9 Fancy and Delicious Restaurants for Your Foodie Break in Himeji Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Reservation Guide-

Update-date: May 11 2023

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

9 Fancy and Delicious Restaurants for Your Foodie Break in Himeji

If you're organizing a date in Himeji, but don't know which restaurant to pick, try one of these! It's important to check the menu and atmosphere of a place before you take your special one there, isn't it? These restaurants serve delicious must-eats prepared in ways that get the best out of the local Himeji ingredients. Even if you're not going on a date, as long as you're in the mood for tasty food and a fancy atmosphere, this list will come in handy.

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

1. Himeji Sushi-Ichi

Here you can savor carefully selected seafood freshly caught in the Seto Inland Sea. They use fish caught on the very same day, so the price depends on the market value at the time of order. You must definitely head here if you're up for some fresh fish! Grilled eel is a classic of Himeji cuisine, but Himeji Sushi-Ichi uses the rare domestically produced eel and steams it instead. Their steamed [Anago Sushi] (eel sushi) truly enhances the flavor of the eel, creating a perfect balance with the rice. If you're interested in tasting this unique delicacy for yourself, don't miss Himeji Sushi-Ichi!

Himeji Sushi-Ichi

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, Holidays, Day Before Holidays] Dinner 4:30 pm - 10:00 pm / Lunch 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Closed: Sunday
Average price: [Dinner] 12,000 JPY / [Lunch] 4,000 JPY
Access: Exit JR Himeji Station and head toward Himeji Castle. Turn left at the sixth corner, and you will come across the restaurant on the left just before Prefectural Road 62.
Address: 35 Sakamoto-machi, Himeji, Hyogo (Map)
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2. Otozure Himeji Station Branch

Entirely equipped with private rooms, Otozure Himeji Station Branch is where you want to go with your date or your mates to enjoy shabu-shabu (meat parboiled with vegetables) made with delicious beef tongue, which just so happens to be super popular with health-conscious diners. Aside from that, the menu is huge, so you'll have to pay the restaurant more than one visit to taste everything. You won't be able to stop yourself from eating a lot! As an alternative, consider ordering the [Otozure Deluxe! Meat Assortment Platter] to get a bunch of different meat cuts carefully selected by the chef himself that day. Also, do pair your meat with alcoholic drinks!

Otozure Himeji Station Branch

Open: 4:00 pm - 12:00 am (Food L.O. 11:00 pm, Drinks L.O. 11:30 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY *Courses with all-you-can-drink options start from 2,900 JPY! By itself, the all-you-can-drink plan is 980 JPY for 2 hours! Rich all-you-can-eat plans available
Access: 2-minute walk from Himeji Station. It's on the 2nd floor of IMAGE21, near the train station.
Address: 2F, IMAGE21 Bldg., 242, Ekimae-cho, Himeji-shi, Hyogo

3. Mutsuki

At Mutsuki you can enjoy authentic kaiseki cuisine (traditional Japanese course meal). Kaiseki restaurants are usually associated with a formal atmosphere, but this one is pretty easy-going and the prices are reasonable as well. Its tranquil Japanese-style interiors are perfect for enjoying a quiet meal alone or together with a special someone. The [Refreshing Summer Vegetable Jelly] contains 7 types of summer vegetables, sea grapes, fresh sea urchin from Awaji, and water shield, which create a colorful dish. Enjoy the seasonality of the ingredients with both your eyes and tastebuds.

Mutsuki

Open: [Monday, Tuesday, Thursday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm), Dinner 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
Closed: Wednesday
3rd Tuesday of the month
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 3,000 JPY
Access: From Sanyo Himeji Station, take the bus and get off at Minami Yashiro
Address: 20-10, Minami Yashiro-cho, Himeji-shi, Hyogo Map
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4. Chura Vista

Walk 5 minutes from Himeji Station to get to Chura Vista. It serves food made with Okinawan products, offering you a full Okinawa experience. In fact, other than food, you'll also find plenty of Okinawan drinks. It'll honestly feel as if you've actually teleported there! Check out the [Ninjin Shirishiri], a staple made by stirfrying tuna, carrots, and eggs with sesame oil. Despite its simplicity, its rich flavor will create a nostalgic feeling even for those who've never been to Okinawa! Plus, the waitresses always welcome you with a smile, making you want to go back over and over again. Go to Chura Vista when you crave delicious Okinawan cuisine!

Chura Vista

Open: [Weekdays] 3:00 pm - 1:00 am
[Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays] 1:00 pm - 1:00 am
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 2,000 JPY / [Lunch] 800 JPY
Access: 5-minute walk from JR Himeji Station heading towards Himeji Castle. It's on the left side with the traffic light.
Address: 1-2F, Hashimoto Bldg., 323, Ekimae-cho, Himeji-shi, Hyogo

5. Omotenashi Kiko

Walk through the noren (traditional curtain hanging outside of Japanese restaurants) of Omotenashi Kiko, and you'll find yourself in a classic Japanese atmosphere. In this sophisticated restaurant, not only are the ingredients meticulously selected by the chef himself, but there's also a wine cellar filled with bottles of alcohol to match the delicious food. Their [Abalone Tempura] goes very well with wine and is unbelievably tender. Its rich texture makes it an absolute must-eat! Other than that, try the [Puffer Fish and Shark Fin Ankake]. It's an unusual dish since shark fin is pretty rare in Japan, but it looks gorgeous and tastes so good, you'll feel like you don't deserve it! This restaurant is perfect for a somewhat classy date.

Omotenashi Kiko

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, Day before National Holidays] Dinner 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Closed: Sunday, National Holidays
(on Sunday and National Holidays, it opens only upon reservation)
Average price: [Dinner] 8,000 JPY
Access: 5-minute walk from Sanyo Himeji Station heading north. At the Fukunaga Eye Clinic on the 2nd crossing after the Shirogane intersection, turn left and you'll find the restaurant on the right side after the first crossing.
Address: 2F, No. 2 Yagi Bldg., 26, Tate-machi, Himeji-shi, Hyogo Map
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6. Rosso Piccolino

Rosso Piccolino is highly rated not only by locals, but also by foreign tourists. It serves genuine Italian-based yoshoku (Western-inspired cuisine) made with delicious seasonal ingredients. Their menu filled with dishes like pasta, omurice (omelet over rice), and confit are both beautiful and delicious, so this restaurant is strongly recommended to yoshoku lovers! The friendly chef always makes sure to make you feel comfortable, to such an extent that you'll feel at home even if it's your first time here! Their most famous pasta dish is the [Plump Shrimp and Avocado Cream Sauce Pasta], wherein the green avocado and red tomato are well balanced and match divinely with the pasta. This is one strong contendor for family meals and dates. If you liked the description, make sure to pay it a visit.

Rosso Piccolino

Open: [Monday - Wednesday, Friday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm) *Reservations not available for lunch on Saturday, Sunday, and national holidays / Dinner 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)
Closed: Thursday
Average price: [Dinner] 2,300 JPY / [Lunch] 1,500 JPY
Access: From Himeji Castle, take the Jonan Street west and you'll find the restaurant right after you've passed Koko-en Garden and Ichinohashi Gate. Alternatively, a 5-minute drive from Himeji Station. Reservations only available by phone.
Address: 1F, OSS Bldg., 5, Oka-machi, Himeji-shi, Hyogo

7. Kingyoran

The chef of Kingyoran thoroughly selects and imports in ingredients from various Southeast Asian countries. Then, he crafts delicious authentic Southeast Asian dishes tailored to the taste of the Japanese. There are so many options that there's sure to be something for everyone! The content of the [Lunch of the Day] varies on a daily basis, but it's always something creative and unique that invites people to come back multiple times! Whether you're a huge fan of Southeast Asian food or you're just curious, you'll definitely like Kingyoran!

Kingyoran

Open: [Monday, Wednesday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:00 am - 4:00 pm (L.O. 3:00 pm), Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm (Food L.O. 9:00 pm, Drinks L.O. 9:30 pm)
Closed: Tuesday, Irregular closures on Monday
Average price: [Dinner] 2,500 JPY *Courses from 2,500 JPY (+1,600 JPY for the all-you-can-drink plan, reservations required) / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY *8 kinds of daily lunch meals and lunch platters available. Kid's lunch platter is also available.
Access: 10-minute walk from Himeji Station heading north on Omizosuji Shopping Street. It's on the right side of Omizosuji.
Address: 1F, KJ Bldg., 77, Konya-machi, Himeji-shi, Hyogo Map
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8. NEXT

NEXT is recommended for groups of friends and couples. The atmosphere alone is a true delight and will put you in a good mood! There are plenty of drinks available and good audio equipment, so while it's perfect for a casual hangout with friends, it is also suitable for drinking parties and wedding after-parties. The [Chicken Teri-Mayo] is dressed with just the right amount of mayonnaise. Add on their unique sauce that matches beautifully with the mayonnaise and you've got a dish that you won't be able to stop eating once you've taken your first bite! Needless to say, this dish is super popular among the restaurant's regular customers.

Open: [Monday - Wednesday, Friday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] 6:00 pm - 1:00 am (L.O. 12:30 am)
Closed: Thursday
Average price: 2,000 JPY
Access: 5-minute walk from Himeji Station. It's right next to the Chugoku Bank Himeji Branch.
Address: 2F, Sun Parking Bldg., 5, Tate-machi, Himeji-shi, Hyogo

9. Sainte Vierge Maison

You'll feel like royalty as soon as you open the door of Sainte Vierge Maison. Made with ultra-fresh ingredients, their [Flounder and White Asparagus Rolls with White Wine Sauce] is characterized by a well-balanced combination of a rich sauce with asparagus. It truly brings out the flavor of fresh asparagus to the fullest. The sauce is made from a fish stock base boiled down with white wine. If you're organizing an anniversary party, a date, or just a meal with your loved one, Sainte Vierge Maison is the place for you.

Sainte Vierge Maison

Open: [Monday, Wednesday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm), Dinner 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 8:00 pm)
Closed: Tuesday
*Closed on a different day instead if Tuesday is a national holiday.
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 3,000 JPY
Access: It's 400m (6-minute walk) away from Sanyo Himeji Station.
Address: 23, Konya-machi, Himeji-shi, Hyogo (Map)

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.