Tokyo Restaurants That Hosted Global Leaders

Tokyo is home to countless renowned restaurants, many of which have earned a place in the city's rich culinary and cultural history. Among them are a select few that have served as prestigious venues for diplomatic occasions—where Japanese Prime Ministers have hosted world leaders and foreign dignitaries over important meals.

These restaurants reflect the art of Japanese hospitality at its highest level. Each occasion tells a unique story, shaped by the guest of honor, the political climate of the time, and the values conveyed through food and setting. From quiet power lunches to historic state dinners, these venues have played a quiet yet meaningful role on the world stage.

What makes them even more remarkable is that many are open to the public, allowing your clients to dine in the very places where global diplomacy unfolded. Consider adding one of these distinguished locations to your itineraries-it’s an unforgettable experience and a great conversation starter.

Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu

During his 2002 visit to Japan, President George W. Bush expressed a desire to experience Japanese youth culture. In response, then-Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi selected Gonpachi, a stylish izakaya-style restaurant popular among young people for dates and casual dinners. This unconventional choice exemplified Koizumi’s unique approach to diplomacy, which later became known as the “Izakaya Summit.”

At the dinner, Prime Minister Koizumi arrived without a necktie, wearing a gray jacket—matching the casual style of President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush. When the trio entered the restaurant, cheers erupted from the young diners on the first floor, and the guests of honor were greeted with a flurry of handshakes.

Gonpachi’s distinct atmosphere has captivated many prominent figures over the years. It is even said that filmmaker Quentin Tarantino drew inspiration from the restaurant’s setting when conceptualizing the set for his movie Kill Bill.

Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu ( https://gonpachi.jp/nishi-azabu/ )

Type of cuisine: Japanese-Izakaya
Address: 1F/2F 1-13-11 Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku Tokyo

Sukiyabashi Jiro

In April 2014, during his visit to Japan, President Barack Obama was treated to an informal dinner by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the renowned sushi restaurant Sukiyabashi Jiro in Tokyo’s upscale Ginza district. Known for its exquisite omakase courses, the meal reportedly included around 20 pieces of sushi priced at roughly 30,000 yen.

During the dinner, the two leaders are said to have discussed key topics related to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), eventually reaching what was later dubbed the “pork agreement.” Notably, President Obama ate every piece of sushi served and later commented that it was “the best sushi I’ve ever had in my life.”

Until then, state banquets for visiting dignitaries were traditionally held at the Imperial Palace or State Guest House, usually featuring French cuisine. This unprecedented dinner marked a turning point, positioning sushi as a new global standard on par with haute French dining in the world of diplomacy.

Sukiyabashi Jiro ( https://www.sushi-jiro.jp/en )

Type of cuisine: Sushi
Address: 4-2-15 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Tsukamoto Sogyo Building B1F

Ginza Ukai-tei

During his visit to Japan in 2017, President Donald Trump spent the day golfing with then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe-an activity that highlighted the personal rapport between the two leaders. That evening, they dined together at Ginza Ukai-tei, a renowned teppanyaki restaurant known not only for its cuisine but also for its remarkable setting.

The restaurant incorporates elements from a historic estate in Tokamachi, Niigata Prefecture, once owned by a wealthy farming family. The earthen-floor entryway was relocated to serve as the restaurant’s entrance, and the heavy wooden beams were carefully reconstructed throughout the space, creating the impression of a grand two-story residence. The ambiance is further enriched by a stunning collection of antique art and decorative pieces, including a 140-year-old German music box, a domed lamp, René Lalique glassware, Christofle silver, Meissen porcelain, Baccarat candelabras, and Émile Gallé glass art.

For this high-profile dinner, the pair used the most secluded semi-private room in the restaurant. Adorned with white flowers and a fresco of wisteria painted directly onto the walls, the space offers a serene and refined atmosphere-befitting of a diplomatic evening between world leaders.

Ginza Ukai-tei ( https://www.ukai.co.jp/english/ginza/ )

Type of cuisine: Teppanyaki
Address: 1F, Jiji-tsushin Bldg., 5-15-8 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061

HOSHINOYA Tokyo Dining

Just days before President Donald Trump’s official visit to Japan in 2017, his daughter and presidential advisor Ivanka Trump arrived in Tokyo on her own diplomatic mission. During her stay, she was hosted by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for a private dinner at HOSHINOYA Tokyo Dining, located in the basement of the luxury ryokan-style hotel in Otemachi.

The restaurant is known for its innovative culinary concept called Nippon Cuisine-a genre that blends the aesthetics and techniques of French cuisine with the essence of traditional Japanese flavors. It isn’t strictly Japanese, nor purely French, but rather a refined fusion designed to appeal to international palates. The menu, which focuses heavily on seafood, was well-suited to Ivanka, who follows Jewish dietary guidelines and avoids pork.

During the dinner, the two exchanged views on a range of topics, including women’s empowerment and broader Japan-U.S. relations. The conversation also touched on personal topics such as family and hobbies, and the Prime Minister took a moment to wish Ivanka a happy birthday-creating a warm and relaxed atmosphere throughout the evening.

HOSHINOYA Tokyo Dining ( https://hoshinoresorts.com/en/hotels/hoshinoyatokyo/dining/ )

Type of cuisine: Nippon Cuisine(Japanese-French Fusion Course Menu)
Address: 1-9-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0004

Roppongi Inakaya

On May 25, 2019, President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrived in Japan as the first state guests following the enthronement of the new Emperor. During this historic visit, President Trump took part in numerous high-profile events, including an audience with Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, a state banquet at the Imperial Palace, a U.S.-Japan summit meeting, a visit aboard the JS Kaga, and a round of golf. One of the most memorable moments, however, was his attendance at the Grand Sumo Tournament’s final day at Ryōgoku Kokugikan-followed by dinner at one of Tokyo’s most iconic robatayaki restaurants.

After the sumo match, President Trump, along with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife Akie, headed to Inakaya Higashi in Roppongi. This famous robata-style grill is beloved by foreign dignitaries and global celebrities alike-including Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz, and David Beckham.

At Inakaya, President Trump experienced the restaurant’s signature performance: dishes served with oversized wooden paddles (shamoji) by chefs seated behind the grill, with guests receiving the food directly by hand—an interactive hallmark of robatayaki culture. The evening’s menu was customized to the President’s preferences, featuring wagyu steak and buttered potatoes-dishes that paired traditional Japanese cooking with hearty, familiar flavors.

Roppongi Inakaya ( https://www.roppongiinakaya.jp/topEN )

Type of cuisine: Japanese-Robatayaki/Izakaya
Address: 1F Arrow Building, 3-14-7 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Kochuan (Happo-en)

On May 23, 2022, an informal Japan-U.S. leaders' dinner was held at Kochuan, the elegant traditional restaurant within Happo-en, a historic garden estate in Tokyo. Attending the dinner alongside President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida were Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Seiji Kihara, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, among others.

The guests were treated to a specially curated menu blending traditional Japanese cuisine with Western influences-an elegant harmony of flavors that reflected the spirit of collaboration between the two nations.

Happo-en holds historical significance beyond its culinary offerings. Once connected to Sun Yat-sen—the founding father of modern China and a key figure in the Chinese revolution-the estate is home to a tunnel known as “Sun Yat-sen’s escape route”, built as a precaution during his exile in Japan. As Sun is recognized as a founding figure by both mainland China and Taiwan (Republic of China), the choice of venue carried a subtle symbolic resonance, mindful of the broader geopolitical landscape.

Kochuan (Happo-en) ( https://kochuan.happo-en.com/ )

Type of cuisine: Traditional Japanese
Address: 1-1-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Ginza Yoshizawa & Rengatei

During his visit to Japan in 2023, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was welcomed with an intimate dinner hosted by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at Yoshizawa, a renowned Japanese restaurant in Tokyo’s Ginza district. The evening began with a sukiyaki meal, accompanied by beer and sake, where the leaders also enjoyed dishes like Inaniwa udon.

In an unusual yet warmly personal gesture, the two leaders then moved to a second location for a follow-up gathering-Rengatei, a beloved Western-style eatery famed for its omurice. There, they dined on nostalgic Japanese comfort foods such as omurice, hashed beef rice (hayashi rice), and tonkatsu. As the evening progressed, both leaders removed their jackets and ties, relaxing into an informal and friendly conversation.

This two-venue dinner, a rare move in diplomatic protocol, was a thoughtful nod to President Yoon’s personal history. As a child, he had visited Japan accompanying his father, who was studying at Hitotsubashi University, and had since professed a deep fondness for Japanese cuisine and nostalgic memories of its flavors. Kishida’s choice reflected a shared meal not only of diplomacy-but of memory and mutual respect.

Ginza Yoshizawa ( https://www.ginza-yoshizawa.com/en )

Type of cuisine: Wagyu Beef
Address: 1-20-8 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Yoshizawa Ginza 1-Chome Building 1F-3F

Ginza Rengatei ( https://www.ginza.jp/en/shop/894 )

Type of cuisine: Western Food
Address: 3-5-16 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo

A Culinary Bridge Between Nations

Over the years, Japan has welcomed world leaders with carefully curated dining experiences that reflect the spirit of the times and the state of international relations. These thoughtful gestures have not only showcased the richness of Japanese hospitality but also deepened foreign dignitaries’ appreciation for Japan’s unique food culture.

Japan is home to many outstanding restaurants that continue to charm guests from around the world. We encourage you to consider introducing these exceptional dining venues to your most valued clients. At our company, we also assist with restaurant reservations-please feel free to contact us for arrangements or further recommendations.