Raimon

Yes, with the right expectations. The counter format, the quiet focused atmosphere, and the Gold-level Tabelog recognition make Raimon a strong choice for a milestone meal between two people. It is not suited to large group celebrations , 13 seats total, no private room, and a room that rewards conversation rather than noise. If you want to mark an occasion with excellent yakiniku rather than a tasting menu, this is among the few places in Tokyo that can deliver that at a credible level.

No dress code is stated, but the price point (JPY 20,000–29,999 in practice) and counter setting in Akasaka suggest smart casual at minimum. This is not a jeans-and-sneakers yakiniku chain. Treat it the way you would treat any serious counter restaurant at this price in Tokyo , neat and considered.

Book as early as you can confirm your date. A 13-seat reservation-only counter with seven consecutive years on the Tabelog Yakiniku Tokyo Top 100 does not have spare capacity. There is no online booking system , you need to call (+81-3-3583-7012). If you are visiting Tokyo from abroad, call well in advance and confirm the closure calendar, since closing days are not fixed.

For yakiniku at a similar or adjacent level, Nikusho Horikoshi and Kinryuzan are worth comparing. If budget is a constraint, Jumbo Hanare and Kiraku-Tei offer the yakiniku format at a lower price point. If you want to spend similarly but shift to a different format entirely, Harutaka (sushi) or RyuGin (kaiseki) are Tokyo's leading comparators at the same spend level.

The maximum party size is not specified, but with 13 total seats and no private room, large groups are structurally difficult. The venue is available for full private hire, which is the practical answer for parties of 8 or more. For smaller groups of 4–6, a counter booking is workable. Call to confirm capacity for your party size before assuming availability.

Dinner is the format Raimon is built around, and it runs every day of the week. Lunch happens roughly once a month and is announced only via Instagram , meaning it requires active tracking and fast booking. If you are visiting Tokyo on a fixed schedule, plan for dinner. The monthly lunch is worth catching for regulars who follow the restaurant's schedule, but it should not be the anchor of a trip itinerary without confirmed availability.

Three things to know before you go: cash only (no card, no electronic payment , bring JPY 25,000–30,000 to be safe), reservation only (call ahead; no walk-in option), and the room is 13-seat counter-only with no private space. The cuisine spans yakiniku and tripe , if you have not eaten high-quality offal at a Japanese counter before, this is a strong introduction. The Tabelog score of 4.56 and Gold award reflect consistent execution, not a one-off performance.

Yes , counter-only restaurants at this level in Tokyo are among the leading solo dining formats in the world. You are seated at the grill, the pace is yours, and a 13-seat room does not make a single diner feel out of place. At JPY 20,000–29,999 in practice, solo dining here is a significant spend, but if that is within your range, a solo counter seat at Raimon is among the more deliberate ways to spend an evening in Akasaka.