ins are difficult, and the eel pot rice requires a separate advance reservation.