English friendly in Japan

Tokyo

Ise Sueyoshi in Nishiazabu serves a 10-course Mie Prefecture kaiseki with sake pairing across 11 seats, led by chef Tanaka Yuki.

Kanazawa, Ishikawa

Chef Takashi Yamamoto runs a 10-seat kaiseki counter in Kanazawa with a 15-course menu, sake pairing, and English-friendly service.

Kanazawa, Ishikawa

Kaiseki counter in Kanazawa's Higashiyama district run by chef Akihiko Yokoyama, with a 10-course menu around ¥10,000 per person.

Kyoto

Kikunoi Honten is a three-Michelin-star kaiseki restaurant in Kyoto's Higashiyama ward, with ten private tatami rooms and courses starting at ¥16,500.

Kyoto

Counter-seat omakase inside Nishiki Market Alley, Kyoto, with a seafood or fully vegan 10-piece sushi course finished with ramen, ¥7,700 per person.

Fukuoka

Ten-course kaiseki in Chuo Ward, Fukuoka, pairing Hagi and Kyushu ingredients, with a private room and phone-only reservations.

Kanazawa, Ishikawa

Counter-only Edomae sushi in Kanazawa's Kazuemachi district, chef Kazuhiro Morita, 8-course dinner omakase from ¥22,000, phone reservations only.

Fukuoka

Chef Ishida serves a 10-course kaiseki omakase for ¥11,000 at this Nakasu, Fukuoka restaurant, with counter and private-room seating for up to 56 guests.

Kyoto

Kaiseki Makotarou in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto serves a single 8,800-yen kaiseki course at a 28-seat counter and table restaurant, closed Wednesdays.

Tokyo

Ichi-u is a counter-only Japanese restaurant in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, run by chef Koichi Hamano, blending washoku and Edomae sushi in an omakase format.