Yachiyo Shikan

At Yachiyo Shikan, you can savor the seasonality of Japanese ingredients throughout the course. Shikan comes from the Zen Buddhist meditation practice of “Shikantaza,” meaning “just sitting.” At this restaurant, the owner has a sincere approach to the ingredients, dishes, seasonality, and customer. They offer both lunch and dinner menus for 15,000 yen. All the dishes bring out the natural flavor of each seasonal ingredient. The chef has experience working in Kyoto since he was 20 years old. He has been collecting antique dishes like Rosanjin pottery since then, and guests can enjoy the beauty of these serving vessels during their meals. It feels a little like enjoying a meal at an art museum. In summer, you can try sunomono (vinegar-based side dishes) with firefly squid, scallops, kuruma-ebi, and white asparagus with a topping of caviar. The chef also uses lots of local seafood in Fukuoka and Kyo-yasai (local vegetables from Kyoto).