Sushi no Musashi Sanjo Honten

Sushi no Musashi is a local conveyor-belt sushi business that opened its first restaurant at Kawaramachi Sanjo in 1977. It now has three branches in Kyoto, at Sanjo, at the Hachijo exit of Kyoto Station and at Kamihorikawa, and the Sanjo main branch on Kawaramachi-dori remains a popular stop for an affordable meal in the downtown shopping district.

In kaiten sushi, small plates of nigiri and rolls travel past the counter on a moving belt, and you simply take what you like, with the colour or pattern of each plate indicating its price. The restaurant emphasises fish prepared by its own chefs, who work in the middle of the counter and will make items to order if you ask. Expect the standards, such as tuna, salmon, yellowtail, prawn and squid, along with rolls and seasonal fish. Pickled ginger, soy sauce and green tea are at your place.

At the end of the meal, staff count your plates to work out the bill. Prices are low, which makes Musashi one of the easiest ways to eat sushi in central Kyoto without booking or spending heavily. It is often busy at lunchtime, in the early evening and at weekends, and there may be a short queue for seats. Takeaway is available too, which is useful for a picnic by the Kamo River.

The format suits almost everyone: families with children, who enjoy picking plates off the belt, solo travellers, and anyone who wants a quick, flexible meal. You can eat as much or as little as you like, and a meal takes as little as half an hour. Those wanting a more refined sushi experience should book an omakase counter instead, but as an everyday local favourite this is a good choice.

The Sanjo main branch is about four minutes' walk from Exit 3 of Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station on the Tozai subway line, and Keihan Sanjo Station is just across the Sanjo bridge. The Teramachi and Shinkyogoku shopping arcades, Pontocho and the Kamo River banks are all close by, as is Katsukura for tonkatsu if someone in your group prefers something else.