Kashiwaya was the name of a ryokan inn once run by an ancestor of Chef Hideaki Matsuo. A devotee of Japanese culture and familiar with the tea ceremony, Matsuo inherited the restaurant as a family business. The menu pays homage to ancient seasonal festivals and events while adding creative touches with a view to the future. Although he runs the restaurant as a ryotei, Matsuo was an early adopter of the practice of pairing beverages with dishes. He is in constant search for the Japanese cuisine of the future.