K36 The Bar ＆ Rooftop is superbly located in Higashiyama, one of Kyoto’s most famous neighborhoods packed with sights like Kiyomizu-dera and the Yasaka Pagoda.

The restaurant occupies the top floor (4F) of The Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu on Kiyomizu-Zaka Street.

The Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu is housed within the Former Kiyomizu Elementary School, which was originally constructed in 1933. While known as a high-class heritage hotel, even today, a warm, welcoming nostalgia echoes throughout the building.

The hotel's top floor is split into two areas: K36 The Bar, an indoor space with sofas for a drink in comfort; and the rooftop bar and restaurant, K36 Rooftop.

From K36 Rooftop, you’ll be treated to sweeping views of the traditional Kyoto streetscape, including Hokan-ji Temple (Yasaka Pagoda), Daiunin Temple (Gionkaku), and more!

Each of the four seasons offers something new, like the cherry blossoms of spring, the legendary Gozan no Okuribi festival of summer, and the fiery foliage of autumn.

Being on the slope of Higashiyama, the hotel already stands roughly 100 meters above the surrounding streets, making the 4F lookout feel even higher. As tall buildings are rare in Higashiyama, being able to view the town from such a height is a treat that even the locals rarely enjoy.

The rooftop has an oblong bar counter surrounded by table seats. The dress code is strictly smart-casual, so shorts, t-shirts, sandals, etc., are not permitted. Being outside, the facility is closed during bad weather.

Those under 20 years old cannot enter the bar; however, they are able to enter the rooftop until 5 PM if accompanied by an adult. Children junior high school age and over (around 15) are allowed to be on the rooftop after 5 PM; however, those in elementary school and younger cannot.

We particularly recommend visiting during sunset - the Kyoto cityscape bathed in the evening glow looks absolutely stunning!

Once it grows dark, the counter and tables are lit up, creating a moody, jazzy ambiance. Hokan-ji Temple and the Yasaka Pagoda are also faintly illuminated, along with Kyoto Tower in the distance, heightening the atmosphere.

Legendary Kyoto bartender Minoru Nishida created the bar. The hip designer drinks menu is a masterpiece, boasting a hefty assortment of dazzling original cocktails perfect for both day and night.

Some of the most popular cocktails are the “K36 Gin & Tonic” and “Sex on the Rooftop” (each from 1,980 yen). Just remember to snap a photo with the temples in the background before you start drinking!

The gin & tonic is a stylish and impactful little number, with tonic water from Britain's renowned Fever Tree. Sex on the Rooftop is a sweet vodka-based fruit cocktail that evokes the image of a sunset. The beauty of the color gradation is enchanting.

There is also plenty to eat, including pasta, pizza, various meats, and more, all utilizing local Kyoto ingredients.

If unsure of what to order, we suggest starting with the ever-popular “Wedges Fries, Truffle Flavor” (1,430 yen), “Beef & Pork Jerky with Mandarin Shichimi Pepper Mayo Dip” (1,100 yen), or the “Fresh Tomato Margherita” (1,760 yen). The menu (see official website) has ample English, and around half of the staff can also speak English.

Kyoto Modern Terrace is a cafe and restaurant on the second floor of ROHM Theatre Kyoto, which is located in front of Heian Shrine in Okazaki, Sakyo Ward.

The inside is modern and chic, with the pleasant terrace inviting patrons to unwind with food, drinks, sweets, and more, from morning until night.

ROHM Theatre Kyoto, originally known as Kyoto Kaikan, is considered a masterpiece of 1960s modernist architecture. It underwent major repairs and renovations in 2016, with the Kyoto Modern Terrace being added to the second floor.

With a 5.7-meter ceiling surrounded by windows, the interior feels spacious, bright, and pleasant. The bar in the center serves drinks like coffee and wine, making it a great spot for a relaxing beverage.

The terrace has 60 seats in total, including special seats for couples along with sofas. Dogs are permitted, and wild birds like sparrows are plentiful. However, be wary not to let them eat your leftovers.

You can enter the terrace from both the inside and outside staircases.

In front of the terrace is Okazaki Park, which leads to Heian Shrine. This expansive park, often host to events like the Kyoto Heian Antique Market, is always full of residents relaxing, exercising, and relishing nature.

On the other side of the park is Mt. Daimonji, making these terrace seats some of the best in Kyoto during the Gozan no Okuribi Festival.

You can also spot Higashiyama, Mount Hiei, the Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art, and more.

Kyoto Modern Terrace also serves meals showcasing seasonal Kyoto ingredients along with sweets and drinks throughout the day and night.

The menus have English translations, and English-speaking staff are available. We recommend the “Kainomi Steak with Three Kinds of Potato Frit” (3,000 yen), done with a Sharia Pin sauce for a kick of extra flavor.

Pictured above is the ever-popular, super-fluffy 'omurice' made with Hayashi rice prepared soufflé-style (1,700 yen).

There are also plenty of à la carte dishes to choose from, such as the soft stewed "Beef Tongue Curry” (1,980 yen). You can wash it all down with a glass of draft “Kyoto Bakushu” beer, which is made using sake brewing techniques. There is also plenty of wine, sake, and original cocktails to explore.

LE UN Funatsuru Kyoto Kamogawa Resort (below: Funatsuru) sits by the Kamo River just a short walk away from the bustling Shijo Kawaramachi business district. Close to Yasaka Shrine and more, it’s right in the heart of Kyoto’s main sightseeing area.

The traditional, authentic Kyoto-style architecture is magnificent, and between May-September, diners will be able to relish artisan Kyoto-French cuisine on “kawayuka” decks jutting over the riverside, a classic symbol of summer in Kyoto.

The predecessor to Funatsuru was an acclaimed and well-established restaurant and inn founded in 1870. The 150-year-old 5-story building, built by renowned “miyadaiku” carpenters, is a registered tangible cultural property of Japan.

In 2008, this traditional structure was given new life as a French restaurant through “Japanese-modern” renovations while tactfully respecting the time-honored design.

The 1st floor is the modern lounge and restaurant, while the 2nd floor and up seamlessly merges contemporary interior with “oriagego tenjo” ceilings, said to be impossible to reproduce today. No matter which floor you’re on, you’ll be spellbound by the stunning, romantic design.

The cuisine is also based around the concept of “fusing the old and new.” It imbues classical French dishes with modern flair, resulting in a brand-new luxury style dubbed “Kyoto-French.”

As mentioned, Funatsuru also set up unique outdoor dining decks hovering over the riverside called “kawayuka” during the summer period between May and September.

This is a well-established Kyoto tradition, allowing an escape from the summer heat by the cool, refreshing riverside. The kawayuka of Funatsuru are some of the biggest on the Kamo River.

From the kawayuka, you’ll dine while taking in views of the tranquil river speckled by the streets of Gion. The majestic aura of the restaurant itself perfectly complements these views, weaving together a true one-of-a-kind experience rare even in Japan.

During the daytime, the kawayuka showcases the sparkling waters of the Kamo, the vivid greenery of Higashiyama, and the serene blue sky.

The entire deck is shaded by bamboo screens, keeping the intense midsummer sun off the body. Sitting by the riverside provides a welcome break from the seemingly inescapable humid summer weather of Kyoto.

You can get even closer to the river by booking the premium front seats (+500 yen), allowing an uninterrupted riverside view.

At night, the subtle whispering of the current and lively flickering lights of Gion form an otherworldly scene, guiding one into the nightlife of Kyoto. With such a contrast between lunch and dinner, it’s well worth visiting Funatsuru twice to experience what it has to offer fully.

During the kawayuka period, special French courses are available for both lunch and dinner. Foreign language menus and bilingual staff are also at service. On rainy days, guests will instead enjoy their dishes within the premises, which still overlooks the river.

There are three different versions of the Kyoto-French “Kawayuka Lunch Course.” The “A Course” is 4,300 yen, the “B Course” is 5,800 yen, and the “C Course” is 7,800 yen (not including taxes and service charges).

These delicate, carefully arranged dishes flaunt local, seasonal ingredients like eel, vegetables, and more, allowing a deeper connection with the city around you.

The “Kawayuka Dinner Course” has five different versions, running from A to E (9,800 - 20,000 yen). The “B Course” (11,200 yen) is a particular favorite, boasting a full-course dinner of spectacularly arranged summertime ingredients with a main dish of Japanese wagyu.

If you’re overwhelmed by the variety, we suggest the B Course for either lunch or dinner, after which you can change the main dish to whatever takes your fancy.

Such a one-of-a-kind dining experience is ideal for birthdays, proposals, anniversaries, and other special days. They also host weddings, so the staff will be more than happy to help with surprises!

The opulent top floor “Tenku Terrace” is also worth considering. Sitting between Shijo and Gojo, the terrace overlooks several Kyoto icons like the mountains of Higashiyama, Kiyomizu-dera, Kodaiji Temple, among others.

Even if you’re dining on the riverside, the staff will kindly guide you to the top for a look before leaving.

The Tenku Terrace also offers the “Special Dinner Course.” Limited to just four seats per day, it features coveted Kyoto summertime delicacies like eel and lamb (May 3 - Sep 29, 13,000 yen).

One final flourish is the restaurant’s elevator, which was installed during the early Showa Period and is the oldest in Japan. Definitely check it out when heading to the terrace!

Luxury rooftop and terrace dining showcases the pinnacle of Kyoto service, cuisine, and beauty. With the weather warming up, now is the perfect time to add some opulence to your travels and become one with the breathtaking ambience of Japan’s ancient capital and cultural heartland.

*This article was originally published in April 2022 and updated in May 2024. Confirm the latest information on official websites before making plans.