8 Oldest Restaurants in Tokyo for a Taste of History

Renowned as one of the most modern cities in the world, it's hard to believe that Tokyo was once known as Edo, a small fishing village. From its humble beginnings, Tokyo has gone through many changes and looks vastly different from where it began.

Despite the changing of the times, some things have remained the same, and this is evident in the restaurants that have managed to stand the test of time.

Join Shizuka as she visits some of the oldest family-owned restaurants! They may not be as old as the restaurants covered above, but they’ve still been around for quite some time.

Step into Toyoda in Nihonbashi — a pretty historic location in Tokyo in its own right — and you’ll be greeted by Hashimoto Toru, the 5th-generation owner of this 160-year-old kappo restaurant. Steeped in family history and kaiseki cuisine expertise, you won’t be disappointed if you choose to enjoy lunch or dinner here.

Alongside course meals that include delectable fugu blowfish, grilled Japanese wagyu beef and tempura, there’s also a byFood-exclusive omakase lunch course menu that may go down in history as the favorite meal of your Japan trip.

Take your time and savor every flavor as you’re served each dish, one by one, from an appetizer, starting dish and seasonal sashimi selection to Edomae tempura, sesame tofu, A5-grade Japanese kuroge wagyu sirloin steak, rice or noodles and a dessert.

For traditional sushi that’s still delighting modern-day diners, you’re going to want to head to the 130-year-old sushi restaurant, Janoichi. As shared by the owner himself, Takarai Hideharu, Janoichi used to be a humble street food stand selling sushi to hungry travelers and locals.

That history can still be felt today, as the restaurant serves up marinated shrimp, scallops and bluefin tuna sushi using the same techniques and sauces that would have been used back then.

One new addition to the menu that wouldn’t have been available back in the 19th century is our two byFood exclusive omakase course menus: the Premium Afternoon Nigiri Course, featuring a diverse range of 13 nigiri sushi and a seasonal soup, and the Chef’s Selection Omakase Course, available all day, which includes a tsukemono pickled dish, a small plate, appetizer platter, sashimi platter and so much more.

We’re traveling back to the 1800s with a meal at Unagi Kappo Oedo, one of the oldest restaurants in Tokyo. They bring elegant unagi (eel) dishes and secret sauce recipes from over 200 years ago to the hungry travelers of the 21st century. 

Nowhere is the true depth of Japanese eel cuisine more present than in their byFood-only omakase course menu, served in their refined, secluded dining room. Here, you’ll try their signature kabayaki-style unagi (eel) in many different forms alongside a starter, appetizer, soup, sashimi, and a dessert of fresh, seasonal fruits.

Hashimoto has been around since 1835 and its signature delicacy is also kabayaki, consisting of unagi served on rice. In addition to being one of the oldest restaurants in Tokyo, Hashimoto was also awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2018. 

People come from all over the world to get a taste of the kabayaki at Hashimoto. Located right across from a railway, this modest little shop has been in the same spot for over six generations. Its current owner, Hashimoto Shinji, has been running the shop for two decades and continues his family’s legacy.

Looking for quality bites on a budget? Check out the most affordable Michelin-starred restaurants in Tokyo!

Kaminarimon Sansada is another one of the oldest restaurants in Tokyo, being the oldest tempura shop in the city. In business since 1837, the shop is still going strong over 180 years later. A tradition at Sansada is to have the owner man the store every day, ready to take your order. 

Make sure to try out their special shrimp tendon to get the full experience of their rich and tasty tempura. Their Jotenton is a massive mountain of fried shrimp with both bite-sized and jumbo shrimp.

Opened in 1880, Kanda Yabu Soba is one of the oldest restaurants in Tokyo and is still a great place to get an affordable and delicious meal. Even though this soba shop has been through hard times (the original building burned down in 2013), it has been rebuilt even stronger, proving that it is here to stay. 

If you plan to visit, try to avoid coming during peak hours. It's not uncommon to be greeted by a line of fifty-plus eager customers waiting to get a taste of their soba. Don't let the wait discourage you, though. The meal is well worth it. Make sure to order their ten-seiro soba, Kanda Yabu Soba's signature handmade soba noodles paired with a crispy fried shrimp tempura patty.

Known as the birthplace of oyakodon, Tamahide was established in 1760, making it the oldest restaurant on this list. Now run by the 8th generation owner, Yamada Kounosuke, you can often find a long line wrapping around the restaurant full of hungry customers waiting to get a bowl of Tamahide's oyakodon. 

If you make it down to Tamahide, be sure to get the original oyakodon and taste the recipe that started it all.

[Editor's note: At the time of updating, Tamahide is temporarily closed.]

One of the oldest sushi restaurants in Tokyo, Sushiko Honten could be easily missed due to its humble exterior. Opened in 1885, this Michelin-starred sushi establishment is one of the pricier options on this list and you would be hard pressed to get a seat without making a reservation ahead of time. 

Keep in mind that the courses here are decided by the chefs (omakase-style, meaning "I will leave it to you") so you'll never know what to expect. Regardless of what is served, you can be sure that you're in for a treat.

Let the chef be your guide. Discover the Best Omakase Spots in Tokyo.