The evening begins as Takemasa Shinohara, with the voice of a storyteller, explains the menu. The appetisers weave in festivals and occasions, conveying Japan’s culture and customs. Just before the appetiser, the lights are dimmed, in a fairy-tale-like staging reminiscent of an evening tea party. The white walls with their hemp leaf patterns shimmer with the flames from candles. Koka rice cooked in a Shigaraki earthenware pot expresses Shinohara’s love for his roots. Shinohara’s personality and cuisine are equally enchanting.