Colorful autumn leaves hung on a line

The year, served slowly

Eight courses that follow the moon over Gion.

Shiki Kaiseki serves a multi-course meal that tastes like the season, in a wooden Kyoto townhouse where the menu changes with the moon.

One sitting, many courses. Let the year lead.

Shiki - the four seasons

A year at the table

Cherry blossom branches in full bloom

Spring

先付Sakizuke - the opening bite

Blossom falls; the tray is set.

Deep green fern fronds

Summer

御椀Owan - clear dashi, the month's garnish

Green shade; the broth runs clear.

The course

One price, many courses. The scroll below is a compass, not a contract.

  1. 先付Sakizuke

    A single bite to open the season.

    JP¥16,000

  2. 御椀Owan

    Clear dashi, the month's garnish afloat.

  3. 八寸Hassun

    The mountain and the sea on one tray.

  4. 焼物Yakimono

    Charcoal, and whatever is at its peak.

  5. 水菓子Mizugashi

    Fruit at its hour; matcha to close.

A misty autumn forest

Autumn

焼物Yakimono - charcoal-grilled fish

Smoke rises; the maples answer.

Plain white paper texture

Winter

水菓子Mizugashi - fruit and matcha to close

Snow hush; a warm bowl in both hands.

The machiya

An engawa walk - the veranda between the rooms and the garden. Step slowly.

A Kyoto street with a pagoda at dusk
Dusk
A tunnel of red torii gates
Vermilion
Mount Fuji rising beyond a pagoda
Mountain
An old wooden Japanese shopfront
Wood
A sushi roll close-up on a dark plate

The vessels

Every course is served on Kyo-ware thrown by a potter three streets away.

The bowl is part of the recipe.

Voices

A meal that moves at the pace of the garden.
Kyoto Table Notes
You taste the month before you can name it.
The Machiya Guide

Reserve a sitting

Two sittings: noon and six. The menu is decided by the month.

A short letter to the kitchen:

In Gion

Address

12 Gion Machi, Higashiyama, Kyoto

Hours

Wed-Mon, seatings 12:00 & 18:00

Get directions