Features

Japan - Big in Japan

by John Mayston

Ninja Restaurant – Akasaka, Tokyo: A cracking night out

Situated in Akasaka, Tokyo, this Ninja haunt is a great Tokyo-chic place to have a special evening out with friends or family.

The evening start in most theatrical style, and "kicks off" (forgive the pun!) with a shutter opening and a ninja rolling into the reception area. Bowing low, your intro-Ninja greets guests with "Welcome to Ninja Restaurant. Follow me!" and then leads the way whilst making swishing noises and saying "Hee Yah!" (not really!).

A secret door opens, and guests are asked to follow the Ninja along a long and windy path leading into the Ninja village. There is an outdoor feel to the place as the diners cross over a small stream with plants growing to both sides, and a drawbridge is lowered to allow visitors into the Ninja village.

The village itself consists of old Japanese-style houses with dining rooms both upstairs and downstairs. Between meals, Ninjas arrive on the scene in spectacular fashion, and carry out Ninja tricks that will leave you breathless (or is that the Saki?). Window blinds can be open or closed, and, when open, guests can look out and view the rest of the village which looks superb.

The whole evening is a wonderful experience and one of its best features is the feeling of having the whole restaurant to yourself, which is the way that the place has been designed.

This can seem like a slightly expensive night out, and the food portions tend to be a little on the sparse side, but they are unbelievably tasty. I can recommend the edible bonsai tree for dessert!

All said, this is a brilliant Tokyo night out - and let's face it, where else in the world can you have supper whilst being surrounded by Ninjas? (Except maybe at Chuck Norris's house, and who knows where that is?)

Country: Japan

Place: Ninja Akasaka Restaurant, Tokyo.

Website: http://www.ninjaakasaka.com