Japan restaurant choices - a few questions

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We are visiting Japan (Tokyo, Kichijoji, Hakone, Osaka, Kobe) for 19 days and are in the process of narrowing down our restaurant list. As context, this will be our 2nd visit with our kids (ages 8, 8, 5), and we were last there in the 2023. I just had a few questions on specific food categories.

Pizza - we live in LA and love Sei. I already have reservations for Marumo. I’m thinking of Savoy or Savoy Tomato and Cheese on our Teamlab Borderless day. It’s a Friday lunch so there might be long lines. Do we need to get there at 11:30 when they open? Which one is better? We can also just do Pizzeria da Peppe Napoli Sta Ca or Risto near Teamlab but they seem a little more pretentious. Already tried PST last time and loved it, but want to try something new.

Pasta - I enjoy a good Mentaiko or similar fusion pasta and everyone was happy with Yomenya Goemon last time. We are thinking of trying Kabe No Ana, Konana, or Tokyo Meat Sakaba this time. Any thoughts or recs for this category? I’m tempted to line up for Udon Shin but not sure if worth it. Tsurutontan Udon seems like a good QPR.

Burger - Aldebaran? But we have so many good burgers in the US so not sure if worth all their rules. Not cheap too.

Unagi - we are trying to keep things around 5000 yen per person per meal max. The truly high end unagi is out of the question, but what do you recommend for something in the mid range? I tried Kaneyo many years ago in Kyoto, and enjoyed Hakarime anago in Ginza the last time. Hitsumabushi Bincho worth a try to Nagoya style? Is Unatoto decent? I think it’s too late to order Tomoei Unagi in Hakone.

Sushi - we cannot really do high end sushi, and the kids really enjoy revolving sushi but hoping for decent quality (not Kura). Thinking Uogashi Nihon-Ichi standing sushi bar, Katsu Midori, and Sushi Zanmai. Any recommendations?

Cocktails/Jazz - might be able to get away for one evening. Bar Benfiddich? SG Club? Park Hyatt? We are staying in Shibuya area. Some Lost in Translation vibes. Cocktails + those bluish white Tokyo night lights skyline view + maybe some music.

Coffee - as mentioned in these boards, Bongen and Glitch were a mess 2 years ago so we’re not even trying this time. We had Mameya last time and even that took a long time. Fuglen worth trying? We have excellent coffee in the US (love Sey in NYC) so thinking maybe we do kissatens this time.

Ramen - tried Ginza Hachigou the last time and it was good, but not mind blowing for me. Maybe I don’t like chicken broth. Considering Iruca, Rokurinsha, Ramen Afro Beats, Sobahouse Konjiki Hototogisu this time but ramen with a group is not ideal. Maybe we’ll just end up at Ichiran - both kids and adults might like the dividers.

Any other recommendations for standout cheap-ish eats?

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I saw Bun-san (friend of Pizza Sei) at the Savoy Tomato and Cheese location. However the upper level where I sat was strictly counter seating so might not be good with kids. Don’t know about basement level (if that’s also Savoy space). I think the other Savoy has a little more space and some tables so might be better.

I’d go before open. When I lined up it was quite a wait and I doubt that’s great as a family. Better to just be first or faster and not worry about waiting. Also, the Tomato and Cheese line was uncovered so not recommended on sunny and warm or rainy days. I’d personally probably prioritize ease over quality in such cases.

Tabelog lists Nemuro Hanamaru Kitte Marunouchi as highest on Tabelog and is therefore my go to recommendation, though I’ve never been myself. Nemuro Hanamaru is a smaller chain and there are a few in Tokyo. I’d be careful of timing for the Kitte one as Kitte is a pretty big mall in a very central area for both business and tourists (right next to Tokyo station).

The other idea is the Kaiten sushi Ginza Onodera in Omotesando. Ginza Onodera is more known for their high end omakase (for example the now shuttered Ginza Onodera in LA which had multiple stars over the years) but they have a few other concepts including kaiten sushi now. Haven’t been either but I walked by the Omotesando in late afternoon/early evening and there looked to be quite a wait (lots of tourists in front).

I like Fuglen but mainly the Sanguubashi branch which is more of a reservations, tasting type place. I doubt it’s kid-friendly. Only other Fuglen I’ve been to is Shibuya. Nice atmosphere but has been packed every time I’ve visited. Also, they do Aeropress instead of true pour over which I found muted last visit.

I think in terms of quality coffee places with good space and not too packed, Apollon’s Gold in Akasaka might work and I’ve had some good pour over from there. The newer Onibus locations (Yakumo and Jiyugaoka - only been to Jiyugaoka) seem more spacious and quiet, but that’s probably because they’re relatively far from the usual tourist destinations. I don’t think I’d make a trip out there just for coffee. If you’re not too particular on your coffee and your with the whole family, I’d definitely prioritize convenience and space. Like a good cafe or kissaten perhaps? Most other coffee shops I’ve been to have been on the small side or even just a stand/take-out only (I believe the Brewmans are this).

Oh just thought of another idea: I had a good pour over at X Coffee in Ginza but its a bit tight and I’m not sure about their own roasts. The coffee I got was actually roasted by Kielo coffee with stores in Asakusa and Akihabara. The shops don’t look that big but at least it’s less likely to be too busy.

Another idea is if you are in Tokyo on a Japanese national holiday, apparently Nadoya no Katte opens. I believe they use Glitch coffee beans and have a really cool venue. Unfortunately, I think their typical hours are probably going to be very busy. The national holidays is a tip I picked up on this trip. Apparently it’s not well known.

I haven’t gotten cocktails much in Shibuya yet so take the following with that caveat. Doesn’t have a view but I had a mid afternoon drink at Sound Bar Howl in Dogenzaka part of Shibuya and it was nice. It’s a somewhat hidden basement level bar with a focus on music. Great atmosphere too imo. Dark and cozy.

A solid walk from central Shibuya, I went to Ae Ash in Jinnan specializing in coffee cocktails. No view but the cocktails were excellent and the espresso cocktail I had was the best I’ve had so far.

My view recommendation is a modest train ride from Shibuya: Tokyo Confidential in Azabujuban. Also excellent cocktails, full English, great atmosphere, and absolutely amazing view if you can get the balcony seats. Cocktails are closer to LA price.

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Following. Also traveling to Tokyo/Kyoto in the spring, from LA, with two kids (9 & 6). Hoping to hear about places with favorable wait-to-quality ratio :slight_smile:

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Nemuro Hanamaru Kitte Marunouchi

We went last year. It was very crowded. I think we waited ~2 hours but had drinks and walked around the mall. If you have places that you want to visit in the area go grab a number. You can check the wait time and your place in line via text and the website.

The sushi was great. The kids loves grabbing plates. We enjoyed our meal. I think we paid around $120 for a lot of food and drinks.

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