October 2013
Joshikai, the Japanese equivalent of girls' nights out, are taking Tokyo by storm. Such is their popularity, that many restaurants and bars have created special menus to accommodate the all-female groups. Here are ten which all live up to the exacting standards of the local ladies, making them great places to spend an evening soaking up the local culture, whether you're on a girls trip or not.
Nomihoudai: menu includes unlimited drinks
Wa-modern: modern Japanese menu
Washitsu: expect a Japanese style room
Izakaya: (I = to stay, sakaya = sake shop) these are casual places for after-work drinking where they also serve food. Dishes are served when they're ready and are designed to be shared
A small Izakaya in a refurbished Japanese house in Nishi-Azabu. For Joshikai, there is a special three-hour Nomihoudai.
Traditional grilled skewers - or yakitori - are the specialty at this spot, which serves a good selection of vegetarian options.
A classic Izakaya style restaurant famed for its variety of seafood.
Wa-modern Izakaya with elegant interiors. A Horigotatsu style private room, which allows diners to sit on the floor with their legs beneath the table, is available with a multi-course Nomihodai menu.
The field-to-table concept of this restaurant means that plenty of fresh vegetables grace the seasonal menus, alongside excellent cuts of meat and fish.
This quirky option sees the staff and the menu following a vampire theme. The interiors are atmospherically dark and candle-lit, and dishes are tastefully decorated to fit the theme.
A little star quality is brought to this bar by a planetarium projector, which illuminates over five million stars on to the ceiling.
A tiny sushi restaurant in Shimbashi which serves all of the usual sushi specialties, made with the healthier Genmai rice.
Situated amid the green spaces of uptown Mejiro, this elegant hotel offers a Joshikai plan that includes a sophisticated afternoon tea overlooking the gardens.
This traditionally decorated hotel offers a dedicated ladies pancake menu.
This article has been tagged Food + Drink, Destination