Must-see restaurants in Asakusa & Sumida River

  • Plate of high-grade beef, part of a course of Asakusa Imahan's famous sukiyaki lunch, Asakusa & Sumida River.

    Asakusa Imahan

    Asakusa & Sumida River

    Among the oldest and most famous of Tokyo's wagyū (Japanese beef) restaurants, Imahan (in business since 1895), specialises in courses of sukiyaki and…

  • Onigiri Yadoroku

    Asakusa & Sumida River

    Onigiri, rice moulded into triangle and wrapped in sheets of nori (seaweed) is Japan's ultimate snack. You know, the ones at the convenience store; try…

  • Street front of Kappo Yoshiba in the historic former Miyagino sumo stable , Asakusa & Sumida River.

    Kappō Yoshiba

    Asakusa & Sumida River

    The former Miyagino sumo stable is the location for this one-of-a-kind restaurant that has preserved the dōyō (practice ring) as its centrepiece. Playing…

  • Otafuku

    Asakusa & Sumida River

    In business for over a century, Otafuku specialises in oden, a classic Japanese dish of vegetables and seafood simmered in a soy sauce and dashi (fish…

  • Iki Espresso

    Asakusa & Sumida River

    A blast of Antipodean sunshine in the midst of Tokyo, Iki is a relaxed all-day Aussie cafe complete with avo on toast, ricotta hotcakes and long blacks…

  • Noren curtans at Hosokawa, Asakusa & Sumida River.

    Hosokawa

    Asakusa & Sumida River

    Chef Hosokawa Takashi grinds buckwheat fresh daily for the soba he kneads and cuts by hand. Get them in hot broth (kake-soba) or at room temperature on a…

  • Kintame

    Asakusa & Sumida River

    This branch of the famous Kyoto-based pickle shop provides tastings of its traditional preserves done in a variety of ways, including with salt, vinegar…

  • Kappō Miyako

    Asakusa & Sumida River

    Centuries ago, when Fukagawa was basically a tidal flat, hungry locals would gather clams at the shore, resulting in the neighbourhood's signature dish:…

  • Hoppy-dōri

    Asakusa & Sumida River

    Along either side of the street popularly known as Hoppy-dōri – ‘hoppy’ is a cheap malt beverage – are rows of izakaya (Japanese pub-eateries) with…

  • Shishimaru Shokudō

    Asakusa & Sumida River

    The house speciality at this eccentric shack-like joint in the shadow of Tokyo Sky Tree is te-uchi udon (handmade wheat noodles); other dishes to sample…

  • Koto-ga-ume

    Asakusa & Sumida River

    When sumo wrestler Koto-ga-ume retired he opened this restaurant specialising in chanko-nabe, the protein-rich stew that rikishi (sumo wrestlers) eat by…

  • Rokurinsha

    Asakusa & Sumida River

    Rokurinsha's speciality is tsukemen – ramen noodles served on the side with a bowl of concentrated soup for dipping. The noodles here are thick and…

  • Komagata Dozeu

    Asakusa & Sumida River

    Since 1801, Komagata Dozeu has been simmering and stewing dojō (Japanese loach, which looks something like a miniature eel). Dojō-nabe (loach hotpot),…

  • Edo Noren

    Asakusa & Sumida River

    The old Ryōgoku Station has been transformed into this touristy, sumo-themed food hall with souvenir shops and 11 different restaurants on two floors. In…

  • Yuwaeru Honten

    Asakusa & Sumida River

    Yuwaeru prides itself on its brown rice, and other traditional, healthy dishes. Lunch is teishoku (set meal) cafeteria-style: grab a tray and follow the…

  • Suzukien

    Asakusa & Sumida River

    Suzukien boasts of having the most matcha-ful matcha ice cream around, and the deep moss-green Premium No 7 (one scoop ¥585) does not disappoint. In…

  • Misojyu

    Asakusa & Sumida River

    When you just want something simple, filling and delicious: choose a soup (say, mushroom miso soup or a chunky pork soup with root vegetables) and an…

  • Sometarō

    Asakusa & Sumida River

    Sometarō is a fun and funky place to try okonomiyaki (savoury Japanese-style pancakes filled with meat, seafood and vegetables that you cook yourself)…

  • Tomoegata

    Asakusa & Sumida River

    If you're keen to try chanko-nabe – the hearty, protein-rich stew that fattens up sumo wrestlers – Tomoegata is a great place to do it. The daily lunch…

  • Asakusa Unagi Sansho

    Asakusa & Sumida River

    At this super-friendly and simple unagi (eel) restaurant the grilled eel is served in three different sizes: only go for large if you're really hungry. On…

  • Daikokuya

    Asakusa & Sumida River

    This is the place to get old-fashioned tempura fried in pure sesame oil, an Asakusa speciality. It’s in a white building with a tile roof. If there’s a…

  • Irokawa

    Asakusa & Sumida River

    This tiny place has a real old Edo flavour and is an unpretentious unagi (eel) restaurant. The menu is simple: a ‘small’ gets you two slices of charcoal…

  • Chōchin Monaka

    Asakusa & Sumida River

    Traditionally, monaka are wafers filled with sweet bean jam. At this little stand on Nakamise-dōri, they're filled with ice cream instead – in flavours…