I entered my maternity leave and chose Arashiyama as the last place to enjoy some quality time with my husband. We made a reservation at Arashiyama Mitate based on the reviews on Ikkyu and Tabelog, where we could enjoy a unique combination of Kyoto cuisine and creative French cuisine. Since it's a time to be cautious about overeating and I can't drink alcohol, I decided to avoid raw fish and raw meat and informed them in advance that I would like a welcome baby message on the dessert plate. We ordered the Mitate course. The restaurant had a calm atmosphere, which we preferred over noisy places. They provided us with a private room, which was very clean and had a traditional Japanese room with chairs for dining, which we liked. We started with a soft drink paired with a fragrance. Despite my husband being weak with alcohol, they suggested a champagne with fragrance pairing, which allowed us to enjoy it slowly. The meal was like a story unfolding, with the chef's playful creativity shining through. I loved it. The menu was a short-term course that started on January 19th and ran until Valentine's Day. The theme was "To my beloved - 3 love stories." I have attached comments to the food photos for details. As a fan of French cuisine, I usually like to read the menu while eating, but they didn't have one, so we received explanations as we ate, which added to the excitement. They gave us the menu at the end. The stories change monthly, with about 12 stories throughout the year. It's a place I would like to keep popular without being too crowded. While French cuisine typically uses truffles and foie gras, which can make it expensive, the use of creative elements here kept the prices reasonable. The portions were generous, and the presentation was creative, using wooden boxes and stones. The taste was easy for Japanese people to enjoy. It may not be suitable for those looking for authentic French cuisine, but it's a great place to leisurely enjoy creative dishes with a playful touch. I highly recommend it! The final chocolate was a sample of their new creation from the upcoming chocolate factory. I hope they do well with it! The staff's hospitality, explanations, and service were all excellent. I look forward to visiting again to experience the chef's playful creativity.

I was looking forward to seeing what kind of menu they had in May, after enjoying the wonderful cherry blossom viewing tour in Kyoto in April. The menu was inspired by Studio Ghibli stories! Each dish was carefully explained and when the food arrived, it was so amazing that I couldn't help but say "wow" each time. This is a restaurant I want to visit in every season.

A restaurant that combines traditional Kyoto cuisine with French cuisine. I had been wanting to visit this place for a long time and finally got the chance. I traveled from Nagoya just for this day trip. Luckily, we were seated in a private room with a great view! You can see the forests of Arashiyama in the distance. The foie gras pudding was delicious, served on a beautiful ceramic plate. The cream was rich and just to my liking. Since it's spring, we started with a cherry blossom-themed amuse-bouche in a cute pink furoshiki wrapping. The eight-course meal was inspired by Heian Shrine surrounded by cherry blossoms. There was a surprise element with sugar sprayed on to reveal a hidden design. Opening an origami duck revealed the menu for the eight-course meal, which was amazing! The bamboo shoot espuma and sakuramasu dish was served in a unique split plate. The espuma with bamboo shoots, kinako powder, and almonds was a great combination. The main course included pork persillade, mountain vegetable tempura, and chicken with mushrooms. It was inspired by the stone pavement of Myoshinji Temple. It was not only delicious but also a visual delight, allowing us to enjoy Kyoto through the presentation. The smoked cherry trout, sakura mochi, and yuba dish in a bowl was a delightful combination. I love sakura mochi, so I was thrilled. The black wagyu fillet steak was incredibly tender and flavorful. Instead of bread, sushi was served with each course. It was a new experience for me and I enjoyed it. I also tried the non-alcoholic pairing, where Uji matcha was paired with different aromatic essences. The different colored glasses were cute. For dessert, we had a matcha dessert inspired by Nonomiya Shrine and a Wagashi inspired by the night cherry blossoms of Togetsukyo Bridge. They even gave us chocolates as a parting gift. Overall, it was a truly satisfying lunch course, and I already want to come back for the next season's menu! Chef Mitsutaka Miki is amazing!

The French course had a story woven into it, making it an enjoyable meal that sparked images in both the eyes and the mind. While it may not be a place you can easily visit, I would like to come back on a special occasion. The blend of Japanese flavors with French cuisine, combined with the atmosphere of Arashiyama, made for a lovely dining experience.

The theme of "learning from the past to create something new" is showcased in this unique French restaurant where Chef Takashi Mikado uses carefully selected high-quality ingredients. The restaurant offers a fusion of traditional Kyoto cuisine and French cuisine, served in a renovated large house. The first course, symbolizing "good health and longevity," consists of a pudding made with beautiful mountain eggs and foie gras. Each dish is served on a unique plate with a gourd pattern, and the presentation of the "good health and longevity" pudding is particularly special, symbolizing prosperity and well-being. The dishes are not only delicious but also tell a story, similar to reading a scroll painting. The perfect match for these dishes are the original ceramics created by pottery artist Nobuyuki Ogawa.

I went to this restaurant recommended by a friend who lives in Kyoto. There are three dinner courses available, with only the difference being the type of meat. I chose the 50g fillet, while my friend who eats a lot went for the 100g Chateaubriand. We were seated in a private room overlooking a beautiful courtyard, which got us really excited. Since we came by car, we opted for non-alcoholic drinks. In this restaurant, they offer pairings not only with wine, but also with tea or sparkling water, changing the aroma with each course. I enjoyed the pairing with tea. Although it is described as a Japanese-French fusion, sushi was also served as a part of the meal. Each dish was beautifully presented, with detailed explanations provided. Not only did they look good, but they also tasted delicious! For dessert, you can choose between coffee and matcha, which is a nice touch of Kyoto. I highly recommend this restaurant, it was a wonderful dining experience. Thank you for the feast!

Do you have a restaurant that you think is absolutely amazing and perfect for you, no matter what kind of place it is? On the other hand, there are also restaurants with incredibly high ratings that make you go "huh?" This particular restaurant is a place that will definitely not disappoint you. It will keep you entertained from the first dish to the last. You can truly feel the essence of Kyoto in this wonderful restaurant. Please make sure to remember this place. It is located behind Arashiyama Station, in a standalone house with private rooms. I will also share a video to give you a taste of the Arashiyama MITATE experience: https://youtu.be/5TYcvibveck. The sister restaurant, Ryu no Hige, has also been relocated and revamped to offer an even more powerful experience.

The mysterious gourmet exploration team in Kyoto. Today we went on a Kyoto expedition to MITATE, a French restaurant in Arashiyama. Located off the main street, away from the hustle and bustle of Arashiyama, this restaurant is set in a traditional Japanese house. We were led to a private room designed like a tea room, with a view of a dry rock garden from the window. The course we had today cost 7,700 yen (tax included) and is based on the concept of a spring journey in Kyoto. The menu has changed since February, and now the minimum course available is 7,700 yen, with the 5,500 yen course no longer being offered. The first dish was a smooth and delightful egg and foie gras pudding. Next was a sashimi platter inspired by a cherry blossom viewing bento box, served with a special sauce instead of soy sauce. Following that, we enjoyed a beautifully presented seasonal appetizer plate. The dish with the fish included flounder and mackerel. Then we had a Sakura trout and fatty tuna sushi, along with a corn castella inspired by the mythical cherry blossoms of Oharano Shrine. The desserts, resembling moss from Nonomiya Shrine, were also delicious. Finally, we were offered four types of chocolates from a recently opened chocolate shop, including yuzu, earl grey, chestnut, and XYZ. I tried one of each, and the refreshing yuzu flavor stood out the most. Honestly, if you bring young men here, they might not feel full without ending with ramen, but the ladies in our group loved it. The fusion of Kyoto kaiseki and French cuisine was a delightful way to enjoy Kyoto away from everyday life. It was a truly delicious experience.

I visited for my father's birthday. We were guided to a private room. The course was structured like a story, and on this day, it was about taking a cherry blossom viewing bento and touring Kyoto (*´꒳`*) We visited Heian Shrine and Toji Temple, and ended the tour back at Togetsukyo Bridge. The dishes were all delicious with fun decorations, and I was impressed from start to finish (*´-`)♡ The chocolate that came out at the end was also exquisite. I would like to visit for another story next time!

A restaurant located a bit away from the hustle and bustle of Arashiyama in Kyoto. It is clear that they put their heart and soul into delighting their customers with both their dishes and presentation. The beautiful food and tea we ordered for pairing were enjoyable. I won't score it as I was treated to a feast.

We had a family summer party and enjoyed a French course meal. I was a little hesitant at first, but the staff were very friendly and my grandparents were delighted. The course meal allowed us to taste various Kyoto flavors, and the dessert at the end was so cute that I want to recommend this restaurant to others. I would definitely like to visit again. ✨

This is our second Christmas dinner here. The whole family came with high expectations. Although the years may be different, the atmosphere of the dishes is similar (^-^) A bit of a deja vu! But the food is delicious. You can feel the enjoyment and deliciousness from the presentation. Next time, we will challenge the regular course menu! 🎄

Visited with a friend for her birthday after a long time, just the two of us. We enjoyed the chef's amazing performance as always. Last time we came in the summer, and this time it was before Christmas in winter. The food was delicious as usual. This is a place I want to come back to every month. Grateful for the hospitality.

I enjoyed the meal story format and it was visually pleasing. The Chateaubriand was delicious, I wanted to eat more of it! It was not heavy at all, and even my father in his 60s finished it all. Honestly, the flavors other than the meat were tasty but average. However, the presentation was very cute. So, I think it's worth a visit for a fun dining experience. Also, considering the price for a full course meal, the cost performance is good. They also had an interesting touch of adding aroma to the wine to match the course menu (which my father didn't like). It was strange how the taste of the same wine changed when the aroma was added. However, I felt that the wine itself was too light and not satisfying enough. I would like to try it again when I visit Kyoto.

We had a reservation at 6:00 pm, but arrived a little early. As we approached the entrance through a small garden path, a staff member in a kimono opened the door for us. They mentioned that they can detect customers coming in and out using a sensor. It was a welcoming gesture. After going through alcohol disinfection and temperature check, we were seated at our table. The table they prepared for us was a private room where we could dine while looking out at the garden. There were separate rooms on the other side of the garden, but our room had a wall at eye level, ensuring privacy even if there were guests in the other rooms. I was impressed by the attention to detail in the design. As for the food, I will skip commenting since others have already done so. What impressed me was the option for scent pairing. They custom-made essences to mix with drinks and pair with the food. I tried a lavender scent (with water) which was a unique experience that can only be had here. The service was friendly and the staff maintained a comfortable distance. Overall, it was a satisfying dinner. I will definitely visit again.

Arashiden (Keifuku Electric Railroad) is located a little difficult to find down a small path from Arashiyama Station, and I visited based on a recommendation from a friend. Despite the pandemic, they have private rooms which made me feel safe. From the beginning to the end of the meal, I could feel the season and enjoy the creative beauty of each dish. The dishes were served in plates that looked like opening a book, symbolizing the start of each course's story. Since it was summer, the dishes were inspired by the Gozan no Okuribi (Mountain Bonfires) and goldfish scooping, and it was really fun to hear the explanations about each dish. I visited for my mother's birthday celebration, and the special plate and thoughtful gestures made us very satisfied. Looking forward to visiting again for another special occasion!

When you walk through the "Kimono Forest" from the main street of Arashiyama, you will reach the shop "Arashiyama MITATE". The shop, which seems to be a renovated private house, has a unique interior with tables in tatami rooms. In my experience, shops with such creative setups always provide a fun time (although the taste is a separate issue, I like shops with such thoughtful designs). I always feel excited when choosing a shop while traveling, but this time I have a feeling of success (^_^)v The course begins. As expected, it was a delightful meal (*´艸｀) The elaborate course, which changes its composition every 4-5 weeks, is truly amazing. The vibrant dishes presented in a story-like manner overwhelmed us. From capturing various scents like wasabi in seaweed beads to powderizing purple sweet potatoes (I don't remember eating powderized food other than oil), it was just so enjoyable (≧∀≦)ノ Although I made a reservation thinking it was French cuisine, the impression was more of a Japanese cuisine feel (since we ate with chopsticks). And most importantly, it was very delicious (≧∇≦)b The pricing was also reasonable, and I couldn't find any fault in it. *On a side note, after finishing the delightful meal and settling the bill, they mentioned that "the car from Hoshinoya is here". We didn't mention where we were dining tonight to Hoshinoya, and when asked where we were from, we only said Chiba. But there must be some sort of psychic or ninja in good restaurants (or inns).

I had heard rumors about the artistic and wonderful story-telling courses at this restaurant, but as someone who prioritizes taste over appearance, I didn't pay much attention to it. However, I ended up visiting by chance and was amazed by what I experienced. The food I had that day was a whole new level in my foodie life. The dishes were so memorable that I found myself reminiscing about them the next day and even beyond. The theme for the day was Studio Ghibli and Lupin (Castle of Cagliostro), and each dish was carefully explained based on scenes from the movies. The dessert even had a magical surprise at the end! I was completely blown away. It made me realize that this is what true inspiration feels like. Looking back, the ingredients weren't all high-end, the dessert was quite heavy, and the main dish was a bit too bold, but the emotions I felt after finishing the meal were unforgettable. Reading other reviews, I noticed that many dishes and presentations were similar or repetitive, so perhaps the first visit is when you feel the most moved. It might be best to experience it with little prior knowledge, without reading too many reviews, to fully enjoy and appreciate the genuine excitement and value of the experience.

I was surprised that the staff were not wearing masks in this day and age. The restaurant mentioned that they are taking various precautions, but as a customer, I would prefer the staff to wear masks, especially when serving. The food was delicious, and the garden was beautifully maintained, which was relaxing. However, the staff's explanations were lacking. They tried to explain the story behind the dishes, but it was poorly done. When I asked about the story behind the main dish, I was told that there was no story, it was just a commercial. It was quite amusing in a way. The service for drinks was also lacking, as they poured the initial drink and then left it unattended. If they want to provide this kind of entertainment, they should learn from the staff at USJ or Disney. An elderly staff member who served us previously was excellent in explaining and recommending drinks that paired well with the dishes. The last curry dish with shredded mountain pepper had no flavor other than curry, and the tea was from Ippodo, as my companion had told me from a previous visit. It's a shame that such intricate dishes are not complemented by attention to detail. My companion brought me here for my birthday, so he was disappointed. Considering the price of the food, I would expect more attention to detail.

The course I enjoyed was the "Spring in Full Bloom Kyoto Tour 2020" presented by Chef Mitate Kouji from Shaeff Mikata. The dish that captured the essence of "good health" was the "Beauty Mountain Egg and Fougère Pudding". Carrying a cherry blossom-colored bento box, I set out for sightseeing in Kyoto. The seasonal appetizer featured three different delicacies, symbolizing the beauty of Kyoto during springtime. The main dish was a steak made with premium Japanese beef. The meal was accompanied by Kyoto Tanba rice, red miso soup, and various side dishes. For dessert, there were cherry blossom chocolates, coffee pudding, Uji matcha, and black tea chiffon cake. The meal ended with five types of tea snacks and a choice between coffee or matcha. The experience at the newly opened French restaurant "Arashiyama MITATE" was exceptional, with a unique fusion of Kyoto cuisine and French cuisine. The restaurant's ambiance, located near the Nezameyama Rinkawa Temple, was warm and welcoming. The staff's hospitality was outstanding, making the lunch experience unforgettable. Overall, it was a delightful culinary journey through the beautiful city of Kyoto.

I visited Mitate-san, a restaurant my friend had reserved for over a month. It's my friend's favorite place in Kyoto, so I was really excited to try it out. The Christmas special course started with a beautiful plate made of Kiyomizu-yaki pottery, symbolizing good health. The dishes were all delicious, from the chef's greeting to the sashimi and the parade of appetizers. Each dish was beautifully presented, like the red wine jelly that changed flavors when crushed. The seafood dishes were particularly outstanding, like the shrimp and sturgeon mousse. The crab hot pot was so flavorful, I wanted more. The red miso soup with rice was comforting, and the orange tiramisu was a delightful surprise, especially when they revealed a "Happy Birthday" message in the dessert. The small ornaments hanging from the dessert tree were adorable, and the coffee or matcha served at the end was a nice touch. Every detail at Mitate-san was perfect, and I can't wait to go back. The popularity of the restaurant, with weekend reservations booked a month in advance, is well-deserved. Thank you for the birthday surprise, I'll definitely be back!