This article about Japanese cuisine is a joint collaboration between the AutoReserve Editorial Team (with contributions from Kenji Kurosawa) and Styled Traveler. We hope you enjoy exploring the gourmet restaurants inside Japan’s historic buildings. If you plan to visit Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, or Tokyo, don’t miss the chance to dine at one – or all – of these unforgettable spots.
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A special meal in a historical setting
An unforgettable experience awaits where history meets gourmet cuisine. Our post highlights 10 exceptional Japan’s gourmet restaurants in Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Tokyo. Each is set in a beautifully preserved historic building, offering a taste of Japan’s past alongside world-class dining.
From a former Prime Minister’s villa to centuries-old cultural landmarks and early Showa-era homes, each venue tells a story. These spaces merge architecture and culinary tradition to create a multi-sensory experience worth traveling for.
Japan’s gourmet restaurants – Kyoto
京極かねよ｜Kyogoku Kaneyo
- Address：456 Matsugae-cho, Rokkaku-dori, Shinkyogoku Higashi-iru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
- Getting there：Approximately 8-min walk from Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station, 7-min from Kawaramachi Station, and 8-min from Sanjo Station.
- Reasons to go：A renowned unagi (eel) specialty restaurant with over 100 years of history. The retro interior features table seating on the first floor and tatami mat seating on the second. Experience a calm and welcoming atmosphere in a historic building.
- What to try：The iconic Kinshi-don – a Kyoto specialty that layers fluffy dashi-maki tamago (rolled omelet) over grilled unagi glazed in a secret sauce. You can also try the Shokado Teishoku, which includes a variety of eel dishes like sashimi-style koi (carp) and grilled unagi.
- Make A Reservation At Kyogoku Kaneyo
松籟庵｜Shorai-an
- Address：Inside Government-Owned Land, Kamenoo-cho, Saga, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
- Getting there: Approximately a 13-minute walk from Keifuku Railway’s Arashiyama Station. A popular spot for autumn foliage, it offers the perfect setting to experience the beauty of seasonal transitions.
- Reasons to go: This restaurant resides in the former villa of Prime Minister Fumimaro Konoe. It specializes in Kyoto-style tofu kaiseki cuisine, featuring fresh yuba (tofu skin), namafu (wheat gluten), and more.
- What to try: The popular Shofu Course includes dishes like grilled namafuau gratin and a mini wagyu fillet steak. A vegetarian course is also available (note: it contains bonito-based dashi).
- Make A Reservation At Shorai-an
わらじや｜Warajiya
- Address：555 Nishinomon-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
- Getting there: This 400-year-old unagi restaurant offers Kansai-style grilled eel in various forms – kabayaki, shirayaki, and umaki.
- Reasons to go：A long-established and renowned restaurant where you can enjoy Kansai-style unagi (grilled eel). It is cooked to a perfection, in a variety of styles including kabayaki (sauce-glazed), shirayaki (plain grilled), and umaki (eel rolled in omelet). The calm and refined interior features a traditional tearoom and a waiting room, as well as a particularly atmospheric chamber that appears in the essays of literary master Junichiro Tanizaki. It allows guests to immerse themselves in the unique charm of Kyoto. The restaurant also offers private rooms and tatami seating, making it an ideal choice for group dining and family meals.
- What to try：Uzofu-sui—a signature dish that begins as a light soup and ends as a savory rice porridge.
Recommended course: “Taiko Course” – a highly satisfying selection for eel lovers. This course allows you to enjoy kabayaki (grilled eel with sauce) and uzōfusu-i (eel hot pot that transitions into rice porridge) all in one sitting. - Make A Reservation At Warajiya
和牛料亭 bungo 祇園｜Wagyuryotei bungo Gion
- Address：56 Motoyoshi-cho, east of Yamato-oji Street, Shinbashi-dori, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
- Getting there: It’s about a 7-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station, making it easily accessible and a convenient stop during sightseeing. The restaurant is nestled along Shinbashi-dori in Gion – a picturesque street where Maiko (apprentice geisha) pass by.
- Reasons to go: This wagyu specialty restaurant features a charming exterior facing the stone-paved street and an interior where tranquility and elegance blend in harmony. The dishes are served in an “all-serve style,” where professional chefs grill the wagyu right in front of you. At the counter seats, you can witness their skills up close, while in one of the four completely private rooms, you can enjoy an exclusive and luxurious dining experience.
- What to try：The highlight is Oita Wagyu, a rare and premium Japanese beef brand, served with seasonal Kyoto vegetables in a refined yakiniku (Japanese-style barbecue) presentation.
- Recommended course: “Gion Special – Premium Wagyu Chateaubriand” (limited to 2 groups per day). A luxurious 10-course meal featuring lean Oita Wagyu sashimi, truffle yukke (Korean-style raw beef), wagyu tongue, sukiyaki, and the highly coveted Chateaubriand steak – a rare cut from the tenderloin. This course offers an exceptional dining experience, perfect for celebrating special occasions.
- Make A Reservation At Wagyuryotei bungo Gion
Japan’s gourmet restaurants – Osaka
はり重 道頓堀本店｜Hariju Dotonbori Honten
- Address：1-9-17 Dotonbori, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
- Getting there：Located about a 4-minute walk from Namba Station. This traditional Japanese-style building, constructed in 1948, stands quietly in a corner just slightly removed from the lively entertainment district. Though in the heart of the city, the restaurant offers a uniquely serene atmosphere, characteristic of a long-existing establishment.
- Reasons to go：A Kuroge Wagyu specialty restaurant with over 100 years of history. It is particularly renowned for its strict selection of only female cattle, known for their superior meat quality. The sukiyaki warishita (simmering sauce) is a house-made blend, rich in umami extracted by slowly simmering beef tendons. The harmony with melt-in-your-mouth marbled wagyu is exceptional, and when dipped in fresh raw egg, it delivers an indulgent flavor that fills your mouth with pure luxury.
- The restaurant features 17 private rooms that retain the charm of the Showa era. In this tranquil, Japanese-style setting, guests can savor traditional flavors accompanied by impeccable hospitality.
- What to try：The popular Sukiyaki “Tsuki” Course includes a welcome drink (draft beer or soft drink), seasonal appetizers, premium Kuroge Wagyu sukiyaki, rice, and pickles, offering a well-balanced, full-course meal. It’s a great way to enjoy the authentic taste of a prestigious long-standing establishment in a relaxed manner.
- Make A Reservation At Hariju Dotonbori Honten
Japan’s gourmet restaurants – Nara
うな菊｜Unakiku
- Address：1130 Takabatake-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture (inside Kikusuiro)
- Getting there：Located just a 1-minute walk from the torii gate entrance of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Kasuga Taisha Shrine.
- Reasons to go: Unakiku sits in a historically rich corner of Nara Park. It is a prestigious unagi (eel) specialty restaurant that inherits the tradition of Kikusuiro, a venerable ryotei (traditional high-end restaurant) with over 130 years of history. Surrounded by the natural beauty and cultural atmosphere of the ancient capital of Nara, this restaurant has a superb location – perfect for a stopover during your travels. The dishes are an authentic unagi cuisine. Live eels are first grilled plain (shirayaki) to seal in the umami, then expertly grilled over charcoal for a fragrant finish. A special house-made sauce combining soy sauce and mirin adds depth and richness, enhancing the natural flavor of the eel to its fullest.
- The restaurant’s interior is designed by renovating a detached guesthouse once used by the Imperial Family. It offers a refined and atmospheric setting. From the second-floor seats, guests can enjoy elegant views overlooking Araike Pond.
- What to try: The menu is varied, from the approachable Unaju (Grilled Eel Over Rice) Half Portion to the luxurious Unagi Zukushi Course, available only in the evening. Conclude your sightseeing day by enjoy a special moment indulging in premium eel dishes while taking in the scenic beauty of Nara.
- Make A Reservation At Unakiku
Japan’s gourmet restaurants – Tokyo
よし梅 芳町亭｜Yoshiume Houmachi Tei
- Address：1-5-2 Nihonbashi Ningyocho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
- Getting there：This long-established Japanese restaurant is located just a 2-minute walk from Ningyocho Station on the Tokyo Metro. The building is a designated Registered Tangible Cultural Property, and its interior, rich with the charm of early Showa-era Japan, offers a serene atmosphere that makes you forget the bustle of the city.
- Reasons to go Founded in 1927, the restaurant features refined Japanese design, with rare materials like Yakusugi cedar ceilings, Akita cedar fittings, and wave-patterned glass. All seating is in private rooms. From the first floor, guests can view a moss-covered courtyard garden. From the second floor, sasanqua (winter camellia) flowers can be seen through the patterned glass. The restaurant offers a setting where guests can feel the transitions of the seasons.
- What to try: The cuisine adheres to traditional Japanese culinary techniques while delicately expressing the changing seasons. The signature dish is Negima Nabe, a hot pot that preserves the flavors of Edo (old Tokyo), made with a rich, secret dashi broth and carefully selected ingredients. This dish has long captivated gourmets with its deep flavor. In the summer, you can order a lighter version called Negima Jiru, allowing you to enjoy it even in the hotter months.
- Recommended course：
- Zuika Course: A full 8-ourse meal focused on hot pot dishes.
- Shunpo Course: A 10-course meal featuring a refreshing hassun (a beautifully presented platter of mountain and sea delicacies) and Negima Jiru soup.
- Recommended course：
- Make A Reservation At Yoshiume Houmachi Tei
L’Arbre
- Address：490 Minai, Akiruno City, Tokyo
- Getting there: This French restaurant is located in Akiruno City, Tokyo. It’s approximately a 12-minute walk from Musashi-Itsukaichi Station on the JR Itsukaichi Line, or about a 16-minute drive from the Akiruno Interchange on the Ken-O Expressway. The restaurant is nestled in a peaceful setting surrounded by nature.
- Reasons to go: L’Arbre is located in a renovated cultural property originally built in 1875. The exterior retains a Western-style design, while the interior is infused with traditional Japanese aesthetics. The building is divided into two sections: a Cultural Heritage Area and a Traditional House Area. From the counter seats, guests can enjoy views of the inner garden and watch the chefs in action at the live kitchen.
Drawing on experience as a sous-chef at “Les Saisons” in the Imperial Hotel and training at the three-Michelin-starred “Le Cinq” in Paris, the chef reimagines classic French cuisine with originality and a strong connection to the local terroir. - What to try：Following the chef’s concept of “Tokyo Local Gastronomy,” the courses highlight local ingredients such as seafood from Hachijo Island and homegrown vegetables. The thoughtfully curated dishes are highly praised.
- Recommended course：
- Menu Dégustation: A signature course featuring around 10 dishes, offering a luxurious tasting experience using carefully selected seasonal ingredients.
- Menu Léger: A casual yet high-value course available only on weekdays.
- Recommended course：
- Make A Reservation At L’Arbre
ぼたん｜Botan
- Address：1-15 Kanda Sudacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
- Getting there: Located in the heart of Kanda, Tokyo, this restaurant has a prime location just a 2-minute walk from Exit A3 of Awajicho Station on the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line. It is also a 2-minute walk from Exit A3 of Ogawamachi Station on the Toei Shinjuku Line.
- Reasons to go: A chicken sukiyaki specialty restaurant with a proud history spanning over 125 years. It continues to preserve traditional cooking methods that use direct heat from binchotan charcoal and heavy iron pots. The result is a dish that draws out the full umami of the chicken and the rich flavor of the broth. The building constructed in 1929 is officially designated as a Tokyo Metropolitan Historical Building. Inside, time flows quietly, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. With a total of 100 seats, the interior includes a spacious hall that can accommodate up to 50 guests, as well as 6 private rooms available for groups of 5 or more.
- Recommended course：
- Chicken Sukiyaki Course: A standard 2-hour course available for solo diners. You can fully savor the exquisite harmony of premium chicken and richly flavored broth.
- Chicken Sukiyaki with Souvenir Course: Includes the same standard course plus a take-home gift of their popular minced chicken (tori soboro). Be sure to make a reservation as quantities are limited.
- Recommended course：
- Make A Reservation At Botan
いせ源｜ISEGEN
- Address：1-11-1 Kanda Sudacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
- Getting there：This long-established ankō (monkfish) cuisine specialty restaurant is located in the Kanda area of Tokyo. It boasts a history of approximately 200 years. It’s just a 2-minute walk from Awajicho Station. It is also within 4 to 7 minutes on foot from JR Kanda Station and Akihabara Station.
- Reasons to go: The building, constructed in 1930, is a traditional Japanese-style wooden structure with historical charm. It is designated as a Tokyo Metropolitan Historic Building. You can enjoy masterfully prepared dishes such as their signature hotpot made with generous portions of wild-caught, domestic monkfish. The spacious interior houses 120 seats in total and offers private rooms accommodating anywhere from 2 up to over 30 guests. It’s a perfect choice for family meals, business entertainment, or commemorative dinners during your travels.
- What to try：The rich and flavorful ankō nabe (monkfish hotpot), simmered in a secret warishita (sukiyaki-style broth), is a must-try house specialty. The dish features a delicate balance of monkfish meat, rich ankimo (monkfish liver), and carefully selected vegetables, all slowly cooked in their signature broth.
- Recommended course：Minamoto Course, which includes 5 of their specialty dishes such as ankō nabe and kimozashi (sliced monkfish liver), plus an appetizer and ojiya (rice porridge to finish the hotpot).
- Make A Reservation At ISEGEN
In conclusion
In this post, we spotlight 10 of Japan’s gourmet restaurants housed in beautifully preserved historic buildings. With thoughtful cuisine and timeless architecture, they offer a dining experience that’s truly special. Why not experience it for yourself on your next trip to Japan?
If any of these spots caught your interest, we highly recommend that you make a reservation via the AutoReserve system. No matter which you choose, you are guaranteed a memorable experience that leaves a lasting impression.
For any inquiries regarding Japan’s gourmet restaurant reservations, please contact AutoReserve directly.
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- How To Dine in Kyoto: Food Tips, Etiquette & Top Picks
- How to Spend the Perfect 3 Days in Tokyo, Japan
- How to Spend 3 Perfect Days in Osaka, Japan
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