Fukuoka’s Finest 16 Kaiseki and Japanese Dining Experiences by Price Range

Enjoying Kaiseki & Japanese Cuisine in Fukuoka

To experience the true grace of kaiseki or refined Japanese cuisine, be prepared to invest at least 10,000 yen per guest. Fukuoka is home to a wealth of culinary talent, including masters who have refined their skills in Tokyo’s most celebrated kitchens. Their creations rival the sophistication found in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto—yet here, the experience comes with a quieter luxury: exceptional craftsmanship at a more approachable price.

8 Exceptional Kaiseki and Japanese Dining Experiences in Fukuoka from 20,000 yen

1. Imoto (井本) / Yakuin

Highly acclaimed on Japan’s leading gourmet review platform, Imoto offers unpretentious Kyoto cuisine that lets the natural flavors of the ingredients shine. Chef Tatsuya Imoto, a prodigious talent who trained at prestigious Kyoto establishments, established the restaurant independently at the young age of 29.

Using carefully selected seasonal ingredients sourced from across Kyushu, Chef Imoto elevates each dish with the delicate techniques of Kyoto cuisine. He masterfully combines complementary flavors in a simple yet refined way, allowing each component to enhance the other.

The monthly omakase course features around ten dishes, offering a rich journey through the season’s freshest tastes.

2. Chisou Nakamura (馳走なかむら) / Hakata

Japan Restaurant Award, Best100 (2023)

Japan Restaurant Award, Bronze (2023, 25)

Chisou Nakamura is a celebrated destination that has earned two Michelin stars and multiple accolades on a renowned gourmet review platform. Within an intimate, tea room–inspired setting, guests can immerse themselves in an impeccably crafted, traditional kaiseki course.

Chef Toru Nakamura honed his skills at a Japanese restaurant in Nara, as well as through hands-on experience at Fukuoka’s wholesale market and fresh fish retailers. Sourcing seasonal ingredients from across Kyushu and throughout Japan, he creates dishes that embody the changing seasons with elegance and diversity.

The restaurant offers an expertly curated sake selection with around 20 varieties, allowing for thoughtful pairings. With English menus and private rooms available, Chisou Nakamura is an exceptional choice for international guests seeking a refined taste of Japanese culinary artistry.

3. Shirokane Nishida (白金にし田) / Tenjin

Awarded a Michelin star in 2019, Shirokane Nishida offers a dining experience that celebrates the poetry of Japan’s changing seasons. Chef Shingo Nishida, trained in distinguished kitchens in Kyoto and Fukuoka, expresses the bounty of each season through his refined Japanese cuisine.

Guided by the philosophy that “a chef is an interpreter of the seasons,” he designs each course around ingredients that best embody the moment. His approach is one of elegant restraint, enhancing the natural character of each ingredient without unnecessary embellishment. The drink list features a thoughtful selection of sake and wine to complement the dishes.

The serene, Japanese-inspired interior includes two fully private rooms, allowing guests to enjoy their meal in complete comfort and privacy.

4. Kanadu (奏づ) / Yakuin

Selected for the Michelin Guide in 2019, Kanadu is an exclusive Japanese-style steakhouse that welcomes only one group per day. Guests can indulge in premium steaks and sukiyaki—a traditional hot pot of thinly sliced beef simmered with vegetables in a sweet-savory broth—alongside the freshest seafood, such as sashimi and kombujime (fish cured between sheets of kelp), and seasonal vegetables sourced at their peak.

The omakase (chef’s choice) course, comprising around twelve carefully composed dishes, is a celebration of simplicity. Each plate is crafted to highlight the innate character of its ingredients, free from unnecessary adornment, allowing pure flavors to shine.

With its completely private setting reserved for a single party each day, Kanadu offers a rare opportunity to savor a leisurely, bespoke dining experience in total seclusion.

5. Japanese creative restaurant NAGAOKA (日本料理 ながおか) / Tenjin

Awarded a Michelin star in 2019, Japanese creative restaurant NAGAOKA is helmed by Chef Shugo Nagaoka, who crafts innovative Japanese cuisine using local ingredients from his native Yamaguchi and the broader Kyushu region. Having trained in Amsterdam, Chef Nagaoka is passionate about sharing authentic Japanese flavors with an international audience.

The signature course begins with a comforting warm rice porridge, followed by around ten seasonal dishes that highlight the essence of each ingredient. The meal culminates with the iconic “donabe gohan” — rice cooked in a traditional earthenware pot, celebrated across Japan for its rich flavor and texture.

A thoughtfully curated selection of wines from Burgundy and crisp, dry Japanese sake complements the cuisine perfectly. Private dining rooms accommodating four and six guests provide an intimate setting for a leisurely, immersive experience.

6. Matsuyama (御料理 まつ山) / Kitakyushu

Japan Restaurant Award, Bronze (2021, 23)

Japan Restaurant Award, Silver (2022, 24)

Renowned on Japan’s leading gourmet review platform, Matsuyama is a distinguished establishment led by Chef Teruzo Matsuyama, who refined his skills in Kitakyushu’s premier Japanese and kappo (refined Japanese cuisine) restaurants. His cuisine eloquently expresses Japan’s four seasons and the five traditional seasonal festivals through masterful plating and flavor.

Sourcing the finest seasonal ingredients primarily from across Kyushu, Chef Matsuyama surprises guests with inventive combinations and creative flair that celebrate both tradition and innovation.

The extensive sake selection, refreshed each season, is another highlight. The chef carefully selects the perfect bottles to complement each dish, tailoring recommendations to both the menu and individual guest preferences.

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7. Narayamachi Ao (奈良屋町 青) / Hakata

Japan Restaurant Award, Bronze (2022, 23, 24)

Celebrated on Japan’s premier gourmet review platform, Narayamachi Ao offers an innovative take on Japanese cuisine that transcends traditional boundaries. Chef Hideyuki Kaneda, who trained at renowned French and Japanese establishments and draws inspiration from his travels around the world, crafts dishes that are both inventive and deeply rooted in seasonal ingredients.

The omakase course, featuring around 15 thoughtfully composed dishes, often incorporates luxurious elements such as foie gras and truffles. Western influences shine through in creative touches like desserts designed to resemble pears and delicate jellies.

For an elevated experience, guests can opt for an expertly paired drink selection, thoughtfully curated to enhance the flavors of the meal.

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8. Chakaiseki Nakahan (茶懐石 中伴)

Awarded two Michelin stars in 2019, Chakaiseki Nakahan offers an authentic yet approachable experience of traditional cha-kaiseki — a refined multi-course meal served alongside Japanese tea ceremonies. Chef Ryo Nakagawa, trained at Kyoto’s esteemed Hyotei, is committed to delivering dishes at their peak freshness, preparing dashi broth from premium bonito and tuna flakes, and perfectly timing the rice to each guest’s arrival.

The omakase course, featuring around ten meticulously crafted dishes, uniquely begins with the cha-kaiseki staple “ichiju-sansai” — one soup and three side dishes — rather than ending with it. After enjoying seasonal ingredients and richly flavored dashi, the meal concludes with usucha (thin tea), capturing the essence of cha-kaiseki.

This is a rare opportunity to immerse yourself fully in Japan’s elegant traditional culinary heritage.

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8 Top Kaiseki and Japanese Dining Spots in Fukuoka Between 10,000 yen and 20,000 yen

9. Sensui (千翠) / Yakuin

Japan Restaurant Award, Best100 (2021)

Japan Restaurant Award, Bronze (2020, 21)

Recognized as a Selected Restaurant in the Michelin Guide and celebrated on Japan’s leading gourmet review site, Sensui is a renowned establishment helmed by Chef Hideki Matsuo, who transitioned from French to Japanese cuisine in pursuit of creating “Japanese dishes unique to Fukuoka.”

The restaurant offers two omakase courses that showcase the freshest seasonal ingredients, focusing on seafood from Kyushu’s coastal waters and locally grown vegetables. An impressive selection of sake from renowned breweries across western Japan perfectly complements the cuisine.

Guests can relax in an inviting atmosphere while savoring Sensui’s innovative take on Japanese culinary tradition.

10. Ippongi Ishibashi (一本木 石橋) / Yakuin

Japan Restaurant Award, Best100 (2025)

Japan Restaurant Award, Bronze (2025)

Awarded a Michelin star and celebrated on a major gourmet review platform, Ippongi Ishibashi offers an exquisite blend of authentic Japanese cuisine and Edomae-style sushi. The classic kaiseki course is uniquely interspersed with several pieces of Edomae sushi, providing a refined dining journey.

Chef Yasutaka Ishibashi honed his skills at prestigious Kyoto kaiseki and Edomae sushi establishments. He is dedicated to sourcing ingredients personally connected to him, ensuring exclusive quality by only obtaining supplies from those who have experienced his cuisine or been introduced directly.

The sukiya-style architecture features a counter on the first floor and private rooms upstairs. English support is available via translation devices, making it welcoming for international guests.

11. Akasaka Fujita (赤坂 藤田) / Tenjin

Featured in the 2019 Michelin Bib Gourmand, Akasaka Fujita is a distinguished restaurant that honors the fundamentals of Japanese cuisine while introducing innovative, creative twists.

Self-taught Chef Akihito Fujita is deeply committed to sourcing only the finest ingredients—often negotiating directly with producers to secure the very best. Every element, from the aroma to the temperature of the serving vessels, is meticulously considered to elevate each dish to perfection.

The interior exudes traditional Japanese charm with wooden floors and shoji screens, complemented by an English menu, ensuring a welcoming experience for international guests.

12.Haruyoshi Kujira (春吉くじら) / Tenjin

Nestled along the scenic Nakagawa River, Haruyoshi Kujira offers a refined Japanese dining experience centered on seasonal ingredients and an extensive selection of sake. The restaurant carefully sources the freshest produce not only from Kyushu but from all over Japan.

Signature dishes include the vibrant sashimi platter featuring fresh seafood and the flavorful takikomi-style clay pot rice, cooked to order. The curated sake list is thoughtfully chosen to perfectly complement the cuisine.

The warm and inviting interior features both counter seating and private rooms, with riverside rooms boasting stunning views of Nakasu’s illuminated nightscape. This is an ideal destination for those seeking a special dining experience in Fukuoka.

13. Suzakichou Syoku/Shin Syungiku (すざき町食・心旬ぎく) / Hakata

At Suzakichou Syoku, the essence of Japanese cuisine—seasonality—is celebrated in full.

Chef Tomohisa Kikukawa honed his skills working in ryotei (high-end traditional Japanese restaurants)and fish markets, and later served as head chef at a kappo restaurant in Nakasu. Leveraging his expertise and connections, he sources the day’s freshest seafood and seasonal vegetables from trusted suppliers. Each dish bursts with seasonal flavors, offering nourishment for both body and soul.

The extensive beverage menu features sake and shochu perfectly paired with the cuisine. The inviting space includes counter seating, tables, and private rooms, making it ideal for a variety of occasions.

14. Shoku to Sake Nakamuta (食と酒 なかむた) / Yakuin

Selected as a Michelin Guide’s Selected Restaurant in 2019, Shoku to Sake Nakamuta is a distinguished establishment led by Chef Taijin Nakamuta, who trained at renowned ryotei and kappo restaurants in Fukuoka.

The menu features authentic Japanese cuisine crafted from carefully chosen local ingredients, with a focus on seafood, vegetables, and even the raw materials for soy sauce. Guests can choose between two reasonably priced courses of seven or ten dishes. The extensive sake list highlights local Fukuoka brews alongside a broad selection of Japanese sake.

The intimate, hidden-gem atmosphere offers table seating and semi-private rooms, perfect for a relaxed dining experience.

15. Aji Takebayashi (味 竹林) / Tenjin

Twice awarded a Michelin star, Aji Takebayashi offers an innovative blend of kaiseki, Western, and Chinese culinary influences. Chef Yuzuru Takebayashi, a veteran of Osaka’s historic ryotei Ajikitcho, skillfully incorporates French techniques and Western seasonings to craft uniquely inspired dishes.

Carefully selected ingredients are treated to preserve their natural textures while enhancing their pure flavors. A sake connoisseur, Chef Takebayashi personally recommends the perfect sake pairing for each course.

The serene interior, reminiscent of a traditional tea room, features two private rooms accommodating up to six guests, ideal for an intimate and memorable dining experience.

Fukuoka’s Recommended Kaiseki and Japanese Cuisine Under 10,000 Yen

16. Chikae Hon Ten (稚加榮) / Tenjin

With over 60 years of history, the venerable ryotei Chikae Hon Ten is renowned for its massive live fish tank—measuring 12 meters long, 3 meters wide, and 1.2 meters deep—at the heart of the dining floor. This impressive tank is home to more than 30 varieties of fresh, live seafood sourced from across Kyushu.

Skilled chefs transform the freshly caught fish into exquisite dishes right before your eyes, offering a rare and immersive dining experience seldom found elsewhere in Japan.

The three-story restaurant features 53 counter seats surrounding the live tank, as well as multiple private rooms of various sizes. Guests can also enjoy serene views of the beautifully landscaped garden through expansive windows.

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