Gion Shirakawa Namisato — Restaurant in Kyoto

At Gion Shirakawa Namisato, I had the pleasure of experiencing a kaiseki dinner that was an exhibition of Japanese culinary artistry. The meal unfolded in a series of ten courses, each presenting a delicate balance of flavors and textures.

One course featured a refreshing sashimi dish served over ice, a testament to the freshness of the ingredients, with succulent pieces of fish that were a soft whisper of the sea. Accompanied by a traditional soy sauce and a dab of fiery wasabi, it was a classic presentation with an elegant touch.

Another course presented a symphony of seasonal Kyoto vegetables, boiled to perfection and served with a side of savory gomadare and soyu sauce. Their natural flavors were enhanced, not overshadowed, by the subtle seasonings, allowing each vegetable to sing its own note in this harmonious chorus.

A delightful tempura dish added a textural contrast, with light, crispy batter encasing tender vegetables, complemented by a dashi-based dipping sauce that provided a umami-rich counterpoint to the crispness.

The meal concluded with a dessert that was as aesthetically pleasing as it was delicious. The balance of sweetness and texture provided a satisfying end to the culinary journey.

However, with a price point of 13,000 JPY, one might expect each course to not only delight the senses but also to surprise and innovate, offering a truly extraordinary experience that justifies the cost. While the dishes were beautifully executed, the value proposition at this price bracket sets expectations for a certain culinary adventure that may have fallen just shy of the mark.

Despite this, the proximity to the heart of Kyoto's Gion district, and the opportunity to dine in such a quintessentially Japanese setting, added layers of cultural richness to the dining experience. The atmosphere within Gion Shirakawa Namisato and the quality of ingredients could indeed hold a certain appeal to those seeking the ambiance as much as the...

A most wonderful meal in a magical setting served by a team that excels at making you feel welcome.

We had the Omakase at the counter and it was wonderful. You get 10 different servings all delicate and delicious. They did explain each serving in English. I am sure you can order a la carte however we felt that would be too complex for us since unfortunately we do not speak Japanese.

Since everyone wants to be seated by the window they have a system where first arrivals sit by the window and the rest slide to the window as those people depart so you will probably get your moment by the window.

We were 4 and had 1 beer 3 Sake and a tea and the bill came out to about ¥60,000.

All the restaurant’s team make every effort to make sure you are having an excellent time...

I thought this restaurant was going to offer the best of traditional Kyoto cuisine. I was wrong. We were awkwardly greeted when we walked in. The pictures of the inside of the restaurant looked great, but we were taken to the second floor with basic furniture and walls, super bright lights, and no view. Hardly what I expected for this restaurant's reputation. The food was extremely disappointing, literally our worst experience in Japan so far. 10 courses of little to no flavor. The best course were tue sashimi, which is more about the quality if the fish and less about the skill of the restaurant. The price was ridiculous considering...