Restaurant in Osaka, Japan
9-seat counter, award-backed, book ahead.
TOMONO is a nine-seat counter restaurant in Osaka's Kitashinchi district serving a creative course with Chinese culinary roots, recognised by Tabelog Bronze awards in both 2025 and 2026 and listed in the Tabelog Chinese WEST Top 100 for two consecutive years. Budget ¥20,000–¥39,999 per head including drinks. Book for a date or special occasion — closed Sundays, dinner only.
TOMONO is the right call for a special-occasion dinner in Osaka's Kitashinchi district — specifically if you want something more intimate and boundary-pushing than a standard kaiseki or French tasting menu. Nine counter seats, a Tabelog score of 4.06, and back-to-back Bronze awards in 2025 and 2026 make this a credible splurge for two. If you are planning a date night, a quiet business dinner, or a celebration meal where the food should do the talking, this is a strong candidate in the ¥20,000–¥30,000 per head range.
Kitashinchi is Osaka's most concentrated strip of serious dining, running a few minutes' walk from Umeda Station and packed with counter-format restaurants that take their craft seriously. TOMONO sits on the 9th floor of KITASHINCHI PLACE, which means the entrance is quieter than street-level neighbours and the room itself feels deliberate rather than accidental. For a venue that opened in February 2021, earning Tabelog's Chinese WEST Top 100 recognition in both 2023 and 2024, and then consecutive Bronze awards, is a fast-tracked credibility arc that sets it apart from the district's longer-established names.
The format is a counter-only, nine-seat course restaurant — the kind of configuration that puts you directly in front of the kitchen with no buffer between the food and your attention. Tabelog's listing describes the space as stylish and relaxing with spacious counter seating, which for a nine-seat room means each guest gets genuine room to eat without being pressed against strangers. There are no private rooms, but the restaurant is available for full private hire, making it a workable option for a small group celebration if you can fill the counter.
The cooking is classified as Chinese, but the Tabelog description frames it as a creative course that goes beyond traditional Chinese cuisine. That framing matters when you are choosing between TOMONO and Osaka's French or kaiseki options: this is not a Cantonese banquet or a dim sum lunch. It is a structured tasting format with Chinese culinary roots, likely drawing on seasonal Japanese ingredients and the kind of precision you associate with counter-format restaurants in this price bracket. Comparisons to how [Harutaka in Tokyo](https://www.joinpearl.co/restaurants/harutaka-tokyo-restaurant) or [Gion Sasaki in Kyoto](https://www.joinpearl.co/restaurants/gion-sasaki-kyoto-restaurant) use the counter format to create focused, chef-driven experiences are fair framing here.
Wine programme is flagged as a particular focus, which matters if you plan to drink well alongside the course. Credit cards are accepted (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex, Diners), and the restaurant is fully non-smoking. Children under 16 are not admitted, which reinforces the adult, occasion-dining positioning.
Two seatings run each evening: one from 18:00 and a later start at 20:45, both beginning simultaneously , meaning you join a full counter rather than staggering in. The restaurant is closed Sundays. There is no lunch service, which makes evening the only option and removes any ambiguity about when to visit.
At ¥20,000–¥29,999 per head on the listed budget, with review-based averages reaching ¥30,000–¥39,999 when wine is included, TOMONO sits at a price point where the award credentials need to justify the spend. For Kitashinchi, they do. This is a well-validated room that has earned its position in the district's competitive set through consistent recognition rather than hype. For more on what Osaka's dining scene offers across price points and formats, see [our full Osaka restaurants guide](https://www.joinpearl.co/restaurants/osaka).
Reservations: Available; contact via Tabelog or the venue website at ryo-tomono.com. Phone: 06-4795-1111. Seatings: 18:00 or 20:45 daily except Sunday. Budget: ¥20,000–¥29,999 listed; expect ¥30,000–¥39,999 with drinks. Seats: 9 counter seats only. Private hire: Full venue available on request. Payment: Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex, Diners accepted; no electronic money or QR payments. Dress: No stated code, but the price point and counter format suggest smart-casual at minimum. Age: 16 and over only. Getting there: 3 minutes from Umeda Station (Midosuji Line); 5 minutes from Osaka Station (JR Osaka Loop Line).
For Osaka's broader fine-dining options, [HAJIME (French, Innovative)](https://www.joinpearl.co/restaurants/hajime-osaka-restaurant), [La Cime (French)](https://www.joinpearl.co/restaurants/la-cime-osaka-restaurant), [Kashiwaya Osaka Senriyama (Japanese)](https://www.joinpearl.co/restaurants/kashiwaya-osaka-senriyama-osaka-restaurant), [Taian (Kaiseki, Japanese)](https://www.joinpearl.co/restaurants/taian-osaka-restaurant), and [Fujiya 1935 (Innovative)](https://www.joinpearl.co/restaurants/fujiya-1935-osaka-restaurant) are all worth considering depending on your format preference. Beyond Osaka, comparable counter-format experiences can be found at [akordu in Nara](https://www.joinpearl.co/restaurants/akordu-nara-restaurant), [Goh in Fukuoka](https://www.joinpearl.co/restaurants/goh-fukuoka-restaurant), [1000 in Yokohama](https://www.joinpearl.co/restaurants/1000-yokohama-restaurant), and [6 in Okinawa](https://www.joinpearl.co/restaurants/6-okinawa-restaurant). For reference points in the global tasting-menu category, [Le Bernardin in New York City](https://www.joinpearl.co/restaurants/le-bernardin) and [Atomix in New York City](https://www.joinpearl.co/restaurants/atomix) illustrate how the counter-course format plays at the highest level internationally. Plan your full trip with [our Osaka hotels guide](https://www.joinpearl.co/hotels/osaka), [Osaka bars guide](https://www.joinpearl.co/bars/osaka), [Osaka wineries guide](https://www.joinpearl.co/wineries/osaka), and [Osaka experiences guide](https://www.joinpearl.co/experiences/osaka).
Dinner is your only option. TOMONO does not serve lunch, and there is no indication this will change. Evening seatings run at 18:00 and 20:45, with the full course format both times. The 18:00 seating is the better pick for a relaxed pace; the 20:45 seating suits those who want to eat late after drinks elsewhere in Kitashinchi.
The counter seats nine, so parties larger than five or six will effectively take over most of the room. For groups wanting exclusivity, full private hire is available on request , call 06-4795-1111 or use the website to enquire. At ¥20,000–¥39,999 per head depending on drinks, a full buyout for nine is a viable special-occasion spend for the right group.
If you want a French or innovative tasting format at a similar or higher price point, [HAJIME](https://www.joinpearl.co/restaurants/hajime-osaka-restaurant), [La Cime](https://www.joinpearl.co/restaurants/la-cime-osaka-restaurant), and [Fujiya 1935](https://www.joinpearl.co/restaurants/fujiya-1935-osaka-restaurant) are the peer comparisons. For Japanese formats at slightly lower spend, [Taian](https://www.joinpearl.co/restaurants/taian-osaka-restaurant) and [Kashiwaya Osaka Senriyama](https://www.joinpearl.co/restaurants/kashiwaya-osaka-senriyama-osaka-restaurant) are the credible alternatives. TOMONO's Chinese-rooted creative course format has no direct like-for-like in the Tabelog Top 100 West list, which is part of what makes it worth considering if that distinction matters to you.
TOMONO runs a set course only , there is no à la carte. The format is a creative Chinese-inflected tasting menu, and the wine programme is a noted focus, so pairing is worth considering. Specific dishes are not listed in available data; check the venue website at ryo-tomono.com before booking for current menu information.
This is not confirmed in the available data. Given the nine-seat counter format and simultaneous service model, the kitchen is likely cooking a single course for the whole room with limited flexibility. Contact the venue directly at 06-4795-1111 or via ryo-tomono.com before booking to discuss any requirements , do not assume accommodation is possible at this format.
Three things matter before you arrive: it is a nine-seat counter only, the course starts simultaneously for everyone at your seating time (18:00 or 20:45), and the restaurant is closed Sundays. Budget ¥30,000–¥40,000 per head once drinks are included. The Tabelog Bronze award and four consecutive Top 100 Chinese West selections (2023 and 2024) confirm this is a validated room, not a newcomer taking chances , it opened in February 2021 and built its credentials quickly.
No formal dress code is stated, but the price point (¥20,000+ per head), counter format, and award standing all point toward smart-casual as a floor. Overdressing is not a risk in a room like this. If you are unsure, err toward what you would wear to a serious French bistro or high-end sushi counter , clean and considered rather than formal.
| Venue | Cuisine | Awards | Booking Difficulty | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOMONO | {"Year":"2026","Award Source":"Tabelog","Award Type":"The Tabelog Award","Award Group":"bronze","Award Group Rank":"468","Restaurant Name":"TOMONO","Score":"4.06","Budget":"Dinner: JPY 20,000 - JPY 29,999; Lunch: -","Budget Dinner":"JPY 20,000 - JPY 29,999","Budget Lunch":"-","Price":"JPY 20,000 - JPY 29,999","Average Price":"JPY 20,000 - JPY 29,999","Average Price (Based on reviews)":"JPY 30,000 - JPY 39,999 JPY 20,000 - JPY 29,999 View spending breakdown","Featured Item":"N/A","Full Address (with ZIP)":"大阪府大阪市北区曽根崎新地1-10-2 KITASHINCHI PLACE 9F, 5300002, Japan","Address":"大阪府大阪市北区曽根崎新地1-10-2 KITASHINCHI PLACE 9F","Postal Code":"5300002","City":"Sonezakishinchi Kita-ku Osaka Osaka","State":"Osaka","Country":"Japan","Phone":"+81647951111","Phone Raw":"+81-6-4795-1111","Website":"","Description":"Check out TOMONO/トモノー (Kitashinchi/Chinese) on Tabelog! Experience a creative course that transcends traditional Chinese cuisine in a stylish space with a lively atmosphere. [No Smoking] Discover Japanese restaurants featuring detailed information such as menus and maps, along with user-posted reviews, ratings, and photos!","Categories":"Chinese","Awards & Recognitions":"The Tabelog Award 2026 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2026 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2025 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2025 Bronze winner Selected for Tabelog Chinese WEST \"Tabelog 100\" 2024 Selected for Tabelog Chinese WEST \"Tabelog 100\" 2024 Selected for Tabelog Chinese WEST \"Tabelog 100\" 2023 Selected for Tabelog Chinese WEST \"Tabelog 100\" 2023 受賞・選出歴 閉じる The Tabelog Award 受賞歴 2026年Bronze受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2026 Bronze 受賞店 2025年Bronze受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2025 Bronze 受賞店 百名店 選出歴 中国料理 百名店 2024 選出店 食べログ 中国料理 WEST 百名店 2024 選出店 中国料理 百名店 2023 選出店 食べログ 中国料理 WEST 百名店 2023 選出店","Reservation availability":"Reservations available","Business hours":"■Business hours From 18:00 onwards (Starts at the same time) From 20:45 onwards (Starts at the same time) ■Closed on Sundays","Payment methods":"Credit card accepted （VISA, Master, JCB, AMEX, Diners） Electronic money not accepted QR code payments not accepted","Private rooms":"Unavailable","Non-smoking/smoking":"Non smoking","Number of seats":"9 seats （ 9 seats at the counter）","Private use":"Available","Parking":"Unavailable","Space/facilities":"Stylish space, Relaxing space, Spacious seating, Counter seating","Drink":"Particular about wine","Food":"N/A","Service":"N/A","Family friendly":"• Age 16 and over (only for those who can enjoy course meals) *Consultation required in the following cases.","Service charge & fee":"N/A","Dress code":"N/A","Maximum party size":"N/A","Location":"Hideout","Occasion":"N/A","Remarks":"N/A","The opening day":"2021.2.1","Receipt (Qualified simple invoice)":"N/A","Latitude":"34.698014497981106","Longitude":"135.49793299744513","Primary Image URL":"","Image URL Count":"20","Image URLs":"","Restaurant ID":"27121125","Source URL":"","Raw Details JSON":"{\"Restaurant name\":\"TOMONO\",\"Awards & Recognitions\":\"The Tabelog Award 2026 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2026 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2025 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2025 Bronze winner Selected for Tabelog Chinese WEST \\\"Tabelog 100\\\" 2024 Selected for Tabelog Chinese WEST \\\"Tabelog 100\\\" 2024 Selected for Tabelog Chinese WEST \\\"Tabelog 100\\\" 2023 Selected for Tabelog Chinese WEST \\\"Tabelog 100\\\" 2023 受賞・選出歴 閉じる The Tabelog Award 受賞歴 2026年Bronze受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2026 Bronze 受賞店 2025年Bronze受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2025 Bronze 受賞店 百名店 選出歴 中国料理 百名店 2024 選出店 食べログ 中国料理 WEST 百名店 2024 選出店 中国料理 百名店 2023 選出店 食べログ 中国料理 WEST 百名店 2023 選出店\",\"Categories\":\"Chinese\",\"Phone number (for reservation and inquiry)\":\"06-4795-1111\",\"Reservation availability\":\"Reservations available\",\"Address\":\"大阪府大阪市北区曽根崎新地1-10-2 KITASHINCHI PLACE 9F Show larger map Find nearby restaurants Transportation 3 minutes walk from Umeda Station on the Midosuji Subway Line 5 minutes walk from Osaka Station on the JR Osaka Loop Line 140 meters from Kitashinchi.\",\"Business hours\":\"■Business hours From 18:00 onwards (Starts at the same time) From 20:45 onwards (Starts at the same time) ■Closed on Sundays\",\"Average price\":\"JPY 20,000 - JPY 29,999\",\"Average price （Based on reviews）\":\"JPY 30,000 - JPY 39,999 JPY 20,000 - JPY 29,999 View spending breakdown\",\"Payment methods\":\"Credit card accepted （VISA, Master, JCB, AMEX, Diners） Electronic money not accepted QR code payments not accepted\",\"Number of seats\":\"9 seats （ 9 seats at the counter）\",\"Private rooms\":\"Unavailable\",\"Private use\":\"Available\",\"Non-smoking/smoking\":\"Non smoking\",\"Parking\":\"Unavailable\",\"Space/facilities\":\"Stylish space, Relaxing space, Spacious seating, Counter seating\",\"Drink\":\"Particular about wine\",\"Occasion\":\"None\",\"Location\":\"Hideout\",\"Family friendly\":\"• Age 16 and over (only for those who can enjoy course meals) *Consultation required in the following cases.\",\"Website\":\"",\"The opening day\":\"2021.2.1\"}","Matched Location ID":"81bb0fd5-75bd-47ec-8b0d-ae6de5b02625","Match Status":"matched","Match Method":"award_page_url_exact","Match Confidence":"high","Matched On URL":"","Matched DB Name":"TOMONO","Matched DB Address":"曽根崎新地1102 KITASHINCHI PLACE 9F, Kita City, Osaka City, Osaka","Needs Review":"no","Review Reason":"","Fallback Score":"","Fallback Name Sim":"","Fallback Addr Sim":"","Fallback Loc Sim":"","Fallback City Sim":"","Fallback Country Sim":"","Fallback Phone Match":"","Fallback Domain Match":"","Fallback Explanation":""}; Tabelog Bronze Award 2025 Score: 4 Cuisine: Chinese Cuisine / Osaka Phone: 06-4795-1111 Hours: ■Business hoursFrom 18:00 onwards(Starts at the same time)From 20:45 onwards(Starts at the same time)■Closed onSundays Address: 曽根崎新地1102 KITASHINCHI PLACE 9F, Kita City, Osaka City, Osaka Tabelog: | Easy | — | |
| HAJIME | French, Innovative | Michelin 3 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
| La Cime | French | Michelin 2 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
| Kashiwaya Osaka Senriyama | Japanese | Michelin 3 Star | Unknown | — |
| Taian | Kaiseki, Japanese | Michelin 3 Star | Unknown | — |
| Fujiya 1935 | Innovative | Michelin 2 Star | Unknown | — |
Side-by-side comparison to help you decide where to book.
Dinner only — TOMONO does not serve lunch. Two seatings run nightly at 18:00 and 20:45 (except Sundays), with courses priced at JPY 20,000–29,999 per person based on Tabelog's listed budget. The 18:00 sitting gives you more time; the 20:45 slot suits late arrivals from Umeda or Osaka Station, both within a 5-minute walk.
Only at small scale. The entire restaurant is a 9-seat counter with no private rooms, so the maximum party size is effectively the full room. Private buyout is listed as available — if you want an exclusive evening for a group, check the venue's official channels at 06-4795-1111 or via ryo-tomono.com to discuss full-venue hire.
For French fine dining with higher international recognition, HAJIME (Michelin-starred) and La Cime are the clearest alternatives in Osaka. Kashiwaya Osaka Senriyama and Taian are the go-to options if you want kaiseki rather than creative Chinese. Fujiya 1935 sits closer to TOMONO in terms of creative course format and counter intimacy, though it works in a European-Japanese register rather than Chinese.
TOMONO runs a course-only format — there is no à la carte menu to choose from. The Tabelog description confirms a creative course that moves beyond traditional Chinese cuisine. At JPY 20,000–29,999 per person (with some reviewer spend reaching JPY 30,000–39,999), the full course is the only option, so there are no ordering decisions to make beyond any dietary consultation at the time of booking.
The venue data does not document specific dietary accommodation policies, so contact TOMONO directly before booking — call 06-4795-1111 or reach out via ryo-tomono.com. The age restriction (16 and over, with consultation required for edge cases) signals that the kitchen is attentive to individual circumstances, which suggests pre-booking communication is both expected and productive.
It's a 9-seat counter, course-only, dinner-only restaurant in Kitashinchi PLACE on the 9th floor — not a walk-in venue. Reservations are available via Tabelog or ryo-tomono.com; the restaurant is closed Sundays. Budget JPY 20,000–39,999 per person depending on drinks (the venue has a noted focus on wine). Guests must be 16 or older. The Tabelog Award Bronze in both 2025 and 2026, plus three consecutive years on the Tabelog Chinese WEST Top 100, confirm this is a recognised destination rather than a casual option.
No dress code is listed in the venue data. That said, TOMONO is a Tabelog Bronze-awarded counter restaurant in Kitashinchi — Osaka's most concentrated fine-dining district — at JPY 20,000–39,999 per head. Smart, put-together clothing is appropriate to the setting and the price point; overly casual dress would be out of step with the room. If you're unsure, confirm with the venue when booking via 06-4795-1111.
■Business hoursFrom 18:00 onwards(Starts at the same time)From 20:45 onwards(Starts at the same time)■Closed onSundays
Keep this venue in your Pearl passport, rate it after you visit, and track it alongside every other place you collect.
