Former Japan international forward Atsushi Yanagisawa opened the scoring against his former club with a 12th minute header, but Kashima midfielder Takuya Nozawa drove home the equaliser 10 minutes later.

Kyoto were twice denied by the woodwork, with defender Makoto Kakuta hitting the crossbar shortly after the Kashima equaliser and Brazilian forward Fernandinho firing a free-kick against the post in the 62nd minute.

But the home side were finally rewarded with five minutes remaining as midfielder Yuto Sato fired home the winner to send Kyoto up to 10th and end Kashima's run of four straight wins.

"I was looking forward to playing against them and I am glad I could score in our win today," Yanagisawa said.

Gamba Osaka moved up to third, two points behind Kashima, despite being held to a 1-1 draw at FC Tokyo.

Gamba started well at the National Stadium in Tokyo, with defender Sota Nakazawa hitting the post before Brazilian midfielder Lucas turned in a cross by left back Michihiro Yasuda after only seven minutes.

But Tokyo struck back in the 20th minute when left-back Yuhei Tokunaga blasted home the equaliser.

Gamba goalkeeper Yosuke Fujigaya made a good save to deny Naohiro Ishikawa in the 25th minute, while the visitors went close after the break with efforts by Lucas in the 65th minute and fellow Brazilian forward Bare four minutes later.

"We had some good moments and bad moments over 90 minutes," said Gamba manager Akira Nishino.

"Our players couldn't run at some stages either, but they worked hard and showed the determination to go for three points."

Gamba moved level on 29 points with second-placed Urawa Reds and fourth-place Nagoya Grampus, who meet on Thursday at Saitama Stadium.

Kokichi Kimura tasted defeat in his first match as Yokohama F. Marinos manager as his side went down 1-0 at Vissel Kobe.

South Korea midfielder Kim Nam-il netted his first J.League goal on the hour mark to condemn Marinos to their fifth straight loss as they slipped to 16th in the 18-team division.

Basement boys JEF United Chiba battled to a 2-2 draw at Albirex Niigata, while Consadole Sapporo were held to a scoreless draw by Oita Trinita.