Restaurant in Tokyo, Japan
Eight Tabelog Bronze years. Book weeks ahead.
Ichikawa is an 11-seat sushi counter in Minamiazabu with eight consecutive Tabelog Bronze awards (2019–2026) and a Tabelog score of 4.12. Dinner runs JPY 40,000–49,999 per head; reservation-only with no phone bookings. The dual sake and wine focus makes it a stronger choice than most Tokyo sushi counters for guests who want serious pairing options alongside the omakase.
Eleven seats, reservation-only, and eight consecutive years of Tabelog Bronze recognition: Ichikawa is one of the most consistently decorated sushi counters in Minamiazabu, and at JPY 40,000–49,999 per head at dinner it occupies the serious end of Tokyo's sushi price tier. Book it for a special occasion if omakase sushi is your format. If you want more flexibility or a slightly lower entry price, consider Harutaka instead. If you want kaiseki rather than sushi at a comparable spend, RyuGin is worth comparing.
Ichikawa has held a Tabelog Bronze award every year from 2019 through 2026, a run of consistency that is notable in a city where counter restaurants come and go quickly. It has also been selected for the Tabelog Sushi TOKYO "Tabelog 100" in 2021, 2022, and 2025, placing it among a small group of sushi counters that Tokyo's most active dining reviewers return to repeatedly. The current Tabelog score sits at 4.12, which in the context of that platform's scoring compression is a meaningful signal of quality.
The room is small by design: 11 seats arranged at a counter, described on the venue's own listing as a stylish and relaxing space. There are no private rooms and no private-hire option, which means every seat faces the counter and every booking is part of the same shared service. For a date or a celebration dinner where the food is the focus, that format works well. For a business meal requiring privacy, it does not.
The drinks programme is one of Ichikawa's distinguishing practical details. The listing flags a specific commitment to both sake and wine, described as "particular about Sake (Nihonshu)" and "particular about wine." For a sushi counter at this price point, that dual focus is not standard. Many Edomae-style counters in Tokyo lean exclusively into sake and Japanese whisky; a curated wine list alongside a considered sake selection gives guests who prefer Burgundy or Champagne with raw fish a reason to engage with the pairing side of the meal rather than default to beer. If the drinks pairing matters to your group as much as the food, Ichikawa is a stronger choice than counters that treat wine as an afterthought.
Venue is located in Minamiazabu, Minato City, roughly 585 metres from Shirokane-Takanawa Station on the Toei Mita Line. That puts it within reach of central Tokyo but outside the most tourist-dense dining corridors, which partly explains the "hideout" classification on the venue's Tabelog profile. Getting there is direct from Azabu-Juban or Hiroo; from Shinjuku or Shibuya allow 20–25 minutes by train and a short walk.
Hours run Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 18:00 to 22:30 (last order 20:30). Wednesday is closed. There is no lunch service. Payment is by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex); electronic money and QR code payments are not accepted. The phone number is not publicly disclosed, which means reservations must be made through Tabelog or another booking channel rather than by calling directly.
For context on how Ichikawa fits within the broader Tokyo dining picture, see our full Tokyo restaurants guide. If you are planning a wider trip and want hotel recommendations near Minamiazabu, our Tokyo hotels guide covers the area. For pre- or post-dinner drinks options, our Tokyo bars guide has current recommendations. Elsewhere in Japan, comparable-level omakase and tasting-menu experiences worth considering include Gion Sasaki in Kyoto and HAJIME in Osaka.
| Detail | Ichikawa | Harutaka | RyuGin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cuisine | Sushi (omakase) | Sushi (omakase) | Kaiseki |
| Price tier | JPY 40,000–49,999 dinner | ¥¥¥¥ | ¥¥¥¥ |
| Seats | 11 (counter only) | Counter format | Counter + tables |
| Private rooms | No | No | Available |
| Wine focus | Yes (sake + wine) | Sake-focused | Sake + wine |
| Booking method | Reservation only (no phone) | Reservation only | Reservation only |
| Booking difficulty | Easy | Moderate | Moderate |
| Closed | Wednesday | Check venue | Check venue |
| Nearest station | Shirokane-Takanawa (Mita Line) | Ginza area | Roppongi area |
No dress code is listed in the venue data, but an 11-seat counter in Minamiazabu at JPY 40,000–49,999 per head signals a polished neighbourhood. Dressy casual — clean, understated clothing — is a safe read for this format and price point. Avoid anything loud; counter seating at this level puts you close to the chef and other guests.
Ichikawa is reservation-only with no phone number publicly listed, which means you need to secure access through an agent, hotel concierge, or a platform that holds reservations. With only 11 seats and eight straight years of Tabelog Bronze recognition, the counter fills well in advance — plan at least four to six weeks out for a standard booking, longer for weekend dates. Last-minute availability at this level is rare.
Yes — the venue is counter seating only, with 11 seats total. There is no table dining or private room option. That counter format is the entire experience, which suits solo diners and pairs well; groups larger than two or three should note that private use is unavailable.
It works well for a significant occasion if the person you're taking appreciates a focused, quiet sushi counter rather than a celebratory room. The space is described as stylish and relaxing, and the JPY 40,000–49,999 dinner price signals appropriate weight. Private rooms are not available, so if you need exclusivity or separation from other diners, this is not the right format.
For sushi at a comparable Tabelog-recognised level in Tokyo, Harutaka in Ginza is a frequent comparison point — slightly more accessible booking-wise but similarly counter-focused and priced. If you want a broader omakase format beyond sushi, RyuGin offers kaiseki at a similar spend. For sushi in a quieter neighbourhood setting closer to Azabu, local options vary, but Ichikawa's eight-year Tabelog Bronze run and Tabelog 100 selection makes it one of the more consistently tracked counters in the city.
Dinner is the only service offered. Hours run 18:00–22:30 with a last order at 20:30, Tuesday through Sunday (closed Wednesday). Lunch is not available.
Ichikawa is a reservation-only sushi counter, and at JPY 40,000–49,999 per head, the format is almost certainly omakase — chef's selection — rather than à la carte. The venue notes a particular focus on fish. There is no published menu to reference, so arrive expecting to eat what the chef serves rather than choosing individual pieces.
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun 18:00 - 22:30 L.O. 20:30
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