Alvin Zhou Films (August 17, 2024): Hidden amidst the tranquil green setting of Kyoto, lies Kikunoi Honten, a world-renowned 3-Michelin Star kaiseki restaurant that has served guests traditional Japanese cuisine for over 100 years.

Housed in a mansion that resembles a samurai residence and teahouse, Kikunoi’s dining atmosphere is like something I’ve never seen. From traditional tatami mat rooms with unique flower arrangements and hanging scrolls, to the views of beautiful gardens that surround the estate, I was in awe the second I stepped inside. The food served at Kikunoi is on a level I couldn’t imagine.

Each course is prepared with ingredients that can only be harvested 10 days of out of the year, and the menu changes constantly to reflect the ebb and flow of nature and its seasons. 35 cooks fill the kitchen, each focused on a single task. It was a sight to behold.

I am beyond honored to have been able to spend time in such close quarters with the team inside their establishment – every second was a dream to film. Yoshihiro Murata is at the helm, leading his brigade of chefs and cooks to something exquisite and beautiful. I met and talked with many of the staff – they were all so kind, inviting, warm, and fiercely talented in the kitchen.