[May 14-] Arashiyama's Famous 'Gyatei' Celebrates 30th Anniversary! 3-Day Lottery Featuring 'Free Meals' and No Losing Tickets!
Arashiyama Gyatei, an obanzai restaurant in Kyoto, marks its 30th anniversary in May 2026. A special 3-day event starting May 14 will offer customers chances to win full meal refunds and luxury gift sets through a no-loss lottery.
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- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 10:31
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Arashiyama Gyatei, an obanzai (traditional Kyoto home-style cooking) restaurant in Arashiyama, Kyoto, operated by Shoarashi Kanko Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Ukyo-ku, Kyoto; CEO: Gentai Isohashi), will celebrate its 30th anniversary in May 2026. To express heartfelt gratitude to customers, a special '30th Anniversary No-Loss Lottery Event' will be held for three days on May 14 (Thu), 15 (Fri), and 16 (Sat), 2026.
### 30 Years of Challenges and Business Evolution
Founded in 1994, the store began with multiple concepts across different floors: a karaoke snack bar in the basement, a counter izakaya on the 1st floor, an obanzai izakaya on the 2nd floor, and a bar on the 3rd floor. In the 2000s, it launched the 'Obanzai Buffet,' establishing itself as a must-visit spot in Arashiyama with constant queues and frequent media coverage.
From 2010, the business expanded into takeout items like Namafu Dengaku and perilla juice. However, between 2020 and 2022, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the suspension of restaurant operations. During this time, the president personally delivered meals to locals and launched an online shop to reach customers nationwide. In 2021, the restaurant restarted with the 'Obanzai Gozen' format, replacing the buffet with meticulously prepared small dish sets. Today, the 2nd floor serves as the restaurant, while the 1st floor houses the 'Kyokomusubi Cafe' selling rice balls and homemade drinks.
### 30th Anniversary 'No-Loss' Lottery Event Details
To give back directly to customers, a special event will be held for three days.
- Period: May 14 (Thu), 15 (Fri), 16 (Sat), 2026
- Condition: One entry for every 2,000 yen (incl. tax) spent at the 2nd-floor restaurant.
- Prizes:
- Special Prize: 10,000 yen 'Gyatei Special Frozen Gift Set' delivered to your home.
- Special Prize: Today's meal cost 'Full Refund' (the store covers the entire bill).
- Other Prizes: Arashiyama Craft Cola, Gyatei souvenirs, 30th-anniversary goods, and currency usable at Gyatei.
### Vision for the Next 30 Years
CEO Gentai Isohashi views this milestone as a 'Second Founding.' The goal is to go beyond just serving food and to convey 'Kyoto Hospitality' to visitors from around the world. By strengthening ties with local producers and preserving traditional cooking methods while evolving with modern values, Gyatei aims to make people worldwide smile through Obanzai.
The name 'Gyatei' (Gate) originates from the Heart Sutra, meaning 'go as your heart desires,' named by a priest at Tenryu-ji Temple. As Arashiyama changes, the dedication to seasonal vegetables and carefully prepared dashi remains unchanged.
### 30 Years of Challenges and Business Evolution
Founded in 1994, the store began with multiple concepts across different floors: a karaoke snack bar in the basement, a counter izakaya on the 1st floor, an obanzai izakaya on the 2nd floor, and a bar on the 3rd floor. In the 2000s, it launched the 'Obanzai Buffet,' establishing itself as a must-visit spot in Arashiyama with constant queues and frequent media coverage.
From 2010, the business expanded into takeout items like Namafu Dengaku and perilla juice. However, between 2020 and 2022, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the suspension of restaurant operations. During this time, the president personally delivered meals to locals and launched an online shop to reach customers nationwide. In 2021, the restaurant restarted with the 'Obanzai Gozen' format, replacing the buffet with meticulously prepared small dish sets. Today, the 2nd floor serves as the restaurant, while the 1st floor houses the 'Kyokomusubi Cafe' selling rice balls and homemade drinks.
### 30th Anniversary 'No-Loss' Lottery Event Details
To give back directly to customers, a special event will be held for three days.
- Period: May 14 (Thu), 15 (Fri), 16 (Sat), 2026
- Condition: One entry for every 2,000 yen (incl. tax) spent at the 2nd-floor restaurant.
- Prizes:
- Special Prize: 10,000 yen 'Gyatei Special Frozen Gift Set' delivered to your home.
- Special Prize: Today's meal cost 'Full Refund' (the store covers the entire bill).
- Other Prizes: Arashiyama Craft Cola, Gyatei souvenirs, 30th-anniversary goods, and currency usable at Gyatei.
### Vision for the Next 30 Years
CEO Gentai Isohashi views this milestone as a 'Second Founding.' The goal is to go beyond just serving food and to convey 'Kyoto Hospitality' to visitors from around the world. By strengthening ties with local producers and preserving traditional cooking methods while evolving with modern values, Gyatei aims to make people worldwide smile through Obanzai.
The name 'Gyatei' (Gate) originates from the Heart Sutra, meaning 'go as your heart desires,' named by a priest at Tenryu-ji Temple. As Arashiyama changes, the dedication to seasonal vegetables and carefully prepared dashi remains unchanged.