The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto, which celebrated its 2024th anniversary on February 2, 7, held various events and projects throughout the year.
The restaurant, which serves four types of Japanese cuisine - kaiseki, sushi, tempura, and teppanyaki - is the product of the creative ideas of each chef, allowing you to enjoy an ``artistic'' world of Japan like you've never experienced before.

The culmination of the 10th anniversary

Original Japanese sake "Suimei"

In February 2024, with the cooperation of Kyoto's Matsui Sake Brewery, the original sake "Suimei" was unveiled, in which the staff was involved from the cultivation of the sake rice.
April 2024: "Tempura x Tomita Sake Brewery/Shichihonyari" Pairing Dinner
July 2024: "Kitagawa Honke x Matsumoto Sake Brewery" One-night-only collaboration dinner
August 2024: A dream pairing dinner with Asahi Shuzo and Dassai
October 2024: Sushi Mizuki x Nishida Sake Brewery/Densake pairing dinner
This year, on January 2025, 1, the chefs of Kaiseki, Sushi, Tempura, and Teppanyaki will each carefully select and create a special menu for this day. In addition, the sake selected by Assistant Manager/Sake Diploma Ryoya Ishizawa will be paired with a "banquet" worthy of concluding the 31th anniversary.

Carlos Tarello, General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto

Prior to the toast, General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto, Carlos Tarrero, gave a speech in which he expressed his gratitude, saying, "We are proud to be located in Kyoto and to have come across this place here. I am not important here today. Please enjoy the specialties of our four chefs."

From the left: Sushi Mizuki Head Chef Tomohiro Goda, Kaiseki Mizuki Head Chef Masahiko Miura, Tempura Mizuki Head Chef Tadanobu Kojima, Teppan Mizuki Head Chef Goro Koide

Looking back on the past year, Mizuki's head chef Miura said, "The best thing was that our customers were pleased."
In past events, food was selected to go with the sake, but this time, the four chefs each chose their own dish. "All the chefs will serve their dishes with all their heart," said Miura.

Supreme food and drinks

Kaiseki Appetizer

The kaiseki course includes peanut tofu, herring roe, rape blossoms, and mountain wasabi, duck loin and grilled green onions, tuna and Kujo leeks dressed in vinegar and miso, small chawanmushi egg custard with boiled conger eel and freshly drawn yuba.
Appetizers are served to go with Japanese sake.

14th Daigokujosei Ryu no Otoko (Takagi Sake Brewery, Yamagata)

The sake to go with it is "Juyondai Daigokujounama Ryu no Otoko"
Smooth to the touch and a deep, melting flavor.
With its sweetness reminiscent of pear and melon and gorgeous aroma, this is the perfect drink to start off your day.

Kaiseki Bowl

Clams, bamboo shoots, young shoots, black pepper, Shogoin turnip
The soup made with natural clams from Chiba Prefecture has a rich, nutritious flavor.

Kuno Kyuheiji Main Store Kurodashocho Fukuchi 2021 (Aichi/Kuno Kyuheiji Main Store)

The paired sake is Kuno Kyuhei-ji Honten Kurodashocho Fukuchi 2021.
The umami, sweetness and acidity of the rice come together in the mouth, creating a wonderful unity of depth and rounded flavor.

Tempura

The tempura is made with giant prawns from Yamaguchi Prefecture, white tilefish from Ehime Prefecture, Takamine onions from Higuchi Farm, and seasoned with Kyoto Kotobikihama salt, Hararyokaku black shichimi pepper, and sudachi citrus fruit.
The tempura is made with first-pressed safflower oil, which is crispy and fragrant when freshly fried, allowing you to taste the delicious flavor of the ingredients.

Kido Junmai Daiginjo Shibata's be fresh Nama Genshu (Wakayama/Heiwa Shuzo)

The sake to go with it is Kito Junmai Daiginjo Shibata's be fresh Nama Genshu.
"Shibata's" refers to the brewer, Mr. Shibata. It has a refined sweetness and acidity like pear or lychee. It is a fresh and refreshing new sake.

Teppanyaki

The teppanyaki menu includes Omi beef filet and sirloin, and is accompanied by grilled vegetables.
Made with heifers from Nishikawa Farm in Shiga Prefecture, this beef has a high-quality red meat flavor.

KUHEIJI SAVIGNY-LÈS-BEAUNE 2020

The teppanyaki goes well with the red wine KUHEIJI SAVIGNY-LÈS-BEAUNE 2020.
The fruity aroma, freshness, and moderate acidity linger until the end.

sushi

The rice is Hitomebore from Miyagi. The small bowl of sea urchin and salmon roe is made with Hokkaido's Bafun sea urchin and Hokkaido salmon roe.
The sea bream is shipped directly from Mizuguchi Shoten and is from Akashi Setouchi.

Kuroryu Nizaemon Junmai Daiginjo (Kokuryu Sake Brewery, Fukui)

The sake that goes with it is Kuroryu Nizaemon Junmai Daiginjo.
This famous sake was named after the original brewer, "Nizaemon." It is aged at an ice temperature of minus 5 degrees and is characterized by its fresh and elegant aroma and flavor.

Dessert

The dessert is panna cotta made with Dassai sake lees, with strawberries and sake lees enhanced by yuzu granita.
The strawberries are kept at room temperature to bring out their aroma. Strawberries from Higuchi Farm, which were not originally planned to be served, were suddenly added. Picked that morning, they are fresh and juicy. The sake that goes with the drink is Koei Kiku Mikumo Unfiltered Raw Sake (Saga), and its fresh taste reminiscent of strawberry juice goes perfectly with sweets.

Towards the 11th anniversary

The feast by the four chefs, which could be considered the culmination of the 10th anniversary events, was like an orchestra.
The desire to improve the hotel was apparent from all the staff, from the food to the sake they served and the service. Ryoya Ishizawa, who selected the sake, commented, "The sake selection is centered around sake breweries that are planning to open in 2025. We also offer premium sake to show our gratitude."
Kaiseki chef Miura expressed his expectations, saying, "We have some interesting plans for 2025 other than just alcohol."
The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto will celebrate its 2025th anniversary on February 2, 7.
Having successfully held events with numerous sake breweries, we are looking forward to the 2025 event.

■ Breweries scheduled for pairing events in 2025
Aozora (Fujioka Sake Brewery)
Koei Kiku (Koei Kiku Sake Brewery)
Kido (Heiwa Shuzo)
Brewer Kuheiji (Banjo Sake Brewery)

■ Mizuki (Japanese cuisine)

Address: The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto, basement floor 1, Kamogawa Nijo Ohashi, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
075-746-5522
https://mizuki.ritzcarltonkyoto.com/
Opening hours
Lunch: 11: 30-15: 00
Supper: 17: 30-21: 00
Regular holiday: Tuesday and Wednesday

Text: Sake World Editorial Department