Motoi
French in Imperial Palace Area, Kyoto, 5 min walk from Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station
Our analysis
- #1of 13 French restaurants in Imperial Palace Area
- ¥25,300least expensive dinner course; median ¥18,150
- 8 yearsThe Tabelog Award in a row
- Englishonline booking from abroad
Dinner ¥20,000–29,999Closed Wednesdays and ThursdaysBook online: TableCheck
All 16 photos, by dishes, the room and the entrance
Dishes 10
Inside 6
In our ranking, Motoi is 1st of the 13 French restaurants in Imperial Palace Area and 1st of 63 in Kyoto. Its least expensive dinner course is ¥25,300 (on Tabelog), 39% above the ¥18,150 median of the 21 French restaurants in Kyoto ranked nearest to it; at lunch, ¥13,200 (on Tabelog) is 20% above the ¥11,000 median of 21. Its record: a listing without a star in the Michelin Guide 2026, The Tabelog Award every year since 2019 (8 times; one of 33 in Kyoto in this guide with that run), and Tabelog 100 in 2021, 2023, and 2025. From abroad it can be booked online in English on TableCheck; 32 of the 63 French restaurants in Kyoto can be. Good for a private room (for 2, 4, 6, or 8), a less expensive lunch (from ¥13,200, 48% below its least expensive dinner course), and an anniversary (it prepares a celebration if asked when booking). Course prices that sources agree on: ¥25,300 on Tabelog and ¥27,830 on Ikyu, with tax and service; ¥13,200 on Tabelog and ¥14,520 on Ikyu, with tax and service.
How it compares
French restaurants in Imperial Palace Area with a dinner budget close to its own, nearest to it in our ranking.
| Restaurant | Rank in Kyoto | Dinner from | Lunch from | Booking | Awards | Walk | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motoi | #1 | ¥25,300 | ¥13,200 | Online in English (TableCheck) | Bronze 2026 · Tabelog 100 2025 | 5 min, Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae | Wed, Thu |
| Mashiro | #2 | ¥24,000 | ¥13,000 | Online in English (TableCheck) | ★ · Bronze 2026 · Tabelog 100 2025 | 4 min, Karasuma Oike | — |
| Dodici | #7 | ¥19,800 | — | Online in English (OMAKASE) | ★ · Tabelog 100 2025 | 3 min, Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae | Mon, Sun |
| Restaurant Koga | #9 | ¥22,000 | ¥12,000 | Online in English (TableCheck) | ★ | 7 min, Imadegawa | Tue, Wed |
| Aoike | #10 | ¥15,300 | ¥10,700 | Online, Japanese only | Tabelog 100 2025 | 3 min, Marutamachi | Sun |
| Moko | #13 | budget ¥15,000–19,999 | budget ¥8,000–9,999 | Online in English (TableCheck) | ★ | 4 min, Marutamachi | Mon, Sun |
For international visitors
Easy to book from abroad
Takes bookings online in English and has a menu or staff in English.
| Menu | English |
|---|---|
| Staff | English |
| Payment | UnionPay |
| Diet | Vegetarian |
| Seating and facilities | Private rooms, Sommelier, Wheelchair accessible, Free Wi-Fi |
How to book Motoi
- Book online in English on TableCheck, the booking service the restaurant uses.
- The restaurant also takes online bookings in Japanese through Ikyu Restaurant.
- Call 075-231-0709 (+81-75-231-0709 from outside Japan). The restaurant says it has English-speaking staff.
- Reservations: required. Walk-ins are not accepted.
- Cancellations: the restaurant charges a cancellation fee. Check the terms when you book.
- Anniversaries and birthdays: the restaurant prepares a celebration if you ask when you book (a dessert plate with your message, a cake or a surprise). More in Kyoto.
Courses and prices
As the restaurant lists them on Tabelog. Prices are per person.
Lunch 【Collection de Saison】 10 Dishes
Lunch · 10 dishes · 2 hr at the table · 1–6 guests
What is served (8)
- Appetizer 1
- Appetizer 2
- Appetizer 3
- Appetizer 4
- Fish Dish
- Meat Dish
- Petit Fours
- Coffee
¥13,200
per person, tax incl., ≈$90
Cheapest
Lunch 【Gourmand】 10 Dishes
Lunch · 10 dishes · 2 hr at the table · 1–6 guests
- Lobster
- Beef
What is served (8)
- Appetizer 1
- Appetizer 2
- Appetizer 3
- Dish with Lobster
- Fish Dish
- Meat Dish (Beef)
- Petit Fours
- Coffee
¥18,700
per person, tax incl., ≈$120
¥5,500 more than the one above
Dinner 【Creation】 12 DishesMost booked
Dinner · 12 dishes · 2 hr 30 min at the table · 1–6 guests
- Seasonal ingredients
What is served (10)
- Appetizer 1
- Appetizer 2
- Appetizer 3
- Appetizer 4
- Appetizer 5
- Appetizer 6
- Fish Dish
- Meat Dish
- Petit Fours
- Coffee
¥25,300
per person, tax incl., ≈$170
¥6,600 more than the one above
Lunch (for occasions like face-to-face meetings)
Special Room Limited Course
Lunch · 2 hr at the table · 2–6 guests
¥27,500
per person, tax incl., ≈$180
¥2,200 more than the one above
Special Room Exclusive Dinner Course (for Face-to-Face Meetings, etc.)Most booked
Dinner · 2–6 guests
¥46,200
per person, tax incl., ≈$310
¥18,700 more than the one above
The food
Photos the restaurant posted on Tabelog.
On Instagram
Prices
| Dinner | ¥20,000–29,999 per person |
|---|---|
| Lunch | ¥10,000–14,999 per person |
| Diners report spending | ¥20,000–29,999 at dinner, ¥15,000–19,999 at lunch |
| Service charge | Service charge 10% |
| Credit cards | UnionPay |
| Electronic money | Not accepted |
Opening hours
| Monday | 12:00–15:00, 18:00–22:00 |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 12:00–15:00, 18:00–22:00 |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | Closed |
| Friday | 12:00–15:00, 18:00–22:00 |
| Saturday | 12:00–15:00, 18:00–22:00 |
| Sunday | 12:00–15:00, 18:00–22:00 |
| Public holidays | Open |
Seats and rooms
Inside
The dining room, in the restaurant's own photos.
| Seats | 32 |
|---|---|
| Private rooms | Yes, for 2, 4, 6, or 8 people |
| Private hire | Not possible |
| Smoking | Non smoking |
| Children | Children under 13 are not admitted |
| Dress code | We do not allow extremely casual attire such as men's shorts and sandals. Entry with strong perfume is also prohibited. |
| Setting | Beautiful view, Hideout, A house restaurant, Stylish space, Relaxing space, Spacious seating, Free Wi-Fi available, Wheelchair accessible |
| Drinks | Sake (Nihonshu), Wine, Particular about wine |
| Services | Celebrations and surprises (Birthday plate), Sommelier available, English menu, English-speaking staff |
| Opened | January 2012 |
Getting there
5 min walk (360 m) from Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station.
Also near: Karasuma Oike (Exit 1): 8 min · Marutamachi: 13 min
- Leave Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station and walk north-east for 20 m.
- Turn left and walk 20 m.
- Turn right at 7-Eleven onto Gokomachi Street and walk 120 m.
- Turn left onto Oshikōji Street and walk 130 m.
Motoi is on your right.
On your right
Show this to a taxi driver
京都府京都市中京区富小路通二条下ル俵屋町186
The address in Japanese, as drivers enter it
Location
| Address | 186 -, Kyoto 604-0952 |
|---|---|
| Stations |
|
| Directions | Subway Karasuma Line, get off at Karasuma Oike Station, 10 minutes walk. |
Nearby
Luxury hotels nearby
- The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto, 560 m, about 9 min walk
- Hotel Okura Kyoto, 770 m, about 13 min walk
Awards
Michelin Guide2026
Motoi is one of the restaurants selected in the Michelin Guide 2026, without a star. Motoi in the Michelin Guide
- Selected for Tabelog French WEST “Tabelog 100”, 2025
- Selected for Tabelog French WEST “Tabelog 100”, 2023
- Selected for Tabelog French WEST “Tabelog 100”, 2021
Questions visitors ask
How much does Motoi cost?
The restaurant puts dinner at ¥20,000–29,999 per person and lunch at ¥10,000–14,999. Drinks and a service charge (Service charge 10%) may be extra; credit cards are accepted.
Does Motoi have an English menu?
Yes. The restaurant lists a menu in English.
When is Motoi closed?
It is closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Can I bring children to Motoi?
Children under 13 are not admitted.
What is the nearest station to Motoi?
Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station, about 5 minutes on foot (360 m). Karasuma Oike Station is about 9 minutes away.
Does Motoi have a dress code?
We do not allow extremely casual attire such as men's shorts and sandals. Entry with strong perfume is also prohibited.
Is Motoi in the Michelin Guide?
Yes. Motoi is one of the restaurants selected in the Michelin Guide 2026, without a star.
Sources
Facts on this page come from Tabelog (checked in November 2026), Ikyu, the Michelin Guide, and the restaurant's website; the walking directions from OpenStreetMap. Report a correction.