Konishiya

Often sticklers for tradition, kappo and kaiseki chefs can tend to stick to the standard dishes of Kyoto, where the styles were originally developed. However, outside of the major cities, there exist some exciting restaurants which take this style of dining and fuse it with local traditions. Konishiya is a kappo restaurant in Sanda, Hyogo which is dedicated to showcasing the best that central Kansai has to offer. Their set-course omakase menu has a unique range of dishes, and twenty sake samples from local breweries served throughout. The highlight of these is the junmai — a kind of pure rice sake with its own unique flavor. Expect excellent cuts of fish, beautifully garnished with fresh vegetables and herbs, along with regional favorites you’re not likely to find elsewhere in Japan. Walk-ins are welcomed here, which is perhaps the most refreshing benefit of dining outside of the bigger cities (where reservations often practically require that you book a century in advance, or be a direct blood relative of the chef).