Maison Kei

Verdict

Maison Kei earns its place on any serious Gotemba itinerary, but know what you're booking: a French course restaurant connected to the reputation of Chef Kei Kobayashi, the first Asian chef to earn three Michelin stars in France, now expressed in a Shizuoka setting with Mount Fuji views at lunch. Reservations are direct to secure by Japanese fine-dining standards, the price point, around JPY 10,000–14,999 per person based on reviewer spending at lunch and JPY 20,000–29,999 at dinner, is reasonable for the pedigree. If you're visiting the Gotemba area and want a destination meal without the booking war you'd face in Tokyo, this is the sensible call. See our full Gotemba restaurants guide for the wider picture.

About Maison Kei

Opened in January 2021 at 527-1 Higashiyama in Gotemba, Maison Kei is a house restaurant set in a stylish, relaxing space that the Tabelog community flags specifically for its beautiful view and calm atmosphere. The lunch service is the one to prioritise if the Mount Fuji backdrop matters to you: on clear days the view is the visual centerpiece of the room. The 54-seat dining room is large enough to feel accessible, private rooms for 2, 4, 6, or 8 guests are available, making this a practical option for celebrations or business meals where discretion matters.

Chef Kei Kobayashi's name anchors the venue's credibility, but day-to-day the kitchen is led by Chef Mitsuyoshi Sato. The approach is recognisably classical French: traditional technique, consistent execution, little in the way of experimental detours. Tabelog reviewers rate it 4.19 out of 5, it has held the Tabelog Bronze Award every year from 2022 through 2026, a consistent signal of quality rather than a single spike. It has also appeared on the Tabelog French EAST Top 100 list in both 2023 and 2025, ranks around #482–537 on Opinionated About Dining's Japan list depending on the year.

For a special occasion, the private room option is worth requesting at booking. The rooms accommodate parties of 2 to 8 and offer full privacy, which the main room cannot. Children are welcome if the party is taking the course meal, so family milestone dinners are genuinely feasible here, which is less common at this price tier in Japan. A sommelier is on hand and the wine program is taken seriously, so bring a budget for it. Credit cards are accepted (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex, Diners); electronic payments and QR codes are not. Parking for 34 vehicles is available, which matters given the out-of-town location.

Getting there takes some planning. From JR Gotemba Station, the fastest option is the bus toward Gotemba Premium Outlets, alighting at Higashiyama Kyukintei-mae (around 6 minutes). A taxi from Gotemba Station runs about 15 minutes. The venue is approximately 2.2 km from the station. While you're planning the trip, check our Gotemba hotels guide, bars guide, and experiences guide to build a fuller itinerary.

Booking

Reservations are required; walk-ins are not accepted. Phone reservations can be made between 10:00–11:30 AM and 3:00–5:30 PM. Online bookings go through the official website at maisonkei.jp. Cancellation the day before incurs a 50% charge per person; same-day cancellations are charged at 100%. Book at least one to two weeks ahead for weekends; weekday lunch slots are generally easier to secure. For broader context on Japanese French dining, HAJIME in Osaka and Harutaka in Tokyo represent the upper end of the national tier. For regional alternatives with a different cuisine lens, Gion Sasaki in Kyoto, akordu in Nara, and Goh in Fukuoka are worth considering depending on your routing. International French reference points include Les Amis in Singapore and Hotel de Ville Crissier in Crissier. Further afield, 1000 in Yokohama, 6 in Okinawa, Abon in Ashiya, affetto akita in Akita, and Aji Arai in Oita round out the regional picture across Japan. For wine context, see our Gotemba wineries guide. And for a lesser-known regional find, Ajidocoro in Yubari District is worth a look if your itinerary takes you north.