5 Spots That Show Why Minato City Is Tokyo's Must‑Visit Food District
Umi
This two-Michelin-starred restaurant specializes in edomae sushi and is revered by serious fish connoisseurs for its perfectly balanced rice, vinegar and fish. Located in Minami Aoyama, not far from Gaien-mae Station, Umi has retained its stars for over a decade. Expect an omakase menu that includes not only sushi but a range of seasonal dishes. The chef is both skilled and personable, and with only ten seats available, reservations are essential.
Chef's Theatre
Chef's Theatre inside Mesm Tokyo, one of the world's most stylish and design-forward hotels, offers a festive open kitchen environment featuring bistronomy-style French cuisine led by head chef Kouki Kumamoto. Many dishes are themed around activating all five senses using seasonal Tokyo ingredients. Dishes are story-based and inspired by the local environment, from the lush Hamarikyu Gardens to the glittering nightlife of Harajuku. One standout is the high tea program called Afternoon Exhibition, which changes seasonally, with elegant bites inspired by individual pieces of art. The current prix fixe dinner includes options such as pan-seared wagyu beef, asparagus and prawn charlotte and roasted duck with spring vegetable tart.
Tofuya Ukai
The aesthetic of Tofuya Ukai is reminiscent of the Edo period, 200 years ago. Located beneath Tokyo Tower, guests are encouraged to arrive early to explore its expansive Japanese gardens, complete with pine trees and koi ponds. This is a tofu-focused kaiseki experience with elaborate dishes crafted from spring water and premium soybeans. A multicourse meal might include tosui-tofu (tofu in a dashi-infused soymilk soup), artisan bean curd in hotpots or age-dengaku (fried tofu cooked over wood charcoal). Meals run at least three hours and are served inside a traditional Japanese house with tatami floors and garden views. For the best value, book a lunch reservation. Go now, this institution will permanently close its doors on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
Ramen Jiro Mita Honten
A cult favorite, this is the original location of the now-chain Ramen Jiro. Known for unapologetically over-the-top bowls, it's as controversial as it is beloved. Some call it ramen's version of fast food—massive portions, fatty cuts of chashu and a bold, salty broth made with the shop's own soy sauce. Unlike more refined ramen shops, bowls here are chaotic and intentionally excessive. Mita Honten—the original location—is a tiny shop, but worth the visit. Bonus points if you can finish the entire bowl.
Miyachiku Takeshiba
Located inside the WATERS Takeshiba complex, Miyachiku Takeshiba specializes in Miyazaki beef, considered by many to be the best in Japan. Choose from teppanyaki counter seats, sofa seating or private rooms with luxurious views of Tokyo Bay. The drink list is extensive, with selections from the Miyazaki Prefecture, including rare sake, cocktails, wines and French champagnes. A teppanyaki dinner might include Miyazaki beef loin, appetizers, grilled fish, vegetables, rice, dessert and post-meal beverages.
Tsukiiji Market Tour
For a morning excursion just outside Minato City, sign up for Arigato Travel's Tsukiji Market breakfast tour. It begins with a traditional Japanese breakfast featuring sweet grilled fish, miso soup and rice, followed by bites from market stalls like freshly shucked oysters, sliced tuna and Japanese sweets. Along the way, a local guide shares background on the market's history and leads a stop at a nearby shrine. Expect a family-style lunch experience after the tour with the freshest picks of the morning shared among guests.
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go!go!vanillas on Crafting ‘SAKAMOTO DAYS' Season 2 End Theme ‘Dandelion' & Bringing Their Music to Global Audience
'Dandelion,' the new song from go!go!vanillas, is the ending theme for season 2 of the TV anime SAKAMOTO DAYS, which is based on a popular comic. This sophisticated synth-pop tune, with its cozy groove and occasional trumpet flourishes, is a new departure for the group. It powerfully, heartrendingly depicts the feelings that legendary hitman Sakamoto, the main character of SAKAMOTO DAYS, has for his family and his views of life and death. go!go!vanillas recently toured in support of their latest album, Lab. They played at small concert venues, music halls and arenas before selling out two consecutive days of shows at the Budokan, their first time playing at the venue. 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We'd written the broad outline of the song around last summer, after we finished working on our album Lab. When they approached us about doing a tie-up with the anime, I realized that this song we'd been working on would be a good match, so I wrote the lyrics to it. I thought about what I felt about SAKAMOTO DAYS—about Sakamoto, family, the ephemeral nature of existence, life and death—as I worked on the lyrics. Pretty Keisuke Hasegawa (bass): There are a lot of great comics in Jump, but to some degree they all have a similar format. With SAKAMOTO DAYS, on the other hand, the characters and fight scenes are so original you think, 'Where is this coming from?' What really struck me about it was how it can surprise and move you in new ways. Shintaro Yanagisawa (guitar): It's on its way to becoming the face of Jump, so I knew this was a hot property. The second season has a cool, almost movie-like feel. The way it combines that with the Jump aesthetic is impressive. 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