Tabelog ratingYakitori Takase (焼鳥 高瀬) grills two heritage breeds, Kuro-Satsuma and Nagoya Cochin, over binchōtan charcoal. Each skewer is cooked one at a time in front of a ten-seat counter. It opened in August 2024 and was selected for Tabelog's yakitori WEST 'Tabelog 100' in 2025. The chef serves cuts most yakitori bars never reach. There is soriresu, the 'oyster' by the thigh, and dakimi, breast and shiso leaf rolled in skin. The skin comes off crisp and the meat stays juicy. The seasoning is held back so the chicken carries the flavour.
Nearly every review praises the precision of the grilling. Reviewers single out the sasami (tenderloin) left rare at the centre and the seared chicken tataki with house ponzu. Several also name the Sadowara eggplant from Miyazaki. The closing rice cooked with chicken, served with a rich chicken broth, is praised again and again. The young owner couple are described as warm and attentive, and the sake list is strong.
The criticisms are minor. Two reviewers found loud regulars drowned out conversation. Big eaters sometimes found portions light. A few mention strong salt, few vegetables or slow pacing, and one found the skewers themselves unremarkable.
It serves dinner only, with no lunch service. Reviewers in 2025–2026 paid ¥7,700 for the two-hour omakase (chef's choice) course. One English-speaking visitor in 2025 paid ¥5,500 for a shorter course of nine skewers with sides. With drinks, reviewers spent around ¥9,200 to just under ¥10,000. Extra skewers can be added, but reviewers do not quote their prices.
Value is the strongest argument. Japanese reviewers repeatedly call the bill surprisingly low for heritage chicken grilled at this level, and one expects prices to rise.
- Getting there: about 5 minutes on foot from Komachi tram stop. Ebisu-cho tram stop is about 256 m away. The restaurant sits in a narrow alley inside the Central Gate block in Yagenbori and is easy to miss.
- Booking: reservation only, so you cannot walk in. Reviewers book weeks ahead, some about a month. Phone 082-909-9830.
- Age restriction: high school students and above only.
- Seating: 10 counter seats and no private rooms. The restaurant can be hired privately for up to 20 people. Seating times are fixed with a two-hour limit: 18:00–20:00 or 19:00–21:00, then a second session from 20:30. Reviewers find the 18:00 slot quieter.
- Payment: credit cards are accepted (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex, Diners). Electronic money is also accepted: transport IC cards such as Suica, and QUICPay. QR code payments are not accepted.
- Smoking: non-smoking throughout.
- Parking: none.
- Language: little English is spoken, but staff make an effort to communicate.
- Ordering: if you want extra skewers, ask early, because extra stock runs out.
- Drinks: a strong sake list and shochu; the wine selection is weak.
