What Is Kaiseki? A Simple Guide to Japan’s Fancy Meals
KAISeki — QUICK GUIDE
What It Is: Japan’s most traditional multi-course fine dining meal
Meal Style: Seasonal, artistic, beautifully plated dishes
Number of Courses: 8–12 (sometimes more)
Typical Cost: $60–$200+ USD per person
Perfect For: Food lovers, cultural travelers, special occasions
Why Try It: It’s the highest expression of Japanese cuisine — flavor, art, and tradition combined
Where to Try: Kyoto, Tokyo, ryokans, Michelin-star restaurants
Book a Kaiseki Experience:
• Ryokan Kaiseki Dinner + Onsen (Hakone)
• Kyoto Kaiseki Dinner (Traditional Restaurant)
• Tokyo Michelin-Level Kaiseki Meal
What Is Kaiseki
When visiting Japan, trying a traditional multi-course dinner and breakfast called Kaiseki was at the top of our bucket list. We wanted the most authentic experience possible, so we spent time researching different places until we found a quiet ryokan in Otsu, the capital city of Shiga Prefecture.
This ryokan is known for serving some of the best Kaiseki meals in the region. It offered a peaceful setting and a true taste of Japan’s seasonal cooking and thoughtful presentation.
Enjoying both dinner and breakfast at this ryokan was a highlight of our trip. Each meal had its own charm and gave us a deeper look into the beauty of traditional Japanese cuisine.
Our Breakfast and Onsen Experience
Imagine starting your day with a private onsen and a breakfast that looks like a piece of art. That is exactly what we found at our latest hotel stay in Japan. We booked a traditional onsen hotel that offered a unique onsen room and served a breakfast and dinner that left us speechless.
As a child, my mom used to make my meals fun by turning bread into airplanes or shaping fruit into little dolls. It always made me excited to eat. Today, cooking shows are full of creative dishes, but nothing prepared us for the breakfast at this hotel. It was more than a meal. It was a true display of skill and creativity that surprised us in the best way.
Fun Fact
Kaiseki meals were first created for tea ceremonies, where simple dishes were used to balance the flavor of matcha. Over time, chefs turned Kaiseki into a full multi-course experience focused on seasonal ingredients and elegant presentation.
Many traditional onsen ryokans serve Kaiseki dinners because they believe relaxation and good food should go together. After soaking in an onsen, your body warms up and your taste senses become more sensitive, making the Kaiseki flavors even more enjoyable.
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The Japanese Breakfast Adventure We Couldn’t Stop Talking About
The most interesting part of our breakfast was the entrance. We had a private room with curtain doors, a large table, and bamboo walls that made it feel like a scene from a National Geographic documentary. Before stepping inside, we were welcomed warmly, given special shoes, and greeted in Japanese. Walking through a grand hall filled with bamboo and cherry blossom arrangements set the perfect mood for what was ahead.
We’re not usually breakfast people, but this was the one morning meal we had looked forward to for weeks. Even half-asleep, we were excited to finally try it.
This was not just any breakfast. It was our first real Japanese breakfast, and we knew it would be unforgettable.
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What Our Japanese Breakfast Included
The Japanese breakfast was very different from what we were used to in Europe or the USA, and it felt like a refreshing break from a typical Western meal. We loved discovering each dish, from the comforting basics to the more adventurous flavors, and the best part was getting to cook some of it ourselves.
- Steamed Rice (Gohan) ご飯
- Miso Soup (Miso Shiru) 味噌汁
- Fermented Soy Beans (Natto) 納豆
- Grilled Chidai (fish) cooked at the table チダイ
- Vegetable chicken soup we cooked ourselves 野菜と鶏のスープ
- Pickled Vegetables (Tsukemono) 漬物
- Seasoned Dried Seaweed (Nori) 海苔
- Vegetable Side Dishes (Kobachi) 小鉢
Our Beautiful Breakfast Spread
Our breakfast adventure was nothing short of delightful. The table was filled with small colorful dishes, each arranged with care. Some items were served in tall multi-tiered dishes that we had to lift and uncover. Every dish was a small work of art and made the whole meal feel visually stunning.
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A Colorful and Fun Breakfast
The colorful plates instantly set a joyful mood. The whole table was filled with small dishes, some closed, making us curious about what was inside. When we sat down, I wondered where to start, especially since we also had to cook our own fish and vegetable chicken soup. It was my first time cooking with a candle, and it made the meal even more charming.
The food was delicious, especially the fish, which had been caught only hours earlier. With soft Japanese music in the background, this breakfast felt more like a fun and memorable experience than a simple meal.
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Celebrating My Birthday with a Ryokan Multi-Course Kaiseki Dinner in Otsu Japan
If you have ever dreamed of a truly memorable dining experience, this one felt like pure magic. Our Ryokan Multi-Course Kaiseki Dinner in Japan was more than a meal. It was a celebration that went far beyond eating.
When we entered the dining room, the atmosphere alone felt special. We wore traditional Japanese kimonos, and slipping into the special slippers made only for dinner felt like stepping into another world. These slippers were more than part of the outfit. They showed respect for the space and set the tone for a thoughtful and meaningful experience.
A Room Filled With Anticipation
The room had a soft, warm glow, and gentle Japanese music played in the background. The table felt full of anticipation, with a menu written in elegant Japanese script. Each course was a mystery, and every presentation brought a new surprise to the experience.
Our First Course: Sashimi
Our dinner began with a beautiful plate of sashimi paired with a light strawberry wine. The fresh slices of raw fish were simple, pure, and full of flavor, showing the skill behind traditional Japanese cooking. The strawberry wine added a gentle sweetness that matched the dish perfectly and set the tone for an unforgettable meal.
Cooking Our Own Meal
One of the highlights of our dinner was getting hands-on with the food. We cooked our own vegetables and meat, including liver and beef. The mix of mushrooms and green and yellow peppers tasted fresh and full of flavor.
The entire dinner lasted about three hours. The portions looked small at first, but by the end we were completely satisfied. It was a great reminder of how Japanese dining encourages you to slow down and enjoy each bite.
We also stayed at an onsen hotel with a private onsen in our room, which was the perfect way to relax after such a memorable meal. For more about our stay, you can check out our full hotel review, and if you want to see the whole experience, our YouTube channel has the full video.
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