11 Best Kaiseki and Japanese Restaurants in Ginza

Ginza is a top spot for high-end dining, especially if you're looking for Japanese cuisine.

Ginza is renowned as a luxury shopping and dining district. While the main streets are filled with French restaurants and other fine eateries, the side alleys are home to numerous hidden gems, including upscale sushi and kaiseki restaurants. With its prime location near luxury hotels, Ginza offers some of Japan's finest Japanese and kaiseki cuisine, with many restaurants featured in the Michelin Guide.

1. Nihonryori Ryugin (日本料理 龍吟) / Japanese

Nihonryori Ryugin, a renowned Japanese restaurant, has held three Michelin stars for eight consecutive years and is recognized among the World's 50 Best Restaurants. Chef Seiji Yamamoto expertly uses handpicked seasonal ingredients from across Japan to highlight their natural flavors. The menu features standout dishes such as "Matsutake Mushroom and Grilled Tilefish Soup" and "Ryugin-style Snow Crab"—a masterpiece showcasing every part of the crab. Guests can enjoy signature dishes that change with the seasons, perfectly paired with a curated selection of Japanese sake and wines. The restaurant’s serene atmosphere beautifully reflects the elegance of Japanese aesthetics.

2. Ginza Fukuju (銀座 福樹) / Japanese

The acclaimed restaurant Ginza Fukuki has earned two Michelin stars for five consecutive years and is celebrated for its exquisite Japanese cuisine. Guests are greeted by staff dressed in traditional Japanese attire. The restaurant’s signature dish, "Braised Shark Fin," is prepared with the finest ingredients, bringing out the delicate flavors of each component. The menu emphasizes seasonal dishes that capture the essence of each time of year. Inside, the restaurant provides a serene atmosphere with warm wooden decor, offering both counter seating and private rooms. While honoring traditional Japanese culinary techniques, it also features innovative creations, ensuring a truly exceptional dining experience.

3. Noto Kanazawanosachi Ginza Furuta (能登 金沢の幸 銀座 ふる田) / Japanese

The Michelin Guide-listed restaurant Noto Kanazawa no Sachi Ginza Furuta is a hidden gem of Japanese cuisine in Ginza. It specializes in dishes made with ingredients sourced directly from Kanazawa and Noto, particularly fresh seafood and vegetables delivered straight from Nanao City in Ishikawa Prefecture. Standout dishes include the “Grilled Rosy Seabass” and “Sliced Fresh Filefish Dressed with Liver Sauce.” The food and sake are artfully presented in Kutani ware, offering a feast for both the eyes and the palate. The restaurant’s serene Japanese ambiance, perfectly suited to Ginza, creates a refined and special dining experience for adults.

4. Ginza Toyoda (銀座 とよだ) / Japanese

Ginza Toyoda, a renowned high-end kaiseki restaurant, has been featured in the Michelin Guide for 17 consecutive years and has previously earned two stars, solidifying its reputation as a prestigious establishment. The current owner, who honed his skills at the esteemed Matsukawa restaurant, creates a diverse array of dishes. Fresh ingredients are sourced daily from Toyosu Market, allowing diners to savor the best of each season. The carefully selected sake pairs beautifully with the cuisine and is highly recommended. The interior, crafted from white wood in the traditional teahouse style known as sukiya-zukuri, exudes a serene atmosphere, providing a luxurious escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

5. Ginza Kousui (銀座 志翠) / Japanese

The Michelin Guide-listed restaurant Kosui is a celebrated destination for high-quality Japanese cuisine. Owner-chef Koshi Maeda, who honed his skills over 12 years at renowned establishments, including the famous Kyoto Inn Sumiya, brings a masterful blend of traditional and innovative Japanese dishes to Ginza. The restaurant is particularly known for its kaiseki cuisine, which highlights seasonal ingredients and features an abundance of seafood and produce from Shizuoka. A standout is the soup, made with Rausu-kombu kelp and dried tuna flakes known as Mejibushi. Despite its compact size, the restaurant offers both counter seating and private rooms, creating a serene, traditional Japanese ambiance enhanced by intricate decor.

6. Ginza Shigematsu (銀座 茂松) / Japanese

Shigematsu is a distinguished Japanese restaurant that has earned a Michelin star for three consecutive years. Renowned in the world of Japanese cuisine, the restaurant is helmed by owner-chef Shigeyuki Matsubara, who honed his craft at a sushi restaurant in Hachinohe, Aomori, and several other high-end Japanese eateries. Celebrated for its inventive use of seasonal ingredients, the menu features standout dishes like "Steamed Rice Mixed with Sakura Shrimp and Stem Lettuce" and "Hot Sake with Grilled Pufferfish Fins, known as Hirezake." The restaurant is praised for its creative cuisine and consistently high-quality offerings. The interior, featuring both counter seating and private rooms, creates a calm and elegant atmosphere. The carefully curated drink menu, with a focus on Japanese sake from Fukushima, perfectly complements the dishes.

7. Ginza Adachi Naoto (銀座 安達直人) / Japanese

Since 2015, Ginza Adachi Naoto has consistently earned a Michelin star for eight consecutive years. This acclaimed Japanese restaurant brings the refined flavors of traditional kaiseki dining to a more accessible setting. Owner-chef Naoto Adachi honed his craft at renowned establishments like Fujimura and Kikumi. The menu features dishes made with meticulously sourced ingredients, including eel from Kumamoto and vegetables from Yamagata. Its seasoned rice and sake-steamed abalone are particularly popular. The omakase course is available by reservation only. The serene, elegant interior offers counter seating, tables, and private rooms. A wide selection of sake and wine, including rare and exclusive labels, complements the dining experience.

8. WAGYU USHITOMI GINZA / Japanese

WAGYU USHITOMI GINZA is a celebrated Japanese restaurant known for its focus on Kuroge Wagyu beef and traditional Japanese cuisine. Signature dishes highlight premium ingredients like Ise lobster and caviar, creating a sensory experience that delights both the eyes and palate. The menu also features rare delicacies such as soft-shelled turtles, with some items available exclusively at this restaurant. In the sleek, modern interior, counter seating offers guests a front-row view of the chefs' expert craftsmanship.

9. Ginza kappou ukai nikusho (銀座 kappou ukai 肉匠) / Japanese

Ginza Kappou Ukai Nikusho is a celebrated traditional Japanese restaurant specializing in meat. It is renowned for serving Japan's finest Kobe beef, expertly grilled over Tosa binchotan charcoal. The menu features innovative beef dishes that push the boundaries of tradition, and the restaurant also offers a curated wine pairing with each dish. In addition to its regular lunch and grand courses, a special "10th Anniversary Plan" is available until December 2024. The interior blends traditional Japanese elegance with modern design, creating a sophisticated sukiya-style ambiance with unique charm.

10. Syokuzen Abe (喰善 あべ) / Japanese

The Michelin one-star restaurant Syokuzen Abe is a celebrated destination for kaiseki cuisine. The chef, trained under a renowned Kyoto master, is dedicated to preserving the traditional flavors of Kyoto in every dish. A standout is the clay pot rice, cooked in a traditional hearth, allowing diners to appreciate the subtle changes in the rice's flavor. The restaurant is also praised for its white miso soup and simmered dishes made with Kyoto vegetables. The interior, reminiscent of Little Kyoto, creates a warm and inviting atmosphere.

11. Oryori Kokoroba (御料理 心馬) / Japanese

Oryori Kokoroba, a Michelin Guide-listed kaiseki restaurant, is a beloved dining destination run by a husband-and-wife team. They take great care in preparing each dish, using fresh ingredients sourced from Toyosu Market. The restaurant's interior exudes a tranquil Japanese atmosphere, featuring counter seating made from Kiso cypress and chairs inspired by horse saddles. For lunch, their "Oyakodon Gozen"-chicken and egg on rice-is a standout favorite, accompanied by a variety of creative dishes. The dish is praised for its fluffy texture and rich, dashi-infused flavor. Dining here offers a truly blissful experience.