Tabelog ratingMatagi (またぎ) offers a rare taste of Japan’s hunting culture in the middle of Tokyo. Located in Nishiazabu, this restaurant is run by a hunter, ensuring a supply of fresh, high-quality wild game—or gibier—including deer, wild boar, and even bear. The centerpiece of the experience is the irori, a traditional sunken charcoal hearth, where guests gather to grill their own food under the guidance of the staff.
Diners consistently praise the signature boar and bear miso hotpot (inoshishi-kuma nabe), celebrated for its deep, savory broth and the delicious rice porridge or suidon noodles served at the end. Other highlights include tender, low-odor deer cuts like shika karubi, house-made bear sausage, and, when available, grilled alfonsino (kinmedai) and prized wild eel (tennen unagi). The interactive, communal grilling around the irori is a key part of the appeal.
However, a few points of caution appear in reviews. A minority of guests have reported brusque or inattentive service. Seats near the hearth can become uncomfortably hot, especially in summer, and the smoke may cling to your clothes. Some diners expecting very strong, gamey flavors found the meat surprisingly mild. It's also wise to be aware that some items are marked jika (market price) and can be expensive, leading to occasional surprise high bills.
Expect to spend between ¥10,000 and ¥14,999 for dinner. Reviewers have recently paid around ¥12,000 for the Matagi course set. A market-priced wild eel was noted to cost one party around ¥20,000. With drinks and other additions, the final bill can easily reach ¥20,000 per person. For those seeking a unique culinary adventure with rare ingredients, it's a worthwhile splurge.
- Getting There: Matagi is located on the first floor of the RF Building in Nishiazabu, about a 15-minute walk from the Hills-side exit of Roppongi Station.
- Reservations: Booking is recommended, especially if you want to order specific items like the hotpot or duck, which may require pre-ordering. Seating is limited to 2.5 hours per party.
- Payment: Major credit cards (VISA, Master, JCB, AMEX, Diners) are accepted. Electronic money and QR code payments are not.
- Children: School-age children are welcome.
- Seating: The restaurant has 20 seats, including a large irori table for 16 and a few semi-private tables for two.
- Smoking: The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
- Parking: No dedicated parking is available, but there are paid parking lots nearby.
- Good to Know: A 10% service charge is added to the bill. You may bring your own wine for a corkage fee of ¥3,300 per bottle.
