Ichigo Ichie

This kaiseki restaurant is housed in a traditional old building in the mountains to the south of Oita city, surrounded by nature but close enough to be easily accessible. To the side of the entrance two tanuki statues wait to greet you as you walk under the noren curtain and into the courtyard garden beyond. These beautiful surroundings set the scene for a kaiseki meal to remember. You can choose from the full omakase kaiseki option, or a seafood-based set meal making use of Oita’s position facing the rich Seto Inland Sea. Seasonal ingredients such as duck and fugu blowfish will feature heavily, as will locally grown vegetables. Even the cooking styles lean heavily on tradition, with some dishes roasted over hot stones in the private rooms. If you worry that the restaurant is a little more remote than its competitors, take a look at the price! You won’t often find Michelin-starred kaiseki dining for anywhere near this, making this one of the best hidden gems in the area.