10 Recommended Restaurants for Guests Staying at the Imperial Hotel Tokyo

The Imperial Hotel, Tokyo: A Historic Landmark in Ginza

The Imperial Hotel is one of Japan’s most renowned and historic hotels, offering a blend of tradition and elegance. Situated in the prestigious Ginza district, the hotel is surrounded by some of the finest Japanese dining establishments, including top-tier sushi, tempura (lightly battered and deep-fried seafood and vegetables), and kaiseki (traditional multi-course Japanese haute cuisine) restaurants.

For those seeking an exceptional culinary experience near the Imperial Hotel, indulging in these high-end Japanese restaurants is a must. Michelin-starred establishments in particular guarantee a level of quality and craftsmanship, ensuring a flawless dining choice every time.

Exceptional Dining Within The Imperial Hotel, Tokyo

The Imperial Hotel is home to a collection of distinguished restaurants, each offering a unique culinary experience. Among them, Les Saisons stands as the hotel’s signature dining venue, celebrated for its elegance and refined cuisine. Curated by the OMAKASE editorial team, this guide highlights the most exceptional restaurants within the hotel, ensuring guests enjoy a truly memorable gastronomic journey without leaving the premises.

In-House Michelin-Starred Dining at The Imperial Hotel, Tokyo

1. Les Saisons (レ セゾン) / French

Les Saisons is a French restaurant that has held one Michelin star for six consecutive years and earned numerous accolades on Japan’s leading gourmet review site.

Chef Thierry Voisan, formerly head chef at the renowned Le Crayeres in the Champagne region of France, skillfully blends classic French ingredients with Japanese elements such as Wagyu beef and seasonal mountain vegetables, creating dishes that reflect the changing seasons. Signature offerings include the aromatic Truffle en Croûte, a luxurious dish of whole truffles layered with foie gras and wrapped in delicate pastry, a recipe taught by a three-Michelin-starred chef. Beyond the tasting menus, the restaurant also accommodates à la carte and vegan options.

The dining room harmoniously balances the grandeur expected of The Imperial Hotel’s main dining venue with a modern, elegant ambiance. Four private rooms of varying sizes are available, catering to both intimate gatherings and larger groups.

2. Imperial Hotel Torakuro (帝国ホテル 寅黒) / Kaiseki

Imperial Hotel Torakuro has earned one Michelin star three times and is ranked among the Top 100 Restaurants in Japan on a leading gourmet review site. As the hotel’s first directly managed Japanese restaurant, it presents Wa no Dining, a culinary concept that combines traditional Japanese techniques with the hotel’s expertise in French cuisine, creating a fresh expression of Japanese dining culture.

Chef Masashi Takami, who trained at the three-Michelin-starred establishments Kagurazaka Ishikawa and Torasho, serves as the head chef of Torakuro. He offers authentic kaiseki courses crafted from seasonal ingredients. The restaurant also features an extensive selection of sake and wine, including curated tasting sets that allow guests to sample multiple varieties at once.

The interior includes an engaging counter where diners can watch the chefs at work, along with four private rooms for more intimate or formal gatherings.

8 Michelin-Starred Japanese Restaurants Near The Imperial Hotel, Tokyo

3. Tempura Kondo (てんぷら近藤) / Tempura

Just a seven-minute walk from The Imperial Hotel, Tokyo, Tempura Kondo has held two Michelin stars for 18 consecutive years, making it one of Japan’s most celebrated tempura restaurants. Chef Fumio Kondo is a pioneer in incorporating vegetables into the traditional seafood-focused Edo-style tempura, creating courses that delight guests from start to finish.

Vegetables are carefully sampled at their source, and only the finest are selected. The batter is kept extremely thin, reducing oil absorption while enhancing the natural color, aroma, and flavor of the ingredients. This approach results in tempura that is remarkably light compared to conventional styles. The signature dish, sweet potato tempura, features thick-cut sweet potatoes fried slowly over 30 minutes to lock in sweetness and depth of flavor.

The intimate counter-only dining room allows every guest to witness the skill and artistry of the tempura chefs firsthand, making for an immersive and unforgettable culinary experience.

4. Tachiguizushi Akira Shimbashi (Branch) (立喰い寿司 あきら 新橋店) / Sushi

Located just a five-minute drive from The Imperial Hotel, Tokyo, Tachigui Sushi Akira Shimbashi is a standing sushi bar that has been selected twice for the Michelin Bib Gourmand. The restaurant is run by Naonori Tajima, owner-chef of the renowned Sushi Ryusho in Shirokane Takanawa, Tokyo, offering Edo-style sushi of high-end quality in a casual, affordable standing format.

The freshest seafood is carefully sourced daily from the Toyosu Market, with meticulous attention to aging, cut thickness, and serving temperature to maximize flavor. The red vinegar–seasoned sushi rice perfectly complements each piece of fish, creating a harmonious balance of taste.

While reservations are generally not accepted, OMAKASE guests can secure both lunch and dinner bookings. English menus are provided, and the day’s selection of fish can be previewed on Instagram, allowing international diners to order with ease and confidence.

5. Ginza Fukuju (銀座 福樹) / Kaiseki

Located just a five-minute drive from The Imperial Hotel, Ginza Fukuju has held two Michelin stars for six consecutive years, establishing itself as one of Tokyo’s premier Japanese restaurants. The chefs emphasize the natural flavors of carefully selected, high-quality ingredients, ensuring each dish is both recognizable and extraordinary—praised even by other Michelin-starred chefs.

The signature dish is a braised delicacy featuring shark fin from Kesennuma, Miyagi, the chef’s hometown. Rich, flavorful stock combines with the natural sweetness of Chinese cabbage to create a deeply satisfying taste. Chef Onodera, also knowledgeable in the art of tea ceremony, presents each dish with meticulous plating in exquisite, art-like tableware, reflecting both the seasons and Japan’s cultural traditions.

The restaurant’s interior exudes traditional Japanese elegance, with both counter seating and private rooms available. Guests can savor seasonal flavors and masterful craftsmanship in a serene, refined setting.

6. Sushi Kanesaka (鮨 かねさか) / Sushi

Located just a four-minute drive from The Imperial Hotel, Tokyo, Sushi Kanesaka has earned Michelin stars for 18 consecutive years, cementing its reputation as one of the city’s premier sushi establishments. Chef Shinji Kanesaka trained for nearly a decade at top Tokyo sushi restaurants before opening his own, and he continues to showcase his craft globally through events and new ventures abroad.

The restaurant’s philosophy focuses on a harmonious balance between fish, rice, and wasabi, ensuring that each bite reaches the peak of flavor in the guest’s mouth. Meticulous attention is paid to the aging of the fish, humidity control to prevent drying, and serving temperature, all enhancing the natural taste of each piece. Guests also enjoy the artistry of the presentation, served on exquisite tableware by Kitaoji Rosanjin, one of 20th-century Japan’s most celebrated ceramicists.

Evoking the intimacy of an Edo-period tea room, the restaurant features only eight counter seats, allowing diners to experience the skill and precision of Edo-style sushi firsthand.

7. Nihonryori Ryugin (日本料理 龍吟) / Kaiseki

Just a six-minute walk from The Imperial Hotel, Tokyo, Ryugin is a renowned restaurant that has held three Michelin stars for 14 consecutive years. Chef Seiji Yamamoto is a celebrated figure in Japanese culinary circles, representing Japan at numerous international cooking conferences. Guided by his philosophy that “cooking is the art of measuring reason”, he pursues meaning in every aspect of preparation, from the precision of each knife movement to the scientific methods used to enhance the natural flavors of ingredients.

Ryugin sources seasonal, wild ingredients from across Japan to capture the essence of the nation’s natural bounty. The restaurant also offers an extensive selection of rare sake from Japan’s top breweries, complementing the culinary experience perfectly.

The elegant interior features three private rooms, and English menus along with English-speaking staff ensure a comfortable and seamless experience for international guests.

8. Kurobuta Tonkatsu Horiichi (黒豚とんかつ ほり壱) / Tonkatsu

Located just a five-minute drive from The Imperial Hotel, Tokyo, Kurobuta Tonkatsu Horiichi has been recognized by the Michelin Bib Gourmand and ranked among Japan’s Top 100 Restaurants on leading gourmet review sites. The restaurant specializes in tonkatsu (breaded and deep-fried pork cutlets) made with Kagoshima Kurobuta pork, celebrated for its rich flavor and sweet, delicate fat.

The pork is sourced fresh, never frozen, to preserve the full taste of both the lean and fatty portions. Coarse breadcrumbs and neutral rice oil are used in a double-frying process, resulting in a perfectly crispy exterior while keeping the meat juicy and tender. Guests can enhance their experience with a variety of condiments, including house-made sauce, miso sauce, or Okinawan sea salt.

The menu offers flexibility with options such as different weights of pork loin sets and filet katsu combinations. Due to the restaurant’s small size, reservations are recommended to ensure a seat.

9. Ginza Toyoda (銀座 とよだ) / Kaiseki

Located just a four-minute drive or eight-minute walk from The Imperial Hotel, Tokyo, Ginza Toyoda is a celebrated Japanese restaurant that has earned Michelin stars 11 times. Chef Seiji Funashima, trained at top establishments in Tokyo and Yokohama, presents seasonal flavors in a refined kappo-style (a multi-course meal featuring small, home-style plates) dining experience, emphasizing both tradition and creativity.

Ingredients are carefully sourced from the Toyosu Market and other regions across Japan, with the chef personally selecting only the freshest seasonal produce. Cooking techniques are tailored to each ingredient, highlighting the natural flavors with subtle, delicate seasoning. In addition to the standard omakase (chef’s choice) course, guests can opt for special seasonal courses that make full use of premium ingredients.

The warm, wood-accented interior features a counter with a lively, interactive dining experience, versatile table seating, and semi-private rooms with views over the streets of Ginza, making it suitable for a wide range of occasions.

10. Sushi Kojima (鮨 こじま) / Sushi

Just a three-minute drive or eight-minute walk from The Imperial Hotel, Tokyo, Sushi Kojima is a prestigious sushi restaurant that has earned one Michelin star six times. Chef Michio Kojima honed his skills at renowned Edomae sushi establishments such as Kyubey and Sushi Kanesaka.

Chef Kojima personally selects the freshest ingredients each morning at the Toyosu Market, building strong relationships with suppliers to ensure access to the day’s finest tuna and seafood. Ingredients are prepared at the perfect timing and using precise techniques to maximize their natural flavors.

To highlight the variety of fish, the sushi rice is carefully blended with red and white vinegar and shaped into easy-to-eat portions. The restaurant also offers a curated selection of sake, wine, and full-bodied champagne, making it ideal for guests who wish to pair fine beverages with their sushi.