Gion Karyo
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan
Experience
The 7-course lunch option at this restaurant in Gion is an excellent way to try kaiseki without breaking the bank.
Adult price: £30
Good for age: 18+
Travel bucket list idea:
Kaiseki-ryori dinners in Kyoto
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan
Last updated: 19 April, 2024
The succession of artistically presented dishes that comprise a kaiseki-ryori dinner has come to represent the pinnacle of Japanese cuisine.
Featuring anywhere up to 12 fixed courses that focus on in-season produce, kaiseki will include some familiar elements, with sashimi early in the dinner, delicate tempura later, and maybe a few mouthfuls of wagyu as a centrepiece. The rest, however, can be wonderfully indecipherable.
Being such an exalted cuisine, kaiseki dinners don’t come cheap – expect to pay at least £100 a head. Or, go for lunch, when many restaurants offer taster sets at a fraction of the price.
Just reserve well ahead – even though Japan has plenty of kaiseki restaurants, they always book up quickly.
They are often served at ryokans (traditional Japanese inns). For a real flavour of traditional Japan, book in for a night at one, and tick off both bucket list experiences at once.
Recommendations
Gion Nanba
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan
Experience
Comfortable serving English diners, this restaurant in Gion serves classic kaiseki in tatami mat rooms or at counter seats looking into the kitchen.
Adult price: £7
Good for age: 18+
Kikunoi
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan
Experience
A 3-star Michelin restaurant near Maruyama Park where kaiseki is taken in private tatami rooms overlooking small bamboo gardens.
Adult price: £90
Good for age: 18+
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan
Official star rating:
In business since 1818, this classic ryokan, in a quiet side street close to many of Kyoto’s central attractions, ticks all the traditional boxes – tatami-mat guestrooms, sublime 12-course kaiseki-ryori dinner, kimono-clad staff, and an air of tranquillity.
It’s easy to see why it has long been a haunt of dignitaries and Hollywood A-listers – Elizabeth Taylor, Charlie Chaplin and many more make an appearance in the sixth-generation owner’s family album.
When it comes to the 28 rooms, for spaciousness and an old-Kyoto ambience, request one of the four original ground-floor rooms with private gardens. For something sleeker, opt for a room in the newer, but traditionally crafted annex.
Whichever room type, the Hiiragiya is best for travellers who want their hotel to be an integral part of the experience. A ryokan is a place to unwind and slowly absorb Japanese culture.
Average £200
Extra beds
Pool
2+ bedrooms
Beach
Kids menu
Fitness center
Kids club
Logistics
Price from: £100
Minimum age: 0
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around
Duration: 3-4 hours
Who to go with: organised tours
Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity
Kyoto
Stroll through the streets amongst the many passersby to fully appreciate and feel the life of the city. Enter Gion, the home of many geisha and traditional tea houses. Enjoy the most unforgettable Kaiseki meal of your life
Kyoto is a magical place. Visitors can be transported back in time to Japan’s historical past. Starting near the famous Yasaka Shrine you will stroll with your guide along the local streets of Gion.
Price $276
Min age 0
Rating 4.79 / 5 [62 ratings]
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