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Shinjuku

Diners appreciate the harmonious fusion of tradition and innovation, the meticulous preparation, and the warm, personal atmosphere created by the chef and staff.

Kagurazaka Ishikawa: Exquisite Kaiseki Dining in Tokyo's Heartland 

, Kagurazaka Ishikawa is a beacon of traditional Japanese culinary craftsmanship. This Michelin 3-star restaurant offers an immersive kaiseki tasting experience where every dish reflects the delicate balance of seasonal flavors and artistic presentation.

At Kagurazaka Ishikawa, the kaiseki tasting menu showcases refined techniques such as grilling, steaming, frying, and simmering that coax out the subtle essence of premium ingredients. From exquisitely prepared meat and fresh seafood to the exceptional rice served at the end of the course, every bite is thoughtfully crafted to honor the tradition of washoku.

Guests enjoy their meal served on traditional mino-yaki pottery and lacquerware, sipping from vintage Baccarat crystal glassware, all within a serene and minimalist setting. Whether seated at the coveted centuries-old hinoki wood counter or in a private room, the ambiance perfectly complements the exquisite cuisine.

Chef-owner Hideki Ishikawa personally ensures each guest feels welcomed and valued, often engaging in warm conversations. The staff’s cheerful and enthusiastic service adds to the overall memorable dining experience. The restaurant also boasts a thoughtfully curated sake list, frequently featuring the coveted Juyondai.

: 1f Takamura Building, 5-chōme−37 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku City, Tokyo, Japan.

: Authentic traditional kaiseki washoku with seasonal ingredients and artistic plating.

: Minimalist, serene, with seating options including a historic hinoki counter and private rooms.

: Attentive, friendly, with the chef greeting guests personally.

: Includes rare vintage options like Juyondai.

What is the price of the kaiseki tasting menu?

 The kaiseki tasting menu is priced at ¥64,000 per person.

 Yes, reservations are essential and can be made through the restaurant's official website.

 The restaurant operates from 5:30 PM to 12:00 AM, closed on Sundays and national holidays.

 Accepted payment methods include cash and major credit cards such as VISA, MasterCard, JCB, AMEX, and Diners Club.

Is the restaurant accessible for wheelchair users?

 Yes, the restaurant is wheelchair accessible.

 for its exceptional kaiseki cuisine and attentive service, Kagurazaka Ishikawa is celebrated by food enthusiasts and critics alike. Diners appreciate the harmonious fusion of tradition and innovation, the meticulous preparation, and the warm, personal atmosphere created by the chef and staff.

Asia

Japan

Ontdek Kagurazaka Ishikawa, een verfijnd restaurant in de levendige wijk Shinjuku, Japan, dat een unieke mix biedt van traditionele Japanse smaken en moderne culinaire creativiteit. Dit restaurant is een ware parel voor fijnproevers die op zoek zijn naar een authentieke en verfijnde eetervaring.

Traditional Japanese cuisine offered in minimalist, compact quarters with a serene vibe.

https://www.google.com/local/review/rap/report?postId=ChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURBZzdiaDh3RRAB&d=17924085&t=1

places/ChIJa0WEW1qMGGARPztXG-uvYjI/reviews/ChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURBZzdiaDh3RRAB

Kagurazaka Ishikawa's dishes look simple; be it grilled, steamed, fried, and simmered, they could consistently coax out the subtle essence/taste of the seasonal produce and meat.  Even the rice served at the end of the course is exceptional.
They adhere closely to the tradition of washoku, besides tastiness,  presentation and plating are of great importance.  Dishes are served on tableware like mino-yaki or lacquerware , and drinks with fine vintage Baccarat crystal glassware.
Be it seated at the sought-after counter (table is from centuries old hinoki) or private room, service is always cheerful and enthusiastic.  Chef-owner Hideki Ishikawa ensures he meets, chats, and thanks his guests.
His restaurant also has a good selection of sakes, and quite often has the Juyondai.
The only issue is, need to plan early to get a reservation.

https://www.google.com/local/review/rap/report?postId=ChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURaMXRUYTJBRRAB&d=17924085&t=1

places/ChIJa0WEW1qMGGARPztXG-uvYjI/reviews/ChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURaMXRUYTJBRRAB

Excellence in taste, presentation, ambiance, service, quality to name a few. Well deserved Michelin 3 stars!

https://www.google.com/local/review/rap/report?postId=ChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURRMnQ2QXRnRRAB&d=17924085&t=1

places/ChIJa0WEW1qMGGARPztXG-uvYjI/reviews/ChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURRMnQ2QXRnRRAB

This is the best example of the kind of restaurant that the food does not look very special on the surface, but once you taste it you are immediately impressed the large amount of effort and technique being put into preparation. If you can't get a booking, it's sister restaurant "Ren" is definitely worth a try.

https://www.google.com/local/review/rap/report?postId=ChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUQtN3FLczNnRRAB&d=17924085&t=1

places/ChIJa0WEW1qMGGARPztXG-uvYjI/reviews/ChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUQtN3FLczNnRRAB

The juxtaposition of casual warmth and extreme excellence in execution and finesse is rarely seen anywhere in the entire world. I loved this meal and this chef and the team.

https://www.google.com/local/review/rap/report?postId=ChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNnaU9PaVRnEAE&d=17924085&t=1

places/ChIJa0WEW1qMGGARPztXG-uvYjI/reviews/ChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNnaU9PaVRnEAE

Wasn't as wowed as I had hoped to be. Don't get me wrong, the ingredients were great, food was generally very good and service was friendly. But I felt that the service was a bit too hurried for my liking.

Kagurazaka Ishikawa: Authentiek Japans Restaurant in Shinjuku

Kagurazaka Ishikawa has maintained its three Michelin star status since 2009, reflecting its consistent excellence in kaiseki cuisine.

De rijke geschiedenis van Kagurazaka Ishikawa in Tokio

De geschiedenis van Kagurazaka Ishikawa is een verhaal van constante excellentie en toewijding aan de kunst van de Kaiseki-keuken. Sinds de toekenning van drie Michelinsterren in 2009, heeft dit restaurant zijn status als een van de top restaurants in Tokio stevig behouden.

Kagurazaka Ishikawa is a hidden gastronomic haven in the enchanting streets of Kagurazaka, Tokyo, offering exquisite kaiseki dining that showcases seasonal ingredients and meticulous presentation in a serene ambiance.

Kagurazaka Ishikawa

A meticulously crafted multi-course meal highlighting seasonal ingredients and traditional Japanese culinary techniques.

Kaiseki Tasting Menu

Kaiseki tasting menu at kagurazaka ishikawa in tokyo japan restaurant overview and specialties in traditional washoku cuisine at this michelin 3-star establishment with local seasonal dishes exquisite presentation and fine sake selection dining experience at shinjuku city location exquisite japanese gastronomy in intimate setting elegant plating and expert technique spotlight on wild sea bream sesame chazuke and more culinary delights from chef owner hideki ishikawa inspired by washoku principles and seasonal produce excellence in flavor and plating in kagurazaka district shinjuku city tokyo japan gourmet japanese food destination traditional japan dining experience and refined service welcoming atmosphere at kagurazaka ishikawa venue experts choice for discerning food lovers and travelers seeking authentic japanese haute cuisine traditional tableware and vintage crystal glasses enhance the refined ambiance discover one of tokyo's finest kaiseki menus and chef curated dishes from fresh fish to delicate rice dishes seasonal ingredients prepared with meticulous care and artistic flair exquisite multi-course meals that exemplify japanese culinary artistry delightful range of dishes from starters to mains desserts and drinks inspired by local ingredients and time honored techniques food presentation as an art form in japanese fine dining innovative yet rooted in tradition superb sake collection including rare offerings perfect pairings for each course book early for an unforgettable culinary journey in tokyo dining scene elegant intimate space with centuries old hinoki wood counter and private rooms service that combines warmth with professionalism legendary chef interaction and guest appreciation at the forefront experience the harmony of taste texture and visual beauty at this celebrated shinjuku restaurant award winning excellence in the heart of kagurazaka explore the sophisticated flavors of seasonal washoku cuisine with a contemporary touch recommended for gourmet travelers and lovers of refined japanese gastronomy exquisite kaiseki tasting journey in one of tokyo's premier dining spots culinary perfection in every bite and sip best japanese dishes in shinjuku city kagurazaka ishikawa culinary masterpiece and exclusive reservations required for this sought after gastronomic experience with chef owner present for personal engagement and explanation of each delicacy.

Kagurazaka Ishikawa offers a refined kaiseki tasting menu that beautifully showcases the essence of traditional washoku cuisine through a seasonal 10-course experience. Each dish is thoughtfully crafted to coax out the subtle flavors of locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, exemplifying the Japanese dedication to harmony between taste, texture, and presentation.

The menu opens with delicacies such as crispy sea turtle croquettes, a unique starter blending texture and rich umami, followed by beautifully balanced steamed and simmered seasonal vegetables. These starters set the tone for a journey into refined flavors and meticulous presentation, served on exquisite mino-yaki ceramics and lacquerware that enhance the sensory dining experience.

Mains feature standout items such as buttery horsehead snapper and the celebrated Tennen tai no goma chazuke — a comforting dish of wild sea bream served over rice with hot tea and sesame. Each dish highlights the chef-owner Hideki Ishikawa’s skill in grilling, steaming, frying, and simmering techniques, all focused on bringing out the essence of each ingredient while adhering to traditional Japanese culinary philosophy.

The dessert offerings provide a delicate finish to the meal, emphasizing seasonal flavors and elegant plating. Complementing the food is a carefully curated selection of sakes, including rare bottles such as Juyondai, served in fine vintage Baccarat crystal glassware, which perfectly pairs with the subtle flavors of the kaiseki courses.

Dining at Kagurazaka Ishikawa is an intimate experience, whether seated at the sought-after counter crafted from centuries-old hinoki wood or in one of the private rooms. The cheerful and enthusiastic service, coupled with the personal presence of Chef Ishikawa, who often meets and chats with guests, elevates the meal beyond just food to a memorable cultural encounter.

 on traditional Japanese tableware enhancing visual appeal and authenticity.

 of ingredients showcasing the best of each season in Japan.

 including rare vintages to complement the delicate flavors of each dish.

 with warm, personalized service and the chance to meet the masterful chef-owner Hideki Ishikawa.

Ontdek Kagurazaka Ishikawa in Shinjuku, Tokyo! Geniet van authentieke Japanse delicatessen in een sfeervol restaurant. Reserveer nu voor een culinaire ervaring!

Kagurazaka Ishikawa: Exquisite Dining in Shinjuku

Shinjuku City Municipality

A ten-course meal showcasing seasonal ingredients and traditional Japanese culinary techniques.

Ontdek Kagurazaka Ishikawa in Tokio's Shinjuku met een Kaiseki Tasting Menu.

Geniet van een authentieke Japanse culinaire ervaring.

Kagurazaka Ishikawa is een verfijnd restaurant in het hart van Shinjuku, Tokio, dat bekend staat om zijn authentieke Japanse keuken. Hier kunt u genieten van een exclusief Kaiseki Tasting Menu, dat bestaat uit tien zorgvuldig samengestelde gangen. Deze culinaire reis laat u de seizoensgebonden ingrediënten en traditionele Japanse kooktechnieken ontdekken, allemaal bereid door gerenommeerde chef-koks in een elegante setting.

Of u nu een fervent liefhebber bent van Japanse haute cuisine of gewoon een unieke culinaire ervaring wilt beleven, Kagurazaka Ishikawa biedt een memorabele smaakreis die de essentie van Japanse gastronomie perfect vangt. Reserveer nu en laat u verrassen door de verfijning en authenticiteit van elk gerecht.

Nestled in the historic Kagurazaka neighborhood of Shinjuku City, Tokyo, Kagurazaka Ishikawa offers an exquisite kaiseki dining experience that epitomizes traditional Japanese cuisine. This Michelin 3-star restaurant, consistently acclaimed since 2009, specializes in artfully crafted multi-course meals highlighting seasonal, high-quality ingredients. Beyond exceptional taste, the presentation on elegant mino-yaki and lacquerware, paired with fine vintage Baccarat glassware, elevates every dish into a sensory delight.

Exceptional culinary artistry and intimate ambiance

Kagurazaka Ishikawa’s dishes may appear deceptively simple, whether grilled, steamed, fried, or simmered, but they reveal a masterful coaxing out of subtle seasonal flavors and textures. The chef-owner, Hideki Ishikawa, personally engages with guests, ensuring a welcoming and enthusiastic service experience. The restaurant’s intimate setting, featuring a centuries-old hinoki wood counter and elegant private rooms, complements the meticulous culinary craft, making every visit feel exclusive and refined.

While the restaurant excels in quality and service, prospective diners should be aware of certain considerations. The price point is notably high, reflecting the premium ingredients and craftsmanship involved. Seating capacity is limited, which means reservations are essential and must be made well in advance to secure a spot. Additionally, the venue does not offer takeout or delivery options, emphasizing an in-person, immersive dining experience.

Highlights that set Kagurazaka Ishikawa apart

 showcasing seasonal flavors with precision and finesse.

 from chef Hideki Ishikawa and his team creates a warm dining atmosphere.

 featuring traditional Japanese aesthetics and historic woodwork.

 reflecting outstanding quality and recognition since 2009.

Tokyo

石かわ

A very special way to experience Japanese kaiseki. Absolutely believe the hype. Thoughtfully selected ingredients from across the country and a chef with the sharpest ideas.

--Deep fried shitake mushroom with minced Japanese duck,sliced duck breast, dried shitake mushroom: the quality of both the duck and the mushroom was impressive, but there was more. There was technique (the cooking of both the duck and the mushroom superbly achieved in letting the deep meaty flavor of the duck expressing itself, the mushroom timely roasted so that its earthy flavor is left unaltered while the mushroom is cooked enough and nicely seasoned to spectacular mouthfeel ) and an inspired touch (it is easy to extract decent flavors out of duck and mushroom, but harder to get duck and mushroom complementing each other this well. Exciting 10/10 --White miso soup with savory rice cake. The quality of the ingredients continues to be, as I'd expect from a restaurant of this reputation, of the highest order. Such comment also applies to the technical execution of the food: as mastered as it gets ,meaning the balance of flavors is spot on, seasoning judicious (never too salty, never bland). The beauty of great kaiseki cooking is to extract the most out of the least, and that is what they've accomplished successfully: deep , balanced, delicious and complex flavors out of a simple rice cake and miso soup. Miso soup is one of those things that escapes attention when done well but which failure you will quickly notice, so it is easy to take such great work of this soup for granted . Excellent Miso soup like this one I was sampling is a rare treat,even in Tokyo, as I came to realise. 9/10 --Seared Ise Lobster with vinegared soya sauce - quality lobster, one piece served raw (sashimi), the other seared. The quality of an ingredient is always half the battle/ the quality of this lobster was high. There was a true fresh taste of the sea when eating the raw lobster, which was a reminder that no ordinary lobster was served. Then you had the charcoal grilled piece, which did not fail to remind that quality seafood cooked using a flavor-enhancing cooking method like charcoal grilling does ultimately water the mouth. Delicious as one would expect,the soya sauce is,of course, of the non ordinary sort 8/10 --Charcoal grilled horsehead snapper flavored with salted bonito innards sauce is a technique that I will steal from them as I love charcoal-grilling fish at home (using a hibachi charcoal bbq grill) but I was looking for new ways to enhance the natural flavor of charcoal grilled seafood. Bonito innards sauce is exactly what I was looking for: a distracted palate would think that you'll get the same palatable impact using just salt .Well,no...there is indeed an impression of 'that is easy to replicate' when flavoring fish with salted bonito innards sauce, but the level of the complexity of the resulting flavor is not that easy to emulate. This sauce matched beautifully with the snapper. Whether it is street food or fine dining, I do not have unrealistic expectations when it comes to charcoal grill seafood. I just expect an exceptional understanding of what makes a simple piece of fish ..tasting great! Which is what they did. Superb 9/10 --Fresh water eel was flawless in all aspects: top quality eel, the tsume sauce highly enjoyable both in texture and taste, the mashed taro packed with vibrant fresh earthy flavors. As it is the case with all the other offerings, the ingredients are complementary BUT in an inspired/thoughtful/witty way (only the 1st offering tasted and felt like an ordinary assemblage of food items). Flawless. 9/10 --Hot pot of snow crab, tofu and seasonal vegetable. That the ingredients would remain of very high quality was not a surprise anymore, so it's in the work of the broth that I had high expectations. They were met: the broth had depth/complexity, its taste exciting. A world class hot pot, with a benchmark tofu (I am a huge fan of tofu as it is one of those little things that is easy to overlook but that can marvel when executed masterfully ....the tofu,here, impossibly soft, its taste not bold at all and yet so revealing in subtleties) . 10/10 A world class dining destination with service and food to match.

It's been a few years since I've been to Ishikawa, but I have to give him his due. I didn't know what to expect from a kaiseki, but I was glad I left my mind open. Ishikawa is a 3 Michelin Star chef and I am very glad my friend made the reservation to come here. The whole meal and experience were sublime. Things I've never tried before, combinations ive never had. Everything was done with purpose and to fit the season we were eating in. Each course complimented each other and set up the next. Everything was crafted perfectly and the entire meal left me feeling absolutely amazing. He even comes in to mix the rice and preepare it food you at the end. This meal was very special. If you have the chance in Tokyo, I would highly recommend it.

This is a once in a lifetime kind of meal. You will receive very traditional japanese food - so don't expect any kind of modern cuisine kind of twist which is so popular with the michelin set nowadays. The flavors are subtle and understated. Half of the beauty of the plates are in the pottery itself. This place is like no other michelin star restaraunt. You feel like you're walking into a family owned place which is warm, relaxed and welcoming. No worries about having 10 waiters hovering around you waiting to see you use the wrong spoon or drop your napkin. In fact, our party had a private room and could completely relax. The pacing was perfect. No long waits - as soon as we considered getting the bill, it appeared. We had a late seating (10:00pm) and the place closes at 11. Notwithstanding the fact we were the last table there and I'm sure they all wanted to go home, Chef Ishikawa walked us out to our taxi and the whole staff waived goodnight to us as we sped away from the little alley into the neon streets of Shinjuku. The whole thing felt pretty magical.

Hideki Ishikawa owns both this and another 3-star restaurant right down the street (Kohaku) and he takes mastery of Japanese cuisine to a new level while still providing a friendly, down-to-earth atmosphere that guests of Japanese and Western origin alike can appreciate. Ishikawa is featured in Lutz Hachmeister's documentary Three Star (worth a watch- http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1764282/), where he describes in detail the work that goes into is Michelin rating. The service is exceptionally friendly and open- kind of a rarity in Japan, unfortunately- and the interior is a gorgeous, relaxing, beautiful place. The ingredients are incredibly fresh, creatively prepared, and are once-in-a-lifetime good. For a full-on dorky description, go here: ow.ly/oKB93001raF This is a about as good as it gets in Japan, or anywhere in the world, period.

Fantastic Kaiseki food! Great place to book as a tourist: 1) Easy to book (you can speak in English if you call in the evenings). Just book a month in advance. 2) The waitresses were able to explain the dishes to us in English 3) Fairly easy to find The food was amazing. A lot of the dishes feature ingredients from specialized regions in Japan. Asides from food, the service was also incredible. Chef Ishikawa personally came to our room to talk to us (in English) and talked about some of the ingredients he chose for his dishes. It was an absolutely amazing, and quite affordable 3 Michelin Star restaurant.

Best customer service. Excellent food. Good place to dine in. If you travel to Tokoyo, you don't want to miss this restaurant. However, it is hard to make reservations. We tried to make a reservation two months in advance, but we only got the 9-9:30pm. Good luck on making reservation.

Three Michelin stars. No. 42 in the Best 50 restaurants in the World. Let's just say the expectations are high. This was my first three Michelin restaurant so I'm not experienced enough to different restaurants of each star rating. However I can say that this was a great meal with very subtle layers of flavor. ** Appetizer- Fresh Salmon Roe with diced lotus rood, taro, shiitake mushrooms with a hint of yuzu citrus ** Deep fried- "kakiage"- soft shelled turtle, lotus root, and oba herbs, ginko nuts -- the Ginko was picked fresh so had a interesting crunchy initial bite followed by chewiness ** Soup- Matsutake mushroom, tofu dumpling, and turnip -- So glad we came during matsutake season. Hard to go wrong with this ingredient. ** Sashimi- Sea bream garnished with fresh seaweed and Japanese herbs. Steamed abalone with abalone stock jelly ** Charcoal grilled- Fresh water eel and sweet onion with grated white radish. --Easily one of my favorite dishes. The eel was perfectly grilled and had a great charcoal taste ** Delicacy - wagyu tongue, eggplant, and tofu -- My other favorite dish. Melts in your mouth! ** Hot pot- horsehead snapper, wax gourd, okura, maitake mushrooms and wood ear mushroom ** Steamed Rice- Steamed rice with horsehair crab, miso soup, and pickled vegetables. --Apparently the secret ingredient to great rice is crab brains. We had extra so they made it into Onigilly so we could take it home! ** Dessert- Japanese pear, grapes, muscat, peach, sudachi citrus sherbet in white wine jelly --Great refreshing dessert. I love Japanese citrus Chef Ishikawa came in and mixed the rice for us and chatted with us. It's not every day you get to talk to a 3 michelin chef! Great experience!

Absolutely amazing! I can see why this place gets 3-Michelin stars. We had the 19,000 yen kaiseki course, and it was phenomenal. They use very fresh, seasonal ingredients in their dishes, and everything is perfectly executed. The ikura was very fresh and the hint of yuzu added a a hint of complexity to the dish. The charcoal grilled unagi was perfectly crispy on the outside, fatty and flavorful on the inside. The wagyu tongue dish just melted in my mouth. The sudachi sorbet with seasonal fruits was probably one of the best desserts I've ever had. I also really enjoyed the kamameshi (hot pot steamed rice), when Chef Ishikawa himself came out to mix the crab liver directly into the rice himself, and then chatted with us for a bit. He's a very nice guy, and seems to really appreciate all of this guests that come from around the world to check out his restaurant! Service was phenomenal, and I love how they even prepared an English menu for us. The staff is very helpful, and will answer your questions in English, so I don't think there's any problem here for travelers. This place is a bit hard to find, so when you're traveling, make sure you have a smartphone with internet to map directions to the place, and I also recommend looking at pictures of the building entrance so you can identify it when you see it (since it's very nondescript).

I guess this place is no1 or 2 of my Unagi experience. Be careful, this place takes a lot of time. Even you made a reservation and pick the order beforehand, they will start picking up an Unagi and killing it when you arrive at the place. So please make sure you have enough time about 45 mins to start eating from your arrival. I've visited here about 5 times but everytime I came here hungry and felt so craving for 45 mins. But it tastes sooooo great. The source, freshness, crispness, everything is good. It's an art. I defo recommend this place for you.

Ontdek Kagurazaka Ishikawa in Shinjuku, Tokyo, bekend om zijn prestigieuze Michelin 3-sterren Kaiseki-menu en serene, elegante ambiance.

Kagurazaka Ishikawa: Michelin 3-Sterren Kaiseki in Shinjuku

Geniet van een exclusieve sushi en Kaiseki ervaring bij Kagurazaka Ishikawa in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Reserveer nu voor een onvergetelijke culinaire reis.

Bezoek Kagurazaka Ishikawa: Top Sushi & Kaiseki in Tokyo

Leer over Kagurazaka Ishikawa in Shinjuku, een top Michelin restaurant met een rijke geschiedenis en uitstekende kaiseki cuisine sinds 2009.

尾張屋飯田橋店

俺流らーめん塩

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