The top 6 world-class Tokyo restaurants embody the essence of Japanese cuisine Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Reservation Guide-

Update-date: Dec 18 2023

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

The top 6 world-class Tokyo restaurants embody the essence of Japanese cuisine

Japanese food has been selected as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. While Japanese food is also passed down from generation to generation in each household, authentic Japanese cuisine, including kaiseki, comes to mind first. Using seasonal ingredients expertly and colorfully, our gorgeous cuisine expresses the changing seasons. The collaboration of each dish with carefully thought-out serving utensils is one of the great pleasures of dining. In this issue, we will introduce famous restaurants that have been breaking new ground in Japanese cuisine in their own unique way. If you come to Japan, you will definitely want to visit at least one of these restaurants.

See full listings of Japanese Cuisine restaurants found in and around Tokyo.

1. Ginza Rokukakutei Ginza Branch

A Taste Journey Beyond the Five Senses. Encounter the Authentic Osaka Kushiage Experience in Ginza.

Located just a 2-minute walk from Ginza Station, Ginza Rokkakudo Ginza Store is a place where you can enjoy Osaka's familiar kushiage in Tokyo. The kushiage is offered only as an "omakase course," which varies daily based on the procurement and seasonality. This allows guests to taste a variety of carefully selected ingredients at their best throughout the seasons. From succulent shrimp to a tantalizing array, each skewer is served at just the right moment, showcasing the artisanal skill in every aspect of breading and frying.

The restaurant, with its warm wooden interior, offers exceptional coziness. The elegant yet relaxing atmosphere is sure to make your night in Tokyo's Ginza district even more special.

Ginza Rokukakutei Ginza Branch

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday] 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm) *closed only on January 1st
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 20,000 JPY / [Lunch] 8,000 JPY
Access: 2-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Ginza Line. Walk toward the direction of Shimbashi. It's on the 4th floor of the building with Barneys New York.
Address: 4F, Kojun Bldg., 6-8-7, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Map
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2. Ginkuma Saryo

A famous Japanese restaurant where you can enjoy teppanyaki with special ingredients.

Located in Ginza, a district crowded with long-established restaurants, "Ginkuma Saryo" offers delicate authentic Japanese cuisine and teppanyaki by a chef trained at a high-class Japanese-style restaurant. We recommend the "Ran" course, which offers a comparison of brand-name Kobe beef and carefully selected Japanese black beef, as well as seafood such as abalones and lobsters, all grilled on a teppan-yaki. It is a superb dish that also includes sashimi prepared using fresh fish.

World-Class Japanese Cuisine. Five of Tokyo's Best Restaurants That Embrace the Essence of Japanese Cuisine.

The comfortable interior, wrapped in white wood, is ideal for a relaxing dining experience. Popular seating is at the counter, where you can watch the cooking process up close. Private rooms that ensure privacy include table seating and kotatsu-style tatami rooms that can be used for 2 to 6 people. Rooms for up to 12 people are also available for larger groups.

Ginkuma Saryo

Open: [Weekdays, Saturdays, and days before holidays] Dinner: 5:00 pm - 10:30 pm (last order 10:00 pm)
Closed: Sunday, National Holidays
Average price: [Dinner] 13,000 JPY
Access: Three minute walk from exits C2 and C3 from Ginza Station on the Tokyo Metro Line.
Address: 7F Nishi Ginza Bldg., 6-3-11 Ginza , Chuo-ku, Tokyo Map
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3. Kioicho Fukudaya

The best of Japanese cuisine from a long-established ryotei restaurant, the cuisine which to be enjoyed with all five senses.

Fukudaya, one of the best ryotei restaurants in Japan, was established in 1939 in a sukiya-style house in the business district of Akasaka-mitsuke. The menu changes monthly for both lunch and dinner. The dishes, which make the best use of the carefully selected seasonal ingredients, boast the deep flavor and beauty that Japanese cuisine conveys. The collaboration with tableware left behind by Kitaoji Rosanjin, a rare artist, is also a magnificent sight.

The two-story Japanese-style house has a total of four private rooms, including a tatami room with tables and a tatami room with zashiki seating. The space, which has hosted cultural figures and other distinguished guests from Japan and abroad, is filled with elegance and makes you forget that you are in the middle of the city. The calligraphy and antiques by Rosanjin displayed throughout the restaurant are also worth seeing.

Kioicho Fukudaya

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, Day before National Holidays] Dinner 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 20:00) Saturday (10 people or more) [Friday, Saturday] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm Last Entry (1:00 pm)
Closed: Sunday, National Holidays
Average price: [Dinner] 38,000 JPY
Access: 3-minute walk from Exit D of Akasaka-Mitsuke Station on Tokyo Metro Ginza Line and Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line
Address: 1-13, Kioicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Map
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4. Kazumiya

Taste the essence of Japanese cuisine with a course meal using expert techniques.

Located in a residential area near Ueno Park, Kazumi-ya offers Japanese cuisine that expresses the four seasons with carefully selected seasonal ingredients. The menu consists mainly of courses. The dishes that unfold from appetizers, sashimi, bowls, grilled dishes, simmered dishes, and fried dishes are truly special. The use of western-style ingredients such as cream cheese and other arrangements that are one step ahead of the traditional style are also brilliant.

The atmosphere of the restaurant is casual and relaxing izakaya style. You can relax and enjoy fine food and sake in a relaxed atmosphere. Seating is in the tatami room style where you have to take off your shoes, but both counter and table seats are equipped with Kotatsu-style tables where you can stretch out your legs, so those who are not used to sitting on the floor do not need to worry. You can spend a quality time in a Japanese atmosphere.

Kazumiya

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Closed: Sunday, the 3rd Saturday
Average price: [Dinner] 6,000 JPY
Access: 4 minutes walk from Yushima Station on Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line / Okachimachi Station on JR Yamanote Line or Keihintohoku Line
Address: 1F, Imas Sunny Bldg., 1-11-9, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo Map
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5. Washoku - shoujyou - Aoyama

Seasonal courses featuring specially selected ingredients for casual enjoyment and Japanese atmosphere.

"Washoku Shoujyou", located in a quiet residential area, is a Japanese restaurant in a house. The restaurant offers a monthly kaiseki course menu featuring specially selected ingredients such as "Kuroge Wagyu Beef" and "Ise Shrimp" and seasonal ingredients. We recommend the "Shunkan" course, which includes a 9 dishes such as grilled premium quality Nodoguro and seasonal fish "Dashi Shabu" (soup stock).

Seats can be selected according to the number of people, from 2 people to a maximum of 24, and all are completely private rooms. We have a variety of unique seating options, including elegant table seating with a view of the garden and kotatsu seats with a Japanese atmosphere. They have a wide selection of local sake from all over Japan, and we are especially proud of their selection of cold sake to complement Japanese cuisine. You can experience the Japanese atmosphere in a relaxing and comfortable atmosphere.

Washoku - shoujyou - Aoyama

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:30 pm (L.O. 1:00 pm) / Dinner 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 8:00 pm)
Closed: Sunday
Average price: [Dinner] 8,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,500 JPY
Access: 1 minute walk from the B1 exit of Gaienmae Station on Subway Ginza Line
Address: 2-26-9, Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo Map
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6. Japanese Cuisine Takahashi

Beautiful cuisine! A hideaway in an elegant downtown area.

"Nihonryori Takahashi" is located in Fukagawa area, where the traditional downtown atmosphere remains. The authentic Japanese cuisine, which emphasizes the basics of Japanese cuisine and carefully prepares carefully selected ingredients, is popular even among guests from overseas. The menu includes only "omakase" courses in the evening. The restaurant takes into consideration different backgrounds, such as physical constitution and food culture, so that a wide range of guests can enjoy the dishes with peace of mind.

The restaurant is a relaxed space with only 10 seats in total facing the white wooden counter. From every seat, you can fully enjoy the magnificent handiwork of the chefs in the open kitchen. The red accents of the restaurant's luxurious and elegant interior is also very refined. Immerse yourself in an extraordinary moment at this downtown hideaway.

Japanese Cuisine Takahashi

Open: Dinner 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 8:30 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 20,000 JPY
Access: 1 minute walk from Exit A7 of Morishita Station (Toei Subway), or a 10-minute walk from Exit A1 of Kiyosumi-Shirakawa Station (Tokyo Metro/Toei Subway)
Address: 1-7-6, Morishita, Koto-ku, Tokyo

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.