Secrets are hard to keep when something is this good. The perfect combination of creative cuisine, atmosphere and omotenashi mesmerizes gourmands from around Japan, but only the luckiest can get in. If you are one of the fortunate few to walk down the dotted stone pathway and through the sliding door into Ogata, you can expect impeccable service and exquisite food. A true fine dining experience in Kyoto – the home of the imperial household for centuries, and the birthplace of Japanese tea ceremony and kaiseki cuisine.

There is something about Kyoto that takes your breath away. The very name Kyoto brings a flutter to your heart. The beautiful scenes, the sumptuous seasonal cuisine, and the calm pace that makes you take deeper breaths and enjoy each moment. Ogata is the very essence of Kyoto. This former home and kimono store has been transformed by the craftsmanship of carpenters who trained under Sotoji Nakamura, the famous architect of traditional Japanese tea ceremony rooms. The architecture is intentionally simple and rustic and separates you from the overwhelming world outside. From the moment you open the gate, step past the beautiful old pine tree, and breathe in the delicious smell of Kyoto incense, you ease into an almost meditative state.

The design that exemplifies Japanese minimalism is perfectly complemented by beautiful handwoven chairs by Danish designer Moller and a patterned stone floor, which uses the same stones found on the walls of the Louvre Museum in Paris. There is harmony in combining Japanese and European aesthetics. The warm and inviting space includes a counter for eight people and a private room for six at the back of the home, facing the beautifully manicured Japanese garden.