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10 Great Places in Tokyo Where You Can Try Traditional Japanese Cuisine

Update-Date: Apr 9, 2025

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

Categories: Kaiseki

10 Great Places in Tokyo Where You Can Try Traditional Japanese Cuisine

Traditional Japanese food culture, called [washoku] in Japanese, was designated an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2013. When you come to Japan, the first thing you should do is try genuine washoku. In Tokyo in particular, there are a host of fine restaurants lined up competing for your patronage. This article will introduce a selection of 10 of the best restaurants for you to visit in Tokyo, as well as the history and special characteristics of washoku. We at Savor Japan are confident that you will love these restaurants, so please check them out!

What Is Washoku?

Washoku is Japan’s UNESCO-recognized culinary tradition, defined by its harmony with nature and seasonal ingredients.

The Foundation: A balanced meal of rice, soup, side dishes, and pickles ("Ichiju-sansai" style).
The Soul of Flavor: Dashi (broth). This umami-rich base is crafted from katsuobushi (bonito flakes), kombu (kelp), and niboshi (anchovies).
Key Seasonings: The use of fermented staples like soy sauce and miso.
Diversity: Beyond classics like sushi and tempura, it includes "Japanized" dishes like ramen and curry, blending tradition with global influences.

1. Wa Nogi (Hiroo)

Tucked away in a quiet Hiroo neighborhood with no signage, Sushi Wa Nogi draws food lovers with its blend of tradition and innovation. Embracing the Shu-Ha-Ri philosophy, the cuisine evolves from classic to creative, winning praise from gourmets. The counter, made from a 250-year-old sacred tree from Mitsumine Shrine, adds a natural energy to the space. Each seasonal dish offers more than flavor—it nourishes the soul. Enjoy refined kappo dining in a setting that honors nature and craftsmanship.

Wa Nogi

Open: [Monday-Thursday, Day Before National Holidays] Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
Closed: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays
Average price: [Dinner] 15,000 JPY
Access: 3-minute walk from Hiro-o Station. It's on the 4th floor of a building with a shisha store on the first floor, in the Hiroo shopping district.
Address: 4F, NHB Bldg., 5-3-15, Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Map
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2. Azabu Uka (Azabujuban)

Azabu Uka is a refined Japanese restaurant that honors traditional culture through exceptional service and a focus on seasonal purity. The menu features premium seafood and vegetables delivered daily from production sites, complemented by top-tier meats from Nihonbashi’s Hiyama Chikusan. Lunch offerings include carefully prepared charcoal-grilled fish and poultry or beef selections. With artisan-crafted tableware and private tea rooms, the setting provides a sophisticated aesthetic experience. It is a premier choice for entertaining guests or celebrating anniversaries while enjoying the rich flavors of meticulously prepared Japanese cuisine.

Azabu Uka

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday] Lunch 11:00 am - 3:00 pm / Dinner 5:00 pm - 12:00 am *Last entry: 9:30 pm
Closed: Monday, Sunday
Average price: [Dinner] 25,000 JPY / [Lunch] 5,500 JPY
Access: 3-minute walk from Azabu-juban Station on the Oedo Line/ 30-second walk from Azabu-juban Station on the Tokyo Metro Namboku Line. 111 meters from Azabu-juban Station.
Address: 3F, PRIME A, 2-1-2, Azabujuban, Minato-ku, Tokyo Map

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3. Tsumuguito (Nishi-Azabu)

Opened in 2024 in quiet Nishi-Azabu, Tsumuguito quickly won over food lovers. Specializing in fugu and nodoguro, it offers both traditional and innovative dishes. Chef Hamane, trained at Yamadaya, showcases his expertise at the counter, creating exquisite flavors. The highlight is the "Chef’s Choice Course" featuring aged fugu and nodoguro, best enjoyed with drink pairings. With elegant counter seating and private rooms, it provides a refined dining experience, perfect for gourmet travelers seeking luxury in Tokyo.

Tsumuguito

Open: [Monday-Saturday] Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
Closed: Sunday, National Holidays
Average price: [Dinner] 25,000 JPY
Access: 12-minute walk from Exit A4 of Hiro-o Station on Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line/ 11-minute walk from Roppongi Station on Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line
Address: FLEG Nishiazabu VIERGE Basement A, 4-11-14, Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo Map
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4. Kappo Uzuki (Ebisu)

Most guests at Kappo Uzuki opt for course meals, which highlight the chef's skills. The menu is customized based on guests’ preferences at reservation, using seasonal ingredients from Toyosu and other regions. The restaurant offers counter seating for an intimate experience with the chef and a private room for 3–4 guests. Ideal for business or anniversaries, Uzuki provides a refined dining experience. If you seek a place for special occasions, this hidden gem near Ebisu Station is worth visiting.

Kappo Uzuki

Open: Dinner from 5:00 pm
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 10,000 JPY
Access: 5-minute walk from the East Exit of JR Ebisu Station. Follow the road to the right and down the stairs when you find them on your left. The restaurant is at the end of the road, on your right.
Address: 101, Daisan Ito Bldg., 4-4-5, Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Map
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5. Koryouri Kayou (Ginza)

Located on Sukiya-dori Street, Koryouri Kayou offers warm hospitality with thoughtfully prepared dishes and fine drinks. The proprietress, known for her attentive service, ensures a relaxing experience. Lunch is by reservation, while dinner is an omakase-style meal tailored to guests’ tastes. With counter, sofa, and semi-private seating, it suits various occasions. The menu features seasonal homemade dishes with fresh seafood from Tsukiji and local Chichibu ingredients, complemented by a curated sake selection for perfect pairings.

Koryouri Kayou

Open: [Monday - Saturday] Dinner 3:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm) * Lunch is by reservation only.
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 15,000 JPY
Access: 3-minute walk from Ginza Station on Tokyo Metro
Address: 3F, Sakae Bldg., 6-3-6, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Map
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6. Suijin-En (Chofu)

Suijin-En offers a serene escape into nature within Tokyo. The restaurant specializes in seasonal Japanese cuisine, highlighting the finest ingredients. A must-try is the handmade soba, served at the end of the course, cherished for its rich flavor. The stunning Japanese garden enhances the authentic atmosphere. With private rooms available, the space blends Western-style seating with tatami mats, making it ideal for various occasions, including betrothal ceremonies and children's celebrations.

Suijin-En

Open: [Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Day Before National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm) / Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 7:30 pm), [Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays] 11:00 am - 10:00 pm (L.O. 7:30 pm)
Closed: Wednesday
Average price: [Dinner] 10,000 JPY / [Lunch] 5,000 JPY
Access: From the north exit of Keio Chofu Station, take the Keio Bus bound for Kichijoji Station or the bus bound for Mitaka Station. It takes 3 minutes to walk from the "Jindaiji Entrance" bus stop.
Address: 5-10-3, Jindaiji Motomachi, Chofu-shi, Tokyo Map
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7. Japanese Restaurant SEIZAN (Mita)

1. Japanese Restaurant SEIZAN (Shirokane-Takanawa / Japanese Cuisine / Kaiseki)

Situated in a quiet residential area, Japanese Restaurant SEIZAN is a starred restaurant run by a young chef. Particular care is taken in the making of the dashi here. Two types of dried fish flakes are used, katsuo (skipjack tuna) and maguro (bluefin tuna), and the amount of time the kombu is soaked in water is altered to suit the season. The Shogoin Daikon and Amadai Soup is a seasonal dish that fully showcases the flavor of this dashi. You can also try the set menu options with courses consisting of refined dishes made from ingredients such as organic vegetables that have been carefully chosen by the chef.

Japanese Restaurant SEIZAN

Open: [Tuesday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays]Dinner: 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm )

[Tuesday, Thursday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays]Lunch: 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm (L.O. 1:30 pm )
Closed: Monday
Average price: [Dinner] 17,000 JPY / [Lunch] 6,000 JPY
Access: 8 minutes walk from Shirokane-takanawa station on the Tokyo Metro subway
Address: B1F, Grande Mita, 2-17-29, Mita , Minato-ku, Tokyo Map
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8. Shunsai Oguraya (Ikejiri-ohashi)

4. Shunsai Oguraya (Ikejiri-Ohashi / Japanese Cuisine / Kaiseki)

Situated next to Ikejiri-ohashi Station, not far from Shibuya station, Shunsai Oguraya is a small restaurant that frequently attracts food connoisseurs. Enjoy dishes full of seasonal flavors that make use of an abundance of ingredients such as beef and duck reared in Yamanashi Prefecture, as well as organic vegetables. Of these dishes, you must try the Seasonal Donabe Takikomi Gohan. This mild-flavored dish consists of rice cooked until fluffy in an earthenware pot along with ingredients that change with each season, including ikura (salmon roe), sea bream, pike, and sweetfish.

Shunsai Oguraya

Open: [Opening hours] 6:00 pm - 2:00 am (L.O. 1:00 am)
Closed: Sunday
Average price: [Dinner] 6,000 JPY
Access: A 1-minute walk from the east exit of Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line, Ikejiri-Ohashi station. Follow the road that intersects diagonally with Tamagawa-dori.
Address: 2F, 2-31-18 Ikejiri, Setagaya, Tokyo Map
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9. Ginza Ishizuka (Ginza)

8. Ginza Ishizuka (Ginza-itchome / Japanese Cuisine / Kaiseki)

Ginza Ishizuka is a Japanese restaurant in Ginza. As you walk through the shop curtain and enter the shop, you can't help but be impressed by the large hinoki cypress counter. You can try seasonal cuisine made from specially selected ingredients such as fish caught in Setouchi and flown in fresh every morning, and Kagawa-produced Sanuki Wagyu olive-fed beef⁠—a meat that is not too oily or heavy but has an intense, concentrated flavor. They offer a menu with highlights such as Lightly Simmered Tonguefish and Claypot Sea Bream Rice that is loved by customers of all ages.

Ginza Ishizuka

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, Days before holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:30 pm (L.O. 1:30 pm)

[Weekdays, Saturday] 5:30 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:30 pm)
Closed: Sundays
Average price: [Dinner] 15,000 JPY / [Lunch] 2,500 JPY
Access: Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line, Ginza Ichome Station, 1 minute walk from exit number 10. After exiting, turn left at the Family Mart. It's on your left.
Address: Habiuru Ginza 5F, Ginza 1-13-8, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Map
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10. Nihonbashi Suitengu Nanatosha (Nihonbashi)

Nihonbashi Suitengu Nanatosha is a reservation only Kaiseki restaurant near Suitengu Shrine. Here, guests can enjoy a luxurious time while having Japanese masterpieces cooked before their eyes and enjoying sake. A representative item of this restaurant is the course option Boiled Clear Clam Soup. It uses natural hot spring water from Kagoshima, and is made with fine cooking techniques, such as using different seasonings depending on the season and ingredients. Nanatosha only has a counter with 6 seats, letting guests comfortably relax in a calm space.

Nihonbashi Suitengu Nanatosha

Open: [Monday, Tuesday, Thursday-Sunday] Lunch 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm (L.O. 1:00 pm) / Dinner 5:30 pm - 10:30 pm (L.O.7:00 pm)
Closed: Wednesday
Average price: [Dinner] 25,000 JPY / [Lunch] 25,000 JPY
Access: 2-minute walk from Exit 4 and Exit 5 of Suitengumae Station on the Hanzomon Line. 5-minute walk from Exit A1 or A2 of Ningyocho Station on Hibiya Line and Toei Asakusa Line
Address: 1F, 2-2-4, Kakigara-cho, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

From the traditional to the unique, there are all sorts of restaurants serving all kinds of Japanese foods. We hope you can use this article as a starting point to delve deeper into the world of Japanese cuisine.

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.

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