Kikunoi

Chef Yoshihiro Murata believes that restaurant dining is a celebration of the joys of life — a notion he takes to heart at his highly acclaimed "kaiseki-ryori" restaurant, Kikunoi.

Named after the precious chrysanthemum-shaped well that Chef Murata’s ancestors guarded for their lord, Kikunoi is a world-famous restaurant with three Michelin stars under its belt. Though it now has three other branches, Kikunoi’s flagship restaurant is a traditional manor resembling a samurai residence nestled amid lush greenery in Kyoto’s Higashiyama district. Founded in 1912, it is presently headed by Chef Murata.

Kikunoi revolves around the concept of "kirei-sabi", which espouses powerfully elegant beauty without being too showy. Aiming to delight and surprise guests through constant innovation, Kikunoi excels at exquisite seasonal dishes that harmoniously balance flavors and textures. These are made with the finest seasonal ingredients sourced from all over Japan; relentless in his pursuit of the best ingredients for his culinary creations, Chef Murata does not limit himself to Kyoto.

Complementing the food are the tableware and decor, which is carefully curated to reflect the season. As Chef Murata considers Kikunoi a living museum, not only the food, but also the tableware, decor, and even the rooms have stories to tell.