Just one street east of Kawaramachi Dori, you will find a quiet atmosphere along Nishikiyacho Dori. The cedar ball and the red curtain mark the restaurant's name. The owner is Koichi Maekawa, who was standing at the counter of Gion Sakaki as head chef until the end of April, just before the restaurant opened in June. During the year, he learned a lot from Mr. Sasaki, one of the most famous chefs in Kyoto. What impressed him the most, he says, was his out-of-the-box way of thinking. He said, "It is Japanese food, but it is not Japanese food. I want to serve dishes that you have never tasted before."

The name of the restaurant is "Ryoriya" (restaurant restaurant) in the hope that customers will enjoy Japanese cuisine in a casual, relaxed atmosphere. The monthly omakase course offers about 12 dishes. The course is a combination of six dishes, including a bowl of soup and grilled dish in which seasonal ingredients are used to create a strong sense of presence, and six other finely crafted dishes that are full of ideas, such as mackerel sushi and sweet sea bream ramen, mint-scented mojito-style fruit punch and chestnut maka, which are exquisitely presented.

He says, "I go to the market to select ingredients and do everything myself, from the preparation to the final product. My daily work reminds me of my first love. I am grateful for the reservations I have received since the opening of the restaurant, and I want to keep trying new things."