We’ve all been there. You’re watching a film and you can’t help but be distracted by the delicious dishes appearing on screen as the characters are talking. This is a real specialty of any film that’s set in or visits Japan, where ramen, sushi, hot pot and more grace the big screen momentarily just to leave our mouths watering and our minds wondering: does that restaurant really exist?
Well, in this list of famous Japanese restaurants from the movies, they do! Follow in the footsteps of the stars when you next visit Japan — you can thank us later.
Famous Japanese restaurants from movies
- Kill Bill: Gonpachi Nishiazabu
- Lost in Translation: New York Grill
- Lost in Translation: Shabu Zen
- The Grudge (2004): Fungo Dining
- The Ramen Girl: Komurasaki (Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum)
- Wolf Children: Hakukuji cafe
- Bonus! Bullet Train: Eki-ben
1. Kill Bill: Gonpachi Nishiazabu
As the setting of perhaps one of the most famous scenes to ever slash across the silver screen, first on this list has to be Tokyo’s Gonpachi Nishiazabu — made famous by Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill,” in which Uma Thurman cuts through the Crazy 88 gang in a graphic, gory, and gorgeously memorable fight scene.
These days, it’s more about fighting for a seat as this iconic restaurant brings diners from far and wide for its classic izakaya Japanese bar cuisine, including a blend of traditional Japanese foods and innovative fusion dishes.
Grab a few friends, take a seat in the spacious dining area or up in one of the mezzanine balcony booths, enjoy a feast worthy of immortalizing on film and make The Bride proud.
Famous for its vegan and halal-friendly menus: Gonpachi Nishiazabu also has vegan and halal-friendly menus available, so reserve at least three days in advance, let the restaurant know at the time of reservation, and come hungry.
2. Lost in Translation: New York Grill
Another one you likely saw coming is Park Hyatt Tokyo’s New York Grill & Bar, launched into the spotlight alongside Bill Murray and Scarlett Johannson’s fateful meeting at the bar in “Lost in Translation.”
With its enviable views of Tokyo from the 52nd floor of the building — not to mention its premium menus of high-quality steaks and luxury wines — this restaurant was sure to find its way into the spotlight on its own. But isn’t it nice to feel like you’re joining old friends when you sit down at the bar for yourself?
Note: At the time of writing, this restaurant is temporarily closed while Park Hyatt Tokyo undergoes refurbishment.
3. Lost in Translation: Shabu Zen
Another hotel-based restaurant that the adrift characters of “Lost in Translation” visit is Shabu Zen, located underneath the Creston Hotel in Shibuya, where they experience the wonders and warmth of traditional shabu-shabu (Japanese hot pot) for the first time.
So that you’re not as confused as they are when presented with the idea of cooking their own meat, here’s how it works! You’ll choose from a selection of different courses menus, including a selection of different all-you-can-eat Japanese beef, seafood and vegetable platters, and a la carte options.
From there, you’ll place them into the central hot pot, filled with a flavorsome broth that the ingredients will soak up as they cook. Then, as the ingredients are prepared to your liking, simply snag them from the broth and enjoy.
Fun fact: There’s actually a third restaurant featured in “Lost in Translation”; a sushi restaurant by the name of Ichikan in the Daikanyama area of Tokyo. Unfortunately, this spot looks like it permanently closed almost a decade ago.
4. The Grudge (2004): Fungo Dining
This one is going to be a bit more niche but especially fun for fans of Japanese horror films — or their American-made counterparts, at least. 57 minutes into “The Grudge” (2004), Karen (Sarah Michelle Gellar) goes to meet her boyfriend, Doug (Jason Behr), who is working part-time at an Italian restaurant in Shinjuku; that restaurant is Fungo Dining!
Though it’s clearly had a redesign since 2004, Fungo Dining is still in the same location and serving up a taste of Italy in the heart of Tokyo. Pop in for a variety of pasta, risotto, Italian-inspired beef dishes, and remember to save room for a classic tiramisu to finish.
But if you hear the sound of a cat meowing, don’t check the closet.
5. The Ramen Girl: Komurasaki (Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum)
The protagonists of the 2008 movie “The Ramen Girl,” played by the late Brittany Murphy and Arai Sojii, slurp up noodles at a ramen restaurant named Komurasaki. As delicious as ramen is throughout Japan, this spot is especially interesting as one of the ramen restaurants at the food court of the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum, designed to look like a traditional Japanese street during the Showa Period.
After exploring all the different ramen restaurants on offer here — which you can access for ¥450, along with the rest of the museum — head outside for the sights of Yokohama.
Book an experience: While you’re in Yokohama, why not learn a new skill? Master the art of making Japanese food samples in this unique experience.
6. Wolf Children: Hakukuji cafe
For the anime lovers out there, you may know of — and have shed a tear or two at — “Wolf Children,” in which a human girl and a wolf-turned-man fall in love. But that’s not what we’re here for, is it? We’re here to discuss the cafe and bakery they meet outside: Hakukuji.
This is a real cafe in West Tokyo where you can go to indulge in Japanese sweets and baked goods, including themed pastries and cakes on national holidays.
7. Bonus! Bullet Train: Eki-ben
This one might be cheating, but since the Hollywood blockbuster of “Bullet Train” couldn’t exist without the Japanese marvel of the shinkansen, it feels like it still deserves an honorary mention on this list.
For starters, a fight scene takes place inside the shinkansen’s on-board shop, stopping the action briefly for a comedic exchange with the staff member. While shinkansen don’t tend to have on-board shops — and on-board food carts have also been reduced in recent years — there is one way to enjoy some classic Japanese cuisine from your seat: the eki-ben (train station bento box).
Bought before getting onto the train, bento boxes are perfect for eating while watching the blur of cities and countryside views pass by. Ingredients will vary greatly by season, but you’ll normally find a selection of small dishes including rice, meat or fish, and fresh and pickled vegetables. You probably won’t even have to fight Brad Pitt to enjoy them.
Keep following the films and read about where to find Studio Ghibli food in Japan, Japanese food from movies and anime, and learn about the nostalgic town of Shibamata as featured in the classic “Otoko wa Tsurai yo.”
FAQs
What is ramen?
Ramen is a Japanese noodle dish consisting of Chinese-style wheat noodles served in a broth, often flavored with soy sauce or miso and topped with various ingredients like sliced pork, seaweed and green onions. There are many variations of ramen across Japan, and you can try six of them if you join our ramen food tour in Tokyo!
What is shabu-shabu?
Shabu-shabu is a Japanese hot pot dish where thinly sliced meat, usually beef or pork, along with vegetables, tofu, and noodles, are cooked in a simmering broth that’s placed in the center of the table.
The name "shabu-shabu" comes from the sound the ingredients make as they are swished around in the broth.
Do Japanese restaurants get fully booked quickly?
Japanese restaurants can fill up fast, especially during peak seasons or national holidays. Reserving is always a good idea.
Worried that they only speak Japanese? That’s where we come in. Explore our full range of Japanese restaurants and discover all kinds of cuisines just a tap away without needing to know a single word of Japanese.
