Totoan

I come here about 3-4 times every year because I absolutely love this restaurant. Not only the food, but the building itself is spectacular, using a very old used-to-be rice granary. It'll transport you to a special place where you can feel isolated from outside world. They have their own parking ...but it's a bit difficult to find if you are there for the first time, it's not next to the restaurant but behind a ramen restaurant, left to Toutouan. Parking is big so no worries about it being filled. On the first floor of the restaurant, they usually have exhibition of Japanese crockery (mostly hand-molded) where you can buy everything displayed there. Not cheap but good quality. Also suited for gifts/souvenirs for special someone. There are 4 different sized- courses for lunch and dinner. For Dinner it ranges from 6,000 yen to 15,000 yen (check website, they have English!!!), The biggest sized dinner course needs reservation! I usually order the smallest size. They bring 6-7 course meals (each small portion). They have variety of Japanese sake, wine, shochu, non alcoholic beverages including Japanese sodas like yuzu or ume (sour plum). They change menu every month (even though it may be a slight change) using what's in season so it's also fun to go every 3-4 months to "taste" four seasons. Definitely recommended for everyone. It used to be "no children under 13 allowed" but I've read other reviews saying they took 5-year old child with them but make sure to ask/mention, you may get a private room. On the other hand, the atmosphere is great. But let me say it's not really children's taste - I used to really dislike it when I was a teenager.

Visited July 2016

Great seasonal kaiseki food! The approach is surrounded by somewhat raw landscape with tall trees and the restaurant building itself is a traditional / historical architecture that dates back to the Edo period. The interior space is dark, yet accent lighted by LED track lights where needed. So...me of their antique furnitures displayed are from the Lee Chosun(Korea) dynasty period. Their food, without a doubt, was one of the best kaiseki dishes and their lunch price starts from around 4~5000 yen... which is not bad at all. It's a perfect place if you want to treat someone important.

Visited March 2016

Each course designed to awe visually with tastes to match. Service was exceptional. The atmosphere and pace serene. Tears literally cam out of my eyes as one of the courses was served. It was so lovely and so beautiful on its tray with 4 to 5 items for each of us. This was a foodies dream and an ...experience I will never forget. Just get on the subway and do it. We took cabs from the subway to the restaurant. Worth every yen and every moment.

Visited October 2015