During the month of October 2012, we are going to feature restaurants near Tokyo Bigsight (the largest international convention center of Tokyo).
We know that some international visitors come to Japan to attend or make a presentation at a trade fair taken place at Tokyo Bigslight. Even for Tokyo locals, without any reliable information, it is not easy to find a nice cozy lunch place to enjoy a short break in a busy day at the trade fair venue. If you have enough time to get out from the convention center and to have a walk for around 5 minutes, you do not have to end up with a quick bite at a crowded cafeteria inside the convention center building.
The first one of our recommendation, a luxury Japanese restaurant Kagaya, gives you a slight feeling of authentic Ryokan experience in the modern developed area.
As some of you may know, Kagaya is originally Ryokan style luxury accommodation located in Noto Peninsula, Hokuriku Region. It is well-knowns as the best Ryokan in Japan by locals as well as by some international tourists. Kagaya Tokyo Ariake branch near Tokyo Bigsight functions only as a Japanese restaurant, without accommodation facility.
At the Japanese restaurant, Kagaya focuses on providing meal and atmosphere similar to the original version accommodation. It means that the restaurant’s female staff appear in Kimono and treat the restaurant’s guests in same hospitality with the Ryokan.
The plates are also enough high quality authentic Japanese cuisine, as many expect from the reputation for the best Ryokan. The restaurant provides Kaiseki course with fresh and seasonal ingredients in high quality, while it offers lunch set at around Yen 1000 to Yen 2000. Considering the quality and service catered there, it is quite reasonable price.
Even though the view from the window is not equally nice to Kagaya Ryokan in Wakura Hot Spring resort near Japan Sea, for those who do not have enough time to enjoy fine Japanese cuisine because of tight schedule in Tokyo, the restaurant will give you a chance to feel such Japanese essence for a moment on lunch time near the trade fair venue.
Tokyo Bigsight location is also very close to Panasonic Center, which presents Japan's latest technology, and Venus Fort shopping mall in Odaiba. This information may be useful to know for those who plant to visit these sites.
One point to note is that the restaurant is sometimes charted by a large group. In that case, on the same floor, you will also find alternative Japanese restaurant such as izakaya providing seafood bowl (海鮮丼), although they are not as much sophisticated as Kagaya.
Restaurant name: Kagaya Tokyo Ariake Branch
Address: 2nd floor, Wanza Ariake Bay Mall East Wing, 3-1 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo
*5 minutes walk from Tokyo Bigsight
Official site in Japanese: http://www.kagaya.co.jp/shoku/shop/shop.php?shop=ariake
Website in English : http://r.gnavi.co.jp/a618101/lang/en/
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