Gion Mizuoka

I cannot express how much this experience was unique and so well done. The owners were so welcoming in having English menus and my sister and I had the restaurant to ourselves for lunch. I highly recommend this restaurant as a unique Japanese tradition. Make sure you make reservations as well, since it's not somewhere you can just pop in. It is a preset menu (with options for main and dessert), but anything you order you will not go astray.

- Heidi Wagner -

The literal best meal of my life. The care, hospitality, and food are truly a masterpiece. We were able to stay after our Kaseki meal and chatted with the husband and wife via google translate and they are the most loving, sweet and kind people. I cannot wait to go back. Thank you for all the care, even with me being on crutches!

- Mallika San Agustin -

Firstly, as an American who has been to Kyoto for their first time, thanks for having me for lunch. I speak only elementary levels of Japanese, but they helped accommodate my understanding of the food with English explanations. It made the experience even more interesting. Kaiseki meals was definitely on my list of things to do in Kyoto. The food was beautiful, exotic, tasty, and very interesting. What made this restaurant even better were the two people working there I hope to come back some day P.S. The black sesame crackers you gave me were very tasty. My mom really liked it. Where do I find more? (Usuhari Tuile, Black Sesame; Wabiya; Kashi Wabiya Kyoto Hanamikoji)

- Louie G. K -

Just finished a wonderful evening at this lovely restaurant with my son and husband. The food, the welcome, the hospitality. All of it was fantastic. And really do NOT miss the miso soup as mentioned in another review! But all of it was great (loved the Kyoto beef too!) Don’t miss out on a traditional delicious Kyoto Kaiseki restaurant! Domo arigato gozaimashta!

- JKC -

Stumbled upon this restaurant accidentally but could not be happier about it! The food was exquisite and the husband and wife who run the restaurant are the sweetest. Can’t wait to come back!

- Mandy Guevara -

Excellent! The hostess was excellent and entertaining. She explained the correct way of eating the Japanese food in a funny and delicate way. So appreciated! The food was absolutely delicious. All umami.the eggplant with shrimp was supreme in combination with the soft dry sake as well as the scallop packed in a coat of pines tree pits. Absolutely an amazing combo with the sake. Highly recommended.

- Carlos Ribeiro -

We chanced upon this place through random searches on Google Maps, and boy, did we find a gem! We were treated to a lovely feast, comprising a variety of Japanese fare. My boyfriend thinks this comment isn't concise enough, but what can I say, too many words are required to fully encapsulate the wonderful experience we had here :) food wise, I thoroughly enjoyed the fatty beef that was practically swimming in its own oil. The steamed turnip was... an acquired taste though :/ they also make you work a little bit for your food too - cue the gingko nuts you have to peel yourself. So all in all, the food was a 4/5 at best. But! What made the experience so absolutely magical was the loveable owner. The husband and wife pair never ceased to entertain us throughout our meal by speaking to us through a mixture of app-translated English and Japanese, telling us stories of where the food was from and how their restaurant came about. Would highly recommend for any travellers seeking a unique cultural experience with friendly and talkative locals

- chatterbox97 chatterbox97 -

This is by far the best restaurant I was lucky to eat at, in 12 days I spent in Japan. The husband cooks incredibly well and his sashimi was a cultural experience. The lady of the house was extremely polite and made us feel like eating at a family event. I can’t advise this restaurant more. It was Fabulous and it’s price totally acceptable.

- Cristiano Cardarelli -