At one point the city’s most celebrated entertainment district, Akasaka still draws Tokyoites looking to relax after a hard day’s work. Here, Korean barbeque joints rub shoulders with exclusive sake bars and high-class Japanese restaurants a stone’s throw from the Imperial Palace. Just down the road, Kasumigaseki is Japan’s Capitol Hill, with corridors of power that include the National Diet Building, various ministries and even the nearby palace of the Crown Prince and Princess. The area is also home to its share of flashy developments, iconic hotels, bold-name foreign businesses and embassies, including a very well-protected US presence.
Japanese
Yasaiya Teppanyaki Akasaka
This teppanyaki restaurant in the old nightlife quarter of Akasaka serves healthy and organic food from all over Japan, including quality fish and steak and plenty of Japanese beer and sake. The wraparound counter has a full view of the chef’s grill. Reservations strongly recommended. 104 Akasaka Belgo, 3-11-14 Akasaka, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-3560-3131. Open Mon-Sat 6pm-3am, closed Sun & hols. Nearest stn: Akasaka or Akasaka-Mitsuke. www.vegedinning.com ¥¥
Soba Giro
This beautifully decorated soba restaurant offers traditional Japanese buckwheat noodles and udon with a modern twist. Prudential Plaza 1F, 2-13-10 Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku. Tel: 03-3500-5720. Open Mon-Fri 11am-3pm and 5pm-5am, Sat 11am-3am, Sun & hols 11am-11pm. Nearest stn: Akasaka-Mitsuke. www.ystable.co.jp ¥
•Regional
Cascade
This restaurant at the ANA Hotel specializes in food from Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, including jingisukan (or Genghis Khan, barbecued lamb) and seafood. 2F, 1-12-33 Akasaka, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-3505-1111. 24 hrs. Nearest stn: Tameike-Sanno. www.anahoteltokyo.jp ¥¥
•Yakiniku
Ushinokura
Ushinokura peddles some of the finest flesh in the city; its perfectly marbled yakiniku beef is exclusively Black Wagyu from the Satsuma region of Kagoshima. The menu features cow from tip to tail. B1, 7-9-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku. Open Mon-Sat 5pm-3am, Sun 5-11pm. Tel: 03-5573-9062. Nearest stn: Akasaka, exit 7. www.ushinokura.com ¥¥¥
others •American
Ruth’s Chris
Steak House
Ruth’s Chris is the US’ premier fine dining steakhouse. From custom-aged premium American and Japanese beef broiled to perfection at 1,800°F to expertly executed seafood, New Orleans-inspired appetizers, unforgettable desserts and an award-winning wine list, Ruth’s Chris sets standards that other steakhouses aspire to. 1F Tokyo Club Bldg, 3-2-6 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku. Tel: 03-3501-0822. Open daily 11am-11pm (L.O. 10pm). Nearest stn: Kasumigaseki (exit A13), Toranomon (exit 5) or Tameike-Sanno (exit 8). www.ruthschris.co.jp ¥¥¥¥
•GERMAN
Franziskaner
Bar & Grill
This bistro specializing in German beer offers some of the finest, exclusively imported lagers in a traditional atmosphere. 5-11-12 Toranomon, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-3436-6949. Open Mon-Fri 11:30am-4am, Sat, Sun & hols 12-9pm. Nearest stn: Kamiyacho. www.zato.co.jp ¥
Zum Eichen Platz
This country-style restaurant is like a traditional German home in the heart of the city. Zum Eichen Platz offers an excellent selection of German beers, from Spaten to Flensburger, as well as authentic food items, including schnitzel, sardine dishes and imported, additive-free sausages. Their seasonal course menu starts at a reasonable ¥3,200. 2F Akasaka Dori No. 50 Bldg, 5-5-11 Akasaka, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-5545-6623. Open Mon-Sat 11:30am-3pm, 5:30-11:30pm, closed Sun & hols. Nearest stn: Akasaka. ¥¥
•Middle Eastern
Pita the Great
Keeping Tokyo’s bankers sated since 1993, this no-frills (and eternally flour-coated) eatery serves up some of the finest pitas and falafel in the whole city. All products are vegan. 2F ATT Shinkan, 2-11-7 Akasaka, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-5563-0851. Open weekday lunchtimes only. Nearest stn: Tameike-Sanno, exit 12. http://pitathegreat.net ¥
•pub
The Dubliners’
An authentic Irish bar right in the center of Akasaka, Dubliners‘ has the feel of a cozy Irish cottage from the 19th century. It's a perfect spot for relaxing and socializing after work with a pint of Guinness or Kilkenny. Happy Hour is 5-7pm, when all cocktails are ¥500 and a draft beer and food set costs just ¥1,000. B1 Sanno Park Tower, 2-11-1 Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku. 03-3539-3615. Open Mon-Fri 11:30am-2pm and 5-11:30pm. Nearest stn: Tameike-Sanno. www.dubliners.jp
•sports bar
BBC
BBC, or Billiard Bar Cosmo, offers drinks, darts and billiards in a lively downtown location, with an ever-changing bar-food menu and mix of Japanese and foreign customers. Heavy on American bourbons, BBC also features Guinness and other Western and Japanese beers. 2F Mayuzumi Bldg, 3-10-3 Akasaka, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-3585-4838. Open Mon-Thu 5:30pm-3am, Fri 5.30pm-5am, Sat & hols 5:30-11:30pm, closed Sun. Nearest stn: Akasaka-Mitsuke.
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★togu palace Inspired by Buckingham Palace and Versailles, the Crown Prince’s residence
is closed to the public but still
a sight to behold|★national
diet building See where the
big decisions are made with
a tour through the home of the House of Councillors and House of Representatives|★sanno park tower This high-rise office tower is hard to miss and filled with famous Japanese and foreign firms|★hie shrine Dating back to 1478, this hilltop shrine was reconstructed in 1967 and holds one of the city’s most celebrated festivals|★hotel okura Home to Orchid Bar, this iconic hotel also has the best ’70s decor in the city|★suntory museum of art Founded by the liquor company of the same name, this small museum houses a collection of Japanese paintings, lacquerware and more
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Dining
Nightlife