【Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto】New Executive Chef Koichi Nakakita Appointed
Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto has appointed Koichi Nakakita as its new Executive Chef, effective April 2026. Nakakita joined Royal Hotel Co., Ltd. in 1990 and honed his skills at restaurants like "Restaurant Chambord." He also trained at a two-Michelin-starred restaurant in France in 2005, where he was inspired by methods that maximize ingredient flavors. He aims to offer "blissful cuisine" that blends tradition with modern trends, utilizing local Kyoto and Kansai ingredients.
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- 📰 Published: April 7, 2026 at 19:00
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Since its opening, we have inherited the tradition of "Royal Cuisine" and offered exquisite dishes. Executive Chef Nakakita will oversee all dishes served at the hotel, from banquets and weddings for 1,000 guests to each restaurant, aiming for further quality improvement and the creation of memorable and appealing dining experiences.
Nakakita joined Royal Hotel Co., Ltd. in 1990. He has honed his skills under successive executive chefs and chefs, including at "Restaurant Chambord," the Rihga Royal Hotels' top French restaurant.
In 2005, he trained at "Château Les Crayères," then a two-Michelin-starred restaurant in the Champagne region of France, where he was deeply impressed by the passion of producers selling ingredients directly to chefs and the cooking methods that bring out the best in the ingredients themselves.
Upon his appointment, Nakakita expressed his aspirations as follows:
"While inheriting traditional techniques, I will sincerely face various ingredients, including those from Kyoto and Kansai, and maximize the inherent flavors and appeal of ingredients based on traditional cuisine. Amidst the evolving cuisine with the times, I will strive to deliver 'blissful dishes.'"
■ Profile
Name: Koichi Nakakita
Date of Birth: June 22, 1970
Place of Birth: Fukui Prefecture
Career History: April 1990 Joined Royal Hotel Co., Ltd.
Assigned to Cooking Section 1, Rihga Royal Hotel (Osaka)
March 2005 Trained at "Château Les Crayères," a two-Michelin-starred restaurant (at the time) in France
April 2008 Head Chef, Kuroyon Royal Hotel
March 2015 Chef in charge, Handai Restaurant
March 2017 Sous Chef, "Restaurant Chambord," Rihga Royal Hotel (Osaka)
April 2020 Chef, Supply Hot, Culinary Department
April 2022 Banquet Chef, Culinary Department
April 2024 Deputy Manager, Culinary Department
April 2026 Appointed Executive Chef, Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto
■ Customer Inquiries
Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto
General Manager's Office, Sales Promotion
1 Matsumae-cho, Shio-koji Sagaru, Higashi Horikawa-dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8237
075-361-9149 (Direct Line)
(Reception hours: Weekdays 10:00-17:00)
Nakakita joined Royal Hotel Co., Ltd. in 1990. He has honed his skills under successive executive chefs and chefs, including at "Restaurant Chambord," the Rihga Royal Hotels' top French restaurant.
In 2005, he trained at "Château Les Crayères," then a two-Michelin-starred restaurant in the Champagne region of France, where he was deeply impressed by the passion of producers selling ingredients directly to chefs and the cooking methods that bring out the best in the ingredients themselves.
Upon his appointment, Nakakita expressed his aspirations as follows:
"While inheriting traditional techniques, I will sincerely face various ingredients, including those from Kyoto and Kansai, and maximize the inherent flavors and appeal of ingredients based on traditional cuisine. Amidst the evolving cuisine with the times, I will strive to deliver 'blissful dishes.'"
■ Profile
Name: Koichi Nakakita
Date of Birth: June 22, 1970
Place of Birth: Fukui Prefecture
Career History: April 1990 Joined Royal Hotel Co., Ltd.
Assigned to Cooking Section 1, Rihga Royal Hotel (Osaka)
March 2005 Trained at "Château Les Crayères," a two-Michelin-starred restaurant (at the time) in France
April 2008 Head Chef, Kuroyon Royal Hotel
March 2015 Chef in charge, Handai Restaurant
March 2017 Sous Chef, "Restaurant Chambord," Rihga Royal Hotel (Osaka)
April 2020 Chef, Supply Hot, Culinary Department
April 2022 Banquet Chef, Culinary Department
April 2024 Deputy Manager, Culinary Department
April 2026 Appointed Executive Chef, Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto
■ Customer Inquiries
Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto
General Manager's Office, Sales Promotion
1 Matsumae-cho, Shio-koji Sagaru, Higashi Horikawa-dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8237
075-361-9149 (Direct Line)
(Reception hours: Weekdays 10:00-17:00)
FAQ
Who is the new Executive Chef of Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto?
Koichi Nakakita.
What is Koichi Nakakita's culinary concept?
He aims to offer "blissful cuisine" that inherits traditional techniques, utilizes ingredients from Kyoto and Kansai, and maximizes the inherent flavors and appeal of the ingredients.