Restaurant in Tokyo, Japan
Eight seats. One week to book. No cards.

An eight-seat yakitori counter in Shinjuku's Arakicho district, OHKUSA has held Tabelog Silver recognition in four of the past six years and earned consecutive Yakitori 100 listings since 2021. Dinner runs JPY 15,000–19,999, reservations open exactly one week ahead by phone, and the counter accepts a maximum of two guests per booking. Cash only; no photography permitted inside.
If you have already visited one of Tokyo's many solid yakitori counters and want to understand what the format looks like at its most focused, OHKUSA is where to go next. This eight-seat counter in Arakicho has held Tabelog Silver every year from 2021 to 2026 (with Bronze in 2021 and 2025), sits in Tabelog's Yakitori Top 100 five consecutive years, and scores 4.39 on the platform. For a yakitori specialist at JPY 15,000–19,999 per head, that track record is hard to argue with.
OHKUSA opened in November 2019 and built its reputation on a single discipline: daily-selected free-range chicken, cut into generous portions and grilled slowly over binchotan charcoal. The counter seats only eight guests, and the maximum party size is two, so the experience is deliberately intimate. That constraint is a feature, not a limitation — it means every seat faces the grill and the pacing is controlled.
The drinks program is worth factoring into your decision. The venue is noted for particular attention to sake (nihonshu), shochu, and wine. For a yakitori counter, a curated wine list alongside serious Japanese spirits is a meaningful differentiator — most comparable counters stop at beer and sake. If pairing Japanese white wine or a low-intervention bottle with charcoal-grilled chicken interests you, OHKUSA is one of the few yakitori counters in Tokyo where that conversation is possible.
This is where OHKUSA requires real planning. Reservations open exactly one week in advance, starting at 12:00 PM on the corresponding day of the following week. Phone reservations only (03-6709-8874), accepted between 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM. You cannot book more than seven days out under any circumstances. If your target date falls on a Sunday, Monday, or public holiday , the restaurant is closed. If the reservation opening day falls on a holiday, the window shifts to the next business day. Get the calendar right before you call.
Practically, that means if you are planning a Tokyo trip and want OHKUSA on a specific night, you need to be available to call at noon Tokyo time exactly seven days prior. International callers should note that no online reservation system is available and no credit cards are accepted on the night , cash only.
OHKUSA is the right call for a solo diner or a pair who wants a focused, counter-only yakitori experience with serious drinks. It is not suitable for groups (maximum two), families with minors (not accepted), or anyone who needs dietary flexibility beyond chicken-forward grilling. Photography inside is prohibited, which keeps the atmosphere undistracted. At JPY 15,000–19,999, it sits above the mid-range yakitori tier but below the price points of Tokyo's kaiseki counters.
Against Tokyo's other award-winning dinner counters, OHKUSA occupies a specific niche. Harutaka and RyuGin operate in entirely different categories , sushi and kaiseki respectively , and cost more. L'Effervescence and Crony are French-leaning and run longer tasting menus. OHKUSA is for when you want the precision of a specialist counter without the multi-hour kaiseki commitment. The one-week booking window actually makes it more accessible than most Michelin-adjacent counters in Tokyo, where waits run months.
| Detail | OHKUSA |
|---|---|
| Cuisine | Yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) |
| Price per head (dinner) | JPY 15,000–19,999 |
| Seats | 8 (counter only) |
| Max party size | 2 |
| Hours | 19:00–21:30 |
| Closed | Sunday, Monday, public holidays |
| Booking window | Exactly 1 week ahead, phone only, 12:00–17:00 |
| Payment | Cash only (no cards, no e-money, no QR) |
| Smoking | Non-smoking |
| Photography | Prohibited |
| Getting there | 4-minute walk from Yotsuya Sanchome Station |
If you are building a broader Japan itinerary, Pearl covers leading restaurants across the country: HAJIME in Osaka, Gion Sasaki in Kyoto, akordu in Nara, Goh in Fukuoka, 1000 in Yokohama, and 6 in Okinawa. For Tokyo specifically, see our full Tokyo restaurants guide, Tokyo hotels guide, Tokyo bars guide, Tokyo wineries guide, and Tokyo experiences guide. For international comparison on focused counter dining, Atomix in New York and Le Bernardin in New York represent the counter-format benchmark outside Japan. Also see Sézanne in Tokyo for a French alternative at a comparable price tier.
Yes, one of the better options in Tokyo for a solo diner at this price level. All eight seats are counter seats, so a solo guest has a full view of the grill and the same experience as a pair. The atmosphere is quiet and focused , no background noise from larger tables.
Three things before you go: book by phone exactly one week out starting at noon Tokyo time, bring cash (no cards accepted under any format), and leave your camera in your pocket (photography is prohibited). The menu is yakitori-focused with daily-selected free-range chicken over binchotan. At JPY 15,000–19,999 per head, expect a tasting-style progression rather than an à la carte order.
Dinner only. OHKUSA does not serve lunch , hours are 19:00 to 21:30 exclusively. There is no lunch service to compare against.
Exactly seven days. The reservation window opens at 12:00 PM Tokyo time on the same day of the week as your target date, one week prior. You cannot book further in advance than that. Phone reservations only: 03-6709-8874, available 12:00–17:00. If you miss the opening window, seats may go quickly given the 4.39 Tabelog score and five consecutive years on the Yakitori Top 100.
It works well for a dinner for two , the intimate eight-seat counter and focused format suit a considered evening out. Note that photography is prohibited, private rooms are unavailable, and minors are not admitted. It is not set up for birthday celebrations with decorations or group gatherings. For a couple who values quality over spectacle, the Tabelog Silver award history and price point make it a defensible choice.
For yakitori at a comparable standard, look at other venues in the Tabelog Yakitori Top 100. For a different format at a similar price: Harutaka for sushi, Sézanne for French, or Crony for innovative French. RyuGin and L'Effervescence are higher-end options if budget is flexible. OHKUSA is the right pick if yakitori specifically is the objective and you want a counter with a serious drinks program.
No. The maximum party size is two. The counter seats eight total, but the seating policy caps bookings at pairs. Do not attempt to book OHKUSA for a group dinner , you will need to look elsewhere. Call 03-6709-8874 to confirm current policy.
The kitchen is built around chicken , that is the entire format. If you do not eat chicken, OHKUSA is not the right choice. There is no website to check current accommodations, and no published information on alternative proteins or allergen handling. Call ahead (03-6709-8874) if you have specific requirements, but be realistic: a specialist yakitori counter has limited flexibility by design.
| Venue | Cuisine | Awards | Booking Difficulty | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OHKUSA | {"Year":"2026","Award Source":"Tabelog","Award Type":"The Tabelog Award","Award Group":"silver","Award Group Rank":"98","Restaurant Name":"OHKUSA","Score":"4.39","Budget":"Dinner: JPY 15,000 - JPY 19,999; Lunch: -","Budget Dinner":"JPY 15,000 - JPY 19,999","Budget Lunch":"-","Price":"JPY 15,000 - JPY 19,999","Average Price":"JPY 15,000 - JPY 19,999","Average Price (Based on reviews)":"JPY 15,000 - JPY 19,999 View spending breakdown","Featured Item":"N/A","Full Address (with ZIP)":"東京都新宿区荒木町7-13 森戸ビル 1F, 1600007, Japan","Address":"東京都新宿区荒木町7-13 森戸ビル 1F","Postal Code":"1600007","City":"Arakicho Shinjuku Tokyo","State":"Tokyo","Country":"Japan","Phone":"+81367098874","Phone Raw":"+81-3-6709-8874","Website":"No official website found","Description":"Check out OHKUSA/OHKUSA (Yotsuya Sanchome/Yakitori (Grilled chicken skewers)) on Tabelog! Daily selected brand free-range chicken, cut into generous pieces and grilled slowly over binchotan charcoal. [No Smoking] Discover Japanese restaurants featuring detailed information such as menus and maps, along with user-posted reviews, ratings, and photos!","Categories":"Yakitori (Grilled chicken skewers)","Awards & Recognitions":"The Tabelog Award 2026 Silver winner The Tabelog Award 2026 Silver winner The Tabelog Award 2025 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2025 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2024 Silver winner The Tabelog Award 2024 Silver winner The Tabelog Award 2023 Silver winner The Tabelog Award 2023 Silver winner The Tabelog Award 2022 Silver winner The Tabelog Award 2022 Silver winner The Tabelog Award 2021 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2021 Bronze winner Selected for Tabelog yakitori EAST \"Tabelog 100\" 2025 Selected for Tabelog yakitori EAST \"Tabelog 100\" 2025 Selected for Tabelog Yakitori EAST \"Tabelog 100\" 2024 Selected for Tabelog Yakitori EAST \"Tabelog 100\" 2024 Selected for Tabelog Yakitori EAST \"Tabelog 100\" 2023 Selected for Tabelog Yakitori EAST \"Tabelog 100\" 2023 Selected for Tabelog Yakitori \"Tabelog 100\" 2022 Selected for Tabelog Yakitori \"Tabelog 100\" 2022 Selected for Tabelog Yakitori \"Tabelog 100\" 2021 Selected for Tabelog Yakitori \"Tabelog 100\" 2021 受賞・選出歴 閉じる The Tabelog Award 受賞歴 2026年Silver受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2026 Silver 受賞店 2025年Bronze受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2025 Bronze 受賞店 2024年Silver受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2024 Silver 受賞店 2023年Silver受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2023 Silver 受賞店 2022年Silver受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2022 Silver 受賞店 2021年Bronze受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2021 Bronze 受賞店 百名店 選出歴 焼き鳥 百名店 2025 選出店 食べログ 焼き鳥 EAST 百名店 2025 選出店 焼き鳥 百名店 2024 選出店 食べログ 焼き鳥 EAST 百名店 2024 選出店 焼き鳥 百名店 2023 選出店 食べログ 焼き鳥 EAST 百名店 2023 選出店 焼鳥 百名店 2022 選出店 食べログ 焼鳥 百名店 2022 選出店 焼鳥 百名店 2021 選出店 食べログ 焼鳥 百名店 2021 選出店","Reservation availability":"Reservations available Reservations from other yakitori restaurants are not accepted. We accept reservations for any date within one week. Reservations for dates more than one week in advance are not accepted. Phone reservations can be made starting from 12:00 PM one week prior. (Example) If you want to reserve a table for a Saturday in a certain week, reservations will start at 12:00 PM on the Saturday one week prior. If the reservation date falls on a regular holiday, we will accept reservations on the next business day. Phone reservation hours: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM.","Business hours":"■Business hours 19:00 - 21:30 ■Closed on Sundays, Mondays, and Public Holidays Hours and closed days may change, so please check with the restaurant before visiting.","Payment methods":"Credit cards not accepted Electronic money not accepted QR code payments not accepted","Private rooms":"Unavailable","Non-smoking/smoking":"Non smoking","Number of seats":"8 seats ( Counter seats: 8)","Private use":"Unavailable","Parking":"Unavailable","Space/facilities":"Counter seating","Drink":"Particular about Sake (Nihonshu), Particular about Shochu (Japanese spirits), Particular about wine","Food":"N/A","Service":"N/A","Family friendly":"We do not accept minors. Reservations and entry from other yakitori restaurant operators are not allowed.","Service charge & fee":"No service charge or additional fees. Original text サービス料、チャージ料無し This section has been automatically translated. Please check with the restaurant for accurate information.","Dress code":"N/A","Maximum party size":"2 people(Seating)","Location":"N/A","Occasion":"N/A","Remarks":"Taking photographs or videos inside the store using mobile phones or cameras is prohibited.","The opening day":"2019.11.11","Receipt (Qualified simple invoice)":"N/A","Latitude":"35.689113888696944","Longitude":"139.72227376449501","Primary Image URL":"","Image URL Count":"20","Image URLs":"","Restaurant ID":"13240980","Source URL":"","Raw Details JSON":"{\"Restaurant name\":\"OHKUSA\",\"Awards & Recognitions\":\"The Tabelog Award 2026 Silver winner The Tabelog Award 2026 Silver winner The Tabelog Award 2025 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2025 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2024 Silver winner The Tabelog Award 2024 Silver winner The Tabelog Award 2023 Silver winner The Tabelog Award 2023 Silver winner The Tabelog Award 2022 Silver winner The Tabelog Award 2022 Silver winner The Tabelog Award 2021 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2021 Bronze winner Selected for Tabelog yakitori EAST \\\"Tabelog 100\\\" 2025 Selected for Tabelog yakitori EAST \\\"Tabelog 100\\\" 2025 Selected for Tabelog Yakitori EAST \\\"Tabelog 100\\\" 2024 Selected for Tabelog Yakitori EAST \\\"Tabelog 100\\\" 2024 Selected for Tabelog Yakitori EAST \\\"Tabelog 100\\\" 2023 Selected for Tabelog Yakitori EAST \\\"Tabelog 100\\\" 2023 Selected for Tabelog Yakitori \\\"Tabelog 100\\\" 2022 Selected for Tabelog Yakitori \\\"Tabelog 100\\\" 2022 Selected for Tabelog Yakitori \\\"Tabelog 100\\\" 2021 Selected for Tabelog Yakitori \\\"Tabelog 100\\\" 2021 受賞・選出歴 閉じる The Tabelog Award 受賞歴 2026年Silver受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2026 Silver 受賞店 2025年Bronze受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2025 Bronze 受賞店 2024年Silver受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2024 Silver 受賞店 2023年Silver受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2023 Silver 受賞店 2022年Silver受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2022 Silver 受賞店 2021年Bronze受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2021 Bronze 受賞店 百名店 選出歴 焼き鳥 百名店 2025 選出店 食べログ 焼き鳥 EAST 百名店 2025 選出店 焼き鳥 百名店 2024 選出店 食べログ 焼き鳥 EAST 百名店 2024 選出店 焼き鳥 百名店 2023 選出店 食べログ 焼き鳥 EAST 百名店 2023 選出店 焼鳥 百名店 2022 選出店 食べログ 焼鳥 百名店 2022 選出店 焼鳥 百名店 2021 選出店 食べログ 焼鳥 百名店 2021 選出店\",\"Categories\":\"Yakitori (Grilled chicken skewers)\",\"Phone number (for reservation and inquiry)\":\"03-6709-8874\",\"Reservation availability\":\"Reservations available Reservations from other yakitori restaurants are not accepted. We accept reservations for any date within one week. Reservations for dates more than one week in advance are not accepted. Phone reservations can be made starting from 12:00 PM one week prior. (Example) If you want to reserve a table for a Saturday in a certain week, reservations will start at 12:00 PM on the Saturday one week prior. If the reservation date falls on a regular holiday, we will accept reservations on the next business day. Phone reservation hours: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM.\",\"Address\":\"東京都新宿区荒木町7-13 森戸ビル 1F Show larger map Find nearby restaurants Transportation It is a 4-minute walk from Yotsuya Sanchome Station. Address: 1F Morito Building, 7-13 Arakicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Restaurant Name: OHKUSA Cuisine: Yakitori 196 meters from Yotsuya Sanchome.\",\"Business hours\":\"■Business hours 19:00 - 21:30 ■Closed on Sundays, Mondays, and Public Holidays Hours and closed days may change, so please check with the restaurant before visiting.\",\"Average price\":\"JPY 15,000 - JPY 19,999\",\"Average price (Based on reviews)\":\"JPY 15,000 - JPY 19,999 View spending breakdown\",\"Payment methods\":\"Credit cards not accepted Electronic money not accepted QR code payments not accepted\",\"Service charge & fee\":\"No service charge or additional fees. Original text サービス料、チャージ料無し This section has been automatically translated. Please check with the restaurant for accurate information.\",\"Number of seats\":\"8 seats ( Counter seats: 8)\",\"Maximum party size\":\"2 people(Seating)\",\"Private rooms\":\"Unavailable\",\"Private use\":\"Unavailable\",\"Non-smoking/smoking\":\"Non smoking\",\"Parking\":\"Unavailable\",\"Space/facilities\":\"Counter seating\",\"Drink\":\"Particular about Sake (Nihonshu), Particular about Shochu (Japanese spirits), Particular about wine\",\"Occasion\":\"None\",\"Family friendly\":\"We do not accept minors. Reservations and entry from other yakitori restaurant operators are not allowed.\",\"The opening day\":\"2019.11.11\",\"Remarks\":\"Taking photographs or videos inside the store using mobile phones or cameras is prohibited.\"}","Matched Location ID":"5ea9859d-6c52-47e0-ac70-905ffd1f2436","Match Status":"matched","Match Method":"award_page_url_exact","Match Confidence":"high","Matched On URL":"","Matched DB Name":"OHKUSA","Matched DB Address":"713 森戸 Bldg. 1F, 荒木cho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo","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: 4.34 Cuisine: Yakitori/Poultry / Tokyo Phone: 03-6709-8874 Hours: ■Business hours19:00 - 21:30■Closed onSundays, Mondays, and Public Holidays Address: 713 森戸 Bldg. 1F, 荒木cho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo Tabelog: | Easy | — | |
| Harutaka | Sushi | Michelin 3 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
| L'Effervescence | French | Michelin 3 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
| RyuGin | Kaiseki, Japanese | Michelin 3 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
| HOMMAGE | Innovtive French, French | Michelin 2 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
| Crony | Innovative, French | Michelin 2 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
Key differences to consider before you reserve.
Yes, and it may be the ideal format for it. The counter seats 8 and the maximum party size is 2, so the room is built around individual or paired dining rather than group energy. Solo diners get full engagement with the counter and the drinks program, which leans toward sake, shochu, and wine. Arrive knowing you cannot pay by card.
Three things before you go: reservations open exactly one week ahead at 12:00 PM by phone only, the counter does not accept credit cards or electronic payment, and photography inside is prohibited. The restaurant holds Tabelog Silver for 2026 with a score of 4.39, so expectations are calibrated at that level. Dinner runs 19:00 to 21:30, Tuesday through Saturday.
OHKUSA does not serve lunch. Dinner only, 19:00 to 21:30, Tuesday through Saturday. Plan accordingly, and note that Sundays, Mondays, and public holidays are closed.
Exactly one week, not more. Reservations open at 12:00 PM on the same day of the week as your target date — so for a Friday seat, call at noon the Friday before. Phone reservation hours are 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. If the opening day falls on a public holiday, the window shifts to the next business day. With only 8 seats and no online booking, the window closes fast.
It works for a paired occasion where focused food and serious drinks matter more than atmosphere or ceremony. There are no private rooms, no service charge, and photography is not permitted, so it is not set up for milestone dinners that require visual documentation or group toasts. At JPY 15,000–19,999 per head and Tabelog Silver recognition, the quality is there — the format just needs to suit you.
For yakitori at a comparable award level, Tabelog's yakitori rankings are the most direct reference point since OHKUSA has been listed in the Tabelog 100 every year since 2021. For a different counter format at similar spend, L'Effervescence and HOMMAGE operate in the fine dining register rather than yakitori. If the constraint is booking difficulty rather than cuisine, Crony in Tokyo offers a different counter experience with its own awards.
No. The maximum party size is 2, and private room hire is not available. If you are planning for three or more people, OHKUSA is not an option regardless of how far in advance you call. Look elsewhere for group dinners.
■Business hours19:00 - 21:30■Closed onSundays, Mondays, and Public Holidays
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