Tokyo Dining Guide: 17 Restaurants & Izakayas Tailored for International Entertaining

What kind of restaurants are appreciated by foreign guests?

What are the important points in choosing a restaurant for entertaining foreign guests?

Most foreign visitors to Japan want to experience something uniquely Japanese, so we recommend that you take them to a classy, relaxed Japanese restaurant.

For example, if a guest has been to Japan many times, sometimes it is a good idea to take him or her to a restaurant with an unusual flavor to leave a lasting impression.

Whether it’s a recent hot concept restaurant or a nostalgic dubatayaki restaurant used to entertain former U.S. presidents, Tokyo has many restaurants with a Japanese feel, so choose the one that best suits your guests’ tastes and experience.

Therefore, we recommend that restaurants that will please foreign guests are those with a high quality Japanese feel and a space where they can experience Japan.

Recommended Related Articles: [Characteristics of Japanese Food Culture] 15 Japanese Food Experiences Popular with Foreigners and 13 English Sentences to Use at Dinner

Why do foreign guests like Izakaya?

What is the appeal of izakaya?

When it comes to drinking establishments abroad, they are basically patronized as places to drink only alcoholic beverages, although some, like tapas in Spain or fish and chips in a British sports bar, are more like hors d’oeuvres than light meals or snacks.

Recommended related website: Japanese Whisky Experience and Differences in Alcoholic Beverage Culture

9 Izakayas by area of Tokyo for foreign guests

Here are 10 izakayas (Japanese style pubs) recommended for foreigners (Ginza, Asakusa, Ueno, Shibuya, Shinjuku) in the Tokyo area for around 5,000 yen.

Ginza Area

Dofuro Ginza 1-chome

The interior of this restaurant has a very Japanese feel to it, with a vermilion-lacquered bridge welcoming you from the entrance, stirring up images of Japan.

The menu includes not only seafood, but also soba noodles, freshly made tofu, roasted vegetables, gyoza (Chinese dumplings), and yakisoba (fried noodles), making it easy for foreigners to try the menu. There is also a wide variety of drinks, mainly sake, but also shochu and cocktails.

There is a large room for up to 96 people, making it fun to use for large parties.

［Store Facts.]

– Address: Ginza First Building B2F, 1-10-6 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

– Access: Direct connection from Exit 10 of Ginza 1-chome Station on the Yurakucho Subway Line / 5-minute walk from Exit A13 of Ginza Station on the Ginza Subway Line / 8-minute walk from Kyobashi Exit of JR Yurakucho Station

– Phone number: 03-3563-3033

– Hours: Monday – Friday, the day before national holidays: 11:30 – 14:30, 17:00 – 23:00 Saturday, Sunday: 11:30 – 23:00

– Payment information: Credit cards accepted

– Budget: 5,000 yen, with charge

Reference site: Dofuro Ginza 1-chome Branch

Private Room/Robata Cuisine Kakoiya Ginza 7-chome

One of the largest izakaya (Japanese-style pub) in the Ginza area for adults, in a revitalized old private house, under the supervision of the world’s best sake brewer.

There are several types of all-you-can-drink courses, with fresh seasonal ingredients, luxurious flavors, and superbly delicious sake.

Because of its location, there seem to be many foreign customers, and English explanations are provided on the menu, and the waitstaff can speak simple English. The popular private rooms in the old private house can accommodate from 2 to 40 people, including a private room with a kotatsu (a table placed over a sunken kotatsu), a private room with a night view, and a private room with a table.

［Store Facts.]

– Address: Ginza Lion Building 3F, 7-9-20 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

– TEL: 03-3571-5607

– Nearest station: 3 minutes walk from Ginza station on Tokyo Metro Ginza line, 7 minutes walk from Shimbashi station on JR lines

– Access: Tokyo Metro Ginza Line “Ginza” station, exit A5, go straight and turn right.

– Business hours: [Weekdays] 17:30-23:00 (L.O.Food22:15, Drink22:30) [Saturday, Sunday] 12:00-22:00 (L.O.Food21:15, Drink21:30)

– Closed: Open all year round, Year-end and New Year’s holidays

– Payment information: Average budget [Dinner] 5,000 yen [Lunch] 2,000 yen

– Credit card accepted

Reference site: “Private Room/Robata Cuisine Kakoiya Ginza 7-chome Branch

Shinjuku Area

Kanae

This restaurant is an izakaya with a retro Showa-esque atmosphere. It is especially recommended for Japanophiles.

This izakaya is very popular for its fresh seafood and fresh vegetable dishes that make the most of the quality of the ingredients.

Of course, we are particular about our sake, and you can also enjoy delicious sake paired with delicious food.

［Store Facts.]

– TEL: 03-3352-7646

– Address: B1F, 3-12-12-12 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo View map

– Hours: Monday through Saturday 16:00-23:45 (Sunday and holidays 16:00-23:00)

– Closed: December 31 through January 4

– Payment information: Average budget [Dinner] 6,000 – 7,999 yen [Lunch] 1,000 – 1,999 yen

Reference site: “Kanae

Asakusa Area

Asakusa Tokyo Sake BAL Shiobai Asakusa

A restaurant where you can enjoy delicious local sake from all over Japan. For foreigners who want to enjoy sashimi, we recommend salmon roe and squid somen.

The restaurant can accommodate from 2 to a maximum of 24 people, and can be used for a wide range of occasions from small drinking parties to large banquets.

The popular chabudai-ozashiki horigotatsu complete private room with a little staircase is chic and popular with 3 to 5 customers.

［Store Facts.]

– Address: B1F, Hirotaka Building, 1-1-2 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo

– Phone number: 03-5830-2501

– Nearest station: Asakusa station

– Open 11:30-14:00/17:00-23:30 <Sat, Sun, Holidays >11:30-23:30

– Closed all year round

– Payment information; Credit cards accepted Budget 3000-5000 yen

Reference site: “Asakusa Tokyo Sake BAL Shiobai Asakusa

Ueno Area

Shoya Ueno Honten

Many Japanese people may answer “Shoya” when they think of izakaya. The most popular menu item is the sashimi platter, which can be ordered in portions of several people, and is served in a tub with freshly cut sashimi.

In terms of alcoholic beverages, hoppies, highballs, and other uniquely Japanese alcoholic beverages are popular, and they will also make suggestions if you have a preference for dry sake or sake for women.

Hi! Yorokonde” is the watchword of this restaurant, and you will receive pleasant service, so why not extend your visit?

［Store Facts.]

– Address: 3F New Ueno Building, 7-2-5 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo

– Phone number: 03-3843-6454

– Business hours 11:30~14:00/17:00~23:00 <Saturday and holidays> 16:00~22:00

– Closest Station: Ueno

– Payment information: Credit cards accepted

– Budget sense: 5,000 yen

Reference site: Shoya Ueno Honten

Private Izakaya Ino Ueno

Private room Izakaya Ino Ueno branch boasts authentic Hakata-style “Chicken Mizutaki” and a wide variety of izakaya menus including “Chicken Mizutaki” to be enjoyed in a relaxed atmosphere in a private room with a Japanese flavor.

With fresh morning-caught seafood delivered directly from the production area, a casual izakaya menu, and a wide variety of creative dishes, the restaurant can be used for a wide range of situations.

The restaurant is conveniently located just a short walk from Ueno Station, and the Japanese atmosphere overflows with a variety of private rooms that can be used according to the number of people, from 2 to groups of 50 or more, making large banquets of up to 180 people possible.

［Store Facts.]

– Address: 2F New Ueno, 7-2-5 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo

– Phone number: 050-5571-2299/03-5830-7315

– Nearest station: 1 minute walk from Ueno Station

– Business hours: 16:00~23:00

– Closed: No regular holidays (in accordance with building closing days)

– Budget: 2000-5000 yen

– Payment Method : Credit card accepted

Reference site: “Private room Izakaya Ino Ueno

Shibuya Area

TRUNK(KUSHI)

You can enjoy dishes using “Nagoya Cochin,” a brand-name local chicken, in a completely private room with a Japanese taste.

The “Nagoya Cochin Yose-nabe” using brand-name jidori chicken and the “Kodawari Yakitori” made from Japanese domestic chicken, each skewered with care, are gems that are filled with the chef’s passion for food.

In this relaxed adult space, every seat is comfortable for stretching out your legs, and completely private rooms are available for groups of two or more.

［Store Facts.]

– Phone number: 050-5594-7287

– Address: 1F Trunk Hotel, 5-31 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

– Access: 6 min. walk from Exit 7 of Meiji-jingumae Station / 3 min. walk from Exit B1 of Shibuya Station on Hanzomon Line, Fukutoshin Line and Toyoko Line 522m from Meiji-jingumae Station

– Hours: Weekdays 12:00-3:00 KUSHI 5:00 P.M. – 11:00 Weekends & Holidays Lunch Drinking & Set Meals 12:00 – 3:00 KUSHI 5:00 – 11:00 Open Sunday

– Closed: 3rd Monday of each month (if the 3rd Monday is a national holiday, the following Tuesday)

– Budget：￥3,000～￥5,000

– Payment Method ：Cards accepted, QR code payment not accepted

– Service charge: Charge

Reference site: TRUNK(KUSHI)

Nana Shibuya Mark City

Located just a minute walk from Shibuya Station, Naodenya Rokeikan boasts an iron pot and a full lineup of alcoholic beverages.

A distinctive feature of this restaurant is the iron pot dishes prepared using “Nanbu-tekki” pots, a traditional handicraft of Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture, which bring out the best flavor of the ingredients and provide excellent stewed dishes.

The restaurant offers fresh fish dishes using seasonal vegetables and seafood shipped directly from Tsukiji, along with sake selected by a wine sommelier and a sake connoisseur (a sommelier specializing in Japanese sake).

［Store Facts.]

– Phone: 03-5428-8127

– Address: Shibuya Mark City RESTAURANTS AVENUE 4F, 1-12-5 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

– Access: 1 minute walk from JR Shibuya Station / 1 minute walk from Keio Inokashira Line / 1 minute walk from Ginza Line Shibuya Station

– Business hours: Monday – Sunday: 11:00 – 22:00

– Closed on national holidays and the day before national holidays

– Average budget 4,500 yen (regular average)3,500 yen (banquet average)1,080 yen (lunch average)

– Smart payment not accepted, credit cards accepted, electronic money not accepted, QR code payment not accepted

Reference site: ” Nana Shibuya Mark City Store

Azabu Area

Gonpachi Nishiazabu

Gonpachi became world famous for the historic “Izakaya meeting” between former President George W. Bush and former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, and for being the model for the scene in Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill”. Known as the “Kill Bill Izakaya,” Gonpachi is visited by many Hollywood celebrities when they come to Japan.

As a Japanese restaurant serving soba, kushiyaki, tempura, and other dishes, it is crowded with customers from all over Japan and the world.

The restaurant also offers a full course menu, and vegetarian course meals are available to satisfy vegetarians.

［Store Facts.]

– Phone number: 050-5571-2171

– Address: 1-13-11 Nishiazabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo

– Access : 10 min. walk from Tokyo Metro Roppongi, Nogizaka or Hiroo Sta.

– Hours: 11:30 – 3:30 (last order Food 2:45 / Drink 3:00) Lunch (weekdays) 11:30 – 15:00 Open Sunday

– Closed: Open every day

– Budget：￥4,000～￥5,999 ￥1,000～￥1,999

– Payment Method : Credit cards accepted, electronic money not accepted, QR code payment not accepted

Reference site: Gonpachi Nishiazabu

Manners and things to keep in mind when entertaining a VIP foreigner at a dinner party

Know their preferences and food culture.

Aside from food preferences, it is also important to know if there are foods that cannot be eaten due to health conditions, food philosophy or religion.

Vegetarians and Muslims should be especially careful when choosing a restaurant. Even if you go all the way to a nice restaurant, you will be in trouble if you can’t eat all the food you want.

The question is how to do the research. Of course, you can ask him or her directly, but if it is difficult, it is important to communicate well with those around you other than your guests, your secretary, and your subordinates, even on a regular basis.

Manners for dining with foreign guests

What about the pouring?

In other countries, especially in Europe and the U.S., there is no culture of pouring drinks for each other, but it is part of respectable business etiquette for Japanese to pour for the glass of the other person’s drink.

Therefore, since the manner of offering a glass of sake differs from country to country, the simplest and most natural way is to begin by offering a glass of sake in the Japanese style, with a few words such as “I beg your pardon in the Japanese style.

It is also important to know the culture of the guest’s country in advance.

Because in some Asian countries, it is impolite to drink alcohol in front of superiors, and in the West, drinking at one’s own rhythm is the basic rule, so some people feel stressed about having to keep on taking over.

It is also a good idea to ask the person you are dining with directly about the etiquette of drinking in their country before proceeding with the meal, as this will stimulate conversation.

Recommended related article: [Things that make it difficult for foreigners to understand] 10 examples of customs, manners, and culture peculiar to Japan.

What kind of conversation do you want?

Before getting into business conversation, you still want to make time to relax because it is not a meeting, and it is also a dinner.

First, let’s mention what we see in each other’s eyes. This will naturally lead to a conversation.

Once the person you are meeting relaxes, you can start a conversation by gradually talking about yourself and asking them questions about their family, pets, school days, hometown, and so on.

Recommended Related Articles: 7 Tips for Communicating Japanese Culture Practiced by Expatriates and Example Sentences in English

Characteristics of Japanese Food Culture: 15 Japanese Food Experiences Popular with Foreigners and 13 English Sentences to Use at Dinner

International protocols to be mastered

Knowing the international protocol is a reassuring preparation for a relaxed and challenging dinner with a VIP or VVIP foreigner or a meeting with someone important to the company.

International protocol is a common set of manners required for foreign dignitaries, including the order of seating at dinners and the order in which people board vehicles.

This rule may seem complicated at first glance, but once you learn it, you can freely entertain on top of the protocol because you can respond without rudeness, so even if you are not dealing with dignitary-level people, it is worthwhile to learn it.

There are many items, but just knowing the necessary parts in advance will give you more confidence in dealing with your guests.

Recommended Related Articles: [International Protocol for Entertaining Important Guests] 5 Principles of International Manners and 20 Points to Note with QA

Reactions to the appetizer

When you are shown to your table, you will be offered a 300-500 yen appetizer along with oshibori (hand towels) and chilled drinks, and the cost of the appetizer will be automatically charged to your bill.

The “oshizashi” charge, which seems commonplace to Japanese people, is considered suspicious by foreign visitors to Japan, who wonder why they are served a dish they did not order, and why it is automatically added to the price. Some people are suspicious of such a practice.

If your partner is not happy with this, let him know that it is a rule at the pub, as it is an aspect of the charge that is incurred for the seat.

However, there are many people who do not have any doubts about it because French restaurants in France also offer amuse bouche, a dish similar to an entrée.

It is also a typical Japanese system to be able to choose a menu item while having a light snack, so there is a lot of talk about appetizers.

About Souvenirs

In recent years, there has been a trend to refrain from giving gifts, but there are still times when a souvenir is given, but if the guest is on a business trip or otherwise staying for a short period of time, there are some points to keep in mind when choosing a souvenir.

Points to keep in mind with souvenirs

Japanese people tend to give sweets and other non-perishable items to each other, but foreign visitors to Japan are often happy to receive something that will be remembered for a long time. Since you are going to the trouble of giving them a Japanese souvenir, they will be happy to receive it.

summary

How was it?

In this issue, we have introduced Tokyo restaurants and izakayas recommended for business dinners with foreign guests.

Tokyo is home to many wonderful, world-class restaurants, where the Japanese spirit of once-in-a-lifetime encounters and the sincerity of hospitality can be found.

We would like our foreign guests to enjoy a relaxing moment while savoring Japanese cuisine.

We hope you will use this article as a guide to have a wonderful entertainment dinner.