Update-date: Aug 27 2020
Is it safe now to eat out in Tokyo? Is it not? It is still in the gray area. But if you need some time to refresh your mind and belly, it might be the time to go out and eat, as long as you follow the safety protocol. It is now more important than ever to carefully choose where to eat. Many restaurants are taking extra steps to prevent the spread of coronavirus. How does the new normal in Japan look like for restaurants?
Important question: Is the restaurant doing enough to prevent the virus?
Tokyo Metropolitan Government released on its official homepage in June, a list of requirements to prevent the spread of Covid-19, for restaurants wishing to remain open. These restaurants need to answer a questionnaire on the page and if all the requirements are met, they will be sent a sticker that says ”this restaurant is preventing the spread of virus." This sticker will then be posted at the entrance to assure customers that this restaurant's hygiene measures are approved by the government.
We have picked up 5 restaurants in Tokyo where hygiene and safety are the utmost importanceーother than the food.
We have picked up 5 restaurants in Tokyo where hygiene and safety are the utmost importanceーother than the food.
1. Ginza Takenoan －Kaiseki course meal
Takenoan is a high-end Kaiseki restaurant in the upscale area Ginza. Executive Chef Hiroyuki Murata, whose cooking career spans over 32 years, has been the head chef of Ginza Takenoan for more than 10 years. He is widely acclaimed for a cooking style that strives to bring the best out of the ingredients used, and for his rarely-seen capacity to combine flavors in one delicious dish.
The extensive menus here include mostly course meals, such as the fulfilling Sukiyaki Set pictured above. There is also Platinum Course, with Wagyu beef A5 grade as the main dish, as well as the affordable Lunch Course, featuring the best seafood and vegetables currently in season. Chef Murata's signature hand-made tofu is also worth the try. Made of thick soy milk, it requires careful control over proportions and the mixing methods, which is only possible with years and years of experience. There are 8 rooms, all completely private with modern chic interior, which makes it ideal for business dinners, small group gatherings, and private special occasions.
Extra Hygiene Measures against Coronavirus:
☑ Alcohol hand sanitizers are provided at the entrance.
☑ The tables are wiped periodically with a non-polluting sterilizer.
☑ One door is kept open at both lunch and dinnertime to allow more air to circulate.
☑ The tables are wiped periodically with a non-polluting sterilizer.
☑ One door is kept open at both lunch and dinnertime to allow more air to circulate.
☑ To maintain social distance, dinner time is limited to reservations for 4 groups of 10 people per day.
☑ All staff are wearing masks.
☑ Partition is set up at tables to prevent the infection through droplets.
☑ All staff are wearing masks.
☑ Partition is set up at tables to prevent the infection through droplets.
All these actions are being implemented and approved by the government, as can be seen in the sticker above!
Ginza Takenoan Main Store
Open: Normal hours: 17:30-23:00 from Monday-Friday / Last order at 22:00Saturdays from 17:30-22:00 (last order at 21:00)Lunch from 11:30-15:00 (last order at 14:30) from Monday-Saturday
Closed: Mondays
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: One minute's walk from exit B3 of Ginza Station, Tokyo Metro Ginza Line. It is on the 4th floor of the Nishi Gobangai Building.
Address: Nishi Gobangai Bldg. 4F, 5-6-13 Ginza , Chuo-ku, Tokyo Map
More Details Reservation
Closed: Mondays
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: One minute's walk from exit B3 of Ginza Station, Tokyo Metro Ginza Line. It is on the 4th floor of the Nishi Gobangai Building.
Address: Nishi Gobangai Bldg. 4F, 5-6-13 Ginza , Chuo-ku, Tokyo Map
More Details Reservation
2. Torigen Kamata －Yakitori
Imagine the smell of the sizzling yakitori on a charcoal grill, served in front of you while you watch the chefs grilling the chicken skewers from your counter seats. Have this delightful street food experience at Torigen Kamata, 3-minute walk away from JR Kamata Station.
From outside, you might not think this is an restaurant. But once you're in, you will soon realize this is where the locals go for the juicy chicken skewers and drinks. Regardless of the kind of skewer dish, Torigen Kamata is dedicated to savor the beauty of the moment given by each ingredient.
Extra Hygiene Measures against Coronavirus:
☑ Alcohol hand sanitizers are provided at the entrance and on the table.
☑ Acrylic plates are installed as partitions at the counter seats.
☑ All staff are required to wear masks.
☑ All staff are required to wear masks.
Torigen Kamata
Open: [Weekdays/Saturday] Normal hours 5:00 p.m.- 3:00 a.m. (last order 2:00 a.m.) [Sunday/holidays] Normal hours 5:00 p.m.- 12:00 midnight (last order 11:00 p.m.)
Closed: Sundays
Average price: [Dinner] 3,500 JPY
Access: Three minute walk from the east exit of JR Kamata Station. Take the street to the left of Mitsubishi Tokyo UFJ Bank, cross Route 11 and head 30m for the bridge, left side.
Address: 5-3-3 Kamata , Ota-ku, Tokyo Map
More Details Reservation
Closed: Sundays
Average price: [Dinner] 3,500 JPY
Access: Three minute walk from the east exit of JR Kamata Station. Take the street to the left of Mitsubishi Tokyo UFJ Bank, cross Route 11 and head 30m for the bridge, left side.
Address: 5-3-3 Kamata , Ota-ku, Tokyo Map
More Details Reservation
3. REN SKYTREE(R) VIEW RESTAURANT - Kaiseki course meal
As the name suggests, Ren Skytree View Restaurant overlooks Tokyo Skytree. Located on the top floor of Tobu Hotel Levant Tokyo, it is the perfect place for a fancy and private special occasion. On top of the magnificent view and glamour interior, Ren also serves amazing Japanese kaiseki course meals using high-quality ingredients that are in-season.
One of those course meals is the Charcoal-Grilled French Course. For the main dish, you will get Japanese black beef grilled in their original oven with binchotan charcoal. They slowly grill a big block of beef twice to be the best-conditioned, with some distance above the fire for approximately 30 minutes, to add a pleasant aroma and condense its savory taste.
Extra Hygiene Measures against Coronavirus:
☑ Alcohol hand sanitizers are provided at the entrance and on the table.
☑ All staff are wearing masks.
REN SKYTREE(R) VIEW RESTAURANT
Open: Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm) / Dinner 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 8,000 JPY / [Lunch] 3,000 JPY
Access: 3 minutes walk from A3 exit of [Kinshicho Station] on Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line / 3 minutes walk from the north exit of [Kinshicho Station] on JR Line
Address: 24F, Tobu Hotel Levant Tokyo, 1-2-2 Kinshi, Sumida-ku, Tokyo Map
More Details Reservation
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 8,000 JPY / [Lunch] 3,000 JPY
Access: 3 minutes walk from A3 exit of [Kinshicho Station] on Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line / 3 minutes walk from the north exit of [Kinshicho Station] on JR Line
Address: 24F, Tobu Hotel Levant Tokyo, 1-2-2 Kinshi, Sumida-ku, Tokyo Map
More Details Reservation
4. Dining & Bar KITSUNE - Fusion sushi
KITSUNE serves fusion cuisine called Sushine, which combines traditional Japanese sushi with French classic terrine. This delectable dish is created carefully with a lot of attention put into the firmness of the rice as well as the selection of ingredients such as cream cheese, presented with an attractive grace. If you do not like the real raw sushi and are more into the creamy Californian roll, this is where you should go.
Half of the staff comes from overseas, so no need to worry about the language barrier. They can serve you in English, French, Russian, and other languages. The place looks fun and chic with a club-like atmosphere, good for a celebration with friends!
Extra Hygiene Measures against Coronavirus:
☑ Hand disinfectants are provided at the entrance
☑ The tables, seats, and doorknobs are cleaned regularly using alcohol disinfectant
☑ Tablewares are cleaned at high temperature
☑ All staff are required to wear a mask, wash their hands and gargle frequently
☑ Shared items, such as trays and tongs, are cleaned and replaced regularly
☑ Tablewares are cleaned at high temperature
☑ All staff are required to wear a mask, wash their hands and gargle frequently
☑ Shared items, such as trays and tongs, are cleaned and replaced regularly
Dining & Bar KITSUNE
Open: [Monday-Thursday] Dinner 18:00-03:00 (Last order 02:30) [Friday, Saturday, Day Before Holiday] Dinner 18:00-05:00 (Last order 04:00) [Sunday] Dinner 18:00-03:00 (Last order 02:30) We're now open on Sundays! [Monday-Thursday] Dinner 18:00-03:00 (Last order 02:30)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 3,500 JPY
Access: Shibuya Station, East Exit. Walk along Meiji Street and cross the Namikibashi intersection. It's on the B1 floor under the Lawson 100.
Address: B1 Chatlet Shibuya 2-20-13 Higashi Shibuya-ku Tokyo 150-0011 Japan Map
More Details Reservation
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 3,500 JPY
Access: Shibuya Station, East Exit. Walk along Meiji Street and cross the Namikibashi intersection. It's on the B1 floor under the Lawson 100.
Address: B1 Chatlet Shibuya 2-20-13 Higashi Shibuya-ku Tokyo 150-0011 Japan Map
More Details Reservation
5. NINJA CASTLE - Japanese
Slip back in time to the Edo period at NINJA CASTLE, located in the corner of Asakusa, a historic town in Tokyo. When you open the door, you will enter this dark area with a thrilling feel. You will be greeted by a Ninja, which should have been extinct! You will be guided through the ninja path to the room while experiencing the training!
With their cuisine, you can feel the charms of Japan that is not affected by the changes of the times, such as Nincha Tiramisu (get it?). A delightful dessert with matcha sprinkle on top created to resemble shuriken, a ninja weapon. NINJA CASTLE is surely different from a regular restaurant.
Extra Hygiene Measures against Coronavirus:
☑ A disinfectant is installed at the entrance of the store.☑ All staff are required to wear ninja masks.
☑ Frequent ventilation at least once every 30 minutes.
☑ Because of the spacious interior, you will be seated 2 meters away from the next table.
☑ The number of seats available is limited, and each seat is given more space to maintain social distance.
☑ Temperature check before entering. Anyone with 37.5°C or higher are not allowed to enter.
☑ Frequent ventilation at least once every 30 minutes.
☑ Because of the spacious interior, you will be seated 2 meters away from the next table.
☑ The number of seats available is limited, and each seat is given more space to maintain social distance.
☑ Temperature check before entering. Anyone with 37.5°C or higher are not allowed to enter.
NINJA CASTLE
Open: 11:00 am - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,500 JPY
Access: 2 minutes walk from Tsukuba Express [Asakusa Station] (Kokusai-dori A Exit) / 3 minutes walk from [Tawaramachi Station] on Ginza Line (Exit No.3)
Address: B1F, KN Asakusa Bldg., 1-10-5 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo Map
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,500 JPY
Access: 2 minutes walk from Tsukuba Express [Asakusa Station] (Kokusai-dori A Exit) / 3 minutes walk from [Tawaramachi Station] on Ginza Line (Exit No.3)
Address: B1F, KN Asakusa Bldg., 1-10-5 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo Map
Takeout and Delivery: Takeout available from 11:30am - 8:00pm. Delivery is available via Uber Eats. Delivery by ninja is limited to Taito-ku residents
More Details Reservation
More Details Reservation
Those are 5 restaurants in Tokyo that are actively striving to combat the spread of Covid-19. Remember, if you must go out, wear your mask, wash your hands regularly, and keep the 2-meter distance with other people. Stay healthy and stay safe!
Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.
