Deep in the heart of Tokyo and only a stone's throw away from the Imperial Palace is Ninja Akasaka. Not quite as inconspicuous as one would expect the secret lair for these trained stealth fighters, the themed restaurant certainly lives up to its name as it unveils the world of the mysterious ninja over Japanese fusion dishes.
 
From the moment you step onto the premises, you are whisked away to an era of ancient Japan when ninjas served feudal lords who were fighting for supremacy.  After you give your name to the host, from seemingly nowhere, a garbed ninja will pop out from a hidden trap door and lead you through a maze of dark corridors and past a drawbridge and several small ponds to a dimly lit booth in the middle of their "fortress."

The restaurant offers over 100 culinary delights to choose from.  The a la carte menu starts at 700JPY per dish and includes such delicacies as diced octopus (tako) with marinated scallops (hotate), shabu shabu, which are thin slices of prime Japanese beef and deluxe sushi served on driftwood. If you can't make up your mind there is always the course menu, which ranges from 5,555yen to 20,000yen.  The most expensive course has gourmet offerings such as lobster (ise-ebi) covered in citrus juice, premium blue-fin tuna (maguro) sashimi on ice, and Japanese tenderloin beef and foie gras to name just a few.

Presentation is a large part of this dining experience.  For instance, the crab (kani) marinated in grapefruit juice is served after a sword trick has been demonstrated, and several of the soup dishes are cooked at your table using hot stones instead of an open flame.  Desserts are also one of a kind and the hands down favorite is the three-flavored milk, sesame (goma) and green tea (ocha) ice cream that is shaped like a traditional bonsai tree.    

Several big name celebrities have visited and enjoyed the restaurant's offerings including Stephen Spielberg, whose signature is proudly displayed on one of the walls. With the holiday season fast approaching Ninja Akasaka has a special 15,000yen Christmas Course being offered.  The highlight of this menu is the Japanese style roast steak. This is the perfect place to take guests visiting Japan over the Christmas season, especially those interested in having a unique dining experience while being immersed in an exotic ninja-like atmosphere.

Written and Photographed by Erika Wiseberg

Ninja Akasaka
Akasaka Tokyu Plaza Bld.
1F, 2-14-3 Nagatacho,
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
TEL: 03-5157-3936
FAX: 03-5157-3938
www.ninjaakasaka.com