Gion Rohan takes its name from a playful twist on Nawate-dori, the street on which it stands: the Japanese words ‘nawa’ and ‘te’ become ‘rope’ and ‘hand’ in English; their opening syllables entwined in hiragana to form ‘Rohan’. The menu ranges from seasonal favourites to creative Japanese dishes, with plenty to tempt. Potato salad paired with fermented crucian carp sushi is served as an accompaniment to drinks, while soy-braised beef croquettes and vinegar-cured mackerel sandwiches are also intriguing.