Tabelog ratingOgitani (おぎたに) is an intimate, eight-seat counter restaurant in Amagasaki, Hyogo, dedicated to a single seasonal omakase menu. The experience is a performance, with the chef preparing and explaining each course of rare seafood directly in front of the guests. Run by a husband-and-wife team, the atmosphere is consistently praised for its warm and unpretentious hospitality, creating a personal connection that complements the high-end cuisine.
Guests rave about the quality and generosity of the ingredients, particularly during crab season. Highlights frequently mentioned include lavish presentations of matsuba crab, rich uni, delicate hamo (pike conger) with matsutake mushrooms, and grilled ayu. The clear, refined dashi is a point of praise, as are the multiple rice courses cooked in a traditional donabe pot that conclude the meal. The focus is on pure flavours and showcasing the best of the season, from foraged vegetables to top-tier seafood like Ise-ebi lobster.
Practical considerations are few but important. With only eight seats and a single start time of 18:30 for all guests, reservations can be difficult to secure and must be made well in advance. Some reviewers also noted the absence of a visible price list for sake, suggesting it's best to ask about drink prices when ordering.
The omakase course was recently reported by reviewers at around ¥22,000, with special crab-season menus costing ¥25,300 to ¥30,800. With drinks, final bills typically ranged from ¥27,000 to ¥37,000 per person, with some evenings reaching ¥46,000. Despite the high price point, reviewers almost unanimously consider it excellent value for the quality and quantity of rare ingredients served.
- Access: A 2-minute walk from Tsukaguchi Station on the Hankyu Kobe Line.
- Reservations: Essential. The restaurant has a single seating at 18:30. Book well in advance. Strict cancellation policies apply.
- Menu: A seasonal omakase course is the only option.
- Payment: Credit cards are accepted, but electronic money and QR code payments are not. A 5% service charge is added to the bill.
- Children: Guests must be of middle school age or older.
- Seating: All seating is at an 8-person counter.
- Drinks: A selection of sake, shochu, and wine is available. It is advisable to inquire about prices when ordering, as a menu may not be presented.
- Smoking: The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
