Kaiseki menu (seasonal Japanese haute cuisine) in a traditional Gion restaurant; usual price 8.000-15.000 ¥ per person.
Kaiseki is Japanese haute cuisine par excellence: a succession of small seasonal dishes perfectly balanced in flavour, texture, colour and presentation, which reflects the Japanese aesthetic philosophy of mono no aware. Gion, the historic geisha district, concentrates some of the most renowned kaiseki restaurants in the country. A kaiseki menu in Gion usually consists of 8 to 12 dishes and includes everything from the sakizuke appetiser to the miso soup and the final rice, by way of sashimi, grilled, steamed and pickled dishes. The usual price in a mid-level restaurant ranges between 8.000 and 15.000 ¥ per person; high-end restaurants can exceed 30.000 ¥. It is essential to book in advance, especially in the sakura and momiji seasons. Many restaurants require a minimum booking of two people and request confirmation by email. Lunch is usually more affordable than dinner, sometimes with menus from 5.000 ¥.
