
Nihonryori RyuGin
A three-Michelin-star Japanese restaurant in Tokyo, renowned for its innovative kaiseki and artistic culinary creations.

Highlights
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Nihonryori RyuGin

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A three-Michelin-star Japanese restaurant in Tokyo, renowned for its innovative kaiseki and artistic culinary creations.
"An unforgettable experience that redefines fine dining with bold yet delicate flavors."
Consider a 'normal' menu
Opt for a standard menu if unsure about specialty items like Pufferfish for a more enjoyable experience.
Be prepared for long courses
Dine knowing that courses can last around 3 hours, allowing ample time for the experience.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Modern Japanese (Kaiseki)
Price
Fine dining
Phone
+81 3-6630-0007
Address
東京ミッドタウン日比谷 7階, 1 Chome-1-2 Yurakucho, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0006, Japan
Website
nihonryori-ryugin.com/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Innovative Kaiseki
Redefining traditional Japanese cuisine with bold flavors and artistic presentation. A modern kaiseki experience.

Masterful Ingredient Use
Showcasing premium ingredients with innovative flair, creating dishes that are both visually stunning and exceptionally flavorful.

Artistic Dish Presentation
Each course is a masterpiece, blending Japanese techniques with innovative flair and a focus on visual appeal.
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Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Consider a 'normal' menu
Opt for a standard menu if unsure about specialty items like Pufferfish for a more enjoyable experience.
Be prepared for long courses
Dine knowing that courses can last around 3 hours, allowing ample time for the experience.
Communicate dietary needs
Inform staff of any sensitivities or restrictions beforehand to ensure a smooth and enjoyable meal.
Check menu availability
Inquire about seasonal degustation sets or à la carte options available at specific times.
Tips
from all over the internet
Consider a 'normal' menu
Opt for a standard menu if unsure about specialty items like Pufferfish for a more enjoyable experience.
Be prepared for long courses
Dine knowing that courses can last around 3 hours, allowing ample time for the experience.
Communicate dietary needs
Inform staff of any sensitivities or restrictions beforehand to ensure a smooth and enjoyable meal.
Check menu availability
Inquire about seasonal degustation sets or à la carte options available at specific times.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Nihonryori RyuGin offers an innovative take on traditional Japanese kaiseki, with many praising its artistic presentation and masterful use of premium ingredients. However, some diners found certain dishes challenging or disappointing, with occasional remarks on service pacing and value for money.
"An unforgettable experience that redefines fine dining. From the moment we stepped in, every detail - from the serene ambiance to the meticulously crafted dishes - leaves us in awe. Each course is a masterpiece, blending Japanese techniques with innovative flair. The flavours are bold yet delicate, showcasing the finest ingredients in the most unexpected ways. A truly jaw-dropping dining experience that lingers long after the meal."
L Chan
"I had very high expectations. This was the Pufferfish tasting menu, so every course had Pufferfish or Shirako (sperm sack).
These are winter delicacies in Japan and the Pufferfish will kill you if it’s not prepared correctly so technically this was a very difficult menu to execute. However, I enjoyed less than half the dishes as the fish is very hard to eat. It is very tough and chewie and I only enjoyed the deep fried preparation and the hot pot. The rice porridge and dessert were phenomenal and there was one dish called “Tonight’s marinade dish” that was excellent. Again, I want to reiterate how hard the preparation of this fish is but the actual flavors and eating enjoyment were quite low for a 3-Star Michelin restaurant where the cost was $660 (no alcohol).
I would recommend going when the menu is “normal” and I would like to give it another chance because it was very disappointing."
Alex lapolice
"A contemporary approach to traditional kaiseki with masterful skills and delicate flavours. Wine & sake pairing was well worth the price and beautifully complemented the courses. Service was warm and attentive. Low reviews are probably result of frustrated expectations of a more predictable menu. This is the placa for true 3-Michelin star modern kaiseki."
Vitor Barros
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Kaiseki is a traditional Japanese multi-course fine dining meal, showcasing the chef's skills and seasonal ingredients.
The restaurant asks diners to be 'sensible' about wearing perfume, suggesting a smart-casual to formal dress code.
Unfortunately, vegetarian guests are politely turned away, as the menu focuses on traditional Japanese ingredients.
A dining experience at RyuGin can last around 3 hours, so plan accordingly.
À la carte options may be available at specific times of night, alongside the seasonal full-course degustation set.
While highly acclaimed, some reviewers suggest the high price point may not be justified for everyone.
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Ryugin sprang to prominence on the back of chef Seiji Yamamoto's imaginative application of modern cooking techniques to classic Japanese cuisine. These days, he has no need for any molecular magic: his vibrant contemporary kaiseki speaks for itself. Yamamoto is now at the top of his game (as recognised by his third Michelin star), drawing massive depths of flavour from his premium ingredients – such as sakuradai snapper, from the Naruto Strait close to his hometown, creamy an-kimo (monkfish liver, known as the foie gras of the ocean), or hand-reared Iwate wagyu beef.
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RyuGin strikes a balance between time-honoured Japanese cooking techniques and original dishes. It has earned three Michelin stars for its menu that’s limited to a seasonal full-course degustation set, along with à la carte options available at certain times of night. Many dishes include hot and cold elements, such as the restaurant’s signature dessert that incorporates fruit that’s both boiling and frozen with liquid nitrogen.
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Discover the art of kaiseki, or a multi-course dinner based on seasonal ingredients, at RyuGin in Hibiya. Chef Seiji Yamamoto received three Michelin stars for his skillful fusion that appeals to all the senses and beautifully highlights Japanese produce. His emphasis on wa, or harmony, comes through in dishes like sashimi arranged to resemble a painting and Hokkaido kinki (channel rockfish) with sansho leaf.
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A website note urging diners to be 'sensible' about wearing perfume reflects how seriously food is taken by the famously fiery chef, Seiji Yamamoto. Vegetarian guests are also politely turned away. But the innovative experimental creations on offer – reflected in its trio of Michelin stars – make it worthy of a pilgrimage.
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Of those, 12 come with lofty three-star status, including chef Seiji Yamamoto’s artistic kaiseki (multi-course) menu at RyuGin and the Edo-style sushi at Masahiro Yoshitake’s Sushi Yoshitake.
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Go back to your hotel and freshen up before an early dinner at Nihonryori RyuGin, translated as the Japanese cuisine of the singing dragon, is a beautifully traditional and formal Japanese kaiseki style restaurant in the business district with a modern and more palatable flavour than some other kaiseki restaurants in Japan that may not be for everyone. Kaiseki refers to the Japanese equivalent of a fine dining multi-course meal where the chef is allowed to show his skills and combine four types of Japanese cuisine: court, samurai, temple and tea ceremony cuisine. The dishes can also be considered a type of art form that balances the taste, texture, appearance, and colours of food with incredibly beautiful, delicate and ornate dishes.
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Nihonryori RyuGin, a Tokyo staple for 20 years, aims to present Japanese cuisine with the spirit of Wa (和), or “harmony” (“Nihonryori” means “Japanese cooking” and RyuGin comes from the Zen term, “Ryugin Unki”). Chef and owner Seiji Yamamoto infuses his cooking with pride in Japan and its ingredients, with a commitment to using no chemical seasonings or artificial flavors. The tasting menu changes daily and can be paired with wine, sake, or a selection of teas.
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Nihonryori RyuGin is headed by Chef Seiji Yamamoto and the food is rooted in Chef Yamamoto’s avant-garde cooking techniques for classic kaiseki cuisine. The 12-course kaiseki set meal is driven by seasonal ingredients and subject to change daily as the chef hand-picks the top-quality food items for your meal. With nearly two decades at the peak of Japan’s fine dining scene, Chef Yamamoto’s labour of love, Nihonryori RyuGin is understandably popular.
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Nihonryori Ryugin, a renowned Japanese restaurant, has held three Michelin stars for eight consecutive years and is recognized among the World's 50 Best Restaurants. Chef Seiji Yamamoto expertly uses handpicked seasonal ingredients from across Japan to highlight their natural flavors. The menu features standout dishes such as "Matsutake Mushroom and Grilled Tilefish Soup" and "Ryugin-style Snow Crab"—a masterpiece showcasing every part of the crab.
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Ryugin’s name means “dragon’s voice,” and chef Seiji Yamamoto’s revolutionary approach to traditional kaiseki – he once used a CT scanner to examine the skeleton of a pike eel – has made him a living legend. In recent years, he's adopted a more subdued aesthetic, but his highly refined dishes prove that he’s still at the top of his game. Seafood is his wheelhouse, and his product-driven and cleverly technical dishes are meant for serious foodies.
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Last but certainly not least, Nihonryori RyuGin offers an exquisite blend of experimental and traditional Japanese cuisine with a hats-off to French Haute cuisine. Led by a visionary chef, Seiji Yamamoto, this exceptional restaurant offers an ever-evolving menu that pushes the boundaries of culinary creativity. Each course is meticulously crafted and will surely have your mouth watering, fusing seasonal ingredients with innovative techniques.
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With head chef Seiji Tamamoto at the helm, Nihonryori RyuGin is a progressive restaurant serving modern Japanese cuisine. Cutting-edge technology meets with traditional cuisine for an experimental menu with signature dishes such as grilled ayu (sweetfish) and the Minus-196 Degrees Candy Apple (a glossy red toffee apple filled with powdered ice-cream). The menu changes daily depending on what is on offer at the local markets each morning.
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Ryugin provides a unique eating experience that unites history and innovation for couples looking to combine the two. Under the direction of Chef Seiji Yamamoto, this Michelin-starred eatery honours Japan’s rich culinary history while pushing the frontiers of Japanese cuisine. Located in the posh Roppongi neighbourhood, Ryugin encourages customers to partake in a culinary journey that honours the essence of Japanese flavours.
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RyuGin specializes in modern interpretations of kaiseki, the traditional Japanese multi-course meal. Chef Seiji Yamamoto is famous for his inventive techniques and presentation, bringing a creative flair to time-honored dishes. With each course, RyuGin aims to tell a story, drawing on elements of Japanese myth and legend as well as seasonal motifs to provide an immersive dining experience.
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But when Chef Seiji Yamamoto first came onto the scene, Ryugin was the only restaurant that offered this type of cooking. Everyone marvels at Yamamoto’s signature dessert –a 196-degree strawberry (or seasonal fruit) served with 99-degree strawberry jam. Now that this is one of the most famous restaurants in the city, Chef Seijo has opened branches of Ryugin in both Taipei and Hong Kong.
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Located steps from the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, RyuGin offers a refined exploration of Japanese cuisine. Chef Seiji Yamamoto expresses a deep respect for the spirituality of Japanese ingredients, innovating from a clear theoretical perspective. The name RyuGin derives from the proverb "When the dragon sings, clouds form," and Yamamoto leads a Japanese culinary movement for a new age.
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RyuGin is a renowned fine-dining restaurant in Tokyo that offers an exquisite Chinese culinary experience. Led by Chef Seiji Yamamoto, this Michelin three-starred restaurant aims to elevate Chinese cuisine to new heights. RyuGin’s meticulously crafted dishes showcase the essence of Chinese flavors, using only the finest ingredients and innovative cooking techniques.
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Ryugin, led by Chef Seiji Yamamoto, is a culinary temple of modern kaiseki, offering a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation. Signature dishes include "Charcoal-Grilled Wagyu Beef" and "Winter Melon with Sea Urchin," showcasing Japan’s seasonal ingredients. The presentation is an art form, with each dish designed to reflect nature's beauty.
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Furthermore, due to Harutaka's late enough opening hours, it has become the favourite supper venue of famous fellow chefs such as Seiji Yamamoto of Ryugin and Masahiro Yoshitake of Sushi Yoshitake, both 3-starred restaurants. With such endorsements, I knew I had to go when I came across this restaurant, researching top sushi places in Tokyo.
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A world-class Japanese restaurant that symbolizes the richness of Japan. It is run by head chef Seiji Yamamoto, ranked in the top 10 of the World’s Top 100 Chefs. In addition to being 3-Starred, it has been voted as ‘Best Restaurant in Asia’ and ‘World’s Best Restaurant’.
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Chef Seiji Yamamoto marries Japan’s kaiseki tradition with a style and sensibility that is both contemporary and highly accessible, even for those visiting Tokyo for the first time. Nihonryori RyuGin means “Japanese cuisine;” and RyuGin, meaning “dragon’s voice,” derives from a teaching in Zen Buddhism.
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Simply put, Ryugin offers one of the finest and most acclaimed culinary experiences on the planet. It has captured the coveted Michelin 3-star ranking for ten years running. In 2010 it was featured in The World's 50 Best Restaurants, the first establishment serving Japanese food to make the list.
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Set in the upscale Tokyo Midtown Hibiya, Ryugin’s ambiance is as modern as it gets. But don’t mistake its setting for lacking traditional kaiseki experience. Ryugin delivers the same vibe, thanks to its well-decorated owner-chef, Seiji Yamamoto.
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The sea urchin^ is not fishy and has a sweet taste, so you can eat as much as you want. And the favorite New Zealand lobster^🦐!. The sashimi platter^ is quite fresh, all thick cuts 🍣 are very soft and glutinous, super satisfying.
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Located in Roppongi, Ryugin is a culinary destination that pushes the boundaries of Japanese cuisine. A meal here starts at approximately ¥ $30,000 ($190), reflecting the innovative and high-quality dishes served.
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Very close to the top on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, this sophisticated restaurant serves traditional Japanese cuisine with a style and sensibility that makes it accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
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Offering delicious meals and memorable times for any couple dining there for a romantic date. Ryugin’s popularity for its food makes it second among the 6 Best Romantic Restaurants in Tokyo.
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