The care lavished on every aspect of dining is unparalleled here, thanks to the conscientious attention of Kikunoi's owner, Yoshihiro Murata, a world-renowned chef and authority on Kyoto cuisine. A lifetime study of French and Japanese cooking, a commitment to using the finest local ingredients, and a playful creative sense make every meal hum with flavor. Once seated in a private dining room, you are brought a small sakizuke, or appetizer, the first of a multicourse meal, all of whose selections are seasonal and decided by the chef.

A mecca for foodies, Michelin-starred Kikunoi, just south of Maruyama Park and Yasaka Shrine, represents the ultimate in high-end Japanese dining. The menu is a parade of luxurious little dishes that showcase the current season. The attention to detail here, which covers not just the food but also the tableware and decor, is second to none.

Kikunoi is the pinnacle of traditional Japanese fine-dining. The restaurant is owned by Yoshihiro Murata, a Japanese celebrity chef known for his numerous TV shows and books. Awarded three Michelin stars in 2014, Kikunoi offers exquisite set menus of dishes inspired by seasonal ingredients.

8 restaurants did also maintain the highest distinction and are recommended with Three MICHELIN Stars for their unique cuisine – of which Kikunoi Honten and Hyotei have been awarded Three MICHELIN Stars for the 15th consecutive year.

Located in the upscale Gion district of Kyoto, Kikunoi is a sublime restaurant serving paramount Japanese food that has been loved by travellers from all over the globe. Despite being a possessor of three Michelin stars,...

Made in the first year of the Taisho era, Kikunoi Honten is one of the only three restaurants in Japan that has received the 3 stars 5 red cutlery ratings in the Michelin guide: a rating only given to the most highest quality restaurants around the world. The third owner and master chef of Kikunoi, Yoshihiro Murata, born as the first son in a family running the most well-known, long-standing restaurant in Kyoto, works with many of his other talented chefs that amuses us with exquisite Japanese cuisine. Kikunoi offers 5 different levels of kaiseki course menus which range from 10,000~　30,000 yen.

Kikunoi Honten," which has earned a 3-star Michelin rating, is popular among foreigners for its polite service that reflects Japanese culture and authentic kaiseki cuisine. Kaiseki cuisine is a healthy style of cooking that focuses on the basic Japanese meal structure of "ichiju-sansai" (one soup and three side dishes in addition to rice as the main dish), emphasizing the natural flavors of seasonal ingredients. Known as a Japanese course meal, the attentive "omotenashi" service is also one of the representative elements of kaiseki cuisine.

From the backyard garden to the restaurant building and cuisine, Kikunoi Honten has perfected every aspect of a ‘ ryotei,’ a traditional Japanese restaurant specializing in haute-cuisine. Yoshihiro Murata, the present and third-generation chef, believes perfume, texture, and the element of surprise are three principal ingredients of Japanese cuisine. Built in 1912 by the granddad of Murata, Kikunoi Honten has become one of the most popular restaurants for Japanese cuisine.

For a traditional Kaiseki meal, visit Kikunoi, a Michelin-starred restaurant known for its exquisite presentation and seasonal ingredients. For a more casual experience, try Nishiki Market, where you can sample a variety of local street foods like Yuba and Taiyaki. Additionally, Pontocho Alley is famous for its intimate restaurants that offer a mix of traditional and modern Kyoto cuisine, making it a must-visit for any food lover.

Kikunoi Main Branch is a ryotei (traditional high-end Japanese restaurant) that has been serving Kyoto dishes and kaiseki (traditional Japanese course cuisine) since 1912. The esteemed location has been awarded 3 Michelin stars for 11 years running, and is known as one of the premier traditional Japanese restaurants in Kyoto. And now, you can enjoy one Kikunoi specialty in the comfort of your own home: their nyumen.

Kikunoi is a Michelin three-star restaurant located in the Higashiyama area, Kyoto city. This long-established Japanese restaurant was originally founded in 1912 and has been operating for 100 years as one of Kyoto’s best and most known Kaiseki restaurants. All of the dishes are served in spacious private rooms, so you can appreciate the authentic tastes of classic style Kaiseki in a relaxed atmosphere.

The city of Kyoto is acknowledged as the birthplace of the traditional multi-course meal known as kaiseki, which is widely regarded as the pinnacle of Japanese cuisine. Those who want to experience this incredible dining tradition in Kyoto should definitely visit Kikunoi. The restaurant, which boasts three Michelin stars, is located in Higashiyama and offers classic kaiseki in a fine dining setting.

Three Michelin-starred Kikunoi is without a doubt one of the best kaiseki restaurants in Kyoto. A dinner here doesn't come cheap, but it will definitely be a night to remember. The talented chefs create a series of exquisite and creative small dishes that showcase the highest quality local ingredients, and change every month to fit the season.

Kikunoi Honten is a masterclass in traditional kaiseki dining, now run by third-generation chef Yoshihiro Murata. Rooted in Kyoto’s culinary history, this restaurant elevates the multi-course kaiseki meal to an art form. Signature dishes, like the delicate hamo shabu (conger eel hotpot), showcase the fresh, local ingredients of the season.

Kikunoi is famous for one of the very traditional Kyoto’s cuisine restaurant. In the Micheline Kansai region version issued in 2020, it was granted the highest rank of 3 stars. They started the restaurant in 1912 near the historic place near the famous Temple called Kodai-ji which has beautiful scenery, especially in the autumn season.

Exquisite and flawless – Kikunoi has perfected everything from the garden to the restaurant building, tableware, and of course, cuisine. A veritable “living museum”, this traditional Japanese haute-cuisine restaurant has furnishings and decorations that take your breath away at every turn.

My translator this morning is Derek Wilcox, a Poughkeepsie-born chef who works at Kyoto's Kikunoi restaurant. "It has more presence," Wilcox says, trying to explain the special properties of Kyoto tofu. "It's not just this empty block of protein that you flavor with something else.

( Southern Higashiyama; expensive) This three-star Michelin restaurant has a beautiful location just around the corner from Maruyama-koen Park, so it’s very convenient. And, the food is awesome. Kikunoi Main Restaurant – image © Chris Rowthorn

Kikunoi is on a hillside overlooking the city, one of its three Michelin star kaiseki restaurants. Service is formal and presentation elaborate, with dishes such as barracuda sushi or pike conger eel served shabu-shabu style.

For an extraordinary fine dining experience, book a table at Kikunoi, a three-Michelin-starred restaurant where chef Murata is crafting creative dishes that reflect Kyoto's culinary heritage while adding new twists.