Asakusa Imahan Kokusai-dori Main Store Complete Guide｜Waiting · Reservations · Lunch · Sukiyaki Courses (2026)
Tokyo Mate
I visited Asakusa Imahan Kokusai-dori Main Store,
a place with 120 years of tradition
and the highest ratings among Asakusa restaurants.
Known for being difficult to visit due to no reservations during lunch,
I’ve put together a guide on how to succeed with an "Open Run"
for the 20-servings-per-day limited 'Meiji Sukiyaki Don',
along with the latest 2026 menu prices.
Discover the best sukiyaki master for a family trip,
especially when traveling with parents. 🥩
1. Comparing the 5 Asakusa Imahan Branches
As you walk through Asakusa, you’ll encounter several Imahan signs. These restaurants all stem from the original Imahan founded in 1895 by Hantaro Aizawa.
Over 130 years, descendants have branched out, and there are now five distinct lineages with different management and characteristics. Check the list below to find the one that fits your needs!
1️⃣ Asakusa Imahan Kokusai-dori Main Store (浅草今半 国際通り本店)
- Features: A large-scale brand operated by the eldest son's lineage. Most popular and widely known.
- Strength: Great value lunch & the 20-servings-per-day limited menu.
2️⃣ Imahan Honten (今半本店)
- Features: Located at the original founding site, operated by the founder's son-in-law's lineage.
- Atmosphere: Traditional "long-established shop" (Shinpo) vibe; the building is a Registered Tangible Cultural Property.
3️⃣ Imahan Bekkan (今半別館)
- Features: Established in 1921 as a direct family branch. Also a cultural property building.
- Charm: Offers views of a beautiful Japanese garden from an elegant wooden house.
4️⃣ Ningyocho Imahan (人形町今半 人形町本店)
- Features: Split off in 1952 by the second son's lineage. Synonymous with high-end service.
- Strength: Full service where servers cook everything from start to finish. Locations in Ueno, Ginza, etc.
5️⃣ Yoyogi Imahan (代々木 今半)
- Features: Started as a branch of Asakusa Imahan, now an independent artisan shop.
- Specialty: Signature 'Salt Shabu-shabu' and patented sesame sauce.
2. Kokusai-dori Main Store: Location, Reservations & Waiting
Asakusa Imahan Kokusai-dori Main Store is a large-scale restaurant that carries on the 120-year tradition in a modern way. It's verified by both locals and travelers, being selected as a 'Tabelog Sukiyaki 100 Famous Shops'.
| Name | Asakusa Imahan Kokusai-dori Main Store (浅草今半 国際通り本店) |
| Ratings | Google 4.5 (2,378) / Tabelog 3.62 (Sukiyaki 100 Famous Shops) |
| Hours | Lunch: 11:30–14:30 / Dinner: 16:00–21:30 (L.O 20:30) ※ Break Time: 14:30–16:00 |
| Holidays | Open year-round |
| Seats | 153 Seats (Floor 1–3) |
| Budget | Lunch ¥2,000–¥5,000 / Dinner ¥15,000–¥20,000 |
| Payment | Credit Cards OK, IC Cards (Suica, etc.) possible |
| Location | 3-1-12 Nishiasakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo 🚇 Near Tsukuba Express Asakusa Station Exit A2 📍 View on Google Maps |
| Booking |
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3. Lunch Menu Prices & Tips
The lunch service at Asakusa Imahan Kokusai-dori branch runs for exactly 3 hours, from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM. However, popular limited menus often sell out much earlier than the closing time, so caution is needed.
✨ First-come 20 people! Open run star ‘Limited Donburi’
These are Imahan's signature donburi lineups, sold only for lunch and limited to just 20 bowls per day.
- 100-Year Gyudon: ¥1,980 (Tax included)
- Meiji Sukiyaki Don: ¥2,970 (Highly Recommended! 🥩)
- Sirloin Steak Don: ¥2,970
- Idanju (100-Year Gyudon + Steak Don): ¥3,960
- Saikoro Steak Set: ¥3,850
✨ 50% cheaper than dinner! Value Lunch Sets
While the cheapest sukiyaki menu for dinner starts at ¥9,680 (service charge excluded), you can enjoy the same 120-year traditional taste at half the price with these lunch sets.
- Sukiyaki / Shabu-shabu Lunch Set (昼膳): ¥4,950 (Best value pick! 👍)
- Sashimi Lunch Set (刺身昼膳): ¥4,950
- Lunch Kaiseki (昼懐석): ¥7,700
💡 Essential Lunch Fact Check
- Save 10% Service Charge!: Imahan normally charges a 10% service fee for orders over ¥5,500 per person. The ¥4,950 lunch sets and donburi menus are the best value because you can enjoy them without any service charge!
- No Reservations: Reservations are absolutely not possible for any lunch menu. You must enter in the order of physical waiting at the site.
- Success Golden Time: If you want the limited menus, I strongly recommend arriving before 11:00 AM.
4. Limited Meiji Sukiyaki Don & Idanju Review
I finally got to taste the Meiji Sukiyaki Don and Idanju after an open run on a weekday! The prowess of a 120-year-old shop was clearly felt even in a single bowl of donburi. Here is my honest review of why this place maintains the highest ratings among Asakusa restaurants.
🍱 20-servings limited ‘Meiji Sukiyaki Don’
- Price: ¥2,970
- Depth of Flavor: The secret aged soy sauce, passed down for over 120 years, is deeply permeated into the thick Wagyu beef, tofu, and vegetables. The sweet yet salty sauce seeps between the rice grains, so you won't get tired of it until the last bite.
- Open Run Tip: You must line up by 11:00 AM even on weekdays to secure this 20-servings limited menu. By the 11:30 opening time, it's very likely to be sold out!
🥩 Gyudon and Steak at once! Idanju (二段重)
- Price: ¥3,960
- Best Choice: For those who find it hard to choose just one, the Idanju is the perfect choice. It contains the 100-year Gyudon and Steak-don in a two-tier lacquer box.
- 100-Year Gyudon Detail: Features meat and vegetables perfectly seasoned with Imahan's authentic sukiyaki sauce. The salty seasoning is alive in every grain of meat.
- Steak Don Texture: Cooked to medium-welldone, it has top-grade Wagyu texture that melts in your mouth with a savory beef aroma.
5. Service & Usage Tips (For Families)
Asakusa Imahan Kokusai-dori branch is a large 153-seat restaurant where you can dine comfortably. The polite service of staff wearing kimonos provides a feeling of being well-treated, making it perfect for family trips with parents.
- Close Service: For sukiyaki sets, a pro will cook the first piece of meat to the best state and guide you on the traditional way of eating.
- Souvenir Recommendation: Near the register, they sell special sukiyaki sauce so you can enjoy the flavor of this old shop at home—great for gifts.
Imahan has different usage regulations by floor, so please check them if traveling with family.
- 1st Floor (General Seats/Tatami): All ages allowed (Use the 1st floor if traveling with young children).
- 2nd & 3rd Floors (Private Rooms/Grand Hall): Only for middle school students and older (Not available for those with children under middle school age).
- Private Room Condition: No separate room charge, but reservations are only available for course menus starting from ¥15,400 per person.
✔️ Recommend vs ❌ Not Recommend
- Recommend 👍: Family trips with parents, authentic sukiyaki beginners, anniversaries, and formal dining.
- Careful Consideration 🧐: Travelers with tight schedules, those prioritizing budget (if failing to get the limited menu).
📌 Asakusa Imahan Kokusai-dori Main Store Key Summary
- ✔️ Lunch reservations not possible; only dinner reservations by phone.
- ✔️ For the 20-servings-per-day limited donburi, arrival 30 minutes before opening is essential.
- ✔️ The ¥4,950 lunch sukiyaki (no service charge) offers the best value.
- ✔️ Perfect for professional service and family-friendly atmosphere.
Did you enjoy your 120-year tradition meal at Imahan? 🥩
Asakusa has so much more to offer! Don't miss these other failure-proof Asakusa Foodie Exploration guides I’ve personally curated! 😊
🧡 Asakusa Foodie Exploration Guide
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Everything from the best routes to hotel info!
👉 Asakusa Complete Guide (Senso-ji, Course, Hotels)
🍭 Looking for Dessert After Imahan?
From Silk Pudding to Menchi Katsu and Melon Pan—only the most popular snacks.
👉 Asakusa Snack BEST 5 Complete Guide
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Enjoy the best view under the "Golden Flame" of Asahi Beer.
Editor's Note
This article is based on the author's actual experiences and original content from blog.naver.com/tokyomate. It has been translated and adapted to provide authentic travel information about Tokyo for global readers.