Located on the edge of the Tadasunomori Forest, which spreads around Kamo Mioya Shrine (affectionately known as Shimogamo Shrine), one of the oldest shrines in Kyoto inscribed in the World Cultural Heritage List, Kyokaiseki Kichisen is an old established Kyoto cuisine restaurant awarded two stars by a world-renowned restaurant guide.
The restaurant is helmed by Chef Yoshimi Tanigawa, who started his culinary career at the age of 15. He was exceptionally selected as the chef of an acclaimed Japanese restaurant in Saga Arashiyama at the age of 26. Then, he opened his own restaurant in a hotel in 1983, when he was 31 years old, and relocated it to the current location two years later. The sophisticated dishes crafted by the experienced chef who is still active in the kitchen despite being over 70 attract many food lovers from not only around Japan but all over the world.
Kichisen offers traditional feasts derived from chakaiseki cuisine (tea ceremony dishes). It is reinterpreted by Chef Tanigawa in his own innovative way while paying respect to the traditions of the Kyoto cuisine. Not only the selection of ingredients but also the sequence of courses, starting with a cup of Japanese sake (shared as part of an offering to the gods) followed by a mukozuke (side dish) course of sashimi served with Chinese herbal ingredients and comforting refreshments between courses, such as sushi and stewed dishes, is deliberately designed to tingle all the senses with seasonal delights. The ingredients are carefully selected by the chef with a keen eye, who visits local markets early in the mornings, or directly supplied by producers around Japan.
The drink menu offers a popular selection of wines, including original champagne handcrafted from vine to label by a winery with an over 3,000 sq. meter vineyard in Reims, France, as well as Japanese sake selected by the chef from international prize winners.
Decorated with refined furniture and Japanese-style flower arrangements, the restaurant’s interior has a dignified atmosphere comparable to the authentic vibe of Kyoto. Outfitted with a main dining room with a five-seat counter, three private dining rooms (with an area of 10, 18, and 50 sq. meters, respectively), and a traditional Japanese tea room, Kichisen is the perfect place to enjoy the good, old flavors of Kyoto with your friends, business partners, overseas guests, or loved ones.
* Awarded 2 stars on world-renowned gourmet guide Kyoto-Osaka 2024.
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* The availability of this webpage does not guarantee that the restaurant presented provides services in English, unless otherwise stated. Please be aware that English services may also depend on staff availability at the restaurant.
Access
A 10-minutes walk from Keihan Demachiyanagi Station
