I visited the Japanese cuisine restaurant "Koguma" in Tokyo, which is ranked 52nd out of the top 100 restaurants in Tokyo with a rating of 3.84 on Tabelog. The restaurant is located in Ginza, on a prime spot in the 5th block. The exterior is stylish and located inside a mixed-use building. The interior has three private rooms and a counter seat area at the back. It was my first visit to this restaurant, which was recommended by a friend. The owner, Kowako Koiwa, opened the restaurant in Ginza in 2014. The cuisine focuses on maximizing the flavor of the ingredients, and the course menu was highly anticipated. The dishes included various delicacies such as spiny lobster, sea bream, abalone tempura, sashimi, grilled bamboo shoots, grilled firefly squid, bear hot pot, and more. Each dish was not only delicious but also beautifully presented. The highlight was the grilled firefly squid, cooked to perfection on a hot stone. The flavors and textures were exceptional, making it a must-try dish. Overall, the dining experience at Koguma was outstanding and definitely worth a visit.

I went on an expedition to Ginza, which is not easy to visit, with high expectations for the game-based cuisine. Each dish was carefully prepared and highlighted the ingredients, making them very delicious. I enjoyed fresh shirasu, soft-shelled turtle, carp, abalone, and various mountain vegetables. And, I tried "raw karasumi" for the first time, which had a smooth texture and rich flavor. It was so delicious! Lastly, the rice served at the end, where you can feel each grain distinctly, was amazingly tasty. I couldn't help but feel deeply moved, thinking, "I am truly Japanese." Thank you for the meal! The interior of the restaurant is adorned with art by the entertaining Takeshi Kitano, which adds to the charm.

The concept cuisine of the Japanese garden left the biggest impression on me. The portion size of each dish was just right, allowing me to enjoy every bite until the end of the course meal. There was a wide variety of sake to choose from, and I received recommendations for a few types to try, which enhanced the flavors of the delicious dishes even more. The plates were also beautifully designed, making the food taste even more delicious. I would love to visit again on a special occasion.

The seasoning is gentle yet you can feel the attention to detail. The kettle-cooked rice is simple but delicious, made with completely pesticide-free ingredients, which made me feel happy. I ended up eating too much because it was so good. It was my first time there, but they were able to pick up on my preferences through our conversation, and the service was exceptional. The private room was quiet, the tableware was stylish, and I had a great time. I definitely want to go back.

I had a wonderful time. The shochu was great (even though I don't usually drink much) and I enjoyed trying various delicious dishes. Personally, I thought the turtle was the best, but I was already impressed by the crab at the beginning.

A famous Japanese restaurant in Ginza known for its game dishes. They not only serve game meat but also the best seasonal ingredients such as hair crab jelly, simmered sea bream roe, vinegared mackerel sushi, abalone with sea urchin, sea bream milt, thin beans, and awabi. They also offer dishes like golden eye snapper with kelp, sea bream from Akashi, white shrimp, grilled firefly squid, Kyoto bamboo shoots, red beef sirloin with asparagus and tachibana pepper, bear meat and sansho pepper hot pot, ikura rice, karasumi rice, tamago kake gohan, and yomogi manju. The bear meat had less fat and a richer taste compared to December's black bear meat. The fourth time trying the sansho pepper here, we were able to enjoy a variety of seasonal delicacies such as bamboo shoots, white shrimp, and firefly squid. The hair crab was large and very delicious, making it worth visiting just for the hair crab and sansho pepper.

As you can see in the photo, the bamboo shoots this year were amazing. These bamboo shoots with roots have become a spring specialty at this restaurant. While smaller bamboo shoots are tender and good, the larger ones like these have a much richer flavor. The seasonal omakase course includes hairy crab, sea bream roe, sea bream white meat with icefish, trout sushi, hikarimono, thin fried tofu, abalone sashimi, sea bream, horse mackerel, white shrimp, bamboo shoots with roots, grilled firefly squid, stone-grilled short rib beef with sansho pepper hot pot rice, salmon roe, whitebait, fresh caviar, egg yolk, pickles, miso soup, sakura crystal, mugwort daifuku.

[Ease of Visit] I made a reservation on Tabelog about 3 weeks in advance, so it was relatively easy to book a table. [Taste] The presentation was beautiful and really captured the seasonal feel. The flavors were subtle, allowing the natural taste of the ingredients to shine. [Atmosphere] We had a private room that had a mix of traditional Japanese and some Western elements.

◆Ginza Dinner▪︎ Koguma (Ginza, Chuo-ku)・Appetizer: Hokuyakigai, Hanakayama, Haruko, Tai sushi, Yawata Wagyu, Kenchin, Karashi-ae, Shirauo, Karakiko, Hotaru Ika, Kunsen・Fried dish: Takenoko, Guji roll tempura・Sashimi: Akashizentai, Murasaki Uni・Grilled dish: Cherry Trout・Vinegared dish: Komomo no me・Main dish: Tamura beef Ichibo・Hot pot: Ayu fish soup・Rice dish: Kamameshi white rice・Dessert: Chomeiji Sakura Mochi, Matcha, Nanohana Strawberry Amazake◾︎ Foodie Maro http://instagram.com/maro.j.maro https://ameblo.jp/korinai-menmen/

It had been a long time since I had a meal with my bear colleagues at work. I felt like the end of the pandemic was near as more customers were dining at the counter with their companions. The winter game dishes like badger, duck, deer, and bear were exceptional. They were talking about some kind of bird called a crow or something. As always, it's a great restaurant!

Hospitality at its finest, enjoying the best ingredients cooked in the best way possible. This restaurant in Ginza is perfect for entertaining clients, dates, and any occasion. You can't go wrong here. The dishes, highlighting seasonal ingredients, are sure to please your taste buds. The ambiance and service in the restaurant were also excellent.

Lunchtime is always a treat. This time, the theme is "autumn leaves viewing". I enjoyed all the dishes, especially the matsutake mushrooms from Iwate, autumn leaves viewing with ayu fish, trout, and baby persimmons, and the grilled sea bream from Akashi. The pace of the meal was quite fast since it was lunchtime, but they served everything promptly. It was a delicious feast!

I met up with a friend I hadn't seen in 2 years and was taken to a restaurant by her boyfriend. We were so caught up in catching up that I couldn't fully focus on the food, but here are some brief impressions. The standout dishes were the grilled wild boar (no gamey taste, just delicious fat) and the eel shabu-shabu (my first time trying it, with green onions). Every dish was incredibly tasty, using seasonal ingredients to create elegant flavors that were a feast for both the eyes and the palate. It was a night where I was completely blown away by the food. Thank you for the meal!

I went to Koiguma for a lunch meeting this time, and it was my first time sitting at the counter instead of a private room. I still think sitting at the counter is better. I feel happy since lunchtime. The white sweetfish sashimi, half-cooked fried bachiko, sweet and sour grilled softshell turtle, softshell turtle-style ocose hot pot, and grilled live sweetfish were all amazing.

Ginza Washoku stands out with its unique touch. Despite its origins in Kyoto cuisine, the dishes have a distinct profile that leaves a lasting impression. It's like experiencing a mysterious sensation where watercolor paintings hint at the touch of an oil painting. The private rooms, especially, are modernly designed in red, allowing you to fully appreciate the charm of the restaurant. Known for their game dishes such as bear, duck, badger, Ezo deer, and quail, this is a hidden gem for those in the know. While there is a nearby restaurant called Kojyu, many prefer the taste here. However, be prepared for the high prices, starting from around 50,000 yen for food and drinks. On this particular day, I enjoyed a beautiful assortment of appetizers including fruit tomatoes and the first Ezo deer of the season, followed by salt-grilled sweetfish and conger eel, sukiyaki, fried tigerfish, and a classic main dish of aged bamboo valley beef steak. The course offered a well-paced flow of flavors. Next door, KUMA3 is the sister restaurant.

I visited this restaurant for the first time to celebrate my partner's birthday. The food exceeded my expectations and was delicious. I was particularly impressed by the fact that there was no unpleasant smell from the softshell turtle legs, the abalone shabu-shabu, and the shiny appearance of the final rice dish. I will definitely try the summer wild boar and winter bear game this year. I was so satisfied with the delicious food that I made a reservation for my next visit immediately!

As you can see in the photo, the bamboo shoots were amazing! Not only in appearance, but also in taste (rich!) and texture (crispy and fluffy!). They are sourced from a special producer in Kyoto. Bamboo shoots are a special ingredient for me, so every spring I search for the ideal bamboo shoots to eat. Finally, I found bamboo shoots that made me think "I will come to this restaurant every year for bamboo shoots!". Note: I was also impressed by the bamboo shoots at Shinbashi Hoshino (before they moved), but unfortunately, they are no longer a restaurant where you can make reservations in advance (sad). Note: I may have taken too long to write this review and it is now out of season, but it's almost time to start making reservations for bamboo shoots, so I hope this can be a reference for you (sweating). Of course, I have already made my reservation (laughs).

The meal was full of luxurious ingredients, and I was impressed from start to finish. I tried the Matsubagani crab for the first time, and it was amazing. The abalone dish was served in a real shell. The large bamboo shoot from Kyoto was incredible. The firefly squid was the most delicious I've had this season! It was my first time grilling it myself, and I wanted to have more because it was so tasty. The combination of bear meat, sansho pepper, and bamboo shoot was outstanding! The rice was so delicious that I wanted seconds, and the various side dishes that kept coming out were all tasty. It was truly a restaurant where you can enjoy delicious food, so I want to visit again. The menu changes monthly! The dessert I received as a souvenir was also very delicious. They sell it at Matsuya Ginza.