Elegant tables

Kyoto boasts some of the finest dining restaurants in Japan, from kaiseki to sushi temples. Here are some elegant spots to enjoy a tranquil meal away from the crowds.

- BY AMY VAN

Mizuki, The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto

The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto is a well-established, beautifully designed luxury hotel situated on the bank of the Kamogawa River in this historic city, which is currently experiencing a surge in popularity among tourists from near and far. Surrounded by beautiful trees, the hotel's site was once owned by Ryoi Suminokura, a wealthy merchant from the Edo period, known for opening up Kyoto's Takasegawa river canal for shipping.

If you're in search of an exquisite dining experience with a variety of options, Mizuki is the perfect destination. The hotel's Japanese restaurant offers four distinct cuisines: kaiseki, sushi, tempura, and teppanyaki, each prepared with meticulous care.

For an exceptional omakase sushi feast, sit at the elegant counter overlooking a serene garden with rocks and water features. The 11-metre counter, made from Wajima lacquer, sets the stage for your meal. Chef Tomohiro Goda is a master of his craft, respecting the timeless tradition of sushi-making while incorporating the freshest seasonal ingredients into his Edo-mae style sushi creations.

Besides flawlessly prepared sushi, your omakase dinner includes plated dishes such as marinated bonito, partnered with garlic chips, and shredded Japanese vegetables for textural contrast.

Watch the chef in action as he slices tuna belly with quiet precision, or lightly torches skewered anago (saltwater eel). The latter is simply and elegantly served with a touch of salt and wasabi sauce.

Other standouts include the beef fillet steak with sansho soy sauce, and perfectly cooked rice topped with lobes of naturally sweet uni, mackerel, pickled lotus root, deep-fried blowfish, Kyoto duck, and mackerel sushi wrapped with bamboo leaf.