Please note: Reservations are required; walk-ins cannot be accommodated.
Please note: Reservations are required.
“Is it okay to bring small children?”
Since opening REONA Sushi Tokyo, we have heard this question countless times.
For many families visiting Japan from overseas, experiencing authentic omakase sushi is something they really look forward to. At the same time, it can also feel intimidating. A quiet atmosphere, chefs working right in front of you, unspoken rules and manners, and the feeling of wondering whether children are truly welcome. In reality, many high end sushi restaurants in Tokyo are not easy places to visit with young kids.
That is exactly why we started thinking differently.
We did not want parents to give up on one of Japan’s best dining experiences simply because they have children. We wanted families visiting Japan to still enjoy date nights too. That idea became the starting point for REONA Sushi Tokyo.
Tokyo is home to many incredible sushi restaurants that are respected all over the world.
At the same time, many of those restaurants are not designed for families with small children. One reason is that omakase culture places a strong emphasis on quietness and timing. The chef prepares sushi directly in front of the guest and serves each piece at the exact moment it should be eaten. That rhythm is considered part of the craft itself.
Many sushi restaurants are also built almost entirely around the counter, so the distance between guests is very close. Even small sounds or movement can affect the atmosphere for everyone else. Because of that, parents often arrive carrying a lot of anxiety.
“What if my child cries?” “What if we disturb other guests?” “What if we accidentally break some kind of rule?”
We see this especially when families are dining alongside guests without children. Some parents become so nervous that even a small sound from the kids room makes them immediately stand up and check on their child.
For international travelers, the pressure can feel even stronger because Japan has a very different social atmosphere from many other countries. Many visitors are surprised when they see small children quietly riding trains or walking to school alone in Japan. CBS News article about Japanese children commuting alone
That often creates another layer of worry. Guests sometimes tell us things like, “Japanese children seem so well behaved,” or “Will my own child be okay in this environment?” At REONA, we want to reduce that stress as much as possible.
Inside REONA Sushi Tokyo, we created a dedicated kids room. Even in Tokyo, that is still quite unusual for a high end sushi restaurant.
The reason is simple. We did not want people to miss out on meaningful experiences just because they became parents.
When families travel, parents are constantly thinking about their children. During dinner they are worrying about whether their child is bored, whether they are making noise, whether the food is okay, whether other guests are uncomfortable. Their mind never fully rests. So we wanted to create a place where parents could finally relax and focus on enjoying the meal itself.
The kids room gives children a space where they can feel comfortable and free.
We keep toys like LEGO and toy trains there, and in many cases children happily play throughout the meal. The room is also located directly behind the sushi counter, so parents remain physically close to their kids at all times. That small sense of security changes the entire atmosphere for many families.
Some guests have told us things like, “This was the first time in years we were able to have a real conversation as a couple,” or “It felt like we were on a date again.” Others say, “Our kids actually had fun too.”
Hearing those words means a lot to us.
At REONA Sushi Tokyo, we are not simply serving sushi. We are trying to create what we call “Rikai,” which means understanding.
Why is this fish prepared in this way? Why is the rice served at this temperature? Why is soy sauce already applied before the sushi reaches the guest? When people understand those details, the experience changes completely.
Many international guests tell us afterward that they felt like they learned about Japanese culture itself, not just sushi.
At the same time, we also wanted children to have their own enjoyable experience instead of simply waiting for the adults to finish dinner. Some children enjoy the kids menu. Some play with toys. Some become fascinated by the unfamiliar atmosphere of Japan itself. Everyone experiences the evening differently.
While the children enjoy their own space, parents are able to sit at the counter and focus on the omakase experience without constant tension. That balance is exactly what we wanted to create.
Whenever our servers have a free moment, they sometimes play with the children as well. They fold origami together, draw pictures, or help keep the kids entertained when they start getting restless. Those small moments help parents relax even more and enjoy the evening properly.
Thankfully, we have received many reviews from guests around the world. Combined across Google Maps and TripAdvisor, we have now received more than 200 five star reviews.
But the number itself is not what matters most to us. What matters is what people actually write.
Many reviews mention how relieved parents felt. Others say their family dinner at REONA became one of the best memories of their Japan trip. Some guests even tell us they had assumed omakase sushi would simply be impossible with children.
Of course, welcoming families is not always easy. We sometimes adjust the pacing of service, coordinate carefully between staff members, and pay attention to many small details throughout the evening. But we believe that effort is exactly what hospitality should be.
Instead of hearing, “We can’t go because we have children,” we want families to feel, “This is exactly the kind of place we want to visit because we have children.”
That is the kind of sushi restaurant we hope to continue building.
If you are looking for an authentic omakase experience in Tokyo that your entire family can enjoy together, we would love to welcome you to REONA Sushi Tokyo. We will be waiting at the counter, ready to help create memories your family will never forget.