Kyoto, Japan｜Minokichi Honten Takeshigerou

I forgot to take pictures, but one of the best meal I’ve had. Very traditional style and the service is something to experience. From top to bottom the whole experience was amazing. The building itself has some history as well.

The most expensive hotel on our trip to Kyoto, we reserved our seats long in advance. The decoration and service in the store are beyond words. Each table has a small private room, which is very quiet. It feels like the first choice for discussing big business. The food is very unique, and every part of each dish is exquisite. Although it is the first time to eat real kaiseki cuisine, this is how I imagined it to be perfect. The fish soup is made fresh on the spot by the chef, and the signature eel rice can also taste different from the other restaurants. It is full of caramel aroma, fat but not greasy. After the meal was over, the proprietress came in personally to serve tea. This warm hospitality was really beyond words. The store owner also kindly took us to see their Women's Day display cabinet and some private collection of porcelain wine glasses, and finally watched you off at the entrance of the store until you left.

We went there in August 2023 to celebrate our son's birthday and it was absolutely fantastic. Everything from the food taste and quality to hospitality to ambience to the building decor and private rooms and nice garden were the best we've experienced to date. Their owner came to our private room during our dinner as well, which was a really gracious gesture. If you want to experience what authentic Japanese Kaiseki is then this is the place for you.