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Mizai, located in the heart of Kyoto's Higashiyama Ward, is a premier restaurant renowned for its exquisite kaiseki dining experience. Nestled near the iconic Yasaka Shrine and Maruyama Park, Mizai offers a unique blend of traditional Japanese culture and culinary artistry. This restaurant is not just about food; it’s a sensory journey that emphasizes the beauty of Japanese aesthetics through its presentation, ambiance, and meticulous attention to detail.

At Mizai, guests are treated to a multi-course kaiseki meal that showcases seasonal ingredients and the chef's creativity. The dining experience is enhanced by a serene atmosphere, where every dish is presented with artistic flair. Highlights of the menu include:

Masterfully prepared sashimi, including premium cuts like toro (belly) and fresh squid.

A delightful array of seasonal vegetables paired with flavorful miso soup.

Unique palate cleansers such as wasabi sorbet and dashi with housemade bonito flakes.

A stunning dessert featuring 74 different fruits, ensuring every bite is a new experience.

Mizai is conveniently situated at 618 Maruyama-cho, just a stone's throw from the famous Yasaka Shrine and the picturesque Maruyama Park. This prime location makes it an ideal stop for those exploring Kyoto's rich cultural heritage. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll through the park or visit nearby attractions such as:

Yasaka Shrine, a historic Shinto shrine known for its vibrant festivals.

Gion District, famous for its traditional wooden machiya houses and geisha culture.

Kiyomizu-dera, a UNESCO World Heritage site offering stunning views of the city.

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With substantial attention to tradition and culture, expressed through calligraphy, architecture and utensils, Mizai transcends your dining experience beyond tastes. Mark this restaurant in your bucket list.

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Paying respect to the restaurant's wishes, no photos or video were taken of the food or interior except for a few rare exceptions made evident by the chef and staff.

Incredible atmosphere in the heart of Maruyama Park east gate near Yasaka Shrine.
Attending chefs greet you at the entrance and offer a palette cleanser of salted water and cherry blossom.
Hand towels are delivered seemingly straight out of the steamer.
Extensive Sake menu, juice versions of house wines are available for non-alcohol drinkers.
Sake list offered without price tags so expect to pay top dollar for top shelf libations.
The restaurant is cash only so come prepared to spend north of 40000 yen per person in cold hard cash.

First course, surprise twist with rice start for a kaiseki pair with a lovely miso soup and spring vegetables.
*Here is your only warning to come hungry.*
Next a phenomenol sashimi course complete with masterfully prepared tuna including toro (belly), squid, sea bream. Jellied soy sauce, sesame sauce, ponzu sauce and the lightest vinegar. Fresh wasabi was a real zinger.
A palette cleanser with dashi with housemade bonito flakes, dried seaweed.
Delightful sasame (?) beef from Chef Hitoshi's hometown. Served with punchy vegetables.A wasabi sorbet for the ultimate palette cleanser.
Next a medley of abalone and fish, sushi and pungent wasabi cream.
Another cleanser of toasted rice, regular rice and broth. Warm, comforting and aromatic.
End the night with lemon jelly, housed in the lemon it was made from next to giant red and white strawberries coated in wine jelly. Followed with a 74 fruit fruit salad. Yes, we asked multiple times in multiple languages that indeed 74 different fruits were used to prepare this dessert. As a result every bite is a different fruit and it was phenomenal.
End the night again with supreme matcha and seemingly endless roasted green tea.
Bring a fat stack of yen bills to pay up and then you are escorted back to the main park by lantern light by one of the certainly exhausted but proud sous chefs. Truly a once in a lifetime experience all around.

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Warning!

Extremely overpriced especially the sake! Big amount of food with normal tasting. The food doesn’t match with the price at all. Sake with no price on it, but in fact it is >10X the market price. Be sure to ask before you order any drinks. See the picture, one craft is more than 30000!

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Love the sashimi and 八吋. Portion way too large though.

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Luxury Kyoto Dining at Mizai in Higashiyama's Maruyama Park

Dine In

Restroom

Reservable

Serves Beer

Serves Wine

Serves Dinner

Serves Dessert

Mizai is a culinary gem in Kyoto's Higashiyama Ward, offering an exquisite kaiseki dining experience that reflects the changing seasons and the finest local ingredients. The serene atmosphere and meticulous preparation of each dish create a memorable journey through traditional Japanese cuisine.

Mizai

Savor exquisite dishes at Mizai in Kyoto's Higashiyama Ward. Experience authentic flavors and serene ambiance. Book your table now!

Luxury Kyoto Dining at Mizai in Higashiyama's Maruyama Park

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