Noma’s journey with Kyoto began in 2009 when Rene Redzepi was invited to the city by renowned Japanese chef Murata-san. Immersed in the rich traditions of Japanese food culture during a two-week crash course led by the three Michelin-starred chef, a true love story with Japan unfolded. Over the years, Rene brought many different teams to Japan for inspirational trips, and today, we have eight team members from Japan. This deep connection led to our first popup in Tokyo in 2015 and the development of an extensive network of craftspeople, artisans, chefs, farmers, foragers, and more throughout Japan. During the first pandemic lockdown in April 2020, while reading about Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, Rene stumbled upon images of the newly built Ace Hotel in Kyoto. Inspired and seeking a fresh start after the incredibly challenging period of covid, he shared images of Ace Hotel with colleagues, sparking the idea of a pop-up in Kyoto once the pandemic was over. Little did we know it would take over three years to realize this dream. However, this gave us ample time to prepare. Over those three years, we extensively explored every corner of Kyoto and Japan at large, from mountains and temples to wineries, miso factories, noodle shops, Michelin-starred restaurants, and beyond. In 2023, our team of over one hundred arrived in Kyoto, each driven by their own hunger for discovery. Individually and collectively, we embarked on day trips, weekend excursions, and dedicated exploration into Kyoto’s vibrant restaurant, art, ramen, and coffee scenes, uncovering incredibly special places all worthy of experiencing.
