
Kaikaya by the Sea
A lively Shibuya izakaya serving the freshest seafood with creative Japanese fusion dishes and an unforgettable, vibrant atmosphere.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

Kaikaya by the Sea

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A lively Shibuya izakaya serving the freshest seafood with creative Japanese fusion dishes and an unforgettable, vibrant atmosphere.
"The best meal I’ve ever had in Tokyo, hands down!"
Reservations Recommended
The restaurant is small, so making a reservation is highly advised to secure a table.
Try the Lunch Special
Don't miss the recommended lunchtime dish: Maguro Nakaochi Tenkasu Tamago Nokke Mori.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Japanese Fusion
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Incredibly Fresh Seafood
Indulge in the freshest seafood, sourced daily with unique flavor combinations. A must for seafood lovers!

Vibrant Izakaya Atmosphere
Experience a chic, vibrant, and cozy atmosphere with lively staff that make you feel right at home.

Creative Japanese Fusion & Omakase
Enjoy creative Japanese fusion dishes and an exceptional omakase experience that delights the senses.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Reservations Recommended
The restaurant is small, so making a reservation is highly advised to secure a table.
Try the Lunch Special
Don't miss the recommended lunchtime dish: Maguro Nakaochi Tenkasu Tamago Nokke Mori.
Must-Try Tuna
The tuna spare rib is a house special and a highly recommended dish by regulars.
Embrace the Vibe
Enjoy the fun, vibrant vibe and friendly staff for a truly memorable dining experience.
Tips
from all over the internet
Reservations Recommended
The restaurant is small, so making a reservation is highly advised to secure a table.
Try the Lunch Special
Don't miss the recommended lunchtime dish: Maguro Nakaochi Tenkasu Tamago Nokke Mori.
Must-Try Tuna
The tuna spare rib is a house special and a highly recommended dish by regulars.
Embrace the Vibe
Enjoy the fun, vibrant vibe and friendly staff for a truly memorable dining experience.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Kaikaya by the Sea is lauded for its incredibly fresh seafood, creative Japanese fusion dishes, and vibrant, welcoming atmosphere. Many diners describe it as a standout dining experience in Tokyo, praising the attentive staff and unique ambiance. While most reviews are overwhelmingly positive, a few mention that the emphasis on Western flavors might not appeal to purists, and one review noted an issue with the flow of a set menu and water service.
"This was my favourite dining experience in Tokyo so far. You cannot miss it if you like seafood! Incredibly fresh fish, all courses were delicious, very fun vibe and the servers were so friendly. I loved everything about Kaikaya by the sea and know I’ll be dreaming about this restaurant when I return home."
Katie Noonan
"An unforgettable dining experience!
We absolutely loved our evening at Kaikaya by the Sea! From the moment we walked in, the staff made us feel incredibly welcome — warm, attentive, and full of personality. The atmosphere was cozy yet vibrant, perfect for a memorable night out.
And the food? Absolutely phenomenal. Every dish was a burst of flavor and beautifully presented — fresh seafood, creative Japanese fusion, and seasonal specials that blew us away. You can really feel the passion behind every plate.
We left with full hearts (and stomachs), already planning our next visit. This is hands down one of the best dining experiences we’ve ever had in Tokyo!"
Ada Lam
"A bit touristy for sure, as it has been included on social media a lot lately - but the waitor was really sweet and even knew some Swedish, witch is a first here in Tokyo for me!
We were 5 people and got a table pretty easily on a Saturday night. There is only the option to do a full course menu so beware of that, the minimum is about 5-6000 yen pp but you get A LOT of food.
The food was beautiful (for the most part) and mostly of good quality. Weirdly enough our favorite was the beef at this seafood restaurant! The one thing that drives the grade down is that on the latter part of the course menu there was a soup with potatoes and fish, which had a lot of bones and just did not feel like it belonged at all. Sort of interrupted the flow of the meal. The dessert was a bit on the simple side, but allright.
There was some issue with ordering water, there seemed to be confusion and we had to wait for a long while to get water with our food, which was a bit annoying. But otherwise, great staff and service!"
Adrian Boberg
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The restaurant is described as an 'under-the-radar jewel' and easily overlooked. Pay close attention to the address, as it's located on a narrow lane a short walk from Shibuya Station.
Yes, it's highly recommended to make a reservation due to the restaurant's smaller size and popularity.
Many recommend the 'tuna spare rib,' fresh sashimi platters, Wagyu beef, and the recommended lunchtime dish.
Yes, the restaurant is highly accommodating for dietary needs, including gluten intolerance, even without a reservation.
The atmosphere is described as cozy, vibrant, chic, and lively, with a beach house theme and artistic interiors.
The restaurant has a relaxed and funky atmosphere, suggesting a casual dress code.
Mentioned in
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The best restaurants in Tokyo
Fish takes centre stage at Kaikaya, a lively, friendly and atmospheric local restaurant on a narrow lane a 10-minute walk from Shibuya station. The charismatic owner Teruyuki Tange sources more than 30 seasonal fish selections every day, with highlights including assortments of raw sashimi and the house special 'maguro no kama' – which translates quite unappetisingly as tuna jaw, but is rich, deeply flavoured and absolutely delicious. A word of warning: there are two separate dining rooms for smoking and non-smoking.
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Traveller favourite Kaikaya serves seafood, much of which is caught in nearby Sagami Bay, in a variety of styles. The whole casual set-up is a homage to…
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Kaikaya by the Sea, a short walk from Shibuya Station (12-mins), is what happens when a local izakaya collides with a global party. Tables buzz with conversation, and the staff bring a lively, attentive energy that keeps the crowd mixed, Japanese regulars, groups of travelers, and after-work expats now call this spot a favorite. Here, we sit elbow-to-elbow on mismatched chairs beneath painted murals, surrounded by a living soundtrack that jumps from old jazz to pop anthems.
Kaikaya By the Sea in Shibuya
Recently, I celebrated a friend’s birthday at a cool, quirky restaurant called Kaikaya By the Sea (開花屋) in Shibuya. Located about a 10-15 minute walk from Shibuya Crossing, Kaikaya has an eclectic menu of seafood dishes inspired by cuisine from around the world. You’ll see a lot of the places that likely inspired owner-chef Teruyuki Tange in the travel photos posted in the restroom and other parts of the restaurant.
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This restaurant serves only fish, all of which is exquisitely fresh, and is known for is its carpaccio and sashimi. Taking welcoming to a new level, when you enter the door you’ll be greeted with a chorus of shouts from the kitchen. Kaikaya is an under-the-radar jewel in Shibuya and, like many restaurants in Tokyo, easily overlooked – pay close attention to the address.
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Kaikaya by the Sea is a vibrant seafood restaurant known for its exceptional ambiance. Many customers recommend the tuna collar, which is often cited as the best they've ever had, and the ebi mayo is also highly appreciated. The restaurant offers a unique atmosphere with chefs enthusiastically welcoming guests, enhancing the overall experience.
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A beautiful higher end izakaya in the backstreets of Shibuya If you’d like to eat an early dinner with kids near Shibuya Crossing and like the kids of cozy restaurant where you’ll be dining with the locals… I recommend Kaikaiya by the Sea. The food is Japanese fusion and mostly based around seafood. Here is the Kaikaiya by the Sea menu.
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tiramisu1130: "The store is not big but very cozy, with a feeling of a late-night canteen! A very cute new-style Japanese restaurant, very popular and lively, you need to make a reservation in advance or you will have to wait in line for a long time. The menu has many varieties to satisfy all taste buds and is also very exquisite!
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Kaikaya By the Sea is the busiest seafood restaurant in Shibuya, specializing in seafood freshly caught from Sagami Bay and is very popular with locals and tourists. The restaurant owner and chef has been cooking his specialties here for more than 30 years. The restaurant has a beach house theme with a unique and cozy atmosphere.
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Kaikaya is a cozy Japanese restaurant that serves fresh seafood from Sagami Bay. The interiors are quite eccentric and artistic, so this is the place to be if you’re into that. Moreover, the ambiance is warm, and the servers’ friendliness and contagious smiles add to the special nature of the entire dining experience.
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This restaurant uses seafood from the Sagami Bay to create meals that have a Japanese-style base. They have a wide variety of sashimi and carpaccio available, plus the staff is very energetic and friendly. It's a restaurant with energy, so it's recommended for when you want to have a really fun time out.
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Located in the center of Tokyo, Shibuya, Kaikaya by the sea serves fresh fish and seafood, where the visitor can feel as if sitting by the sea. Owner chef is ocean lover and has local network in the seashore. Regardless genre Kaikaya by the sea serves Japanese dishes in ethnic and European style.
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If you’ve been keeping up, you’d know I put this restaurant in almost all my guides. I come back to this place on my first day back in Tokyo every time. The food here is staggering, and the way you get introduced into the Izakaya life is very busy, friendly and entertaining.
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If for some reason you’re down to gorge on seafood in Tokyo, there’s no other restaurant to go to except for Kaikaya by the Sea. This seafood restaurant has everything you need to satisfy your seafood cravings—whether you’re looking for soup, grilled, or fried.
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This Shibuya spot isn't actually by the sea, but we're not holding that against them. Especially when the food is this good. Order the sashimi platter – the owner hand selects it at the fish market every day – and don't ignore Kobe beef sushi, either.
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Kaikaya by the Sea offers affordable yet delicious seafood with a focus on fish dishes. With flavorful broths, tuna ribs, and fresh sushi, this restaurant is a staple for many. Their menu creatively blends Japanese and Western-style dishes.
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This izakaya is a real institution in the Shibuya district, that'll delight fish and seafood lovers, coming directly from Sagami Bay. Offering platters of sashimi, salads, grilled fish, shrimp, octopus and more... the menu is extensive.
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When it comes to popular seafood restaurants in Shibuya, "Kaikaya" is a standout. They serve creative Japanese cuisine featuring seafood. The lively interior evokes the atmosphere of a port town izakaya.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit