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Kaiseki Cuisine: Top 8 Restaurants in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto

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Kaiseki Cuisine: Top 8 Restaurants in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto

This article features famous restaurants for enjoying kaiseki cuisine in Tokyo, Osaka, and other cities. We explain what kaiseki is and also the order of their courses. These shops are reservation only so it's best to decide your spot ahead of time.

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This is the official account of MATCHA's editorial department. Our articles feature useful travel information for visitors to Japan, from how-to guides to recommended places to visit.

Kaiseki Cuisine: A Japanese-Style Course Meal

If you've ever thought that you'd like to sample the best of Japanese food, then how about giving kaiseki cuisine a try? This is a traditional course meal that allows you to experience Japanese culture and Japan's aesthetic sense.

This article explains what kaiseki cuisine is and the order in which the courses are served. We also introduce famous restaurants in Japan serving this special food.

Kaiseki Cuisine: Special Features and the Order of Its Courses

Kaiseki Cuisine

Kaiseki cuisine is a Japanese traditional cuisine. It got its start in ancient times as a light meal that was eaten prior to drinking koicha (thick tea) during tea ceremonies.

At one time it was a simple and plain meal. But nowadays, it refers to a course meal using seasonal ingredients that can be enjoyed at high-class Japanese restaurants known as ryotei.

Something similar to kaiseki cuisine (懐石料理) is banquet-style cuisine (会席料理, also pronounced kaiseki in the Japanese language but spelled using different characters). The main differences between these two types of cuisine is their purpose and the place where they're eaten.

Kaiseki cuisine was originally served in order to enhance the tea drinking experience and was typically eaten in a teahouse.

On the other hand, banquet-style kaiseki cuisine is served to complement the sake drinking experience, and is usually enjoyed at ryotei restaurants as well as at banquets and dinner parties.

The Kaiseki Menu

The basic composition of kaiseki cuisine is one bowl of miso soup and three side dishes (ichiju sansai). But here is the standard content of a kaiseki menu served at tea ceremonies.

1. Oshiki: Rice, miso soup, and three dishes (sashimi or pickled vegetables called mukouzuke).
2. Wanmori: Clear soup, etc.
3. Yakimono: Flame-grilled fish, etc.
4. Shizakana: A recommended side dish with one more dish such as a vinegared dish or takiawase (stewed dish with meat, fish, or tofu).
5. Hashiarai / Susugi-jiru: Small bowls of light soup or other liquids.
6. Hassun: An assortment of delicacies from the ocean and mountains.
7. Yuto / Konomono: The closing course for a kaiseki meal. A pitcher of hot water with slightly browned rice inside, accompanied by pickles, etc.
8. Omogashi and Koicha: Japanese-style confectionery together with rich tasting matcha green tea.
*The kaiseki components can differ depending on the restaurant.

Steps 1 to 3 are the miso soup and three side dishes of Japanese cuisine. The main course is the omogashi (Japanese sweets) and koicha (strong matcha tea) served at the end. This is the unique menu of kaiseki-style cuisinethat companies tea ceremonies.

Next, we introduce restaurants where you can enjoy kaiseki cuisine in the cities of Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Fukuoka. Fundamentally, all shops require reservations.

1. Matsukawa (Tokyo)

kaiseki matsukawa

Picture courtesy of Hot Pepper Gourmet

Matsukawa is a top-class Japanese restaurant with an excellent location in Tokyo's Akasaka area (Minato Ward). The shop owner, originally from a famous shop called Shofukuro in Shiga Prefecture, is renowned for the high quality of his cuisine.

The colorful cuisine using seasonal ingredients is served on beautiful tableware allowing diners to spend some luxurious time here. Many guests have stated their intentions to revisit, which is why this is a popular restaurant that's difficult to get reservations at.

Matsukawa
Location: Tokyo, Minato, Akasaka 1-11-6, Akasaka Terrace House 1F
Business Hours: Daytime (Thursday, Saturday only) 12:00-15:00 (Last order 13:00)
Evening 18:00-23:00 (Last order 20:00)
Closed: Open every day
Official Homepage: Matsukawa (Japanese)
Hot Pepper Gourmet: Matsukawa (Japanese)

2. Makimura (Tokyo)

makimura

Picture courtesy of Hot Pepper Gourmet

Makimura is located in a quiet residential area in Tokyo's Omori district. This famous Japanese-style restaurant has received three consecutive stars in the Michelin Guide.

Every morning the owner buys fish from Tsukiji and Toyosu Markets so diners can enjoy the finest seasonal ingredients. Both the food and the friendly owner's warm hospitality have a good reputation.

The elegant and refined shop interior with its white color scheme offers a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.

Makimura
Location: Tokyo, Shinagawa, Minamioi 3-11-5, MAKIMURA BLD 1F
Business Hours: 18:00-23:00 (Last order 21:00)
Closed: Sundays (When Monday is a national holiday, then Sunday and Monday will be consecutive holidays)
Official Homepage: Makimura (Japanese)
Hot Pepper Gourmet: Makimura (Japanese)

3. Honkogetsu (Osaka)

kaiseki

Picture courtesy of Hot Pepper Gourmet

Honkogetsu is one of Osaka's famous Japanese restaurants located in Minami Ward's Dotonbori area.

This prestigious shop was awarded two stars by the Michelin Guide. It features a luxurious interior where diners can relax and have a special time.

Guests can enjoy traditional Japanese cuisine that only uses carefully selected domestic ingredients that conjure up the four seasons. The menu is Omakase (chef's choice) Kaiseki. There's a sense of fun surrounding this popular kaiseki cuisine that is both delicious and visually appealing.

Honkogetsu
Location: Osaka, Osaka, Chuo, Dotonbori 1-7-11
Business Hours: Counter 17:00-22:00 (Last order 20:00)
Tatami room seating 17:00-22:00 (Last order 19:00)
Closed: Sundays
Official Homepage: Honkogetsu (Japanese)
Hot Pepper Gourmet: Honkogetsu (Japanese)

4. Momen (Osaka)

momen

Picture courtesy of Hot Pepper Gourmet

Momen is a popular restaurant in Osaka's Shinsaibashi area that is always fully booked.

The shop has a total of only nine counter seats and they serve food that's the ultimate in simplicity.

All the dishes here are carefully prepared using seasonal ingredients that are exquisite. Diners can watch the owner's impressive knife skills from across the counter.

The restaurant interior has a beige theme which creates a quiet and relaxed Japanese-style atmosphere.

Momen
Location: Osaka, Osaka, Chuo, Shinsaibashisuji 2-1-3
Business Hours: 17:00-22:00
Closed: Sundays, national holidays
Hot Pepper Gourmet: Momen (Japanese)

5. Ogata (Kyoto)

Ogata is a Japanese restaurant located near Kyoto's Shijo Street that was awarded two Michelin stars. The shop is run by chef Toshiro Ogata who was the former executive chef at Kyoto ryotei restaurant, Wakuden.

The dishes served are made with top-quality ingredients such as Tanba Matsutake mushrooms and Taiza crabs. Each and every dish is carefully prepared while taking full advantage of the flavor of the ingredients.

The interior of this former kimono shop has an attractive, modern space and a tranquil, hideaway-like atmosphere.

Ogata
Location: Kyoto, Kyoto, Shimogyo, Shinkamanzacho 726 (Ayakoji Nishitoin Higashiiru)
Business Hours: Opens at 12:00
Evening 6:00-18:30 and 19:00-21:30 (two seatings)
Closed: Mondays and irregular holidays
Hot Pepper Gourmet: Ogata (Japanese)

6. Miyamaso (Kyoto)

kaiseki

Picture courtesy of Hot Pepper Gourmet

Miyamaso stands in a secluded area of Kyoto, about one hour by car from the city center. This long-established restaurant has a history of 120 years.

At this two Michelin star restaurant, the fourth-generation owner offers Tsumikusa cuisine, a unique kaiseki cuisine that was handed down from the previous generation. It's surprising to know that the owner himself goes out into the local mountains and fields every morning to forage for wild plants, mushrooms, and other ingredients.

Located in a rich environment surrounded by nature, this is a famous restaurant where you can fully enjoy the refined Japanese spirit that has been passed down since ancient times. There's also an English menu available.

Miyamaso
Location: Kyoto, Kyoto, Sakyo, Hanaseharachicho 375
Business Hours: 12:00-19:00
Closed: December 26-January 1
Official Homepage: Miyamaso (Japanese)
Hot Pepper Gourmet: Miyamaso (Japanese)

7. Nakashima Kozabro (Hiroshima)

Nakashima Kozabro is one of Hiroshima's leading Japanese and kaiseki restaurants. Tucked away in a back alley, it's loved by the local residents as a hidden gem.

The cuisine does not use any chemical seasonings or preservatives, and each dish is both healthy and authentic. They always use the freshest of ingredients, so the menu is not finalized until the ingredients are purchased that morning.

If you have any requests regarding the menu or prices, you can call the restaurant up to the day before. With the exception of the counter seats, all seating is provided in the private rooms which we recommend for diners seeking privacy.

Nakashima Kozabro
Location: Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Naka, Yagembori 3-17 (at the end of Senmatsushoji)
Business Hours: 17:30-22:00
Closed: Sundays (open on Sunday if Sunday and Monday are consecutive holidays)
Official Homepage: Nakashima Kozabro (Japanese)
Hot Pepper Gourmet: Nakashima Kozabro (Japanese)

8. Chiso Nakamura (Fukuoka)

Chiso Nakamura

Picture courtesy of Hot Pepper Gourmet

Chiso Nakamura has been in business for 20 years. It is one of Fukuoka's most famous restaurants and was awarded two stars in the Michelin Guide.

The restaurant's building, designed by a famous architect who has worked on several famous shops in Kyoto, has the atmosphere of a genuine tea room. Diners can feel the seasons throughout the restaurant, from the kaiseki cuisine that uses plenty of seasonal ingredients to the playful tableware and alcove decorations.

From the water sprinkled at the shop's entrance (uchimizu) that welcomes visitors, to the matcha green tea at the end of your meal's course, here you can experience authentic Japanese hospitality.

Chiso Nakamura
Location: Fukuoka, Fukuoka, Hakata, Tsumashoji 2-10
Business Hours: Daytime 11:30-14:00 (Last order 12:00)
Evening 18:00-22:00 (Last order 19:00)
Closed: Sundays, no lunch seating on the 1st of every month
Official Homepage: Chiso Nakamura (Japanese)
Hot Pepper Gourmet: Chiso Nakamura (Japanese)

Enjoy Japanese Culture at a Famous Kaiseki Restaurant

There are famous kaiseki restaurants in every part of Japan where you can enjoy a prestigious atmosphere and cuisine that conjures up the seasons.

A kaiseki meal is the perfect opportunity to experience Japan's rich food culture, hospitality, and refined sense of beauty.

So by all means please visit one of the recommended shops in this article and enjoy kaiseki cuisine to your heart's content!


Written by Cakutama editorial team

MATCHA

Written by

MATCHA

This is the official account of MATCHA's editorial department. Our articles feature useful travel information for visitors to Japan, from how-to guides to recommended places to visit.

The information presented in this article is based on the time it was written. Note that there may be changes in the merchandise, services, and prices that have occurred after this article was published. Please contact the facility or facilities in this article directly before visiting. Some of our articles contain affiliate links. We kindly ask our readers to exercise careful judgement when making a purchase or booking a service online.

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