When visiting Tokyo, yakitori is one Japanese dish that is well worth experiencing. 🍢
Yakitori consists of small pieces of chicken placed on skewers and carefully grilled, often over charcoal. It is a familiar favourite at izakaya throughout Japan.
However, the world of yakitori is surprisingly diverse. There are everything from casual, traditional restaurants to more refined establishments where diners can slowly enjoy jidori chicken and less common cuts.
Shibuya has many restaurants where visitors can experience this side of Japanese food culture. 🏮
This guide introduces five recommended restaurants for enjoying yakitori in Shibuya.
- What Is Yakitori?
- 1. Toritake Sohonten
- 2. Yakitori Tsukada Shibuya
- 3. Torigenji
- 4. Kushiyakidokoro Sagoemon Bettei
- 5. Yakitori Arakiyama Shinsen
- Comparing 5 Yakitori Restaurants in Shibuya
- How to Order at a Yakitori Restaurant in Japan
- Should You Make a Reservation?
- Conclusion | Experience Japanese Yakitori Culture in Shibuya
What Is Yakitori?
Yakitori is a Japanese dish made by placing different parts of chicken on skewers and grilling them.
Some of the most common types include:
- Negima: Chicken and Japanese long onion
- Tsukune: Minced chicken shaped into a meatball
- Kawa: Chicken skin
- Reba: Chicken liver
- Sunagimo: Chicken gizzard
- Bonjiri: Meat from around the tail
- Seseri: Meat from around the neck
There are many different parts of the chicken to discover. 🐓
Seasoning generally comes in two main styles: shio (salt) and tare (sauce).
Salt makes it easier to appreciate the natural flavour of the chicken, while tare is characterised by a sweet and savoury flavour, usually based on soy sauce.
The type of chicken, charcoal, preparation of the skewers, grilling technique and tare all vary between restaurants. As a result, the flavour of yakitori can be very different from one restaurant to another.
1. Toritake Sohonten
For a Traditional Shibuya Yakitori Experience
Located very close to Shibuya Station, Toritake Sohonten is a long-established restaurant founded in 1963. 🏮
One of its defining features is its large yakitori skewers, which are noticeably bigger than typical yakitori.
The tare sauce, which has been continuously replenished since the restaurant first opened, is another flavour that symbolises Toritake.
In addition to yakitori, visitors can enjoy eel and various other dishes.
Rather than being an upscale yakitori restaurant, this is a good choice for travellers who want to experience the lively atmosphere of a traditional Tokyo yakitori restaurant.
Recommended For
- Visitors trying Japanese yakitori for the first time
- Those who want to experience the atmosphere of a traditional restaurant
- Those who want to enjoy generously sized yakitori
- Those looking for a relatively casual yakitori experience
Highlight: The experience is not only about the yakitori, but also the atmosphere of the restaurant itself. 🍺
Address: 1-6-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Opening Hours: 12:00–23:00
Opening hours and other information may change. Check the official website for the latest information before visiting.
Official Website:
https://toritake.jp/
Google Maps (English):
https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Toritake+Shibuya&hl=en
2. Yakitori Tsukada Shibuya
Jidori Chicken and Wine in a Slightly More Refined Setting
For those looking to enjoy yakitori in a calmer atmosphere, Yakitori Tsukada Shibuya is another option. 🔥
One of the main types of chicken used here is Miyazaki Jitokko, a Japanese jidori chicken.
The chicken, raised by contracted poultry farmers, is grilled over charcoal to bring out the distinctive sweetness of its fat and its rich umami.
Another characteristic of the restaurant is the opportunity to enjoy yakitori paired with wine, rather than limiting the experience to yakitori and sake.
There are counter seats as well as tables and private rooms, creating a good balance between casual dining and a more refined atmosphere.
Recommended For
- Those who want to try jidori chicken
- Couples looking for a relaxed dinner
- Those who want to enjoy yakitori with wine
- Those who prefer a more polished setting to a traditional izakaya
Several courses are also available, making it easy to enjoy yakitori as a complete dining experience rather than simply as izakaya food. 🍷
Address: 2F Kusumoto No. 2 Building, 1-6-8 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Access: Approximately 4 minutes on foot from JR Shibuya Station
Opening Hours: Mon–Fri 17:00–23:00 / Sat, Sun & public holidays 16:00–23:00
Check the official website for the latest information.
Official Website:
https://www.yakitori-tsukada.jp/shibuya/
Google Maps (English):
https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Yakitori+Tsukada+Shibuya&hl=en
3. Torigenji
Enjoy Daisen Chicken in the Heart of Shibuya
Located in Dogenzaka, Torigenji serves yakitori made with Daisen chicken. 🐔
Alongside yakitori, the restaurant also offers seasonal vegetable skewers and creative skewers.
There are also dishes such as oyakodon and chicken paitan ramen, providing options for finishing the meal after enjoying yakitori.
The restaurant has counter seats, table seating and semi-private rooms, making it possible to enjoy a relatively relaxed meal despite its location in central Shibuya.
Recommended For
- Those who want to try Daisen chicken
- Couples or small groups looking to enjoy yakitori
- Those who want to watch the cooking from the counter
- Those looking for a restaurant with semi-private rooms
At the counter, watching dishes being prepared in front of you can become another memorable part of the dining experience in Japan. 🔥
Address: 4F Saito No. 2 Building, 2-29-18 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Access: Approximately 2 minutes on foot from Tokyo Metro Shibuya Station Exit A2 / approximately 5 minutes from JR Shibuya Station
Approximate Dinner Budget: ¥5,000–¥5,999
Opening hours and other information may change. Check the official website for the latest information.
Official Website:
https://shibuya-torigenji.com/
Google Maps (English):
https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Torigenji+Shibuya&hl=en
4. Kushiyakidokoro Sagoemon Bettei
For Those Who Want to Casually Enjoy a Variety of Skewers
Located close to Shibuya Station, this restaurant offers a variety of skewered dishes centred around yakitori. 🍢
It opened as the second restaurant of Kushiyaki Sagoemon and is known for offering a wide selection of grilled skewers.
As it is not a restaurant focused exclusively on high-end yakitori courses, it is also a convenient choice for groups who want to order and enjoy a variety of dishes together.
Recommended For
- Those who want to casually enjoy yakitori and grilled skewers
- Those who want to order a variety of skewered dishes
- Groups dining together
- Those looking for a restaurant close to Shibuya Station
Address: 3F, 1-5-9 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Opening Hours: 17:00–23:30
Check the official website for the latest information.
Official Website:
https://goodspiral.jp/restaurant/sagoemon_bettei/
Google Maps (English):
https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Sagoemon+Bettei+Shibuya&hl=en
5. Yakitori Arakiyama Shinsen
Yakitori and Game Meat for a More Grown-Up Evening
For those willing to walk a little beyond the busy area around Shibuya Station towards Shinsen, Yakitori Arakiyama Shinsen is another option. 🌙
In addition to yakitori, the restaurant serves game meat dishes, offering a slightly different dining experience from a typical yakitori restaurant.
Away from the lively atmosphere immediately around Shibuya Station, it can also be a good choice for an evening spent slowly enjoying yakitori and drinks.
Recommended For
- Those who want to try game meat as well as yakitori
- Couples looking for a relaxed evening
- Those who prefer to avoid overly lively izakaya
- Those who want to experience a slightly different side of Japanese food culture
Enjoying Japanese drinks alongside the yakitori is another way to experience the meal. 🍶
Address: 1F, 6-11 Maruyamacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Opening Hours: 17:00–23:00
Check the latest opening days and hours before visiting.
Official Website (English):
https://tokyo-rf.com/en/
Google Maps (English):
https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Yakitori+Arakiyama+Shinsen&hl=en
Comparing 5 Yakitori Restaurants in Shibuya
| Restaurant | Main Feature | Price Range | Atmosphere | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toritake Sohonten | Traditional restaurant, large yakitori skewers | Affordable | Lively | First-time yakitori |
| Yakitori Tsukada Shibuya | Jidori chicken and wine | Mid to high | Modern | Couples |
| Torigenji | Daisen chicken, semi-private rooms | Mid-range | Relaxed | Couples and small groups |
| Sagoemon Bettei | Wide variety of skewers | Affordable to mid-range | Casual | Groups |
| Yakitori Arakiyama Shinsen | Yakitori and game meat | Mid-range | Grown-up atmosphere | Couples and those interested in Japanese food culture |
How to Order at a Yakitori Restaurant in Japan
At yakitori restaurants, there are generally two styles: ordering one or several skewers at a time, or choosing a course where dishes are served in sequence by the restaurant.
At casual restaurants, it is worth trying a few different skewers, such as:
- Negima
- Tsukune
- Kawa
- Reba
Some restaurants will also ask whether you prefer shio (salt) or tare (sauce).
If you are unsure which to choose, leaving the decision to the restaurant’s recommendation can be part of the experience. ✨
At more refined yakitori restaurants, the chef may select the most appropriate seasoning and grilling method for each skewer. In that case, it is best to first taste it exactly as it is served.
Should You Make a Reservation?
For popular restaurants and restaurants with limited seating, making a reservation in advance is recommended. 📅
This is particularly helpful if you plan to dine on Friday or Saturday evening, want counter seating or a private room, or are visiting a popular restaurant.
Once your travel dates are confirmed, checking the reservation method in advance can provide additional peace of mind.
It is also important to check the cancellation policy when making a reservation.
Restaurants offering course menus may charge cancellation fees for last-minute cancellations or no-shows.
Conclusion | Experience Japanese Yakitori Culture in Shibuya
Shibuya is not only a centre for contemporary fashion and culture. It is also a place where visitors can experience traditional Japanese food culture.
Enjoy a large skewer in the lively atmosphere of a long-established yakitori restaurant.
Sit at a counter and watch a chef carefully grill each skewer.
Or spend a relaxed Tokyo evening pairing jidori chicken with wine.
Even though they all serve “yakitori”, the experience can change considerably from one restaurant to another. 🌃
When spending an evening in Shibuya, find a restaurant that suits your style and enjoy the rich culture of Japanese yakitori.
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