Restaurant in Fukuoka, Japan
Ten seats, fixed course, book well ahead.
Imoto is Fukuoka's most consistently decorated kaiseki counter, holding the Tabelog Bronze Award every year from 2019 to 2026 and earning three separate Top 100 selections. At JPY 40,000 per person for a fixed course — lunch or dinner — across 10 counter seats in Yakuin, it is the default recommendation for serious kaiseki in the city. Book via Pocket Concierge or OMAKASE; note the 100% same-day cancellation fee.
Yes — if you are prepared to commit to a JPY 40,000 kaiseki course and want one of Fukuoka's most consistently decorated Japanese dining experiences, Imoto earns the reservation. It has held the Tabelog Bronze Award every year from 2019 through 2026, earned three separate selections to the Tabelog Japanese Cuisine WEST "Top 100" list (2021, 2023, 2025), and appeared on the Opinionated About Dining Leading Restaurants in Japan list — ranked #301 in 2024 and Highly Recommended in 2023. For a kaiseki counter in Fukuoka, that track record is hard to match.
Imoto is a 10-seat counter kaiseki restaurant in the Yakuin neighbourhood of Fukuoka's Chuo Ward, open for both lunch and dinner at a fixed course price of JPY 40,000 (tax included). Chef Tatsuya Imoto opened the restaurant in August 2015, and the format has stayed focused: counter seating only, course meals only, no private rooms. The Tabelog description frames the experience around a seasonal Kyoto sensibility , the kitchen places clear emphasis on fish and vegetables, and the menu adapts to the seasons, though specific dish details are not published in advance. For first-timers, expect a structured multi-course progression that prioritises ingredient quality and restraint over theatrics.
With just 10 counter seats arranged in what the venue describes as a relaxing space, Imoto is as quiet and concentrated as a kaiseki room gets. There is no background hum of a larger dining room, no ambient crowd noise to absorb. Conversations stay close, the pace is set by the kitchen, and the mood tends toward formal without being stiff. This is not the venue for a loud group dinner or a casual drop-in , it rewards diners who want to pay attention to what is in front of them. If you are after a livelier atmosphere, the Fukuoka dining scene offers other formats; Imoto is for focus.
The drink offering at Imoto leans heavily toward sake (nihonshu), and the venue is noted as being particularly selective about its sake list , this is one of the few specific signals the kitchen gives about where its beverage priorities lie. Shochu and wine are also available. For kaiseki, sake pairing is the more considered choice: the flavour logic of nihonshu (umami depth, clean finish, temperature flexibility) aligns more closely with the course structure than wine does, particularly for a kitchen that places emphasis on fish and delicate seasonal vegetables. If sake is not your usual drink, this is a good venue to try a guided pairing , the English menu is available and the team works to accommodate dietary preferences, which suggests a similar level of care extends to drink guidance. Wine is present for those who want it, but the program's identity is sake-first.
Imoto is reservation-only , walk-ins are not possible. Bookings can be made by phone (+81-92-753-7125) or online through Pocket Concierge or OMAKASE, both of which accept reservations 24 hours a day. Booking difficulty is rated as easy relative to Fukuoka's top tier, though availability is always limited by the 10-seat format. Lunch runs 12:00–15:00 with last entry at 13:00; dinner runs 17:00–23:00 with last entry at 20:30. The course price is JPY 40,000 (tax included) for both sessions. Note the cancellation policy: 100% charge applies for cancellations made the day before or on the day of the reservation , book only when you are certain.
Major credit cards are accepted (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex, Diners). Electronic money and QR code payments are not accepted. The restaurant is non-smoking, parking is not available, and the nearest transit reference is a 4-minute walk from Minamiyakuin bus stop or approximately 380 metres from Yakuin Odori station. No dress code is formally stated, but the price point and format imply smart-casual at minimum. English menus are available, and the team accommodates allergies, dislikes, religious dietary restrictions, and vegetarian preferences (using organic ingredients for those guests).
The venue can be privately hired for exclusive use, though there are no private rooms within the standard dining configuration. Group bookings are limited by the 10-seat total capacity.
Quick reference: JPY 40,000/person (tax incl.) | 10 counter seats | Reservation-only via phone or Pocket Concierge/OMAKASE | 100% cancellation fee day-before or day-of | English menu available | Credit cards accepted.
See the comparison section below for how Imoto sits relative to other leading Fukuoka venues. For kaiseki specifically, Ifuki in Kyoto and Gion Sasaki in Kyoto represent the format at its highest tier nationally , both carry Michelin recognition and serve as useful benchmarks for what JPY 40,000 buys in the kaiseki category across Japan. Within Fukuoka, Chiso Nakamura and Asago are worth considering if you want Japanese cuisine at a comparable seriousness. For something different in Fukuoka's fine dining tier, Goh offers French technique at a similar price point, and Bekk provides another counter-format alternative. Internationally, Kikunoi in Tokyo and HAJIME in Osaka are the kind of venues Imoto's OAD recognition places it alongside in terms of national standing.
For planning your wider Fukuoka trip, see our full Fukuoka restaurants guide, Fukuoka hotels guide, Fukuoka bars guide, Fukuoka wineries guide, and Fukuoka experiences guide.
There is no à la carte menu , Imoto serves a single fixed course at JPY 40,000 per person for both lunch and dinner. The kitchen emphasises seasonal fish and vegetables, and the menu changes with the seasons. If you have dietary restrictions, allergies, or religious requirements, notify the restaurant when booking: they will adjust. Vegetarians can request an organic-ingredient menu. The only real decision is what to drink , sake pairing is the more considered option given the kitchen's priorities.
Yes , in fact, it is the only option. All 10 seats at Imoto are counter seats, so every diner eats at the bar. There are no tables and no private rooms. If you are comfortable with counter kaiseki , watching the progression unfold in front of you , this format works well. If you need a private room for a business dinner or a more separated group setting, Imoto is not the right venue.
Booking difficulty at Imoto is rated as relatively accessible compared to the top tier of Fukuoka's reserved-only counters, but the 10-seat format means availability is always constrained. Book at least 2–3 weeks out for dinner; lunch may have more flexibility. Use Pocket Concierge or OMAKASE for 24-hour online access, or call +81-92-753-7125 during business hours. Given the 100% cancellation fee for same-day or prior-day cancellations, confirm your plans before booking.
Yes , the format suits a significant dinner. Eight consecutive Tabelog Bronze Awards, three Top 100 selections, and OAD recognition give the meal a credible weight, and the intimate 10-seat counter makes the experience feel personal rather than transactional. The price (JPY 40,000/person) is appropriate for a milestone dinner. The caveat: there are no private rooms, so if full table privacy matters, consider whether the counter setting works for your occasion. The venue can be booked for private exclusive use, so contact the restaurant directly if you want to hire the full space.
For kaiseki in Fukuoka, Chiso Nakamura and Asago are the closest direct comparators in the Japanese cuisine category. For sushi at a comparable price tier, Chikamatsu is worth considering. If you want a different format entirely, Goh offers French fine dining, and Bekk provides another counter-format option. Imoto's consistent award record makes it the stronger default for kaiseki specifically, but the alternatives give you meaningful options depending on cuisine preference.
No dress code is formally stated, but at JPY 40,000 per person and with Tabelog Bronze recognition across eight consecutive years, the room expects smart-casual at minimum. Avoid casual sportswear or beachwear. Business casual or a neat, understated outfit is appropriate. The atmosphere is quiet and focused , dressing to match that register is a reasonable baseline for a first visit.
| Venue | Cuisine | Price | Booking Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imoto | Kaiseki | Easy | |
| Chikamatsu | Sushi | Unknown | |
| Gahoujin 我逢人 | Sushi | Unknown | |
| Genkiippai | Ramen | Unknown | |
| Matsuyama | Western | Unknown | |
| Mihara Tofuten | Tofu | Unknown |
What to weigh when choosing between Imoto and alternatives.
There is no ordering at Imoto — the only option is the fixed kaiseki course at JPY 40,000, available at both lunch and dinner. The kitchen notes a focus on seasonal fish and vegetables, and can adapt the course for vegetarians using organic ingredients or accommodate allergies and dietary restrictions if flagged in advance. Come with your preferences clear and communicated early.
All 10 seats at Imoto are counter seats, so eating at the counter is the standard format — there is no separate dining room or table seating. Private rooms are unavailable, though the entire venue can be reserved for private use. If you want a more anonymous or side-by-side dining setup rather than a counter experience, this is not the format for you.
Book as early as possible — Imoto is reservation-only with just 10 seats, a 100% cancellation fee for same-day or next-day cancellations, and consistent Tabelog Bronze recognition since 2019. Reservations can be made by phone (+81-92-753-7125) or online via Pocket Concierge or OMAKASE, which accept bookings 24 hours a day. For popular dates, expect demand comparable to any decorated Fukuoka counter.
Yes, on the condition that your group is comfortable with a shared 10-seat counter and a single fixed course at JPY 40,000 per head. There are no private rooms, but the entire venue can be exclusively reserved — useful for groups marking a milestone who want a contained, focused setting. Tabelog Bronze every year from 2019 through 2026 gives it a verifiable track record, not just an occasion-night reputation.
For Fukuoka kaiseki and high-end Japanese cuisine at a comparable price point, Chikamatsu and Matsuyama are the closest local comparisons worth considering. If your priority is kaiseki in a broader Kyushu context, Imoto holds a Tabelog score of 4.17 and an Opinionated About Dining ranking of #301 in Japan (2024), which positions it solidly but leaves room to compare against Kyoto references like Ifuki or Gion Sasaki for those travelling specifically for the cuisine.
No dress code is listed for Imoto, but a JPY 40,000 kaiseki counter in Fukuoka's Chuo Ward calls for smart, understated clothing as a practical baseline. Avoid anything casual or loud — a counter this small and quiet means your presence is noticed. Err toward the conservative side of your wardrobe.
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