Located on the 4th floor of a building along Sotobori-dori in Ginza 6-chome, Tokyo, where crowds gather day and night, is "Shigematsu."
The owner, Shigeyuki Matsubara, after graduating from high school, honed his skills during a 3-year apprenticeship at a sushi restaurant in Aomori's Hachinohe before moving to Tokyo. He gained experience working at exclusive Japanese restaurants and Michelin-starred establishments. Later, he served as the head chef at a traditional Japanese cuisine restaurant in Shibuya. In October 2016, he opened "Shigematsu" with his wife, who serves as the proprietress.
Their aim is to create a memorable dining experience for customers through dishes made with carefully selected seasonal ingredients and pleasant customer service. The distinctive feature of their cuisine is the layering of various ingredients to provide enjoyable textures and aromas. They use a rich bonito broth and generously portion each dish to leave a strong impression. Their signature dish is the mixed rice, which combines seasonal ingredients such as sakura shrimp and mountain sea cucumber, or cherry salmon and bamboo shoots, taking into consideration the harmony of flavors and textures. The sake selection to accompany the dishes is primarily focused on sake from the chef's hometown, Fukushima. During the winter season, they also offer a luxurious delicacy called "hire-sake," made with natural pufferfish fins weighing over 4 kilograms, which is absolutely exquisite.
The interior of the restaurant, designed by the owner himself, features a six-seat counter and two private rooms. There are small rooms for up to four people and large rooms for up to eight people. The counter is set at a height to maintain eye contact with the customers, and the deliberately low ceiling creates a serene atmosphere. The restaurant is suitable for various occasions, whether for private or business purposes, and the warm and attentive service provided by the owner and proprietress is also one of its charms. In this refined and elegant setting befitting Ginza's prime location, we invite you to savor the meticulously crafted dishes by the owner.
