French Dining Top of Kyoto — said to be Japan's only revolving observation French restaurant — will serve a limited-time Tanabata dinner course from June 26 (Fri) to July 7 (Tue), 2026. Located on the 14th floor of Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto in Shimogyo Ward, the restaurant offers a 360-degree panoramic view over Kyoto. This year's special course is titled "Éclat Céleste" (meaning "celestial radiance"), and marks the debut course by new chef Keita Ishibashi, who joined the restaurant in April.
The moment guests step inside the restaurant, they are enveloped in a world that evokes a journey through the galaxy. Constellations serve as the decorative motif throughout the venue, with sparkling starry accents setting the mood for a Tanabata-themed evening.
Course Highlights
The course opens with "Shining Stars — Kyoto Free-Range Chicken Chaud-Froid with Sweet Shrimp Tartare", a signature dish by Chef Ishibashi that blends seafood and mountain produce using the traditional French technique of "chaud-froid." For this dinner only, the dish is presented with an illusory glow evoking the Milky Way, adding a visual element inspired by Tanabata.
The fish course follows with a bamboo-leaf motif: lightly steamed fish from Miyazu paired with a vin jaune-flavored beurre blanc sauce and crispy grilled bamboo shoots for texture — a dish meant to capture the scenery of Tanabata through aroma and flavor.
The main course — "A Once-in-a-Lifetime Encounter — Roasted Black Wagyu Beef Loin with 'Kyo-Futari' Espuma" — draws on the Tanabata legend in which Hikoboshi was a cowherd. "Kyo-Futari," a local Kyoto tofu known for its delicate flavor, is turned into a light espuma that expresses the fleeting reunion of Orihime and Hikoboshi, weaving together the boldness of the wagyu and the tenderness of the sentiment.
The course concludes with a dessert fashioned after the wishing strips (tanzaku) of Tanabata: a petite gateau opéra-style sweet meant to carry the hope of returning to share this special time again next year.
Full Course Menu
- Apéritif
- Pre-meal starter
- Amuse-bouche of the day
- Shining Stars — Kyoto free-range chicken chaud-froid with sweet shrimp tartare
- Woven Threads — Scallop and white peach cold cappellini with champagne flavor
- With a Wish — Miyazu fish steamed with bamboo leaf, vin jaune beurre blanc sauce
- A Once-in-a-Lifetime Encounter — Roasted black wagyu beef loin with "Kyo-Futari" espuma
- Tied Together — Small gateau opéra in the form of a wishing strip
- Bread
- Petit fours and after-dinner drink
A Tanabata-limited cocktail, "TOP OF STAR," is also available separately at ¥1,771 per glass (tax and service charge included).
Chef Keita Ishibashi's Comment
"For my debut course at French Dining Top of Kyoto, I focused on cherishing seasonal flavors and beautiful colors while weaving a narrative across the full course that captures the summer evening. I hope guests will enjoy the shifting tastes, aromas, and lingering impressions of each dish, and that this becomes a magical summer memory."
Dinner Overview
- Venue: French Dining Top of Kyoto (14th floor), Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto
- Period: June 26 (Fri) – July 7 (Tue), 2026
- Hours: 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM (last order 8:00 PM)
- Price: ¥17,000 per person (tax and service charge included)
- Limited cocktail "TOP OF STAR": ¥1,771 per glass (tax and service charge included)
Menu ingredients are subject to change based on availability.
For reservations and details: https://www.rihga.co.jp/kyoto/restaurant/fair_list/eclat-celeste-2026
