Hello!

We will be going to Tokyo for the first time in less than 2 weeks! It's my birthday our first day there, so I am trying to come up with a special restaurant to celebrate at.

We'd like to go somewhere with a great atmosphere (maybe romantic or traditional Japanese character) and great food. We were thinking of a steakhouse (we really want Kobe steak), but we are open to suggestions. We'd just like to have a memorable night out, but not *totally* break the bank.

Any restaurant idea? What sort of price range are we looking at? (We're from New York, but I noticed some restaurants on Zagat are listed at almost $200 per person).

Thanks for your input!

Here is my favorite Yakitori restaurant in Japan www.torikomachi.com

It's not fancy, but definitely traditional. They have very reasonable prices too. Take the subway to Hibiya Station and exit 2A. Print the map & phone number from their website and ask someone on the street to help you out. The have restaurants on the 3rd & 6th floors. You might need reservations if you arrive at peak times on Friday or Saturday nights. Ask for English menus...they have them in the back.

If you want Kobe beef you will break the bank. I only eat it when the company is paying!

Dave

deptrai: Like Punky144, I am interested in the price range of your yakitori restaurant suggestion. What is the "reasonable" amount? How much per person did it cost to eat there, just for food and basic drinks (not alcohol, if they serve it)?

If you go to the website they have prices in Yen. Each dish is like a small appetizer. Last time I was there 3 of us ate for about US$90. That included about 8-10 beers.

Dave

Wow, that's good. I'm putting it on the short list for Tokyo. Thanks very much for the recommendation.

Punkyl44, if you want a special restaurant, Japanese character, and atmosphere on your first day in Japan, then you might consider visiting the Tsukiji fish market and a restaurant in the area for breakfast. This is not something that I have done. But on a recent trip to Japan I was wide awake at 3AM on my first day. If this happens to you, then Tsukiji might be an option. You were asking about beef for dinner and I am suggesting sushi for breakfast. I recently read that Japan consumes 20% of the global fish catch.

i heartly second the above posting. if you want japanese beef, go to the yakiniku restaurant atop the hotel okura. i went there for a yakiniku lunch. be sure to ask for domestic beef, if not, you might end up with australian beef. this is not your typical benihana type restaurant where the chef is telling jokes, doing flips, tapping his spatula on the grill, etc. strictly first class. the chef is dressed impeccably, and speaks only when spoken to, or when he asked you for your preparation preference. in fact, he was rather stiff. dessert is served in the lounge, so you leave the grill and go to the lounge. lunch with beer was $100. great view of tokyo.ps. let us know where you ate when you return.

Hi everyone! Thanks for your input- I will def check out the suggestions and hopefully we'll be able to experience the fish market if we can drag ourselves out of bed!

Kuran- is the restaurant you refer to Sazanka? It seems be the tepanyaki restaurant at Hotel Okura and sounds great if so! I must admit I am sucker for the cheesy stuff at Benihana but I was hoping for a more authentic experience in Japan! I've included the website: http://www.okura.com/tokyo/restaurants/sazanka.html

Also, has anyone heard of Aragawa? If so exactly what are we looking at per person for dinner?

Thanks!

gomen nasai, hai, it was a teppanyaki restaurant. and yes, it was sazanka. it was great. let me know how you like it.

It really depends on what you're looking for, but as a resident of Tokyo I'll give you my top suggestion.

Whenever Tokyoites have guests from out of town, we often take them to a wonderful place called Ukai Toriyama. It's a place for special occasions and very memorable indeed.

It's a traditional restaurant set in the lush green hills in the far western part of Tokyo, near Mt. Takao. The scenery is outstanding, romantic, traditional, and exotic.

People go mainly for the atmosphere, although the food is good too. It's simple chicken and beef that you cook on your own grill in your own private traditional hut - surrounded by carp ponds and gardens. I think the sets run about $60 and up per person, not including drinks.

They have special events in summer and invite guests to try traditional Japanese summer games and fireworks as well as walk around the gardens. It's more of a "destination in itself" than a restaurant. Lots of birthdays and other celebrations happen here. Highly recommended for all travelers to Tokyo.

Mealea: I suppose that if you are not driving, this is a cab ride away from Tokyo? Any idea where would one go on the subway to then get a cab to this destination restaurant? This sounds like a good evening, and we have 6 evenings in Tokyo next spring. I am goign to see if I can find additional info on the internet about Ukai Toriyama.

looks like it is in Hachioji:
http://www.tokyo.to/ukai-toriyama/

The web page gives directions from Shinjuku on Keio (rail) line (1 hr) to Takao Sanguchi Station and then a 20 min bus ride. Address is shown as being in Hachioji. Hachioji is on the JR line from Shinjuku to Matsumoto (and beyond) and there is a L'Ex that will get you there. Also, Hachioji is on the JR Yokohama line (48 min, Y690).

Yes, that's right. You take one train from Shinjuku Station and it takes from 45 min. to 1 hour. Catch an express train if you can. When you arrive at Takao-san guchi station, you can hop on the special Ukai Toriyama bus which runs every 20 minutes or so. This is a free service provided by the restaurant, which is a good thing because it's in a rather remote location. After a short ride on the shuttle bus, you'll arrive at the beautiful restaurant nestled in the hills.

You wouldn't want to take a taxi from downtown Tokyo. It would be very expensive. However, if you find yourselves not wanting to wait for the shuttle bus, you could jump in a cab then.

I recommend going during the weekdays if at all possible. The weekends are just too crowded! I've been both times and the contrast is huge. During the week it's an idyllic sport. The weekends are kind of a zoo, at least when I've been there. I would say go in the early evening around dusk, check into your bungalow, have a walk around the gardens, and then go back for dinner. It's a very leisurely place and you can stay for hours. Also, be absolutely sure to make reservations well ahead of time. It's a popular spot.

Happy birthday in advance!

That restaurant sounds lovely! How far in advance do you need to book? I can't find an email so I was debating if I should call. Is it as difficult to get reservations in Tokyo at these restaurants as it is NY?

Thanks for your help!

I usually booked at least a couple of weeks in advance - and that was for the weekdays. It might be worth it to call ahead or have a friend in Japan call for you. I don't think they have an e-mail address for reservations.