Gion Maruyama

You can’t quite know what you’re walking into at Gion Maruyama, as the decor and dishes are never static, consistently shifting with the seasons. What you can predict for sure is that the atmosphere will be drenched in a sense of tradition. Large tatami private rooms hold painted screens depicting scenes from old Edo-era towns. When your meal arrives, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported back to this classic golden age of Japanese culture. From the graceful courtesy with which you’re greeted to the manner the dishes are placed before you, everything is carried out with measured poise. While Kyoto is home to a veritable mountain of traditional restaurants, the two Michelin stars which Maruyama holds appropriately signifies its position atop the pack.