If I had only one word to describe Tokyo Shiba Tofuya Ukai, it would be “exquisite.” Because everything about this restaurant is exquisite. From the architecture to the gardens, the ambience to the service, the food and the plating. Every detail deliberate, exuding timeless elegance, a reverence to ritual that Japan seems to always be able to balance even with a fixation on futurism.
The restaurant is nestled at the foot of Tokyo Tower, a beacon of Showa era modernism and a symbol for the city immortalized in an emoji. And yet in contrast, Tofuya Ukai is a serene sanctuary evoking the Edo period centuries earlier. The restaurant is housed in a grand Edo-style building with what feels like an endless series of dining rooms conjoined yet private, and surrounded by a meticulously manicured Japanese garden.
The journey begins in a modest entryway, which leads to a path that unfolds into the beautiful garden of Japanese pines and a koi pond, the gentle sound of the waterwheel adding to the tranquil ambience. Entering this realm, it’s easy to forget you’re in the middle of contemporary Tokyo, until you look up and see the Tower above.
Even when fully packed at peak dining hours, the restaurant experience retains this sense of peace, as you are led through a maze of rooms, from a spacious kisshou-an lounge with a nod to art nouveau, past large rooms with vats of soy, the gentle slide of worn panel doors leading to private dining spaces with paper lanterns and tatami floors and achingly beautiful views of the garden. You barely notice the other patrons, besides quiet murmurs of conversation behind paneled walls and the shoes lined up outside. It feels special, a world of your own, to truly appreciate the beauty of the space and the dishes presented.
The cuisine is as delicate and nature-inspired as the garden. The set menus are seasonal, weaving in ingredients at their peak, marrying flavors and textures and technique into each course. And always, the star of the show is the humble tofu. Made in house with fresh spring water, and presented, in its purest form in dashi and soymilk, among other iterations. The kaiseki procession of courses invite guests to cherish the delicate nuances of this essential Japanese staple, elevating it into a most cherished meal.
The restaurant announced it would be permanently closing at the end of its lease in March 2026. Their other two locations, Owada and Saniguwa remain open.
the details
| Address | 4 Chome-4-13 Shibakoen, Minato City, Tokyo |
| Website | https://www.ukai.co.jp/english/shiba/ |
| Reviews | https://tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1314/A131401/13019665/ |
| Hours | 11:30-21:30 Tuesday – Sunday, closed Mondays. On weekdays they close between lunch and dinner service from 15:30-17:00 |
| Price | $$$ – the set menu options start at 11,000¥ (~$75) for weekday lunch to 33,000¥ (~$225) for the most premium dinner set |
| Aesthetic | traditional Japanese, with Edo-style architecture |
good to know
Go here for: a special occasion, an immersive lunch paired with a garden stroll
Order this: the set menu changes seasonally (every two months), and there is a choice between a few different tiers, as well as a weekday lunch option
Amount of time to spend: about 90 minutes to 2 hours, it’s a coursed out meal and the pacing is efficient yet unhurried
When to come: lunch time, to make the most of the daylight hours in the garden. Make a reservation at least a few weeks in advance, the walk in queues can be very long
Getting here: about a 6 minute walk from the Akabanebashi Station (Oedo line) or about a 10 minute walk from the Kamiyachō Station (Hibiya line)
Other things to note:
- English speaking staff available.
- Reservations available online.
Last visited: April 2025
Last updated: June 2025