Restaurant in Tokyo, Japan
Serious yakitori outside Tokyo. Book it.
A two-time Opinionated About Dining-ranked yakitori counter in Kofu, Yamanashi, Torikado is the right book if you are already heading to the region and want a dinner that justifies the trip. Chef Kohei Onoda's focused yakitori operation earns national recognition without the booking difficulty of its Tokyo peers. Easy to book, well-suited to dates and small groups.
Torikado is the right call for anyone who wants a serious yakitori dinner in Yamanashi Prefecture, particularly if you are already in the Kofu area and want a destination-worthy meal without committing to Tokyo's more demanding reservation pipeline. Chef Kohei Onoda runs a tight, focused yakitori operation that has earned back-to-back recognition on the Opinionated About Dining Leading Restaurants in Japan list — ranked #119 in 2023 and #154 in 2024 , which puts it in credible company for a regional yakitori specialist. If your itinerary includes Kofu or a Yamanashi wine-country trip, this is the table to anchor your evening around.
Torikado is based in Marunouchi, Kofu's central commercial district, which makes it accessible from the main station area. The address suggests a compact urban setting , the kind of counter-focused room that defines serious yakitori in Japan, where proximity to the grill is part of the experience rather than an inconvenience. Yakitori at this level is almost always a counter format: you watch the chef work the skewers in real time, courses arrive in sequence, and the room is small enough that timing is controlled by the kitchen. For a date or a low-key celebration, that format works well , it keeps conversation close and the pacing deliberate. For larger groups, a venue this size may have limits, so contact ahead if you are coming with more than three or four people.
The Google rating sits at 4.6 across 14 reviews, which is a small sample but consistently positive. With OAD recognition two years running, the reputation is more than local word-of-mouth , it reflects a level of technical execution that stands up to national scrutiny among Japan's most obsessive dining critics.
Yakitori restaurants in Japan, including serious counter operations like Torikado, typically run dinner service into the late evening , often until 11 PM or later , which makes this a workable late-night option if you are arriving from Tokyo on the Chuo Line or finishing a day trip to the Shosenkyo Gorge or Yamanashi wineries. Hours are not confirmed in our data, so verify directly before planning a late arrival. That said, the format itself suits after-hours dining: yakitori is an inherently unhurried meal, better eaten slowly with sake or beer, and a smaller counter room will feel more intimate rather than emptier as the night progresses. If you are building a full evening , earlier sightseeing, then dinner , Torikado fits naturally at the back end of a Kofu day.
Booking difficulty at Torikado is rated easy relative to Tokyo's most competitive restaurants. For comparison, tables at BIRD LAND in Ginza or Yakitori Omino can require weeks of lead time. Torikado, as a regional venue rather than a Tokyo destination, should be bookable with a few days' notice in most cases , though OAD recognition means it is not entirely unknown to travelling diners. Book at least a week out to be safe, and further in advance if you are visiting on a weekend or during a public holiday period. No online booking method or phone number is confirmed in our current data; check Google Maps or direct outreach for the most current contact details.
| Detail | Torikado | BIRD LAND (Tokyo) | Asagaya BIRD LAND (Tokyo) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cuisine | Yakitori | Yakitori | Yakitori |
| Location | Kofu, Yamanashi | Ginza, Tokyo | Asagaya, Tokyo |
| OAD Ranked | Yes (#154, 2024) | Yes | Yes |
| Booking difficulty | Easy | Moderate–Hard | Moderate |
| Leading for | Regional date / occasion | Tokyo special occasion | Tokyo local favourite |
Within the yakitori category, Torikado sits comfortably alongside Tokyo specialists like BIRD LAND, Asagaya BIRD LAND, and 124. KAGURAZAKA in terms of OAD credibility, but operates outside the capital , which is both its main constraint and its main advantage. If you are already in Tokyo and want a comparable yakitori experience without travelling to Kofu, Yakitori Omino or Aramaki are the more logical choices. Torikado makes the most sense as a destination in its own right , specifically if Kofu or Yamanashi is already on your itinerary.
For a broader Japan yakitori comparison, Torisaki in Kyoto and Torisho Ishii in Osaka are the reference points for the Kansai region. If you are building a Japan trip and want to compare yakitori quality across cities, those are worth checking against your routing.
Exploring beyond Yamanashi? Our full Tokyo restaurants guide covers the full range of options across the capital, and our Tokyo hotels guide, Tokyo bars guide, Tokyo wineries guide, and Tokyo experiences guide round out a full trip. For serious dining elsewhere in Japan, HAJIME in Osaka, Gion Sasaki in Kyoto, akordu in Nara, Goh in Fukuoka, 1000 in Yokohama, and 6 in Okinawa are all worth your time depending on where your itinerary takes you.
Yakitori menus are built around chicken, so pescatarians, vegetarians, and those avoiding poultry will find little to work with here. Guests with specific allergies or restrictions should check the venue's official channels before booking. There is no publicly documented accommodation policy for Torikado.
Counter-format yakitori restaurants in Japan typically seat small parties — groups of two to four are the norm and will be most comfortable. Larger groups of six or more should enquire directly, as availability depends on layout and service structure. If group dining is the priority, a Tokyo specialist with a dedicated private room may be a better fit.
Counter seating is standard at serious yakitori operations in Japan, and Torikado is consistent with that format. Eating at the counter is the expected experience here, not a fallback option. It gives you direct sight lines to the grill, which is the point.
Yes, with the right framing. Torikado has ranked on the Opinionated About Dining Top Restaurants in Japan list two years running (ranked #119 in 2023, #154 in 2024), which gives it credibility as a destination dinner. It works well for a focused, counter-format occasion rather than a celebratory group meal. If you are already in Kofu, it is the most credentialled option in the area.
BIRD LAND in Ginza is the most directly comparable Tokyo yakitori counter in terms of seriousness, though it books harder and runs at a higher price point. Asagaya BIRD LAND is a slightly more accessible alternative. For OAD-ranked yakitori at a comparable tier, those two and 124. KAGURAZAKA are the closest Tokyo peers to Torikado's category positioning.
Counter-format yakitori is one of the better formats for solo dining in Japan — you eat directly from the grill, there is natural pacing, and no table-fill pressure. Torikado fits that model well. Solo diners are a natural fit here and do not need to book as far ahead as parties.
Booking difficulty at Torikado is rated accessible relative to Tokyo's most competitive restaurants. A week or two of lead time is typically sufficient, though weekends and peak travel periods in Yamanashi may require more. For context, BIRD LAND in Ginza books significantly harder and further out — Torikado is the easier reservation if you are planning a Kofu trip.
Keep this venue in your Pearl passport, rate it after you visit, and track it alongside every other place you collect.
