Four places to eat takoyaki late at night in Kyoto, all in Kiyamachi or Gion: Hidetako Kiyamachi (to 4:00 on Fridays and Saturdays), Gion Shinbashi Takoyagi (to 3:00), Ganso Donaiya Kyoto Gion (to 3:00, last order 2:30) and Takonyudo, a small counter in Kiyamachi known for akashiyaki.
Takoyaki are round dumplings of savory batter with a piece of octopus inside, usually topped with sauce, mayonnaise and bonito flakes. I have eaten at all four. Hours below come from each shop’s own website or restaurant listing.
Kiyamachi runs along the Takase River on the west side of the Kamo River, and Gion sits just across it, so all four are an easy walk from Pontocho and Hanamikoji. If you would rather sit down for okonomiyaki, see our guide to late-night teppanyaki in Kyoto.
Which one is open right now?
Turn on JavaScript to check by night and time. In short: Hidetako 18:00–2:00 (Fri–Sat to 4:00), Takoyagi 18:00–3:00 (closed Sundays), Donaiya 18:00–3:00 (closed Sundays and public holidays), Takonyudo 17:00–23:00 Sun–Wed and to about 1:00–2:00 on Fri–Sat (closed Thursdays).
Which night? (the evening you set out)
Times after midnight count as part of the night you set out. Based on posted hours; shops can close early or on irregular days.
| Shop | Area | Hours | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hidetako Kiyamachi | Kiyamachi | 18:00–2:00; Fri–Sat to 4:00 | Irregular days |
| Gion Shinbashi Takoyagi | Gion (Shinbashi) | 18:00–3:00 | Sundays |
| Ganso Donaiya Kyoto Gion | Gion | 18:00–3:00 (last order 2:30) | Sundays, public holidays |
| Takonyudo | Kiyamachi | Sun–Wed 17:00–23:00; Fri–Sat to 1:00 or 2:00 | Thursdays |
1. Hidetako Kiyamachi: big takoyaki and izakaya food until 4am
Fri–Sat to 4:0017 flavorsEnglish menuHidetako is a full izakaya on Kiyamachi-dori just north of Shijo, about five minutes on foot from Gion-Shijo or Sanjo Station. Its listing introduces it as the Kiyamachi branch of a well-loved Gion shop.
The star is large takoyaki, crisp outside and soft in the middle, at ¥800 for eight (tax included) in 17 flavors, from classic sauce to unusual ones like pizza. It is also a proper place for dinner: the menu includes slow-simmered beef tendon and charcoal-grilled chicken skirt. With 33 seats, it is the easiest of the four for a group.
- Hours
- Sun–Thu, public holidays and the eve of holidays 18:00–2:00 (last order 1:00); Fri–Sat 18:00–4:00 (last order 3:00)
- Closed
- Irregular days
- Payment
- No credit cards; PayPay accepted
- Smoking
- Separate areas, heated tobacco only
- Address
- 191-11 Shimokoriki-cho, Kiyamachi-dori Shijo-agaru, Nakagyo-ku · Map
- Online
- Restaurant listing (Hot Pepper, Japanese)
2. Gion Shinbashi Takoyagi: 47mm takoyaki and wine
To 3:00Wine10 seatsTakoyagi is a small second-floor bar in Hashimoto-cho, near Shinbashi in Gion, about eight minutes on foot from Gion-Shijo Station. It makes its takoyaki in 47mm molds, which it says is 3mm bigger than a typical takoyaki shop, and uses a large piece of octopus to match.
There is more than takoyaki: oden, soups, tonpei-yaki (pork in a soft omelet) and other small plates, plus a wide wine list. With only 10 seats, including a private room for four, it suits a couple or a small group.
- Hours
- Mon–Sat and public holidays 18:00–3:00
- Closed
- Sundays
- Table charge
- Otoshi ¥600 before tax
- Payment
- Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Diners, JCB, Discover, UnionPay; no QR payments
- Smoking
- Heated tobacco allowed after 23:00
- Address
- Yaohira Building 2F, 401 Hashimoto-cho, Higashiyama-ku · Map
- Online
- Restaurant listing and booking (Hot Pepper, Japanese)
3. Ganso Donaiya Kyoto Gion: a quick takoyaki fix until 3am
Last order 2:30Eat-inOpened 2026Donaiya is a takoyaki chain with branches in Tokyo and Kansai, and its Kyoto Gion shop opened on 14 May 2026. It is the simplest stop of the four: come for takoyaki, eat in, and move on.
The chain’s standard menu offers the same takoyaki several ways: sauce and mayonnaise, spicy mentaiko mayonnaise, teritama (with egg and sauce), salt, soy sauce, ponzu, plain, and dashi, an akashiyaki-style version you dip in broth. The company says each shop can add its own items, so the Gion menu may differ.
- Hours
- 18:00–3:00 (last order 2:30)
- Closed
- Sundays and public holidays
- Address
- Building Miyazaki 1F, 351 Kiyomoto-cho, Higashiyama-ku · Map
- Phone
- 075-335-9687
- Online
- Official shop list (Japanese)
4. Takonyudo: akashiyaki and obanzai at a Kiyamachi counter
AkashiyakiObanzaiCash onlyTakonyudo is different from the other three. It sits on Kiyamachi at Takoyakushi, halfway between Sanjo and Shijo, and its specialty is akashiyaki: soft, egg-rich octopus dumplings that you dip in warm dashi instead of covering in sauce. The shop calls them a bit of a rarity in Kyoto.
Akashiyaki is only part of the appeal. Large bowls of obanzai, Kyoto home-style dishes, line the counter, along with daily specials on a whiteboard. There is a single curving counter and two people running it, so it feels more like a neighborhood local than a snack stop. It also closes earlier than the others.
- Hours
- Sun–Wed 17:00–23:00 (last order 22:00). Fri–Sat: the shop’s website says 17:00–2:00 with last order 1:00, while the Kiyamachi shopkeepers’ association lists 17:00–1:00. Call ahead if you plan to arrive after midnight.
- Closed
- Thursdays
- Payment
- Cash only, according to the shop’s website
- Address
- 204 Shimokoriki-cho, Nakagyo-ku · Map
- Phone
- 075-221-1443
- Online
- Official website (Japanese)
Which one should you choose?
- Takoyaki plus a full meal, or a groupHidetako Kiyamachi, especially late on a Friday or Saturday.
- A seat in Gion with a glass of wineGion Shinbashi Takoyagi.
- Just takoyaki, fastGanso Donaiya Kyoto Gion.
- Something more Kyoto, earlier in the nightTakonyudo, for akashiyaki and obanzai.
Before you go
Read “25:00” as 1am
Japanese listings often write late hours past 24, so 25:00 means 1:00 the next morning and 26:00 means 2:00.
Mind the last order
Kitchens stop taking orders before closing: 30 minutes earlier at Donaiya and an hour earlier at Hidetako and Takonyudo.
Bring some cash
Payment rules vary widely between these four, from cash only to all major cards. A few thousand yen in cash avoids awkward moments.
Keep it quiet outside
Gion and the lanes around Kiyamachi sit right next to homes. Keep voices down on the street late at night.
FAQ
Where can I eat takoyaki after midnight in Kyoto?
Hidetako Kiyamachi (to 2:00, or 4:00 on Fridays and Saturdays), Gion Shinbashi Takoyagi (to 3:00, closed Sundays) and Ganso Donaiya Kyoto Gion (to 3:00, closed Sundays and public holidays). Takonyudo in Kiyamachi also stays open past midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, but it serves akashiyaki rather than standard takoyaki.
What is the difference between takoyaki and akashiyaki?
Both are round octopus dumplings. Takoyaki has a firmer batter and usually comes with sauce, mayonnaise and toppings. Akashiyaki, named after the city of Akashi in Hyogo, is softer and rich in egg, and you dip it in a light dashi broth.
Can I pay by card?
Gion Shinbashi Takoyagi accepts major cards according to its restaurant listing. Hidetako Kiyamachi does not take credit cards but accepts PayPay. Takonyudo’s own website says payment is cash only. We could not confirm card payment at Donaiya, so bring cash.
Is there a table charge?
Gion Shinbashi Takoyagi lists an otoshi (table charge with a small starter) of ¥600 before tax. Many izakaya in Japan charge something similar, so ask when you sit down if you want to know.
Is takoyaki in Kyoto different from Osaka takoyaki?
There is no single Kyoto style. Takoyaki is most closely tied to Osaka, and the differences you will notice in Kyoto come from each shop: the size of the balls, the batter and the toppings.
Can I trust the posted closing times?
Use them as a guide. Kitchens stop taking orders before closing, some shops close on irregular days, and two published sources even disagree on Takonyudo’s weekend closing time. Call or check the shop’s page on the day.
Planning the rest of your trip? See our 3-day Kyoto itinerary.
We have no business relationship with any shop on this page, and none paid to be listed.
Details checked 25 October 2026 against Takonyudo’s official website, Ganso Donaiya’s official shop list and menu, the Kiyamachi Kyoeikai shop page for Takonyudo, and the Hot Pepper listings for Hidetako Kiyamachi and Gion Shinbashi Takoyagi.
