10 Recommended Yakitori Restaurants in Ginza

Enjoying Yakitori in Ginza

Yakitori is a popular dish in Japanese izakayas.

Yakitori, a beloved staple of Japanese cuisine, is a popular dish served in izakaya (Japanese-style pubs) across Japan. Made by grilling chicken skewers to perfection, its simplicity is what makes it so widely cherished. Yakitori restaurants can be found throughout the country, offering one of Japan's most loved dishes. The skewers are made from various chicken parts, including different cuts of meat and organ meats, allowing diners to experience a range of flavors.

While many yakitori spots are casual and budget-friendly, there has been a rise in more upscale establishments in recent years. These higher-end places often use premium, brand-name chicken and meticulously focus on the grilling process, resulting in dishes that are as visually stunning as they are delicious.

In these premium restaurants, charcoal grilling is the standard, a technique also favored by many casual eateries. Even at more affordable places that use gas or electric grills, there is a strong emphasis on perfecting the grilling technique to ensure every skewer is cooked just right.

Yakitori restaurants in Ginza area

Ginza is a world-famous shopping district, often called the "Times Square of Japan," renowned for its concentration of luxury stores. The area is home to numerous high-end brand boutiques, as well as upscale dining options. For many Japanese people, shopping or dining in Ginza is seen as a status symbol. However, Ginza also boasts over 300 years of history, with many long-established businesses. It’s a place where you can experience both the rich traditions of Japan and the latest global trends. The dining scene in Ginza includes a variety of yakitori specialty shops, ranging from upscale restaurants that push the boundaries of culinary innovation to more casual spots that keep the beloved, traditional “yakitori for the common people” alive.

1. Yakitori Takahashi (焼鳥 髙はし)

This restaurant is featured in the Michelin Guide. The chef, Tetsuo Takahashi, is a highly skilled professional recognized by Yoshiteru Ikegawa, the chef of the renowned yakitori restaurant Torishiki, and has been entrusted with managing one of its branches. The restaurant serves "Tanzawa Jiguro Shamo," a rich-flavored chicken raised in the deep mountains of Kanagawa. The menu offers only an omakase (chef's choice) course, but guests can order additional items as well. While rice dishes are not included in the course price, they can be added for an extra fee. The highlight here is the oyako-don, featuring a soft-boiled egg that envelops the rice and chicken, resulting in an exquisite flavor.

2. Omino Tsubaki (おみ乃 椿)

Omino Tsubaki is the Ginza branch of Omino, which has its main location in Asakusa and holds a Michelin one-star rating. The restaurant, opened by owner-chef Masayoshi Omino as a new endeavor, features a tranquil atmosphere with just seven counter-seats for a more intimate dining experience. The chicken served here is meticulously chosen by the chef from various top-quality branded chickens across the country, ensuring only the best options are used. Several types of binchotan charcoal are employed, allowing the chef to adjust the heat according to the type of chicken and the specific cuts being grilled. While the restaurant offers only an omakase course, a range of side dishes is served alongside the yakitori, further enhancing the enjoyment of the grilled chicken.

3. Ginza Yakitori Kyotamba (銀座やきとり 京丹波 )

Opened in 2024, Ginza Yakitori Kyotamba is a new yakitori restaurant that serves the rare and high-quality Takasaka Chicken. Developed by Hideki Takasaka after years of research, this chicken is considered the pinnacle of poultry and is raised in the Kyotamba region of Kyoto. It is highly esteemed among food connoisseurs, and only a few yakitori restaurants offer this exclusive chicken, making it a true gem. Takasaka Chicken is incredibly delicious even when served raw, and the restaurant features several dishes that showcase its exceptional qualities as one of its specialties.

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4. Ginza BIRD LAND (銀座バードランド)

1. Michelin (2010 - 23): One Star
2. Michelin (2024): Selected

This yakitori restaurant has proudly held a Michelin one-star rating. Located right across from the famous sushi spot Sukiyabashi Jiro, this area has become a true hotspot for food lovers from around the globe. The restaurant features a counter surrounded by tables, giving guests a front-row seat to the cooking process. There are two omakase courses available, both starting with appetizers and chicken liver pâté, but differing in the number of dishes served. The chicken served here is Okukuji Shamo, a breed raised in the remote mountains of Ibaraki, grilled to perfection over charcoal. The rich umami flavor delivers an extraordinary sense of delight. Guests can bring their own wine for a corkage fee, so it’s advisable to check the restaurant's website or call for details regarding the fee and other information.

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5. Yakitori Hirano (焼鳥 ひら野)

1. Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2023)

Yakitori Hirano has earned a spot among the Best 100 yakitori restaurants on Japan's leading gourmet review site. Chef Ikuji Hirano honed his skills at the Michelin one-star yakitori restaurant Seo before opening his own establishment in 2022, where he quickly gained popularity. The restaurant features Kai Shingen Chicken, which is expertly grilled over high-heat binchotan charcoal. This method results in a beautifully crispy exterior while keeping the meat juicy and tender, perfectly highlighting the qualities of Kai Shingen Chicken. Additionally, a small tatami-style mat is provided at the counter for guests to place their smartphones, demonstrating the owner’s thoughtful attention to customer comfort.

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6. Yakitori Tsukiya (焼鳥 月や)

Yakitori Tsukiya offers a chance to savor the premium Date Chicken. Founded by Takenori Kato, who trained at a Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant, this establishment embodies his commitment to perfecting yakitori. The Date Chicken is prepared just four hours before guests arrive, ensuring it’s fresh and in top condition for grilling. The chef’s expert grilling technique enhances the chicken’s fruit-like sweetness and rich flavor, allowing diners to fully enjoy its exquisite taste.

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7. Tori Yoshi Ginza (鳥よし 銀座店)

1. Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2018,19,21,23)

Established in 1994, this yakitori restaurant is a traditional spot recognized as one of the Top 100 yakitori restaurants by a leading Japanese gourmet review site. While the atmosphere is casual, the restaurant prides itself on using high-quality, locally sourced Date chicken. The yakitori, expertly grilled by skilled artisans, is truly outstanding. Many chefs who have trained here go on to open their own acclaimed yakitori restaurants in Tokyo.

The yakitori is served omakase-style, meaning there’s no set number of courses; dishes are served one after another until the guests say "stop." It’s a good idea to let the chefs know in advance how much more you think you can eat as you enjoy your meal. The menu also includes options like grilled vegetables, so be sure to communicate how much of those you’d like as well.

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8. Ginza Kicho (銀座 希鳥)

Ginza Kicho is a yakitori restaurant that features Miyazaki Jitokko, a premium chicken brand from Miyazaki. Raised in a rich natural environment, Miyazaki Jitokko is known for its tender, elastic meat and exquisite flavor that intensifies with every bite. One of the standout aspects of this restaurant is the wine pairing with yakitori. They offer a wide selection of wines that complement the dishes, many of which can be enjoyed by the glass. The menu is available only as a course until around 8:30 PM, after which you can also order à la carte. It's a good idea to check with the restaurant for specific times.

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9. Takechan (武ちゃん)

1. Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2019,21)

Nestled in the heart of Ginza, this yakitori restaurant has a casual vibe and offers reasonable prices, yet it has earned a spot among Japan’s Top 100 on a major gourmet review site. It boasts a loyal following across the political, business, and entertainment spheres, thanks to its delicious offerings and over 60 years of history.

You can start by choosing a course with either 5 or 8 skewers. After that, feel free to order more items or ask for additional skewers of your favorites. It's common for the staff to inquire if you'd like to add pickles and asparagus rolls, which aren’t part of the course; both are highly recommended, so if you have room, consider adding them. The yakitori, grilled over premium binchotan charcoal, is exceptionally tasty for the price. While reservations aren’t taken, the average dining time is about an hour per person, so even if you encounter a line, you won't have to wait long.

10. Miyashin (宮新)

1. Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2021)

This yakitori restaurant offers surprisingly reasonable prices for a dining spot in Ginza and has earned recognition as one of Japan's Top 100 by a major gourmet review site. Located on the second floor of the well-known Toriyoshi Ginza, Miyashin is unique in that the legendary Yoshito Inomata, the founder of Toriyoshi, is the one grilling the skewers. After honing his skills at the esteemed Torinaga in Roppongi, Inomata ventured to Paris, where he showcased the true essence of yakitori to the world before returning to Japan to establish Toriyoshi. His reputation attracts a steady stream of customers eager to experience his yakitori. Reservations are available for entry between 4 PM and 7 PM.