Takamatsu

Dinner at this former Michelin-starred kaiseki restaurant is an elegant meal exemplary of the subtle simplicity in Kyoto cuisine, which focuses on allowing natural ingredients to reach their full potential by presenting them without distracting adornments. Edible wild plants and vegetables from Kanazawa are some of the most exciting products on the menu here at Takamatsu. The particular varieties on offer will vary according to the season — but as many regulars say, the level of hospitality remains consistently high. Guests can expect a range of chargrilled vegetables and seafood, along with classic Kyoto staples such as the clay pot of rice which finishes every meal. Located in the center of Shijo, just a short distance from one of Kyoto's most central shopping districts, Takamatsu is easily accessible from both Karasuma and Shijo Stations, making it a popular choice for those who want a traditional kaiseki experience without venturing out of the city centre — and one that previously held a Michelin star, no less. This is also why the price is especially surprising. There is only one menu at Takamatsu (the omakase, or "chef's choice" menu) and it stays under ¥15,000. A comparable meal at any other kaiseki restaurant in Tokyo — or even elsewhere in Kyoto — for similar quality would be significantly higher.