Tabelog ratingThe chef spent ten years at Ginza Kojyu, the three-Michelin-star kaiseki restaurant in Tokyo, where he ran the grill station. He opened Go in Shizuoka in 2015 and locals call him "Yaki no Go", Go of the grill. Dinner is omakase only, built from Shizuoka produce largely bought direct from local suppliers, and the grill is the heart of it. The restaurant was named to the Tabelog Japanese cuisine EAST "Tabelog 100" for 2025.
Nearly every reviewer singles out the charcoal work. The signature is amadai matsukasa-yaki, tilefish grilled until its scales stand up crisp, followed closely by sawara (Spanish mackerel) in a house marinade, duck and Wagyu tomosankaku, a rump cut. The course usually ends with unadon, grilled eel over rice, praised for its crisp skin. The dashi earns frequent praise in clam and conger-eel soups, as do katsuo warayaki (straw-smoked bonito) and aged sashimi. The local sake list is well chosen, and one English-speaking visitor describes a warm welcome at 10pm.
The criticisms are mostly about the setting. The room is plain, dated and izakaya-like, which disappoints some at this price. A few found the chef and staff gruff or awkward at first. Isolated reviews mention slow pacing, repetitive flavours, a small eel portion and fish that was good rather than exceptional.
There is no lunch service. Courses run from about ¥5,000–6,000 to ¥10,000–11,000; reviewers in 2024–2026 paid ¥9,240 including tax and service for a mid-priced course. Glasses of Isojiman junmai ginjo were ¥1,500 and Kokuryu ¥1,200. Solo diners who drank spent around ¥15,000, and couples drinking well about ¥25,000 in total. Reviewers repeatedly say the same cooking would cost at least half as much again in Tokyo, and portions are generous, so value is strong.
- Booking: essential, no walk-ins in practice; seats are often full, so book weeks ahead by phone (054-205-0017) or via Tabelog.
- Getting there: 8 minutes' walk from the North Exit of JR Shizuoka Station, next to the Sanco Inn Shizuoka North Exit hotel; Shin-Shizuoka Station on the Shizuoka Railway is also nearby. Taxis can be scarce late at night.
- Payment: Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex and Diners accepted; electronic money and QR payments are not accepted.
- Seats: 12 in total – 6 at the counter and a private room for 2, 4 or 6 (up to about 8 by arrangement); the whole restaurant can be booked privately.
- Children: enquire in advance if bringing children.
- Smoking: non-smoking inside; a smoking area is available.
- Parking: none.
- Menu: courses only; state dietary needs when booking. Non-alcoholic options are limited.
