Imahan
Sukiyaki · Chūō, Tokyo
Restaurant in Tokyo, Japan
Book with PearlThe Read
Tableside Wagyu Sukiyaki
Chef
Various
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Imahan in Nihonbashi is Tokyo's most accessible entry point for serious sukiyaki, with OAD recognition three years running and easy booking relative to the city's competitive dining market. The sukiyaki format delivers a genuine flavour progression at the table, the Takashimaya S.C. location keeps logistics simple. A strong choice for a first-timer who wants credibility without the booking difficulty of Tokyo's harder reservations.
About Imahan
Verdict
If you want a grounding introduction to sukiyaki in Tokyo, Imahan at Nihonbashi Takashimaya S.C. is the right call. It has earned consecutive recognition from Opinionated About Dining; Highly Recommended in 2023, ranked #205 in 2024, #254 in 2025 across all Japan; which puts it in a credible tier without the booking anxiety of Tokyo's most difficult reservations. For a first-timer coming to sukiyaki specifically, the department store setting, accessible booking, established format make this a lower-friction entry point than many comparable Tokyo dining rooms. Book it.
What to Expect
Imahan's dining room sits on the sixth floor of the Nihonbashi Takashimaya S.C. new wing in Chuo City, one of central Tokyo's more composed commercial neighbourhoods. The setting matters: department store dining in Japan operates to a different standard than it does elsewhere. In Nihonbashi, you are walking into a building where food has been taken seriously for generations, Imahan fits that register.
Sukiyaki as a format has a clear arc. The meal proceeds in stages: thin-sliced beef is seared in a cast-iron pan at the table, seasoned with a sweet soy-based warishita sauce, then finished in broth alongside tofu, chrysanthemum greens, shirataki noodles, other ingredients that absorb the cooking liquid as the meal progresses. Each piece is dipped in raw beaten egg before eating. The sequence builds, early in the meal the flavours are clean and direct; by the midpoint, the broth has deepened, the vegetables have absorbed the beef's character, the dish becomes something richer and more layered. This is not a tasting menu in the kaiseki sense, but there is a genuine progression to sukiyaki that rewards patience. A first-timer should resist the urge to rush the pace. Let the pan do its work.
The aroma is part of that progression. As the warishita sauce hits the hot pan, the smell of caramelising soy, mirin, beef fat is immediate and specific to the format. It is one of the more distinctive sensory signatures in Tokyo dining, at Imahan you encounter it in a room designed for exactly this purpose.
Imahan is open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday from 11am to 10pm, on Monday from 11am to 10pm. It is closed on Wednesdays. The lunch window is worth noting: sukiyaki at lunch tends to be quieter and marginally easier to book than weekend evenings, the format translates well to a midday meal.
Booking & Timing
Booking here is classified as easy relative to Tokyo's competitive dining market. You are not facing the multi-month waits of counter-only omakase restaurants. That said, weekend evenings at a recognised OAD-ranked restaurant fill up, so booking one to two weeks ahead for a Friday or Saturday dinner is sensible. For lunch on a weekday, you likely have more flexibility, but confirming ahead is still advisable. The department store location means you can arrive, dine, continue into Nihonbashi without logistical friction.
Ratings & Recognition
- Opinionated About Dining, Leading Restaurants in Japan, ranked #254 (2025)
- Opinionated About Dining, Leading Restaurants in Japan, ranked #205 (2024)
- Opinionated About Dining, Highly Recommended (2023)
Practical Details
| Detail | Imahan (Nihonbashi) | Typical peer benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Cuisine | Sukiyaki | Sukiyaki / Shabu-shabu |
| Location | 6F, Takashimaya S.C. New Wing, Nihonbashi | Standalone or hotel dining |
| Hours | Mon, Thu–Sun 11am–10pm; closed Wed | Typically dinner-only at peers |
| Booking difficulty | Easy | Moderate to hard at comparable OAD-ranked venues |
| Price range | Not confirmed | Mid-to-high for sukiyaki specialists |
| Awards | OAD Top 254 Japan (2025) | Varies |
How It Compares
See the full comparison section below.
Tokyo Sukiyaki Alternatives
If Imahan is unavailable or you want to compare before committing, Hiyama and Imafuku are the two names most worth considering in the same sukiyaki category in Tokyo. For a dedicated sukiyaki counter with a sharper focus, SUKIYAKI ASAI is a newer reference point. Outside Tokyo, Wadakin in Mie is the benchmark for sukiyaki built around a single regional beef source.
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Restaurants Elsewhere in Japan
Planning details
- Hours
- Monday: 11 am–10 pm · Tuesday: 11 am–10 pm
- Location
- Japan, 〒103-6199 Tokyo, Chuo City, Nihonbashi, 2 Chome−5−1 髙島屋S.C. 新館６階
- Website
- restaurant.imahan.com/nihonbashi-takashimaya
- Phone
- +81 3-5542-1192
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Imahan reads like an institutional, quietly historic sukiyaki house. Operating out of Nihonbashi and anchored to a long lineage of beef dining, it favors precision and formal service over flash. The setting—inside the Takashimaya S.C. Shin-kan—ties the restaurant to a curated retail context rather than a nightlife scene, and the tone of the meal is steady and restrained. The overall impression is one of respectful tradition: measured, unhurried tableside cooking and service that privileges craft and continuity, making Imahan feel more like a cultural institution than a trendy destination.
Best For
Imahan is best for occasions that appreciate ritual and quality: business dinners, family celebrations, and special-occasion meals where sukiyaki or shabu-shabu is the focus. The service model and long history suit gatherings that favor formal, attentive service and a composed atmosphere rather than boisterous group outings. Because the restaurant sits within a major department-store complex in Nihonbashi, it also works well for visitors seeking a reliable, classic Tokyo dining experience anchored in a clear culinary tradition.
Ordering Tips
Order one of Imahan’s signature preparations—sukiyaki or shabu-shabu—to experience the restaurant’s core offering. Sukiyaki is served tableside in a shallow iron pan with soy, mirin, and sugar and traditionally dipped in raw egg, so be prepared for a hands-on, ceremonial service. Given the emphasis on beef quality across the restaurant’s history, opt for the higher-grade beef options if available and allow the staff to guide the cooking rhythm; the venue’s strength is in its precise, service-led presentation rather than à la carte experimentation.
Planning details
Hours
- Monday
- 11 am–10 pm
- Tuesday
- 11 am–10 pm
- Wednesday
- Closed
- Thursday
- 11 am–10 pm
- Friday
- 11 am–10 pm
- Saturday
- 11 am–10 pm
- Sunday
- 11 am–10 pm
Location
Japan, 〒103-6199 Tokyo, Chuo City, Nihonbashi, 2 Chome−5−1 髙島屋S.C. 新館６階 · Directions
Also consider
Also Consider
- Harutaka; Sushi, ¥¥¥¥
- RyuGin; Kaiseki, Japanese, ¥¥¥¥
- L'Effervescence; French, ¥¥¥¥
- HOMMAGE; Innovtive French, French, ¥¥¥¥
- Florilège; French, ¥¥¥
Restaurant context
Imahan sits in a different category from most of the restaurants it is frequently grouped with in Tokyo dining conversations. Harutaka and RyuGin are operating at a higher level of complexity and international profile; RyuGin in particular demands more planning (book 4–6 weeks out minimum) and a higher spend per head for its kaiseki progression. If your priority is breadth of technique across a long tasting sequence, RyuGin is the stronger argument. If you want focused, format-specific dining where the ritual of the meal is the point, Imahan delivers that in a more contained and repeatable way.
L'Effervescence and HOMMAGE are both ¥¥¥¥ French dining rooms that reward a particular kind of diner; one who wants a Western tasting menu structure executed in Tokyo. Florilège at ¥¥¥ offers the most accessible price point in that French group and is often the smarter booking for a visitor who wants one high-end meal without the full ¥¥¥¥ commitment. None of these are comparable to Imahan in format; they serve fundamentally different purposes on a Tokyo itinerary.
Within the sukiyaki category specifically, Imahan's OAD standing and easy booking make it the practical default for a first visit. If you have already been and want to push into more specialist territory, Hiyama and Imafuku are the next comparisons worth making. For value, L'Effervescence and Harutaka are better arguments if cuisine type is flexible; but if sukiyaki is the format you want, Imahan is the easiest credible booking in the city.
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Compare Imahan
| Venue | Cuisine | Price | Booking Difficulty | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imahan | Sukiyaki | Easy | 2025 OAD Top Restaurants in Japan Ranked · #2542024 OAD Top Restaurants in Japan Ranked · #2052023 OAD Top Restaurants in Japan Highly Recommended | |
| Harutaka | Sushi | ¥¥¥¥ | Unknown | 2026 Tabelog Silver · #312026 OAD Top Restaurants in Japan Ranked · #1282026 Michelin 3 Stars2026 La Liste Top RestaurantsTabelog 100 - Sushi - TOKYO - 2025 · #372025 Asia's 50 Best Restaurants · #762025 OAD Top Restaurants in Japan Ranked · #1172025 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 Tabelog Bronze |
| RyuGin | Kaiseki, Japanese | ¥¥¥¥ | Unknown | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in Japan Ranked · #802026 Tabelog Bronze · #3772026 Michelin 3 Stars2026 La Liste Top RestaurantsTabelog 100 - Japanese cuisine - TOKYO - 2025 · #212025 OAD Top Restaurants in Japan Ranked · #542025 Michelin 3 Stars2025 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 The Best Chef Three Knives |
| L'Effervescence | French | ¥¥¥¥ | Unknown | 2026 Tabelog Silver · #682026 OAD Top Restaurants in Japan Ranked · #103Star Wine Lists 20262026 Black Pearl 2 Diamond2026 Relais Chateaux Restaurants2026 La Liste Top Restaurants2026 Michelin 3 Stars2025 Asia's 50 Best Restaurants · #692025 OAD Top Restaurants in Japan Ranked · #92 |
| HOMMAGE | Innovtive French, French | ¥¥¥¥ | Unknown | 2026 Tabelog Bronze · #1232026 OAD Top Restaurants in Japan Highly Recommended2026 Michelin 2 StarsTabelog 100 - French - TOKYO - 2025 · #762025 Asia's 50 Best Restaurants · #782025 OAD Top Restaurants in Japan Ranked · #1752025 Michelin 2 Stars2025 The Best Chef One Knife2025 La Liste Top Restaurants |
| Florilège | French | ¥¥¥ | Unknown | 2026 Asia's 50 Best Restaurants · #312026 Tabelog Bronze · #712026 OAD Top Restaurants in Japan Ranked · #1242026 Black Pearl 1 Diamond2026 Michelin 2 Stars2026 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 Asia's 50 Best Restaurants · #172025 World's 50 Best Restaurants · #36Tabelog 100 - French - TOKYO - 2025 · #68 |
Key differences to consider before you reserve.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear to Imahan?
A department store sukiyaki specialist at this recognition level; ranked #254 on OAD's Top Restaurants in Japan 2025; calls for neat, presentable clothing rather than formal attire. Business casual is a safe call. There is no evidence of a strict dress code, but arriving in beachwear or very casual sportswear would be out of step with the setting.
What are alternatives to Imahan in Tokyo?
Hiyama and Imafuku are the two closest comparisons in the Tokyo sukiyaki category and worth checking if Imahan is unavailable. For a different format entirely, RyuGin and Florilège operate at a higher difficulty and price tier but answer a different question about Japanese fine dining.
How far ahead should I book Imahan?
Booking difficulty here is low relative to Tokyo's competitive dining market; you are not up against multi-month omakase queues. A week's notice is typically sufficient, though weekend lunch slots at a Takashimaya location can fill faster. Closed Wednesdays, so factor that into your planning.
Is Imahan good for a special occasion?
Yes, with the right expectations. Imahan has earned consecutive OAD recognition; Highly Recommended in 2023, #205 in 2024, #254 in 2025; which gives it credibility as a special occasion choice without the stress of a hard-to-book counter reservation. It works well for birthdays or business dinners where you want a distinctive Tokyo dining format without logistical difficulty.
Is lunch or dinner better at Imahan?
Both services run 11am–10pm on open days, so the kitchen is the same. Lunch tends to offer a quieter atmosphere and sometimes lower price entry points at Japanese sukiyaki specialists of this type. If a relaxed pace matters to you, a weekday lunch slot is the practical choice.
