Inspiring Female Chef-owned Restaurants in Tokyo

In appreciation of International Women’s Day on March 8, let’s celebrate three Tokyo restaurants led by passionate female chefs. This important holiday focuses on recognizing women’s achievements and promoting a gender equal world.

Please note that all of the restaurants require reservations and recommend that you book them one to three months in advance. They also accept later reservations—even on the same day—if openings are available.

Heartfelt French Cuisine — Jour de Marché

With its unassuming facade and intimate interior, Jour de Marché feels like an exclusive gem. Owner and chef Naoko Enomoto started her career as an office worker, until one day, a recipe book sparked her culinary curiosity. “Anyone can be a chef,” Enomoto explained, “The job does not belong to a specific gender.” To develop her craft, Enomoto worked in France for 6.5 years and trained in Tokyo, before opening Jour de Marché.

At her restaurant, Enomoto offers an ever-changing course menu that reimagines fresh, seasonal, and lesser-known ingredients into delectable works of art. She promises to create extraordinary French dining experiences where every bite elicits a sense of awe.

Wine-inspired Course Menus — JULIA

JULIA, established by Chef nao and her husband, a sommelier, is a Michelin Guide-listed restaurant that specializes in modern French cuisine. nao, who started in PR and service-related roles, decided to become a chef when she met her husband, who impressed her with his hospitality skills. She also drew inspiration from the culinary industry itself—noting that there aren’t many female chefs in Japan. She wanted to show that female chefs can lead restaurants too and self-trained for 13 years in the art of cooking. “I want to be an inspirational figure,” nao shared.

At JULIA, nao and her husband create monthly-changing, 10-course menus that focus on French cuisine but utilize fresh Japanese ingredients. Each dish is based on a particular Japanese wine pairing, with original non-alcoholic options available too. Given her attention to detail, nao weaves an unforgettable dining experience where guests can enjoy luxurious cuisine in a relaxed setting.

Taste the Blessings of the Japanese Seasons — Sorahana

Opened by Chef Kanako Wakimoto, Sorahana is a one-star Michelin restaurant that serves traditional multi-course Japanese cuisine, known as kaiseki. Although she studied to be a nutritionist, her love for Japanese cuisine ultimately inspired her to become a chef. Wakimoto believes that restaurants thrive when people who love the industry are a part of it, regardless of gender. Reflecting on her own hardships in the male-dominated industry, she prioritizes creating a comfortable environment at Sorahana where female employees can flourish.

Wakimoto exclusively uses carefully grown, natural and seasonal ingredients to craft healthy dishes that exemplify the beauty of Japanese cuisine. The interior’s cozy, wooden aesthetic further encapsulates Sorahana’s closeness to nature and seasonality, allowing guests to immerse themselves in Wakimoto’s culinary vision.

Jour de Marché

Address	Biten 1F, 12-11 Yotsuyasakamachi, Shinjuku City, Tokyo
URL	Jour de Marché (JPN)

JULIA

Address	3-1-25 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo
URL	JULIA

Sorahana

Address	Kamiya Place 1F, 5-3-3 Toranomon, Minato City, Tokyo
URL	Sorahana (JPN)

For updated information on opening hours, days closed, prices, and more, please check the official website.