The hills of Higashiyama have gazed over the streets of Kyoto since antiquity. In the heart of these hills, established in 1912, surrounded by the verdure of Kodaiji Temple, Kikunoi presents a quiet aspect. Kodaiji was erected in memory of Toyotomi Hideyoshi by his wife, Kita-no-Mandokoro. It contains a tea room where she held tea gatherings and, to this day, retains an air of the Momoyama period (1585-1603). Higashiyama’s Makuzugahara area has, since ancient times, been a place of leisure for those who love the moon and flowers. Heir to this history, Kikunoi continues the elegant traditions of the past, hosting banquets befitting the venerable capital. Pursuing the refined beauty of kyo ryori (Kyoto cuisine), it has preserved, since the time of its founding, a kaiseki ryori distinguished by combined strength and faithfulness. The Kikunoi building is a mansion whose architecture and decor are in the style of a feudal lord’s villa, making liberal use of sukiya (tea room) craftsmanship. The windows are filled with the view of cherry trees; stone lanterns are half-hidden by greenery. The view lends colour to the meal; it is a ryotei rich in the moods of the seasons. There are also branches in Kiyamachi in Kyoto and Akasaka in Tokyo.
