Touzan (Hyatt Regency Kyoto)

Hidden away behind a thicket of lush bamboo in Kyoto’s Higashiyama Ward is the entrance to the Hyatt Regency Kyoto — not simply one of the most luxurious hotels in the whole of the prefecture, but also home to one of the most notable restaurants for traditional Japanese fare: Touzan. From the moment they pass through the entryway, diners are instantly immersed in an atmosphere that instantly calls to mind Kyoto’s historic folk houses. In an elegantly-decorated space that incorporates the clean serenity of a Japanese rock garden, guests can enjoy kaiseki course meals, afternoon tea, and a la carte options. A particularly popular choice for visitors is the afternoon tea course menu, a series of small bites elegantly laid out, and the perfect follow-up to a spa and massage session. Head chef Atsushi Miwa does more than put his own prowess on display at Touzan: he works directly with producers to select ingredients and develop menu items in line with the farmers’ agricultural and culinary philosophies. The kitchen often collaborates with local farms to showcase the freshness of local ingredients, like Kyoto duck or honey. Its tea selection also comes straight from historic Kyoto tea supplier Ippodo, synonymous with green tea. But the restaurant isn’t limited by locality either: the management spares no expense to get the finest ingredients from all over the country for its kitchens, like wagyu beef tenderloin.