About Akasaka Kikunoi
Yoshihiro Murata is the third generation to run Kikunoi, the kaiseki house his grandfather opened in Kyoto in 1912. In 2004 he brought it to Tokyo, fitting a faithful piece of Kyoto into a narrow Akasaka townhouse: a tea-room entrance downstairs, a tatami dining room and a counter above. The Kyoto flagship holds three Michelin stars; this Tokyo outpost has held two since 2010.
Murata is the chef who literally wrote the book on Japanese stock, and his first-press dashi of kombu and shaved bonito is the foundation every course is built on. The seasonal kaiseki changes with the month and runs to a long procession of small, exact dishes: lacquered boxes of seasonal bites, sea-eel and tofu dumplings in summer, and snapping turtle simmered with ginger, dashi and sake. Dinner runs roughly ¥23,000 to ¥34,000 a head before a 15% service charge; lunch starts near ¥10,000.
The Room
The room is pure Kyoto restraint: tatami underfoot, hanging scrolls, a single seasonal flower, and the choice of a counter to watch the chefs or a private tatami room for a quiet table. It is calm and conversation-easy, lit low, dress smart. Reservations are taken through a concierge and go weeks out; the restaurant is at 6-13-8 Akasaka, Minato-ku, closed Sunday and Monday.
Why It's Perfect for Impress Clients
Book this room when the guest matters more than the deal. It signals that you understand Japan without a word of explanation, the pace lets conversation breathe between courses, and a private tatami room keeps the table yours for the night. A counter seat works equally well for a solo diner with patience and an appetite for the chef's hands at work.
Not For
Not for a fast or casual meal — kaiseki here is a long, formal sequence of many small courses, with no à la carte and no English-menu shortcut.
Common Questions
How many Michelin stars does Akasaka Kikunoi have? Two, in the Michelin Guide Tokyo, held since 2010. The original Kikunoi in Kyoto holds three.
How much is dinner? The seasonal kaiseki runs roughly ¥23,000 to ¥34,000 per person before a 15% service charge; lunch starts near ¥10,000.
Who is the chef? Yoshihiro Murata, the third-generation owner-chef of Kikunoi, who opened the Tokyo branch in 2004.
How do I book? Through a concierge or a service such as Tableall, several weeks ahead. The room is at 6-13-8 Akasaka, Minato-ku, and closes Sunday and Monday.
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