10 things to do around Omo5 Tokyo Gotanda hotel

Located on the second floor of a small building by the Meguro River, Toriryori Soregashi is a favourite foodie hotspot. Its speciality is the peculiar-sounding 'tori no sukiyaki' (sukiyaki with chicken), where chicken offcuts including skirt, heart and innards are grilled in a special sauce and then dipped in egg. This chicken sukiyaki dish has a spicy tinge as it’s flavoured with Japanese sansho pepper and black vinegar, creating a bold and addictive taste.

Toriryori Soregashi may be popular for its poultry dishes, but it started out as a sake specialist in Gotanda. So it goes without saying that the sake and wine selection here would pair beautifully with the food on offer. The restaurant gets really busy on weekends, so best make a reservation before visiting.

Tucked away underground on a quiet alley in Nishi-Gotanda lies Shukou Aomon, a local eatery beloved for its amazing deep-fried horse mackerel (aji-fry), which is sourced from the Matsuura fishing port in Nagasaki prefecture. In fact, Shukou Aomon is so renowned for this exceptional dish that loyal patrons call it the ‘holy land of deep-fried horse mackerel’.

The restaurant’s signature ‘zero-weight’ aji-fry will make your mouth water. A light coating of batter is applied onto the fresh fish before it's expertly flash-fried, resulting in a dish that’s crispy and remarkably light. You have the option of choosing between a moist, half-cooked version or a firmer, fully-cooked one. We recommend ordering both to savour the contrasting textures and flavours.

Beyond its star attraction, Shukou Aomon offers a range of other delectable dishes including Sichuan-style chicken with a sticky sauce, and classic croquettes. The well-rounded menu has made the restaurant a popular neighbourhood haunt for locals seeking a satisfying and enjoyable meal any day of the week.

This restaurant and bar is managed by a craft beer brewery that also has a facility in Kosuge Village, Yamanashi prefecture. As one of Japan’s leading breweries, Far East Brewing also has operations in Belgium.

Far East Tokyo Brewery & Grill offers 20 beers on taps, and you can enjoy almost all of the company's products including beers from the Kagua and Far Yeast labels, plus unique guest beers from across Japan and overseas.

The food menu, however, focuses on grilled dishes. More importantly, they are created with beer pairing in mind. Standout dishes include fried chicken as well as the tender Bavette flank steak.

Café au Lait Tokyo is a speciality coffee shop situated just a two-minute walk from Gotanda Station. Its location may seem inconspicuous at first, but once you reach the top of the stairs, you’ll come into a cosy cafe with rustic vibes.

The drinks menu only features hot and iced café au lait, but you can choose the beans, the type and quantity of milk, the sweetness as well as any toppings. The coffee beans on offer are selected to taste best with milk, and they are roasted and ground in-house to ensure optimal freshness.

The food here is interesting, too, as there’s a ‘café au lait curry’ which is made with drip coffee and milk instead of water. You can enjoy this popular and unique dish with the cafe’s signature café au lait.

This long-established liquor store is tucked away on a side alley. In the evenings, you can eat and drink inside the store, just like a traditional kaku-uchi-style standing bar. Its name ‘Kuwabara Shoten’ appears in white neon on the blue facade while the glass doors add a welcoming touch.

In 2018, the warehouse was renovated in collaboration with Schemata Architects and transformed from a simple liquor store into a cool, modern space that also serves food and displays art. A large transparent sake refrigerator, one of the largest in Japan, was installed, and coupled with the imaginative interior design, Kuwabara Shoten could be referred to as ‘neo-kakuuchi’, a space that’s both retro and contemporary at the same time.

The shop’s interior looks like a gallery, with sake and craft beer displayed like works of art. You can order from around 50 types of sake, and the selection changes weekly. Also, drinks come in three sizes: S (30ml), M (70ml) and L (180ml).

A 15-minute walk from Gotanda Station, this public bathhouse has soothed the fatigue of locals for over 70 years since its establishment in 1950. Its predecessor was the Konparu-za Theatre, and this sento decided to keep the name of its previous tenant.

Facilities include small and large hot baths, a cold bath and a sauna which is set to a high 100ºC. There is no TV or music here, making Kom-pal Yu popular for those looking for a quiet and peaceful sauna to relax.

Another feature here is the tatami-mat resting area in front of the reception, where you can hang around after a soothing bath and just enjoy the tranquillity. A variety of beers including craft brews are available for purchase. So treat yourself to a cold drink after a relaxing soak.

Established in 2023, Flaneur is an independent bookstore that offers a curated collection of newly published works. The owner, a seasoned bookseller with extensive experience in the industry, has even written a guide on the art of stocking a bookstore.

Spanning approximately 50sqm, the shop holds nearly 5,000 titles across a diverse range of genres. The shelves, handmade by the owner, were designed to showcase the book covers, inviting customers to pick up any book that attracts their attention. Aside from popular titles, Flaneur also specialises in hard-to-find publications, including literature in humanities, essay compilations and zines.

The name 'Flaneur' is derived from the French word meaning 'a person who takes walks for leisure'. As such, the store seeks to create a conducive environment for book lovers to take a leisurely walk through a literary haven, where unexpected discoveries await.

The Gotanda JP Building, home to the Omo5 Tokyo Gotanda hotel, features a vibrant food hall on the first floor, called Gotanda Shokudo. With a diverse selection of 10 eateries ranging from newcomers to beloved Gotanda institutions, there's something here to satisfy every palate.

Kokonimo Todaka, the sister restaurant of the acclaimed course-meal-only Shokudo Todaka, offers a convenient alternative with its à la carte menu. While getting a reservation can be challenging, as is the case with the main restaurant as well, last-minute cancellations sometimes lead to sudden availability. So be sure to keep an eye on their social media channels (Instagram, Facebook) for updates.

The food hall also boasts other notable dining options, including the second branch of Oishii Pasta, a renowned pasta specialist from the Michelin-starred Sio in Yoyogi Uehara. Additionally, Kokujo Tantanmen Koya, a popular tantanmen restaurant that once had a popular presence in Gotanda, recently reopened in the area after a 12-year absence.

Tsutsui is a beloved standing sushi restaurant that won't break the bank. Nestled on the ground floor of Hotel Royal Oak Gotanda's food court, Tsutsui has a rich history dating back over 25 years. Originally located under the nearby train station's tracks, it garnered a loyal following before being evicted. Thanks to unwavering support from its fans, Tsutsui made a triumphant return in 2018.

Known for its generous portions and reasonable prices, Tsutsui’s sushi is a testament to authentic Japanese cuisine with prices starting at just ¥100 a piece. For a curated experience, consider the set menus: Nigiri (¥1,000), Kamigiri (¥1,500) and Tokugiri (¥2,000). These nine-piece sushi selections feature premium seafood to ensure a satisfying meal for every palate.

With its commitment to quality and affordability, Tsutsui is sure to captivate sushi lovers and leave a lasting impression.

Established in 2004, Nemunoki Garden occupies the site of the former Shoda Residence, the family home of Empress Emerita Michiko. Its name, derived from a poem titled ‘Lullaby of the Nemu no Ki’ written by Her Majesty when she was a teenager, reflects the public park’s serene atmosphere.

Featuring approximately 50 species of trees and flowers associated with Empress Emerita, including those mentioned in her poem, the garden offers visitors a beautiful view of nature any time of year. A particular highlight is the regal Princess Michiko rose, a gift from a renowned English rose cultivation company, which blooms in vibrant orange from May to June.

For those seeking to immerse themselves more in nature, the nearby Ikedayama Park is also recommended. This lush garden is believed to be influenced by the energy of Mount Fuji and thus offers a peaceful and rejuvenating ambience.