
Kotaro
An upscale izakaya where Chef Kotaro Hayashi creates a unique omakase experience with handcrafted dishes and fresh udon noodles.

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

Kotaro

Highlights
Must-see attractions
An upscale izakaya where Chef Kotaro Hayashi creates a unique omakase experience with handcrafted dishes and fresh udon noodles.
"Experience premium Japanese cuisine crafted with passion and served with warm hospitality at Kotaro."
Book Way in Advance
Reservations are essential and should be made well in advance due to high demand and limited seating.
Let Chef Choose
State your preferences and allow Chef Kotaro Hayashi to curate your dining experience from the no-fixed menu.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Japanese Izakaya
Price
$$$
Phone
+81 3-5428-5705
Address
28-2 Sakuragaokacho, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0031, Japan
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Omakase Experience
Chef Kotaro Hayashi crafts personalized dishes based on your preferences, respecting tradition with innovative twists.

Signature Menchi-katsu
The must-try menchi-katsu, a delectable ground meat dish that is breaded and fried to perfection.

Handcrafted Udon Noodles
Freshly made udon noodles served at the end of the meal, with various toppings to choose from.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Way in Advance
Reservations are essential and should be made well in advance due to high demand and limited seating.
Let Chef Choose
State your preferences and allow Chef Kotaro Hayashi to curate your dining experience from the no-fixed menu.
Try Signature Items
Don't miss the popular menchi-katsu or the creamy potato salad for a true taste of Kotaro's renowned dishes.
Off-Peak Hours
Consider visiting during weekdays or off-peak hours for a potentially easier time securing a reservation.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Way in Advance
Reservations are essential and should be made well in advance due to high demand and limited seating.
Let Chef Choose
State your preferences and allow Chef Kotaro Hayashi to curate your dining experience from the no-fixed menu.
Try Signature Items
Don't miss the popular menchi-katsu or the creamy potato salad for a true taste of Kotaro's renowned dishes.
Off-Peak Hours
Consider visiting during weekdays or off-peak hours for a potentially easier time securing a reservation.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Kotaro is lauded for its premium, refined Japanese cuisine and friendly, hospitable staff, creating an elegant yet laid-back atmosphere. Many praise the chef's ability to craft personalized dishes and signature items like the menchi-katsu. However, some diners have reported frustrating experiences with reservations and perceived unwelcoming attitudes, leading to difficulties in securing a table.
"Wonderful food served by friendly staff in an elegant yet laid-back setting. The sake was excellent and paired beautifully with the courses. I doubt we will ever have a better dumpling."
Jonathan Fine
"I’ve been there once. The dishes were mostly good—you could tell the chef put a lot of thought into selecting the ingredients, no doubt about that.
Before going to the restaurant, I was a bit nervous, worried that I might be disappointed because of the rude attitude we experienced when making the reservation. But thankfully, during the meal, the atmosphere was quite relaxed and pleasant. I’m alcohol intolerant due to ALDH2 deficiency, so I didn’t order sake, but I believe they should be good.
Unfortunately, that ended up being our only visit. The subsequent attempts to make a reservation were frustrating—the rules seemed inconsistent and confusing, and I was hung up on a couple of times
There are many famous restaurants where it’s difficult to get a reservation due to their popularity. Among them, many prioritize their customers’ dining experience; I’ve never felt discriminated against. I can’t help but wonder—what’s the point of making myself being iced out? Some might say I’m just being bitter, but it’s true: eating isn’t just about nutrition or taste; it’s also a social experience. If the overall experience leaves you feeling frustrated, why bother? There are plenty of other choices out there. It seems this restaurant only wants to cater to their regulars or close-knit clientele. It’s fine, and I would just say, good luck."
YL W.
"An extremely bad experience! Completely recommended.
From the moment we set down the service was poor, no one explained anything to us, we had no idea what’s going on. We informed the waiter that we don’t eat certain food, despite mentioning it, we still received the dish . They say they will give us something else instead, but actually they just gave us what they gave everyone. List of the food was just tofu and vegetables. Until we received a peace of fish, it has a bone on it. Finally , when we requested to speak to the chef( who owns the place) we got no reply or concern. No one checked on us. And we paid an extremely high fee. Just poor!! Really really really not recommended! Medium food level . At this price you can get an amazing wagyu meal."
ליעד ביטון
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Reservations are essential and should be made well in advance. Due to high demand and limited seating, it is recommended to call or inquire in person early.
No, there is no fixed menu. Chef Kotaro Hayashi creates personalized dishes based on your preferences.
Signature items include the must-try menchi-katsu and the creamy potato salad. Freshly made udon noodles are also served.
Yes, the chefs can prepare vegetarian options. It's advisable to inform them of any restrictions when booking.
The restaurant is located in the backstreets of Shibuya. GPS may not always indicate the correct place, so be prepared for a short search.
While some visitors have reported difficulties, others have had positive experiences. Making reservations in advance and having a Japanese speaker assist can be helpful.
Mentioned in
Featured in these publications
What To Do in Shibuya: Our Guide
There’s no menu at this chilled-out izakaya, so state your preferences and let patron-chef Kotaro Hayashi choose something for you. The food respects tradition but is not bound by it, and Hayashi’s hipster-like affinity for the handcrafted comes through in every dish. The meal ends with hand-cut udon noodles made fresh every day—sometimes topped with daikon, crispy tempura crumbs, and a squeeze of lemon, or, alternately, served with raw egg, butter, and soy sauce.
46 best restaurants in Tokyo right now
There’s no menu at this chilled-out izakaya, so state your preferences and let patron-chef Kotaro Hayashi choose something for you. The food respects tradition but is not bound by it, and Hayashi’s hipster-like affinity for the handcrafted comes through in every dish. The meal ends with hand-cut udon noodles made fresh every day – sometimes topped with daikon, crispy tempura crumbs, and a squeeze of lemon, or, alternately, served with raw egg, butter, and soy sauce.
The Best Izakaya in Tokyo (Japan
Kotaro is known as the Upscale Izakaya because it is one of the best premium Izakayas in Tokyo and the one of the Izakayas that started the trend of refined Izakaya food. In fact, former chef apprentices at Kotaro went on to start Sakai Shokai (above), Sowado (above) and Lamp. The food here features elegant and refined versions of Japanese casual Izakaya classics, blurring the lines between Kaiseki and Izakaya.
7 Best Izakaya Restaurants in Tokyo
Opened in 2011 in the back lanes of Shibuya, Kotaro is an always-solid choice for great izakaya eating and drinking. Order some sake – the owner only serves it from his eight favorite sake breweries – and then start the eating adventure with the signature dish: the creamy, complex potato salad, or potesara in the local parlance. Another is the menchi katsu, ground meat that's breaded and fried.
Shibuya 渋谷 – Food Sake Tokyo
Kotaro is very popular and not many spots open up each month as regulars make their next reservations on their way out. Kotaro is named after the owner and chef who prepares all of the food in an open kitchen behind a large wooden counter. I was introduced to Kotaro by…
50 Best Restaurants in Tokyo, Japan for 2025 (Top Eats!)
28-2 SakuragaokachoShibuya City, Tokyo 150-0031, Japan(813) 5428-5705. Kotaro, a chilled-out 10-seater izakaya pub in Shinsen’s backstreets, serves seasonally themed omakase dinners crafted with locally sourced ingredients.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit