Japanese cuisine Mizai

84,700 JPY 〜
/ Guest

The highest pinnacle of 3-star tea kaiseki which continues to pursue excellence in hospitality

Japanese cuisine restaurant Mizai is located in a quiet corner of Kyoto’s famous Maruyama Park. With award from world gourmet guide, Mizai is well-known to be a place where gourmands from all over the country dream to visit at least once.

Owner Hitoshi Ishihara began to journey on the road to cooking at age the age of 15. He entered Osaka Koraibashi Kitcho Honten and studied under Kitcho founder Teiichi Yuki. Ishihara has climbed the ornate staircase to the top, being appointed as Head Chef at Kyoto Kitcho Honten at the young age of 24 and rising to the position of General Head Chef at age 38.

After he upholded the taste of the famous restaurant for 31 years, he became independent in June 2003. Having inherited the spirit of his prominent tea ceremony master, Ishihara aims to have the heart of “Ichiza Konryu”, which has been treasured in the world of tea ceremony. It is a word that expresses the preparation and hospitality that is put into a single tea ceremony in order to create a sense of unity with guests. At Mizai, the five senses are stimulated not only by the food, but by everything from the wares, the decorated food, flowers and decor of the restaurant, and the scenery of the park towards the restaurant. The four seasons are being expressed in everything. Following the manners of tea kaiseki, a wooden tray with rice, soup, and a side dish is first served, and it is said that over 300 types of carefully selected seasonal ingredients are used daily.

The interior of the restaurant has a modern finish of a tea ceremony arbor design, with 14 counter seats and private rooms that can take up to 6 guests. In order to provide the best hospitality, guests are received once a day, all together at 18:00. The restaurant name Mizai means “no limits” in the Zen language, and is a word that Ishihara has carved into his heart as his maxim. Guests are sure to be impressed and touched by Ishihara’s continual desire to aim higher, even as reservations from all over the country flood the restaurant.

※ Awarded 3 stars on world-renowned gourmet guide Kyoto-Osaka 2023.
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* The availability of an English version of this page does not guarantee that the restaurant can provide services in English unless otherwise stated. Please be aware that, even if stated, there may still be days when English speaking staff are unavailable.

【Access】
■15-minute walk from Kyoto Subway Higashiyama Station Exit 2
■5 minutes by taxi from Hankyu Kyoto Line Kawaramachi Station Exit 2

Access

Recommendation(12)

  • 40's

    Date of Visit: 1/2024
    Thank you Chef Hitoshi Ishihara prepared such an amazing dinner for us. Food was so fresh and delicious. The dining decorations and environment was so unique. My husband and I were so grateful to had such an enjoyable and memorable dining experience for our 17th anniversary.
    Number of visits: OnePurpose: Anniversary
  • 50's

    Date of Visit: 10/2023
    素敵な時間をありがとうございました。 大将がいろいろな質問に答えてくださったのが、嬉しかったです。 お弟子さん達もひとつひとつに真剣で、集中されていたと思います。 あの建物で営業するためには、いろいろな方面の有力者?に認められる必要があるのだろうと感じました。 大将に、次回は宿泊してきてくださいと言っていただいたのも嬉しかったです。 ぜひまた別の季節に伺いたいです。
    Number of visits: OnePurpose: With Colleagues
  • 20's

    Date of Visit: 10/2023
    A very good meal!
    Number of visits: OnePurpose: Other

FAQ

Courses

Dinner
MIZAI-RYU CHAKAISEKI [market price system]
84,700 JPY / Guest

Information

Name

Japanese cuisine Mizai [日本料理 未在]

Cuisine Type

Japanese, Kaiseki, Washoku

Opening hours

6:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Holidays

Tuesday, No fixed holiday( Once or twice a month)

Access

613, Maruyama-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto

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Japanese cuisine Mizai [日本料理 未在]
Kyoto/Osaka/Nara
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