I rarely write a review like this, but our experience at Hyotei - a place supposedly renowned for its gastronomic brilliance - compels me to share my experience. This was the worst and most disappointing 3 star we've ever been to.

Let's start with the food: bland, uninspired, and scarce. The courses lacked depth of flavor, were visually unappealing, and fell significantly short in number. Each dish was a stark reminder of how much we paid for mediocrity. It is hard to comprehend how such an unexciting meal could be conceived in a place known for its tradition and heritage.

As for the location and ambience, while the sunset view was indeed beautiful, the experience was marred by an unexpected invasion of mosquitoes. We were constantly under siege, which resulted in an uncomfortable, itchy evening for my partner. We attempted to keep the sliding doors closed to fend off the bugs, but this led to a claustrophobic atmosphere. The low ceiling of the traditional, yet decidedly antiquated, room didn't help either.

Service was another area where Hyotei sadly fell flat. We found ourselves frequently ignored and unattended, largely due to the seclusion of our room with its closed doors. It was astonishingly slow, which felt even more frustrating given the high price we were paying for the experience.

Speaking of price, Hyotei demands over 350 per person. The supposed luxury dining experience turned out to be an extravagant exercise in disappointment.

Our expectations were severely let down by Hyotei's bland food, lackluster service, poor location management, and steep pricing.

One Michelin star would be a gift for this place, let alone three. I'm not sure how this place got 3 stars - maybe for its 400 year old history? It's definitely a trap for tourists who want to experience fine japanese dining - I don't think its a coincidence that this was the only 3 star available to book on short notice for our trip.