Kikunoi Sushi Ao
菊乃井 鮨 青

3 Michelin-starred Kikunoi has been continuously influential in the culinary world of Japan and has been actively promoting Japanese food culture throughout the globe. Kikunoi has now opened a brand new restaurant in the Higashiyama district of Kyoto, under the name “Ao (青),” which until now has not been open to the general public.

This new sushi restaurant occupies the 1st floor of Kikunoi’s building (with Kikunoi’s meat cuisine restaurant located on the 2nd floor) and features a 10-seat counter.

The space was crafted by Nakamura Sotoji Komuten, the building company renowned for its sukiya architecture and known for their work on the Nelson Rockefeller home in New York, the tea room at Ise Jingu, Rurikoin, and the tea room at the Kyoto International Conference Center.

Museum-quality pottery made by Kitaoji Rosanjin has been collected by the owner of Kikunoi, Mr. Yoshihiro Murata, over many years, and these are used to serve sushi Kikunoi Ao. This results in an incredibly rare and luxurious dining experience.
Many of Rosanjin’s spectacular pieces of art are displayed in the restaurant, and guests can even request that specific pieces is used for their meal if they wish.

The head chef and sushi master, Chef Abe, trained at Kikunoi for many years, during which he supervised the sushi course at Kikunoi Akasaka, and honed his skills at other renowned sushi establishments before bringing his expertise to Kikunoi Ao.
Mr. Murata explains that this restaurant, which started off as a exclusive “not-open-to-the-public” venture, is intended for true food enthusiasts who want to focus on their dining experience and enjoy their meals at their pace.

Kikunoi Ao offers a truly exceptional experience for those who truly love food and the Japanese food culture.