Tokyo Omakase Sushi with a Personal Chef

Omakase means leaving the choices to the chef. At Imayoshi, a restaurant with nearly a century of history in Otemachi, that means settling in at the counter for a two-hour meal built around seasonal ingredients and 15 pieces of luxury sushi.

I like two things about this setup: you can watch the chef work from the counter, and the meal includes more than sushi, with seasonal appetizers, soup, and dessert. The location also puts you close to Otemachi Station, so getting there is straightforward.

The main consideration is cost: from US$187.25 per person, this is a special-occasion meal, not a quick lunch. The menu is chef-led, so it may not suit you if you want to choose every piece or need strict dietary accommodations.

The points to know before you book

• A long-running Otemachi address: Imayoshi is described as the area’s first sushi restaurant, with almost a century of history.
• A two-hour counter meal: Seats are at the counter only, giving you a front-row view of the chef at work.
• Fifteen pieces of sushi: The course also includes seasonal appetizers, a side soup, and dessert.
• A chef-led menu: Omakase means the chef decides what to serve and in what order, based on the meal and seasonal availability.
• English explanations may be available: The chef or staff may explain each fish in English, an especially useful touch if you’re new to sushi.
• Plan for a premium price: The course starts at US$187.25 per person, and additional food and drinks cost extra.

Why this Otemachi sushi meal feels different

Omakase is not simply a set menu with a Japanese name. You are asking the chef to make the decisions: which ingredients to serve, how the meal should progress, and when each piece is ready. That puts the focus on the chef’s judgment rather than on comparing a long menu or ordering familiar favorites.

At Imayoshi, that format has a particular sense of place. The restaurant is described as Otemachi’s first sushi restaurant and has nearly a century of history. That history does not mean you should expect a formal lecture or a museum-like setting. Its practical value is that you are eating at an established local sushi address in the heart of Tokyo’s business district, rather than choosing a generic meal near a major sight.

The meal is private, but the details provided do not specify whether that means a separate booking party or a particular group size. What is clear is that seating is at the counter. You’ll watch the chef prepare the sushi at close range, which makes the meal more engaging than sitting at a table and receiving each dish without seeing how it is handled.

What arrives over the two hours

The course lasts about two hours, giving you time to eat at a measured pace and pay attention to the dishes as they arrive. The precise menu changes with seasonal availability, so the course description is a guide, not a promise of particular fish or preparations.

You can expect seasonal appetizers as part of the meal. These give the chef room to introduce ingredients beyond the sushi itself, though the exact dishes are not specified. If you have a favorite ingredient or a firm restriction, tell the restaurant ahead of time rather than counting on a particular appetizer.

The central part of the course is 15 pieces of sushi. The chef chooses the selection, so you may not know what is coming next. That’s the point of omakase: you let the chef set the pace and composition. The number of pieces also gives you a useful sense of scale when deciding if the price fits your appetite and budget.

A side soup and dessert round out the meal. A satisfying dessert is a welcome finish after a fish-focused course, and one diner also received a souvenir. Treat that as a possible extra, not a guaranteed part of what you are buying. The listed inclusions are appetizers, 15 sushi pieces, soup, and dessert.

The counter is part of the meal

Counter seating is not just a detail to note when booking. It shapes the whole experience. You can watch the chef work as each piece is prepared, and the chef has a chance to explain what you are eating. An English explanation of the fish has been available, which can help you appreciate the differences between pieces even if you do not know much about sushi.

This closeness can make the meal feel personal, but it also means the setting is less flexible than a table-service restaurant. There is no option to request a table, and the counter format may not be ideal for every family or for anyone who prefers more space. The experience is not wheelchair- or stroller-accessible.

The meal is best approached with a little curiosity. You do not need to arrive as a sushi expert. In fact, the chef-led format can be a good way to try a range of fish without studying the menu in advance. If you have strong preferences, though, say so before the course begins. The chef has total control over the menu, but that does not mean you should stay quiet about allergies or foods you cannot eat.

Is US$187.25 a fair price?

At a starting price of US$187.25 per person, this is expensive by everyday dining standards. The price buys a two-hour omakase course, 15 pieces of sushi, seasonal appetizers, soup, dessert, and the chance to watch the chef prepare the meal. It also buys the structure and attention of a chef-led experience at a restaurant with a long history in Otemachi.

The value depends on what you want from dinner. If your goal is simply to eat a filling meal for as little as possible, this is not the right choice. Additional food and drinks are not included, so the final bill can rise if you order beyond the course.

If you value quality fish, a carefully paced meal, and direct contact with the chef, the price may feel more reasonable. Diners have singled out the fish quality and described some pieces as among the best they have tried. One also praised the service and the effort to explain each fish in English. Those details matter: the food is the main event, but knowing what is on your plate can make the meal more rewarding.

Location may also be part of the cost. Imayoshi is in central Otemachi, with direct station access nearby. That is convenient, but it is not a reason by itself to book. Consider the course as a special meal, and compare it with other sushi experiences only if they offer a similar level of chef interaction and meal length.

Getting there, arriving on time, and dressing right

The meeting point is Imayoshi | Otemachi Sushi. The detailed address is supplied on your voucher after confirmation. The restaurant is a one-minute walk from Exit E1 of Otemachi Station on the Tokyo Metro lines, with direct station access. From Tokyo Station, allow about six minutes on foot from the Marunouchi Underground North Exit, also connected to the station.

Arrive on time. Reservations are canceled after 20 minutes, and arriving late may mean missing some courses. If you are running behind, call the restaurant. This is a meal where timing matters: a delayed arrival can disrupt the chef’s planned sequence as well as your own experience.

Smart casual dress is required. Avoid perfume, cologne, and strong fragrances, including scented detergent. The restaurant may refuse entry if you arrive wearing a strong scent. Flash photography is prohibited, so leave the flash off if you take pictures.

The voucher is valid only for the date and time specified, and you can present it on your phone. Confirmation should arrive within 48 hours. If it does not, contact customer support. Cancellation at least seven days before the activity date qualifies for a full refund.

Dietary needs and children need advance planning

Tell the restaurant about allergies and dietary restrictions in advance. Same-day requests may not be possible, and the restaurant may not be able to meet every restriction. The experience information identifies pescetarian, vegetarian, and vegan diets as accommodated, but that should not be taken as a guarantee for every ingredient or allergy. Contact the restaurant before booking if your needs are strict.

Children and adults pay the same price, and children must have a reservation. Infants and children must be included in the passenger headcount. If you are bringing a child of elementary school age or younger, provide the number of children in the request section. Given the two-hour length and counter-only seating, consider whether this format suits your child before you commit.

Who should book this omakase

I’d consider this meal if you want a special sushi dinner and are happy to let a chef choose the menu. It also suits you if you enjoy watching food being prepared and would like a chance to ask about the fish. The English explanations can make it more approachable if you are unfamiliar with omakase.

It may be less suitable if you want a table, need a fully predictable menu, or have dietary restrictions that cannot be confirmed in advance. The price is another real filter. You are paying for a two-hour chef-led meal, not just a count of sushi pieces, so book when the setting and format matter to you as much as the food.

My call: book Imayoshi if you’re ready to spend on a carefully paced, counter-side sushi meal in a historic Otemachi restaurant. If you mainly want an inexpensive introduction to sushi, choose a simpler meal and save this one for an occasion when the chef’s choices are part of the appeal.

FAQ

How long is the sushi experience?

The experience lasts two hours.

What food is included in the course?

The course includes seasonal appetizers, 15 pieces of sushi, a side soup, and dessert. Menu details can change with seasonal availability.

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point is Imayoshi | Otemachi Sushi. The detailed address is provided on your voucher after booking confirmation.

How do I get to the restaurant?

It is a one-minute walk from Exit E1 of Otemachi Station on the Tokyo Metro lines. From Tokyo Station, it is about a six-minute walk from the Marunouchi Underground North Exit.

Can the restaurant accommodate dietary requirements?

Pescetarian, vegetarian, and vegan diets are listed as accommodated. You should contact the restaurant in advance about dietary restrictions or allergies, since some requests may not be possible and same-day requests may not be accepted.

Can children attend?

Yes, but children must be included in the reservation and pay the same price as adults. Children cannot enter without a reservation. If you are bringing a child of elementary school age or younger, indicate the number in the request section.

What should I know about dress and arrival time?

Wear smart casual clothing and avoid strong fragrances, including perfume, cologne, or scented detergent. Arrive on time, since reservations are canceled after 20 minutes; call the restaurant if you are delayed.