This summer, the first-floor venue "The Living Room" at Park Hyatt Kyoto (Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto) is presenting two limited afternoon tea menus — SUNLIT and AFTERGLOW. Each course is designed to evoke the distinct moods of the summer sky: SUNLIT traces the journey from dawn through morning light, while AFTERGLOW follows the shift from sunset into nightfall.
Set within the refined, golden-lit space of "The Living Room," both menus are structured as course-style experiences. The progression of dishes mirrors the passage of time throughout the day. Each course pairs seasonal dishes with Japanese beverages including domestically produced teas, fermented teas, herbal infusions, and — in the case of AFTERGLOW — Japanese whisky.
Summer Afternoon Tea: SUNLIT
Dawn (Akatsuki)
■ Fruit tomato compote
Pairing: Kombucha Shiso SHIP
A welcome drink and starter evoking the clear air of a summer dawn. The fruit tomato compote balances gentle sweetness and bright acidity to quietly open the senses. The perilla-scented kombucha complements the sweet-tart tomato, creating a refreshing start that gently stirs the appetite even in the summer heat.
Daybreak and Daylight (Shinonome/Akebono)
■ Caviar and cucumber sandwich ■ Striped jack tart ■ Polenta fritto
Pairing: Ryoku-u — Iiiri Farm
A savory assortment expressing the soft light as night gives way to morning. The clean scent of Japanese ginger lily, the gentle bitterness and umami of mugwort, and the sweetness of summer vegetables combine with the richness of striped jack and a lingering citrus finish. Light yet layered in flavor, each bite is attuned to the body's natural rhythm.
Sky Blue (Sorairo)
■ Scone with clotted cream, ricotta cheese, and blueberry jelly
Pairing: Rose tea — The Tea Company
A quiet, soothing moment reminiscent of a soft afternoon sky. Freshly baked scones are accompanied by rich clotted cream and the gentle tang of ricotta. The lingering floral note of rose tea rounds out this restful mid-course pause.
Light Blue (Asagi-iro)
■ Melon shaved ice
A refreshing melon shaved ice evoking a cool, light-blue summer scene. Its vibrant sweetness and refreshing quality gently reset the palate at the midpoint of the course. The concentrated fruit juice and clean finish bring pleasant brightness to the summer experience.
Amber (Kohaku-iro)
■ Mango and passion fruit tart ■ White peach and oolong tea mousse ■ Lychee and rose macaron ■ Coconut and pineapple sandwich ■ Pistachio cake
Pairing: Kohaku — Nagano-en
A quiet, fulfilled moment evoking amber-toned light as the afternoon turns toward evening. The assorted sweets highlight the rich aromas and juicy flavors of seasonal fruits. A Japanese black tea with a pleasant astringency accompanies each piece naturally, allowing the overlapping flavors to ease the senses and deepen the afternoon tea experience.
Dusk (Tasogare)
■ Matcha soufflé
Pairing: Barley tea — Ippodo Tea Co.
A matcha soufflé that captures the stillness of dusk. The pleasant bitterness and depth of matcha in a freshly baked soufflé is gently accompanied by the warm, toasty aroma of barley tea. It draws out the sweetness while settling the mood, providing a calm and graceful close to the SUNLIT course.
Summer Afternoon Tea: AFTERGLOW
Crimson (Akane)
■ Fruit tomato compote
Pairing: Dream — WICKED WAY MADE
A welcome drink and starter that gradually unwinds the senses as evening approaches. The fruit tomato compote is paired with DREAM, a mead crafted from fermented honey. Camomile extracted over three days to capture the height of its aroma, layered with the soft fragrance of honey, makes for a luxurious pairing that evokes the gentle transition toward the end of the day.
Sunset (Yuyake)
■ Caviar and cucumber sandwich ■ Striped jack tart ■ Polenta fritto
Pairing: Ryoku-u — Iiiri Farm
A moment when the tension of the day eases and the mind returns to stillness. The savory assortment of summer ingredients including cucumber and striped jack is paired with a richly flavored herbal tea. A time of gentle unwinding and quiet contentment.
Twilight (Hakubo)
■ Kamo eggplant croquette with green olive tapenade
Pairing: Awa Bancha — The Tea Company
A time when the mind quietly turns inward. A croquette filled with juicy Kamo eggplant is accented with the saltiness of green olive and a gentle heat from jalapeño, softly stimulating the appetite. The cold-brewed Awa Bancha — with its gentle fermented umami and light acidity — cleanly balances the richness of the croquette, leaving a satisfying finish.
Lingering Light (Zansho)
■ Melon shaved ice with champagne granita
A dramatic twilight moment as the sun sinks below the horizon. A rich and aromatic melon shaved ice is layered with champagne granita, where the light sweetness and gentle effervescent finish resonate together in a refined, grown-up presentation. A dish that sharpens the senses on a summer evening.
Evening Glow (Yoibae)
■ Mango and passion fruit tart ■ White peach and oolong tea mousse ■ Coconut and pineapple sandwich ■ Pistachio cake ■ Lychee and rose macaron
Pairing: Kohaku — Nagano-en
A time to settle into stillness and quiet. Seasonal fruit-forward sweets are accompanied by a Japanese black tea with measured astringency. The aromatic, original sweets made with seasonal fruits lead the mood toward a sense of ease and fulfillment.
Lamplight (Hokage)
■ Chocolate whisky soufflé
Pairing: AMAHAGAN — Nagahama Distillery
The closing course, resting in a quiet, lingering warmth. A soufflé where the deep richness of chocolate meets the fragrant notes of Japanese whisky, creating a sophisticated and gently indulgent finish. The smooth, unhurried flavor brings the AFTERGLOW course to an elegant close.
Reservation Details
Summer Afternoon Tea SUNLIT / AFTERGLOW
Available: Wednesday, July 1, 2026 to Monday, August 31, 2026
Hours:
- SUNLIT: 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
- AFTERGLOW: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Price: ¥6,600 (tax included; 15% service charge not included)
Note: Some pairings in AFTERGLOW include alcohol. Non-alcoholic substitutions are available upon request.
Venue: 1F The Living Room, Park Hyatt Kyoto
Restaurant page: https://www.hyatt.com/ja-JP/hotel/japan/park-hyatt-kyoto/itmph/dining/the-living-room
Reservations: https://www.tablecheck.com/ja/shops/kyoto-park-hyatt-livingroom/reserve?menu_lists[]=69f994054cf4724202d08a28
Menu items are subject to change based on ingredient availability.
