Crowned with the chef’s name, naoto.K is the culmination of an illustrious 40-year career driving Japanese French cuisine. Naoto Kishimoto stands at the helm of a dedicated team totally in step with each other lavishing guests with the whole gastronomical experience. The focus here is on two meanings of the Japanese word shun: the first refers to the seasonality of ingredients and maximizing their flavors, while the second beckons us to savor this precise moment.

naoto.K stands proud in the neighborhood of Kanda Nishikicho, where the prestigious University of Tokyo and Gakushuin University were first established during the Meiji era. As such, it is a town that has produced many important leaders from different fields. Numerous top-notch Japanese firms also have offices in the area, which is constantly evolving. The decision to open here – away from Ginza, Roppongi, and Azabu with their many trendy eateries – was a deeply conscious one, made from a desire to entice people from nearby business districts to enjoy fine-dining French in a space that even groups of men will feel comfortable in. The striking restaurant exterior is an architectural feat combining a wooden structure with aluminum panels inspired by traditional hanging lanterns lighting the way for expectant guests. Each exterior square has a unique design reminiscent of a classic French pattern but also a modern interpretation of the repetitive traditional kimono design known as Edo Komon. The cutting-edge result produced through computer-aided design is paradoxically organic in its expression. While the champagne gold façade is subtle in daylight, light escapes through the panel openings with differing intensity after nightfall, creating a sense of rolling waves.

Chef Kishimoto indulges guests’ taste buds across three stories reached by a spiral staircase or elevator. The highlight is undoubtedly the counter seats surrounding an open kitchen where guests can witness the skillful preparation of dishes delivered cold and crisp or piping hot. It is a stage with a full view of all the action, making this feel like dinner and a show!

The interior is a beautiful fusion of Japanese and Western aesthetics incorporating artisan elements like bamboo screens and a carpet inspired by daybreak. The L-shaped counter for eight has an elegant, shiny black surface that was freshly lacquered before the restaurant’s first anniversary. Tableware was selected together with the artisans at Arita ware kiln kamachi toho, long-term acquaintances of the chef, to complement the bold black counter. The chef indeed aims to please with his delicious cuisine but is aware that touches like this complete the experience, bringing smiles to guests’ faces.

naoto.K can be accessed by Tokyo Metro by alighting at either Ogawamachi on the Shinjuku Line or Awajicho on the Marunouchi Line. Or, if you enjoy an early evening stroll along the atmospheric moat surrounding the Imperial Palace, it is just a ten-minute walk into the neighborhood.