Authentic Japanese Dining in Tokyo

Tokyo is home to literally a million eating places, so finding a truly authentic Japanese style restaurant with an English language menu can be rather tricky. We have compiled a list of easy to find Japanese style restaurants covering a range of culinary specialties to make your taste-buds tingle with delight. Whether you are looking for noodles, Tempura or Shabu-shabu there'll be a place for you, and we've hunted out the places which are close to the main metro stations so you can find them easier (we all know how hard navigating the back streets of Tokyo can be....). Itadekimasu and enjoy discovering japan through your stomach.

(To visit the venues mentioned in this article, check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Tokyo)

Image Courtesy of: Norio NAKAYAMA

1. Tempura Tsunahachi - Shinjuku

A specialist tempura restaurant which has been sharing the delicious taste of this Japanese staple since 1923. With a range of meal sets it is easy to order and experience the taste sensation that is tempura. Tsunahachi uses the purest sesame oil to ensure their tempura has exceptional taste.

Where to find it:

3-31-8 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Phone: 03 33521012

Working Hours:
Mon-Sun: 11:00am-10:30pm (Last Order 10:00pm)

http://www.tunahachi.co.jp/en/index.html

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2. Yakiniku-Tei Rokkasen

A grilled meat restaurant serving such Japanese classics as Shabu-shabu and Sukiyaki, something you shouldn't leave Japan without trying. There is even an all-you-can-eat (and Drink) menu option which allows you 2 hours to enjoy this sumptuous Japanese feast. Located within a 2 minute walk of JR Line Shinjuku Station.

Where to find it:

Sunflower Building 6 F / 7 F, 1-3-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Phone: 03 33488676

Working Hours:
Mon-Sun: 11:00am-05:00am

http://www.rokkasen.co.jp/en/index.html

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3. Teppanyaki Madoy Shinbashi

Modern Japanese style Teppanyaki dining. Aimed at a more everyday casual style Teppanyaki as opposed to luxury Teppanyaki this is a relaxed place to enjoy this dining spectacle. You can choose from an A-la-carte style menu or a set menu starting from 6,000 yen Located within a 5 minute walk of Shinbashi Station.

Where to find it:

Kureguran Shinbashi Building, 3-4-8 Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Phone: 03 52518987

Working Hours:
Mon-Sun: 17:00-23:00

Offline reading and travel directions:

4. Toukaitei

Another restaurant specialising in Shabu-shabu and sukiyaki. Located in the luxurious Dai-Ichi Hotel Tokyo, this is another place to enjoy with someone special or someone you are trying to impress. Dinner menu starts at 6,930 Yen, while lunch starts at 2,887 Yen. Located just 2 mins walk from JR Shimbashi Station on the Yamanote line.

Where to find it:

Dai-ichi Hotel Tokyo B1, 1-2-6 Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Phone: 03 35913551

Working Hours:
Mon-Sat: Lunch: 11:30-14:30; Dinner: 17:00-22:00

http://www.hankyu-hotel.com/cgi-bin2/cms2/index_en.cgi?hid=05dhtokyo&page=rest

5. Kaiseki

A Kaiseki restaurant where you can enjoy a traditional multi course Japanese meal in elegant surroundings. Served by waitresses in traditional kimonos, while seated in relaxing surroundings overlooking Tokyo from the 51st floor of the Shinjuku Sumitomo Building. A 7 min walk from JR Shinjuku Station or a 2 min walk from Exit A6 at Tochomae station on the Toei Oedo Line. Follow the underground walkway from the West Exit and soon after you emerge from the end you will see the 51 storey Sumitomo Building standing in front of you.

Where to find it:

2-6-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, 163-0251, Tokyo, Japan

Phone: 03 59097227

Working Hours:
Mon-Fri: Lunch: 11:30-14:00; Dinner: 17:00-22:30;
Sat: Lunch 11:30-15:00; Dinner: 17:00-23:00

http://www.kitaohji.co.jp/shinjukusaryo/

6. Ginza Tenkuni

Established in 1885 as a small street stall, Ginza Tenkuni uses the finest sesame seed oil to provide you with rich variety of Japanese Tempura. Spread over 4 floors over a range of dining experiences, Ginza Tenkuni is located within a 3 minute walk of JR Shinbashi Station.

Where to find it:

8-9-11 Ginza, Chuou-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Phone: 03 35711092

Working Hours:
Mon-Sun: 11:30am-10:00pm

http://www.tenkuni.com/english.html

7. Izuei

Looking for something a bit different, then how about an eel / unagi restaurant. Unagi is a freshwater eel and is a common ingredient in Japanese cooking. Located an 8 min walk from JR Ikebukuro Station or a 3 min walk from Higashi-Ikebukuro Station on the Yurakucho Subway Line. This restaurant is in the Sunshine City Complex, a large collection of buildings in Ikebukero.

Where to find it:

Alpa 3F kuoze, 3-1, Higashiikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Phone: 03 39857092

Working Hours:
Mon-Sun: Lunch: 11:00-15:00

8. Wahhahha Fugetsu Shibuya

Specialising in Okonomi-yaki, the Japanese style savoury cabbage pancake. You will also find yaki-soba and Teppan-yaki on the menu here. Open till 3am Monday to Friday, so great place to head after a night out. Close to four stations, so it is easy to access; 1 min walk from JR Shibuya Station east exit and Tokyu Denentoshi Line Shibuya Station. 5 min walk from Keio Inokashira Line Shibuya Station and a 3 min walk from Ginza Subway Line Shibuya Station. Turn down the small street beside the Lacoste Store and you will find this little place.

Where to find it:

Futaba Building 3F, 1-15-19, Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Phone: 03 57663139

Working Hours:
Mon-Fri: Lunch: 11:30-14:30; Dinner: 17:00-23:30
Saturday & Sunday & Holiday: 11:30-23:30

http://r.gnavi.co.jp/b138100/lang/en/

9. Yakitori Namban-tei Shibuya

A long time Yakitori restaurant, offering delicious grilled skewers. Using domestic chicken delivered daily to the restaurant from a farm and prepared in the morning you can't beat the freshness. value menus are available (with unlimited drinks) to make it easy to decide which of their delicious skewers you want to savour. Handily located near no less than 7 stations making it easy to access from most parts of the city. Directly opposite the Oicity Building.

Where to find it:

Iwamoto Building 2F, 1-22-7, Jinnan, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Phone: 03 34612913

Working Hours:
Mon-Thu: 15:00-23:30
Fri & Sat & Day before holiday: 15:00-24:00
Sunday & Holiday 15:00-23:00

http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g041701/lang/en/

10. Tsukiji Kaisen Sushi Mamire

There is no food more synonomous with Japan than sushi, so to visit Japan without trying out some authentic sushi restaurants will be a crime. Located a 2 min walk from JR Ikebukuro Station West Exit.

Where to find it:

1-21-13, Nishiikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Phone: 03 59530737

Working Hours:
Mon-Sun: 24 hours

http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g454120/lang/en/

11. Sushidokoro Jun Marunouchi

A classy sushi house in Marunouchi, with a relaxing zen style interior. Although a little on the expensive side, if you pop in for lunch you will still experience the same delicious sushi at more affordable price. A short 3 min walk from JR Tokyo Station, follow the underground walkway to find it. Located a 3 min walk from JR Tokyo Station The Marunouchi south exit and a 2 min walk from Chiyoda Line Nijubashimae Station.

Where to find it:

Mitsubishi Corporation Building B1, 2-3-1, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Phone: 03 62128800

Working Hours:
Mon-Fri: Lunch: 11:30-14:00, Dinner: 17:00-22:00
Sat & Sun & Holiday 11:30-21:00

http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g763395/lang/en/

12. Hakobune Daiginjou Irori

An upmarket Izakaya offering Banquet dinners, Traditional Japanese style cuisine, Japanese sake, Charcoal grill and Oysters. Conveniently located a 5 min walk from Ginza Subway Station (A2 exit), a 3 min walk from Shimbashi Subway Station (Exit 1) and a 4 min walk from JR Shimbashi Station Ginza mouth.

Where to find it:

GINZA888 building 7F, 8-8-8, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Phone: 03 62806330

Working Hours:
Mon-Sun: 11:30-23:00

http://r.gnavi.co.jp/a318802/lang/en/

13. Kikukawa

Established for over 50 years and the techniques for cutting the fresh unagi and steaming them, to seasoning them with their traditional home-made sauce, you will be served in a manner that has been passed on from generation to generation. Located a 5 min walk from JR Shinjuku Station (West exit), a 2 min walk from Toei Ooedo Line Shinjuku-Nishiguchi Station and a 3 min walk from Seibu Shinjuku Line Seibu-Shinjuku Station.

Where to find it:

Kikukawa building 1F, B1, 7-8-3, Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Phone: 03 33692511

Working Hours:
Mon-Fri: Night: 17:00-22:00
Mon-Sat: Day: 11:30-15:00
Sat: 17:00-21:00

http://r.gnavi.co.jp/e102500/lang/en/

14. Kaede

An elegant restaurant offering traditional Japanese banquet style meals. These are meals where you are served a lot of little dishes and really get to enjoy the tastes of Japan. Located a 2 min walk from both Ginza Subway Line and Tozai Subway Line Nihombashi Station (B1 exit) and a 5 min walk from JR Tokyo Station Yaesu center mouth and Marunouchi Subway Line Tokyo Station.

Where to find it:

Nihonbashi front desk B1, 3-6-2, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Phone: 03 35161097

Working Hours:
Mon-Sat: 11:30-14:00; 17:30-20:30

http://r.gnavi.co.jp/gcsb600/lang/en/

15. Muhmu Ginza

A modern style Izakaya, serving Soba noodles, Japanese sake and Shochu (another Japanese drink). If you want to endulge in soba noodles in true Japanese fashion, there is no better place to was them down with authentic Japanese sakes and shochu. Located 1 min walk from Ginza Subway Line, Marunouchi Subway Line and Hibiya Subway Line Ginza Station and a 5 min walk from JR Yurakucho Station.

Where to find it:

646, Ginza building B1 - 2, 6-4-6, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Phone: 03 35690006

Working Hours:
Mon-Sat: 18:00-23:00

http://r.gnavi.co.jp/a243400/lang/en/

16. Tempura Sakaba Wabaru

Enjoy the taste of traditional Japanese Tempura (a dish of seafood or vegetables that have been battered and deep fried). An all you can drink menu is available also. Located a 3 min walk from JR Ebisu Station (West exit)and a 10 min walk from Hibiya Subway Line Hiroo Station.

Where to find it:

K & S building 2 1F, 1-16-2, Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Phone: 03 64503015

Working Hours:
Mon-Sat: 17:00-24:00

http://r.gnavi.co.jp/gcds001/lang/en/

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