Japan Dreams of Saffron: Restaurants From Spain in Japan

Dukkah Restaurant (Osaka)

Hailed as the only Galician-certified restaurant in Japan, Dukkah in Nishitenma, Kita-ku district of Osaka, showcases authentic northern Spanish cuisine with its roots in Galicia, Cantabria, and the Basque Country. The counter-style restaurant, by chef-owner Eiichi Matsumoto, takes reservations for different types of tasting menus, including its signature Menu Txuletón – a tasting menu with charcoal-grilled beef, plus some northern Spanish aperitif drinks such as Galician and Basque vermouth.

Menu highlights: Menu Txuletón

Masia (Tokyo)

Located in the Michelin-studded Ginza district of Tokyo, Masia restaurant centers around its Catalonian origins, bringing the concept of Mar y Montaña (surf and turf) seasonality to its diners. Chef Mateu Villaret fuses Spanish soul with Japanese produce for the freshest in modern seafood dining, best combined with its extensive selection of Spanish beverages. Masia offers set menus for lunch and dinner based around the chef’s house favorites, such as fideuà.

Menu highlights: Paisatges de Catalunya dinner menu

Rias by Kokotxa (Shima City)

Partnered with Michelin-starred Kokot Xa in the Basque Country, the Shima Mediterranean Village boasts the Rias by Kokotxa restaurant in an idyllic coastal setting. The Ise-Shima district is blessed with abundant premium seafood and mountain produce that chef Daniel Lopez converts into expressive dishes using new Basque cooking techniques to combine beauty and nature.

Menu highlights: Spring Anniversary Lunch Menu (available during April)

Restaurante Estella Restaurante (Karuizawa)

Chef Masami Sato brings “the taste of Spain that touches your heart” to Estella Restaurante, located in the upscale Karuizawa mountain resort – famous for outdoor activities such as skiing and golf – just one hour from Tokyo on the Shinkansen bullet train. After years of training under Javier Serra, Carlos Valenti, Miguel Jiménez, and Pedro Larumbe in Madrid, Chef Sato brings his in-depth knowledge of elaborate Spanish dishes and cutting-edge cooking techniques. The restaurant’s online shop offers high-quality catering that can also be enjoyed at home.

Menu highlights: Madrid Course menu

Bidoro – Vidrio (Tokyo, various)

Since 1977, chef Fumio Matsuoka has been bringing his Spanish culinary training to the table at Bidoro (also known as Vidrio), to share recognition of quality dishes from Spain. The brand has grown into six different dining establishments across Tokyo, all committed to delivering authentic flavor in its menu, both in food and wines from Spain. Each restaurant offers a unique design and classics such as its multi-award-winning paella and fideuà, with locations in Ginza, Shibuya, Kichijoji, and Ikebukuro.

Menu highlights: Paella and fideuà

Izurun (Mie Prefecture)

Located in Mie Prefecture, Izurun offers Spanish Basque cuisine from its top-floor setting in Hotel Vision. Combining Japanese and Mediterranean cooking knowledge, local Mie ingredients are sourced and carefully prepared as an homage to northern Spanish dishes. There is also an extensive drinks menu offering wines, sherries, and beverages from Spain.

Menu highlights: Txullo tasting menu

Bodega El Lagar (Kyoto)

Run by a husband-and-wife team in Kyoto city, Bodega El Lagar is a small tavern-style restaurant, where diners are encouraged to relax, take their time, and savor authentic Spanish tapas, homemade dishes, and wines in a cozy environment. The couple insists that this experience is for no-rush dining, so it’s best suited to adult groups looking for an intimate meal.

Menu highlights: Label Set menu

El Bogavante 346 (Kyoto)

El Bogavante 346 is an indoor-outdoor tapas bar and restaurant led by a Barcelona-trained chef in Kyoto. Open since 2008 during the Spanish tapas boom in Japan, their daily specials offer dishes that are made with authenticity and care using seasonal ingredients with a local twist. The venue also offers bottles of wine and menus to go, along with group booking options for larger groups. Sitting at the bar offers an insight into the Spanish way of casual dining! Binobino (also known as Vinovino) is the restaurant’s takeaway shop that opened in 2023 for signature tapas and wines available for pick up, located in front of Daitokuji temple.

Menu highlights: Lobster paella

Shop or Dine at Atrevío Japan

Newly opened Atrevío is a jamón-centric shopping initiative that allows jamón ibérico lovers in Japan to stock up on their charcuterie favorites. Not just about 100% jamón ibérico de bellota, this e-commerce brand also offers luncheon platters, including the likes of Spanish tortilla de patata, seasonal soups, and tapas, so you can enjoy Spanish dining at home. What’s more, they operate a pop-up Jamón Car so you can access jamón and more, on the go!

So if you are in Japan and dreaming of saffron and Spanish flavor, there are plenty of
establishments around the country that meet the grade and offer an authentic and tasty experience. Just look for the Restaurants From Spain certification as your seal of approval.