One of my most memorable experiences in Japan was a traditional breakfast I had in Kyoto. My Japanese friend and I went to this really traditional yet modern, affluent district of Kyoto. There, on a backstreet, we arrived at our destination which, from the street, looked like a simple, traditional Japanese-style house.
But there was nothing simple about this place! Turns out we would be eating in a very traditional and old-style Japanese restaurant called Hyo Tei , (a Kaiseki Ryouri restaurant). But to call this place a restaurant is a little insulting, as I would soon discover!

At the entrance area, facing a long hallway, a kimono-dressed woman took us down a couple narrow hallways into a spacious tatami room, where we sat on the floor, in one section. Fortunately for us, at this early time of morning, we had the whole large room to ourselves, giving us an unobstructed view through courtyard windows at a gorgeous Japanese garden.

The type of breakfast we were here to eat is called Asa-gayu, which is a traditional style "set" breakfast. My anticipation made me very hungry at this point! The main dish of Asa-gayu is called Okayu (a kind of thick porridge-style rice). It is served with a variety of small dishes, including a simple yet tasty soup, a small variety of traditional delicacies. As far as drinking was concerned, sake and tea are to be drunk for this type of breakfast, which added to the unique quality of the experience.

I had lived in Japan a long time prior to that day, and had eaten a great variety of Japanese food, but I can honestly say I never had any food like that! Yet what was unique about it was really just the experience itself. From the moment you arrive until the moment you leave, it feels like time stops, and you are left to just sit, eat and "take in" the environment. It was a fantastic experience!
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