5 points: Exceeded expectations greatly 4 points: Exceeded expectations 3 points: Met expectations 2 points: Fell short of expectations 1 point: Fell far below expectations I visited for the lunch course priced at JPY 22,000, drawn by the desire for the fragrant Japanese pepper, just like at Yokonabe Japan. However, by the end of the meal, that goal seemed trivial. In fact, the fragrant pepper faded into the background. What can I say? It truly feels like a long-established restaurant. It almost feels disrespectful to describe it with just that phrase. This place has played a significant role in shaping the current Japanese culinary scene, and I had a wonderful experience. The ambiance of the restaurant. The chefs and staff's graceful movements. The perfectly timed conversations. The meticulous attention to detail in each dish. I felt the spirit of hospitality. It made me think that the ethos of "Kikunoi should be like this" is deeply rooted in the hearts of the staff. In May, for the Children's Day festival, the meal was themed around that concept. As someone who knows little about Japanese cuisine, I was delighted to learn more. (Please remember this, my brain!) Hassun: Sea Bream Chakin Sushi, shaped like a bow. The myoga is the arrow. Mukozuke: A dish served in a vessel by Eiraku. When turned over, it resembles a helmet. The sea bream is sent fresh, either caught that morning or dispatched alive to be prepared at the restaurant. In any case, it’s from the morning of the same day. The bonito is still a bit lacking. I wish it had a bit more umami. Thank you for serving the sweet sea bream, which is not typically found in sushi restaurants. Grilled Duck Sakura: This was the best dish of the day. The flavor of the meat was incredible. I couldn’t help but exclaim to the person dining next to me how delicious it was. Considering the number of staff and the effort and management involved in preparing the dishes, it’s amazing that I could enjoy three glasses of sake and keep it all under JPY 30,000. Absolutely wonderful. I’ll definitely come back to learn more.