Kimoto

Tokyo, Japan

The delicacies on owner-chef Taiya Kimoto's set menu aren't just cooked, they're crafted, which explains why this teeny kaiseki restaurant is often cited as one of the best in Japan. Expect spiny lobster, abalone, kelp broth, matsutake mushrooms, ayu fish, eel, black wagyu beef chateaubriand and more from this renowned spot, which relocated from Kobe to Tokyo in 2018. Kimoto and his team of culinary wizards pay near-fanatical attention to the provenance and seasonality of their ingredients, having established supply deals with producers across the country. They then cook and combine to present that produce at its absolute best, serving it at a dramatically-lit central eight-metre counter crafted from a single piece of Japanese cypress. The setting is so stunning it looks like a painting. Though you'll have to make a mental note of both your surroundings and what you eat – photography is strictly banned.

Key Information

• Tasting menu from $433
• Lunch: Sat Dinner: Tues – Fri

Location

5-5 Higashi Gokencho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-0813