Top 5 Tokyo Restaurants Where You Can Experience Food and Traditional Culture Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Guide-

Update-date: Oct 29 2024

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

Categories: Culture Tokyo Japanese Cuisine

Top 5 Tokyo Restaurants Where You Can Experience Food and Traditional Culture

When visiting Tokyo, one naturally seeks to experience not only the gourmet delights but also the traditional culture of Japan. There are restaurants where one can enjoy both at once. These include a 'Yakatabune' that continues the elegant Edo-period boat rides, a Sushi restaurant where guests can enjoy Matcha in a tea room, and Japanese restaurants and Izakayas themed around Sumo and Shogi, making for memorable additions to any traveler's journey. Five such establishments have been selected.

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

Yakatabune Amiko

Enjoy traditional Japanese cuisine on a 'Yakatabune' boat while touring famous sites

Enjoy Japanese cuisine on a traditional 'Yakatabune' boat while touring famous sites

Yakatabune Amiko is located just a 5-minute walk from Asakusa Station. Guests can enjoy dining and parties aboard a 'Yakatabune' (houseboat) while cruising through Edo River, Sumida River and Tokyo Bay. The experience offers a unique perspective of famous Tokyo landmarks such as the Skytree and Odaiba, with views and panoramic nightscapes that can only be appreciated from the water.

Houseboats offer both a 'Charter Plan' (starting from 15 people) and a 'Shared Plan' (starting from 2 people). Their proud cuisine features fresh "Sashimi boat platter" starting with bluefin tuna sourced from Tsukiji Market, and freshly fried "Tempura assortment" cooked on board. Drinks are unlimited, and in addition to the regular course meals, there is also a luxurious course that includes grilled abalone on a ceramic plate.

Yakatabune Amiko

Open: 8:00 am - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 12,000 JPY / [Lunch] 12,000 JPY
Access: Free shuttle buses are available from each station (for 25 people or more)
Address: 1-1, Imado, Taito-ku, Tokyo
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Oku-Akasaka Sushi Tanji

Experience Sushi and tea ceremony, the essence of Japanese culture and hospitality

Experience sushi and tea ceremony, the culture and hospitality of Japan

A six-minute walk from Akasaka Station, Oku-Akasaka Sushi Tanji is a rare Sushi restaurant featuring a tea room inside. After enjoying a Sushi course at the counter, guests can be treated to Matcha and traditional Japanese sweets by a proprietress who holds a tea ceremony qualification. The beautiful Japanese sweets, reflecting the seasons, are handmade by the proprietress. A tea ceremony experience can also be arranged in advance.

The menu exclusively features a daily "OMAKASE course". It primarily includes Sushi made with seasonal fresh fish directly delivered from the Goto Islands, along with a variety of delicately crafted dishes using carefully selected ingredients. Guests can savor the chef's meticulous and refined skills with each dish, both visually and taste-wise. The restaurant also accommodates English speakers, ensuring a comfortable dining experience.

Oku-Akasaka Sushi Tanji

Open: [Wednesday-Saturday, National Holidays, Day Before National Holidays] Dinner 7:00 pm - 10:30 pm (L.O. 7:00 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 18,000 JPY
Access: 6-minute walk from Akasaka Station (Exit 7) on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line
Address: 1F, Tokyo Metropolitan Pipe Construction Hall, 6-15-14, Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
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Suijin-En

Enjoy Japanese cuisine and traditional beauty in the historic town of Jindaiji Monzen.

Located about 15 minutes by bus from Chofu Station, Suijin-En is situated in the historic temple town of Jindaiji, surrounded by rich nature and historical landscapes. The restaurant features a beautiful Japanese garden that changes with the seasons. The first floor offers a glass-enclosed dining area enveloped in greenery, while the second floor has a variety of large and small traditional Japanese-style private rooms, and even includes a separate residence built in the Sukiya-style architecture. All Japanese-style rooms are equipped with tables and chairs, allowing guests to relax and enjoy a course of Japanese cuisine.

The restaurant prides itself on Japanese cuisine that incorporates an abundance of seasonal ingredients throughout the year. Fresh seafood sourced from Toyosu and sirloin steak of Wagyu beef are among the carefully selected ingredients that are best enjoyed in their respective seasons. It is also a delight that a Sake expert is always on hand to select the perfect Japanese Sake to complement the dishes. The Soba, which concludes the course, is handcrafted daily within the restaurant, offering an exceptional aroma and texture.

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
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Chanko Sakaba Edosawa Ryogoku-Ekimae Branch

Enjoy the Sumo wrestler's cuisine 'Chanko Nabe' in Ryogoku, the town of Sumo

Enjoy the sumo wrestler's dish 'Chanko Nabe' in Ryogoku, the town of sumo.

Located just a one-minute walk from Ryogoku Station, Chanko Sakaba Edosawa Ryogoku-Ekimae Branch is easily recognizable by the large 'Mawashi' (Sumo belt) visible from the platform. The restaurant is decorated with Sumo paintings and ranking charts throughout. It features a large counter seating area that can accommodate over 20 guests, offering comfortable 'Horigotatsu' style seating where one can stretch their legs and relax. Private rooms are also available for those who wish to enjoy a leisurely time with family or friends.

Since 1974, the restaurant has preserved the taste handed down from its founder, a former Sumo wrestler, specializing in 'Chanko Nabe'. This robust yet healthy hot pot dish is cooked with an abundance of vegetables, meat and seafood in a flavorful broth. Guests are invited to savor the deliciousness of the restaurant's signature chicken bone broth. Additionally, the restaurant offers Sushi and Sashimi directly delivered from Toyosu Market and the famous Misaki Port, as well as Sukiyaki made with domestic beef.

Chanko Sakaba Edosawa Ryogoku-Ekimae Branch

Open: [Monday, Wednesday-Sunday, National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm) / [Monday, Wednesday-Saturday] Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm) Drink L.O. 10:30 pm / [Sunday, National Holidays] Dinner 5:00 pm - 9:30 pm (L.O. 8:30 pm) Drink L.O. 9:00pm
Closed: Tuesday
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,500 JPY
Access: 50 meters to the right from the East Exit. A large signboard of Mawashi ( sumo wrestlers wear) is visible from the station platform.
Address: 3-26-4, Ryogoku, Sumida-ku, Tokyo
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Kangi-en

In a restaurant filled with Shogi goods, they serve specialty dishes inspired by Shogi.

In a restaurant filled with shogi-themed goods, they serve specialty dishes inspired by shogi.

Located just a 7-minute walk from Sendagaya Station, Kangi-en is a Japanese restaurant themed around Shogi (Japanese chess). The interior is adorned with items related to famous Shogi players and numerous Shogi pieces, and guests can also enjoy playing games on Shogi boards available for rent. Not far from the restaurant, Hatomori Hachiman Shrine houses the 'Shogi Hall,' where professional players often visit to pray for improvement in their skills. It's a perfect spot to drop by after visiting the shrine or while on a stroll.

Not only for Shogi fans but also for those visiting Sendagaya, the "Specialty! Kangi-en Seiro Steamed" dish is a must-try. This healthy and unique dish features meat and vegetables steamed in a custom-made Seiro shaped like Shogi pieces. Additionally, the restaurant offers other delightful dishes such as "Tamagoyaki with the restaurant's brand stamp", flavorful "100% buckwheat Zaru Soba", and dishes using fresh fish delivered directly from Toyosu Market, all of which pair wonderfully with Japanese Sake.

Kangi-en

Open: [Friday,Day Before Holidays] Dinner 6:00 pm - 12:00 am (last order 11:00 pm)[Monday - Thursday] Dinner 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm (last order 10:00 pm)
Closed: (Negotiable for 8 people)
Average price: [Dinner] 8,000 JPY
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Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.