Chiso Sottakuito

The Verdict

A 4.55 Tabelog score, five consecutive Silver Awards (2022–2026), and three selections to the Tabelog Japanese Cuisine WEST Top 100 make Chiso Sottakuito one of the most credentialed Japanese cuisine restaurants in Hiroshima — and the nine-seat counter format means the city's food-focused visitors should book before they arrive, not after. At JPY 20,000–29,999 per head on the menu price (with real-world spend reported closer to JPY 30,000–39,999), this is a considered outlay. But for anyone traveling Hiroshima specifically to eat well, this counter earns its place at the leading of the shortlist alongside Nakashima (Kaiseki).

What to Expect

Nine seats, all counter. The room is described as stylish and spacious for its format — a counter setting that keeps the atmosphere focused rather than loud, making it a strong choice for a long evening meal where conversation matters. Energy here runs measured and considered rather than buzzy, which is exactly what nine seats at a Japanese cuisine counter should deliver. If you want a room with high ambient energy, look elsewhere; this is a place to settle in and pay attention.

The kitchen's emphasis is on fish and on dashi built from Hiroshima's spring water , a local-ingredient focus that gives the cooking a regional character you won't find replicated at comparable counters in Osaka or Tokyo. For the food-focused traveler who wants to eat something specific to where they are, that specificity is a genuine reason to choose Chiso Sottakuito over a technically equivalent counter in another city. Comparisons to Gion Sasaki in Kyoto or Harutaka in Tokyo are flattering in terms of credential tier; the regional emphasis here is distinct from both.

Drinks lean heavily toward sake, with a stated focus on nihonshu and a sommelier on hand. Wine is available but sake is clearly the pairing logic here. English-language menus and English-speaking staff are confirmed , a practical advantage for international visitors that not every counter at this level in western Japan provides. akordu in Nara and Goh in Fukuoka offer comparable hospitality consideration for non-Japanese speakers at similar price points.

Hours run until 23:00 Monday through Saturday, making this one of the more accommodating options in Hiroshima's fine dining tier for a late sitting. Sunday is lunch-only (11:00–14:00), which is a useful option if your travel schedule doesn't allow a weekday dinner. The late closing on weeknights means you can arrive at 20:00 or later and still receive the full course experience , a genuine advantage over kaiseki venues that typically wrap service by 21:00. For visitors who want NAKADO or Eizan as a first-dinner option with Chiso Sottakuito as a follow-up counter , this kitchen's hours support exactly that kind of evening.

Practical Details

Reservations: Reservation only , no walk-ins. Book via Tabelog. Budget: JPY 20,000–29,999 listed; actual spend per reviews averages JPY 30,000–39,999. Cash only , no credit cards, no electronic payment. Bring yen. Cancellation policy: Strict: 100% fee for same-day or next-day cancellations; 50% from seven days out. Groups of four or more face 100% cancellation fees from the moment of booking. Seats: 9 (counter only). Private rooms: None, but full private hire of the restaurant is available. Hours: Mon–Sat 17:00–23:00; Sun 11:00–14:00. Getting there: Eight minutes on foot from Chuden-mae Station (Hiroden Ujina Line); ten minutes from Fukuromachi Station. Dress: No formal dress code stated. Dietary restrictions: The kitchen cannot accommodate changes to the course content or ingredients , this is important to know before booking if you have specific requirements. Languages: English menu and English-speaking staff available.

Ratings at a Glance

• Tabelog Score: 4.55
• Tabelog Award: Silver 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
• Tabelog Japanese Cuisine WEST Top 100: 2021, 2023, 2025
• Google: 4.7 (134 reviews)

How It Compares

See the full comparison below.

Pearl Picks , More Hiroshima and Beyond

If you're building a broader itinerary around this booking, the following are worth your time: for Hiroshima, Nakashima is the natural kaiseki counterpart at a comparable tier; NAKADO and Eizan offer different registers of Japanese dining worth knowing. CHILAN and MASUKI round out the city's serious dining options across different cuisines. Further afield, HAJIME in Osaka and 1000 in Yokohama sit in a similar commitment tier for multi-city itineraries. For planning beyond the table, see our full Hiroshima restaurants guide, Hiroshima hotels guide, Hiroshima bars guide, Hiroshima wineries guide, and Hiroshima experiences guide.

FAQ

What should a first-timer know about Chiso Sottakuito?

• Book well in advance , nine seats means availability disappears fast, especially on weekends.
• Come with cash: no credit cards, no digital payments of any kind.
• The kitchen cannot adjust the course for dietary preferences or ingredient restrictions. If you have requirements, clarify before booking rather than at the counter.
• The English menu and English-speaking staff make the experience accessible for international visitors , more so than many counters at this level in western Japan.
• At this price tier (JPY 30,000–39,999 in practice), it sits alongside the strongest Japanese cuisine options in Hiroshima. For context, Le Bernardin in New York and Lazy Bear in San Francisco serve comparable commitment-level dining at roughly equivalent price points in their respective markets.

Is Chiso Sottakuito good for a special occasion?

• Yes , with caveats. The nine-seat counter creates an intimate atmosphere suited to a milestone dinner for two. The five-year run of Silver Awards and 4.55 Tabelog score confirm the kitchen consistently delivers at the level the price implies.
• No private rooms are available, so this is not the right choice if you need separation from other diners. For a fully private experience, full venue hire is possible , confirm availability and terms when reserving.
• The strict cancellation policy (100% same-day; 100% for groups of four or more from the moment of booking) means you should be certain of your plans before committing a table for a group celebration.

Is lunch or dinner better at Chiso Sottakuito?

• Dinner is the primary offer. Mon–Sat 17:00–23:00 is where the kitchen's full attention is focused, and the late closing (23:00) makes it one of the more flexible fine dining options in Hiroshima for timing.
• Sunday lunch (11:00–14:00) is the only daytime option. If your itinerary only allows a Sunday sitting, this is a workable alternative , but dinner on a weeknight or Saturday will give you the fuller experience the awards reflect.

Can Chiso Sottakuito accommodate groups?

• The nine-seat counter means the practical maximum for a standard reservation is the full room. Groups of four or more face a 100% cancellation fee from the moment of booking , factor that into your decision before committing.
• Full private hire of the restaurant is available for those who want an exclusive setting. Contact the venue directly via Tabelog to discuss terms.
• This is not a venue suited to large corporate groups or celebratory parties requiring a private room setup. For that format, other Hiroshima options will serve better.

Does Chiso Sottakuito handle dietary restrictions?

• No. The kitchen's stated policy is that changes to course content or ingredients cannot be accommodated. This is a firm constraint, not a preference.
• If you have allergies or dietary requirements, contact the venue before booking to understand whether the current course works for you. Do not assume flexibility.
• The fish-focused kitchen means pescatarians will likely find the course well-suited to them, but this should be verified at booking rather than assumed.