Japan Restaurants
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Japan - browse our top choices for Restaurants during your stay.
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1. Akita Kawabata Isariya Sakaba
$$$ | |This restaurant lives up to its promise of "All of Akita in one building." Delicious, unique regional dishes such as the highly recommended pickle selection topped with a tiny paper scarecrow, are served on antique plates by friendly staff. Look for the statue of the namahage (a fearsome monster from Akita's mountains) outside the entrance.
4--2--35 Omachi, Akita, Akita-ken, 010-0921, Japan018-865–8888Known For
- Seafood-focused menu
- Excellent pickle selection
- Popular statue of the namahage out front
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch -
2. Andy's Shin Hinomoto
$$ | Chiyoda-ku |Also known as "Andy's," this izakaya is located directly under the tracks of the Yamanote Line, making the wooden interior shudder each time a train passes overhead. It's a favorite with local and foreign journalists and is actually run by a Brit, Andy, who travels to the seafood market every morning to buy seafood. Don't miss the fresh sashimi and buttered scallops. It fills up very quickly, so call at least the day in advance to make a reservation.
2–4–4 Yurakucho, Tokyo, Tokyo-to, 100-0006, Japan03-3214–8021Known For
- Favorite among Tokyo expats
- Expansive menu
- Cozy, lively atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch, Reservations essential -
3. Azuma-ya Soba
$$ | |Hearty soba is made from plentiful northern buckwheat, and Azuma-ya is easily Morioka's most famous place to eat these healthful noodles. The second level is devoted to the courageous and hearty of appetite, where wanko soba courses—all you could possibly want to eat—are served. The ground floor is for a more casual (and less competitive) dining experience. If you don't want the eating challenge, order from their many other dishes. Keep in mind that they close for a two-hour break at 3 pm and stop taking orders before 7 pm. There is another location closer to the station that takes orders until 8 pm.
1--08--3 Nakanohashi Dori, Morioka, Iwate-ken, 020-0871, Japan0120-733--130-for all locationsKnown For
- Continuous bowls of soba
- Lively atmosphere
- Sets of seasonal local dishes
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4. Baird Beer Taproom Harajuku
$$$ | Shibuya-ku |Founded by American Bryan Baird in 2000, Baird Brewing has become one of the leaders in Japan's now booming craft-beer movement, with a range of year-round brews, such as the hop-heavy Suruga Bay IPA, and creative seasonal beers that use local ingredients such as yuzu citrus and even wasabi. The Harajuku Taproom combines Baird's excellent lineup of microbrews with Japanese izakaya (pub) fare like yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), gyoza (dumplings), and curry rice. The Taproom's rotation of 15 beers on tap, plus two hand-pumped ales, as well as its quality food and friendly atmosphere make it a must for beer lovers and dispel any notion that all Japanese beers taste the same. There are other branches in Naka Meguro, Takadanobaba, Kichijoji, and Yokohama.
1–20–13 Jingumae, Tokyo, Tokyo-to, Japan03-6438–0450Known For
- Japanese craft beer
- Hand-pumped ales on tap
- Blend of Western and Japanese pub fare
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekdays -
5. Cicada
$$$ | Minato-ku |Offering up high-end Mediterranean cuisine in an incredibly stylish setting, Cicada's resortlike atmosphere feels a world away from Omotesando's busy shopping streets. In the warmer months, the outdoor patio is especially relaxing. The menu ranges from Spanish tapas and Middle Eastern mezze to hearty grilled meats and seafood. An expansive wine list and craft beers complement the range of cuisine, and the outdoor bar makes a great spot for a nightcap. Though spacious, this popular restaurant fills up quickly, so dinner reservations are recommended.
5–7–28 Minami-Aoyama, Tokyo, Tokyo-to, 107-0062, Japan03-6434–1255Known For
- Terrace dining
- Flavorful Mediterranean dishes
- Stylish bar
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6. Giro Giro Hitoshina
$$$ | Shimogyo-ku |Popular Giro Giro has a lively atmosphere, excellent food, and great Takase-gawa River location. Sit at the counter to watch the busy chefs, many of whom have studied at the owner's Paris location, or grab a table upstairs. The set menu changes monthly to showcase seasonal ingredients. The chef's style has been described as "punk kaiseki ryori" cuisine; what this means is that you can have a multicourse, kaiseki-style menu without the strict convention. Expect an elaborate hassun (appetizer) tray followed by seven more courses. You will be hard-pressed to find a better high-end value than these meals. Giro Giro is easiest to find by walking the narrow lane along the Takase-gawa; look for the glow of the massive window a few blocks north of Gojo-dori.
420--7 Nanba-cho, Kyoto, Kyoto-fu, 602-8027, Japan075-343–7070Known For
- Ever-changing menu
- Innovative dishes
- Convivial atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch, Reservations essential -
7. Inakaya East
$$$$ | Minato-ku |The style here is robatayaki, a dining experience that segues into pure theater. Inside a large U-shape counter, two cooks in traditional garb sit on cushions behind a grill, with a cornucopia of food spread out in front of them: fresh vegetables, seafood, and skewers of beef and chicken. You point to what you want, and your server shouts out the order. The cook in back plucks your selection up out of the pit, prepares it, and hands it across on an 8-foot wooden paddle. Inakaya is open from 5 pm and fills up fast after 7. If you can't get a seat here, there is another branch, Inakaya West, on the other side of Roppongi Crossing.
3--14--17 Roppongi, Tokyo, Tokyo-to, 106-0032, Japan03-3408–5040Known For
- Entertaining service
- Fresh ingredients grilled just right
- Fun, lively atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch, Reservations not accepted -
8. Kakusho
$$$$ | |This restaurant is famous for its vegetarian shojin ryori (temple food), which it serves up in a 200-year-old building south of the Higashiyama temple area. Set menus change with the seasons and aren't always fully vegetarian; they can include salt-grilled river fish, crispy tempura, handmade soba noodles, or tofu chilled in ice-cold Takayama water. The 12th-generation owner, the English-speaking Sumitake-san, can explain what all the dishes are. You need to book in advance and might want to dress up a bit.
2--98 Babacho-dori, Takayama, Gifu-ken, 506-0838, Japan0577-32–0174Known For
- Shojin ryori
- In a lovely Edo-period house
- Garden views
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations recommended -
9. Kappo Chiyo
$$$$ | |Imagine a kappo (fine dining) course that includes squid and scallops cooked before you with butter on a sizzling-hot river stone and such goodies as fugu—served as sashimi or cooked tempura-style—stuffed with foie gras. Zingy homemade pickles reset your palate for each successive treat. Women beautifully dressed in formal wear serve you in a classically elegant manner, and off to the right of the intimate 10-seat counter are views of a mossy green and flowery window garden. All seating is Japanese style, and no English menu is available. Cheaper lunch options are also available.
20--4 Imafuruhagi-machi, Hagi, Yamaguchi-ken, 758-0021, Japan0838-22–1128Known For
- The highest-quality local ingredients
- Lavish multicourse dinners
- Elegant atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No dinner Sun. -
10. Kawakyo
$$$ | |This intimate, counter-only restaurant is the best place to try local sake and a set meal, including the seven famous delicacies from Shinji-ko and Matsue's coast. The staff are outgoing, as are the regular crowd. Try to make reservations at least a few days in advance. The "special full course" set menu option with local dishes is the best bet.
65 Suetsugu Hon-machi, Matsue, Shimane-ken, 690-0843, Japan0852-22–1312Known For
- The best place to sample local Matsue cuisine
- A friendly, family-run restaurant
- Reservations recommended
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch, Reservations essential -
11. Kikunoi
$$$$ | Higashiyama-ku |The care lavished on every aspect of dining is unparalleled here, thanks to the conscientious attention of Kikunoi's owner, Yoshihiro Murata, a world-renowned chef and authority on Kyoto cuisine. A lifetime study of French and Japanese cooking, a commitment to using the finest local ingredients, and a playful creative sense make every meal hum with flavor. Once seated in a private dining room, you are brought a small sakizuke, or appetizer, the first of a multicourse meal, all of whose selections are seasonal and decided by the chef. Each is exquisitely presented and unfailingly delicious. Dishes like cedar-smoked barracuda fillets, citrus-infused matsutake mushroom soup, or sashimi served on chrysanthemum petals keenly accord to the nuances of each new season. This restaurant is on the northern edge of Kodai-ji Temple. Lunch is about a third the cost of dinner.
459 Shimokawara-cho, Kyoto, Kyoto-fu, 605-0825, Japan075-561–0015Known For
- French-influenced Japanese cuisine
- Innovative cooking
- Elegant service
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential -
12. Kushiyaki Ganchan
$$$ | Minato-ku |Smoky, noisy, and cluttered, Ganchan is exactly what the Japanese expect of their yakitori joints—restaurants that specialize in bits of charcoal-broiled chicken and vegetables. The counter here seats barely 15, and you have to squeeze to get to the chairs in back. Festival masks, paper kites, lanterns, and greeting cards from celebrity patrons adorn the walls. The cooks yell at each other, fan the grill, and serve up enormous schooners of beer. Try the tsukune (balls of minced chicken) and the fresh asparagus wrapped in bacon. Otherwise opt for a mixed eight-skewer set that also comes with several small side dishes. The place stays open until 1:30 am (midnight on Sunday).
6–8–23 Roppongi, Tokyo, Tokyo-to, 106-0032, Japan03-3478–0092Known For
- Eclectic decor
- Cozy, down-to-earth atmosphere
- Fills up on weekends
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch -
13. Mankamero
$$$$ | Kamigyo-ku |Since 1722 Mankamero's specialty has been yusoku ryori, cuisine intended for members of the Imperial Court. Every step of the meal is incredibly elaborate, down to the ceremonially dressed chef who prepares your dishes using specially made utensils. A dramatic if oddly named course is the "dismembered fish," in which each part of a single fish is prepared and served on pedestal trays, and prices reflect the aristocratic experience. A wonderful take-kago (bamboo box) lunch set contains a series of steamed surprises and is much cheaper than the full dinner. Mankamero is on the west side of Inokuma-dori north of Demizu-dori. Look for the white noren (short curtain) hanging in the doorway.
387 Ebisu-cho, Kyoto, Kyoto-fu, 602-8118, Japan075-441–5020Known For
- Historic ambience
- Lively service
- Imperial cuisine
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential -
14. Maruhachi Yatarazuke
$$ | |Housed in a converted warehouse in the Maruhachi Yatarazuke complex, the Komian Maruhachi restaurant serves traditional Yamagata dishes such as soba noodles and imoni potato hot pot, as well as unusual sushi made with pickles from theYatarazuke shop right next door. You can try them all in the "Three tastes of Yamagata" set (¥1,620). For a drink try Tachinomi-dokoro, the standing bar on the far side of the shop, offering all the pickles you can eat for ¥300.
2-1-5 Hatagomachi, Yamagata, Yamagata-ken, 990-0047, Japan023-623–0310Known For
- Unique local pickles
- A Three Tastes of Yamagata set (soba, potato hot pot, pickle sushi)
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Restaurant closed 1st Wed. of month. Bar closed Sun. No lunch -
15. New York Grill
$$$$ | Shinjuku-ku |The Park Hyatt's 52nd-floor bar and restaurant may have come to international fame thanks to Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation, but expats and locals have long known that it's one of the most elegant places to take in Tokyo's nighttime cityscape over a steak or cocktail. The restaurant menu showcases excellent steaks and grilled seafood in the evening, and has one of the city's best lunch buffets during the day. If the restaurant is out of your budget, come instead to the bar when it opens (before the ¥2,200 evening cover charge is added to your bill) and enjoy a drink as the sun sets over the city. The cover charge for the bar starts at 8 pm every day but Sunday, when it starts at 7 pm.
3–7–1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Tokyo, Tokyo-to, 163-1055, Japan03-5322–3458Known For
- Impressive views over Tokyo
- High-end modern American cuisine
- Excellent service
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential -
16. Nihonbashi Yukari
$$$$ | Chuo-ku |Anyone looking to experience Japanese haute cuisine in a more relaxed atmosphere should look to this kappo-style restaurant, where diners order and eat at the counter. Third-generation chef—and 2002 Iron Chef champion—Kimio Nonaga displays his artistry in every element of Nihonbashi Yukari's menu. Dinner here is a multicourse affair, with each dish showcasing the freshness and quality of the seasonal ingredients. To witness him at work, and get the full kappo dining experience, be sure to request a counter seat when making reservations. As a bonus, Nihonbashi Yukari also offers a lunch setting for a fraction of the price of dinner, which is unusual for this kind of restaurant.
3–2–14 Nihonbashi, Tokyo, Tokyo-to, Japan03-3271–3436Known For
- Excellent kappo-style lunch sets
- Affordable for high-end kappo dining
- Chef Nonaga's creative take on Japanese cuisine
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun., Reservations essential -
17. Robata Honten
$$$ | Chiyoda-ku |Old, funky, and more than a little cramped, Robata is a bit daunting at first, but fourth-generation chef-owner Takao Inoue holds forth here with an inspired version of Japanese home cooking. He's also a connoisseur of pottery and serves his food on pieces acquired at famous kilns all over the country. There's no menu; just tell Inoue-san how much you want to spend, and leave the rest to him. A meal at Robata—like the pottery—is simple to the eye but subtle and fulfilling. Typical dishes include steamed fish with vegetables, stews of beef or pork, and seafood salads.
1--3--8 Yurakucho, Tokyo, Tokyo-to, 100-0006, Japan03-3591–1905Known For
- Country-style izakaya
- No menu
- Dishes served on unique pottery collection
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed some Sun. each month. No lunch -
18. Shigetsu
$$$ | Ukyo-ku |If you visit Tenryu-ji at lunchtime, consider dining at Shigetsu, within the temple precinct. The tenzo, a monk trained to prepare Zen cuisine, creates a multicourse meal that achieves the harmony of the six basic flavors—bitter, sour, sweet, salty, light, and hot—attributes necessary to balance body and mind. Although you won't partake in the monk's daily helping of gruel, a salted plum, and pickled radishes, you will try vegetarian Zen cuisine at its tastiest. The price for lunch in the large dining area overlooking a garden does not include admission to the garden, however. Open from 11 am to 2 pm. Reservations are required and can be made online.
68 Susuki-no-bamba-cho, Kyoto, Kyoto-fu, Japan075-882--9725Known For
- Wonderful hospitality
- Vegetarian and vegan dishes
- Advance reservations (made online) required
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner, Reservations essential -
19. Somushi Tea House
$$ | Nakagyo-ku |Dark-wood furnishings create a provocative and intimate environment for sampling the bountiful brews at Kyoto's top Korean teahouse. Unlike Japanese and Chinese teas, which pull flavor from leaves or powder, the house favorites here are brewed full of berries, spices, and herbs. The intense aromas are complemented by a menu of vegetable stews, stuffed fritters, and innovative versions of Korean staples like organic bibimbap (a rice bowl topped with various ingredients). Reserve ahead to sample the Gozen menu, with nine bronze pots filled with royal cuisine good enough to leave you wishing you were an ancient Seoul nobleman. Seating is in a cozy private room at the back, on cushions at floor-level tables or at the sturdy wooden counter with a better chance to chat with the convivial proprietors. The restaurant closes at 8 pm, with the last order taken at 7 pm.
73 Mikura-cho, Kyoto, Kyoto-fu, 604-8166, Japan075-253–1456Known For
- Unique interior
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- Imperial Korean dishes
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Wed -
20. Tour De Château
$$$ | |This romantic restaurant on the 11th floor of the Kumamoto Hotel Castle has stunning sunset views of Kumamoto Castle. During the day the restaurant is used for wedding receptions, but at night (when there are not events) it opens to the public for dinner.
4--2 Jotomachi, Kumamoto, Kumamoto-ken, 8608565, Japan096-326–3311Known For
- Stunning views
- French-Japanese fusion dishes
- Elegant service
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch, Often booked for weddings and events, so check in advance for availability
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