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.

Here is a list of a few of the finest and oldest restaurants in Tokyo.

Hashimoto has been around since 1835 and it's signature delicacy is a simple dish consisting of eel served on rice called kabayaki. In addition to being one of the oldest restaurants in Tokyo, Hashimoto was also tapped by the Michelin Guide 2018 as a Michelin-starred restaurant in Tokyo. 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 over six generations and it's current owner, Hashimoto Shinji, has been running the shop for two decades and is continuing the family legacy built there.

Kaminarimon Sansada is another one of the oldest restaurants in Tokyo, the oldest tempura shop in the city. Built in 1837, it has been around for over 180 years and is still going strong. At Sansada, they have a tradition of having 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 the rich and tasty tempura that they have. The Jotenton is a massive mountain of fried shrimp with both bite-sized shrimp and jumbo shrimp.

Opened in 1880, Kanda Yabu Soba is one of the oldest restaurants in Tokyo where you can get an affordable and delicious meal. Even though this soba shop has been through hard times (it recently burned down in a fire in 2013), it has been rebuilt even stronger, proving that it is here to stay. If you're planning to visit, try to avoid coming during peak hours when you can often find a line of fifty plus waiting just to get a taste of their soba. Don't let the wait discourage you though, the soba is well worth the wait and if you visit make sure to order their ten-seiro soba, Kanda Yabu Soba's signature handmade soba noodle paired with a crispy fried shrimp tempura patty.

Known as the birthplace of oyakodon, Tamahide is the oldest restaurant on this list, established in 1760. 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 happen to make it down to Tamahide make 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, but regardless of what is served, you can be sure that you're in for a treat.

If you're looking to become acquainted with the rich history of Tokyo and at the same time hoping to find some good eats, make sure to check out some of these oldest restaurants in Tokyo.

Looking for quality bites on a budget? Check out these 5 most affordable Michelin-starred restaurants in Tokyo!

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 generations of family history and kaiseki cuisine expertise, you won’t be disappointed if you choose to enjoy lunch or dinner here.

Alongside delectable fugu blowfish, grilled Japanese beef and tempura, there’s also a byFood-exclusive omakase lunch course menu that truly will 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.

Reserve your table at Nihonbashi Toyoda.

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.

So much of this history is still alive in today’s restaurant, serving 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 are 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.

Reserve your seat at the historic Janoichi.

We’re traveling back to the 1800s with a meal at Unagi Kappo Oedo, bringing its 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 in many different forms alongside a starter, appetizer, soup, sashimi, and a dessert of fresh, seasonal fruits.

Reserve your table for unagi with a side of history at Unagi Kappo Uedo.

While some of the oldest restaurants in Tokyo may come with a higher price tag due to their historical significance and premium ingredients, there are also more affordable options available for those on a budget.

Although some of the oldest restaurants in Tokyo may have dress codes, such as requiring patrons to wear traditional attire like kimono, many are more relaxed and simply expect diners to dress neatly and respectfully.

The oldest restaurants in Tokyo hold a rich history and tradition that dates back centuries, offering unique dining experiences, techniques and ingredients that immerse you in Japanese culture and cuisine.