Kaiseki and Fugu dinners

Hello!!

I will be in Tokyo and Kyoto at the end of October. As it is my first time in Japan I would love to be able to experience both a kaiseki and fugu meal if possible. Unfortunately budget is not unlimited so therefore I wonder:
I have seen in the Kikunoi website differente prices for their dinners: 15.750, 18.900, etc... Is there a big difference in these meals? Is it really worth it to splash out in the Kikunoi or are there better and more affordable alternatives? I would preffer dinner to lunch as I will be able to relax and recover afterwards rather than running off with a full stomach to visit someplace. I have seen the Kikunoi book and it is really tempting to dine there.
Also, any fugu restaurants in Kyoto or Tokyo with a full meal that you reccomend? If lucky, all in all the total budget would be no more than 400 or 500 Euros for two people for the two dining experiences. If it is not possible one of the meals will have to wait for my return to Japan. As I am absolutely sure I will love the country, this will hopefully happen in the near future!
Thank you!

Canaphoon,

Previously I recommended a Kaiseki restaurant, Manshige in Nishijin, Kyoto.

http://www.japan-guide.com/forum/quereadisplay.html?0+81317

As for fugu, I have no idea. However, the price is higher in Tokyo than in Osaka.

http://goo.gl/UIzCM

Enjoy your visit in Japan!

Thank you! Will have a look at those websites. Can�Lt wait to be in Japan!

If you love the Kikunoi book then you should go there. I would go ahead a splurge the extra 3,000 yen if you have the budget for it, you will get better seafood. Or, if possible, have one person do the lower dinner and the other person do the higher dinner so you can see the most variety of dishes.

Other kaiseki restaurants I love include Nihonbashi Yukari, Iron Chef champion (2002) Kimio Nonaga apprenticed at Kikunoi for 7 years. Chef Murata of Kikunoi was cheering him on when he won the competition.

http://www.nihonbashi-yukari.com/

Also, a big fan of Waketokuyama and chef Nozaki's cuisine.

http://www.foodandwine.com/restaurants/waketokuyama

Thank you! The Nihonbashi Yukari looks great and will probably check it out. The food looks beautiful...

If you go, tell him Yukari sent you. It's one of my favorite places in Tokyo. I go for dinner to celebrate a special occasion and meet friends there for lunch. Enjoy!

I had Fugu in Tokyo when I was there in April last year

this is the place I went to:

http://www.sunnypages.jp/travel_guide/tokyo_restaurants/fugu/Torafugu+...

It was really good, not that hard to get to and very good prices (sets from amount 60 euro)

When you arrive you get to sit in your own private room and each dish is brought out to you.
the set I had included:
Fugu skin, shashimi, fried (awesome) fugu, a fugu stew of sorts, rice and then deserts.

It was very good

Thank you both for your replies. I will definitely tell the restaurant I was sent by Yukari. As for the fugu, is this the real thing served in the restaurant recommended by Seratone? I had a notion that a fugu meal would be a lot more expensive?