Amid the simple warmth of a converted old house, we take a brief rest in the waiting area with a relaxing cup of seasonal tea. Thanks to his friendships with nearby farmers, Naohiro Akiyama can express the seasons of Kamigamo through vegetables and wild grasses and flowers from Takagamine. His famous gruel of black rice recalls the diets of prehistory. Describing his dishes with the flair of a storyteller, the chef charms his guests, sometimes trading jokes to lighten the mood. Matcha tea served by Akiyama himself is a once-in-a-lifetime service experience.