Chachahana

If you’re in Tokyo and do not have the time to visit Kyoto, this restaurant will give you the full Kyoto experience.
Situated along a narrow alley in the back street, this restaurant can be difficult to find. The store front consists of cobblestones leading up to a tiny door. Once you enter, you’re to remove you shoes and receive slippers in return. It feels like you’re going to someone’s house for dinner, you even take off the slippers before entering the washroom.
We were seated in a private room with sliding bamboo doors and the seating on the floor was quite comfortable since there was room for your feet to move around. I let my local friend do the ordering and all the dishes are all unique and intricate in their own way. I have no idea what they’re called, but everything was delicious.
It’s a great place to chat with friends over some hot sake or beer. Service was also amazing, the servers would always knock before entering with our food. Tourist tip — servers aren’t very fluent in English, go with a friend who speaks Japanese!