Tokyo & Osaka Restaurant Guide from Choo Sung-Hoon's Channel—Find Your Perfect Meal in 60 Seconds

That's a good question. Let's plan out a realistic date together.

📋 Honest Situation Summary

First, the reality is that finding a place in Osaka that satisfies all three conditions of "upscale atmosphere + same-day confirmation + Japanese cuisine" among Choo Sung-Hoon's recommended restaurants is difficult.

Why is it difficult?

Based on the information I have (as of 2026-10-07):

• Upscale Japanese restaurant candidates: Sushi Ikan (omakase), Rikimaru Robatayaki
• Issues:
  • Sushi Ikan → Reservation information not publicly available, regular closure days not public ⚠️
  • Rikimaru → Confirmed status, but "reservations prioritized later in the evening" in nature
  • Neither is 100% certain for same-day visits

🎯 Two Realistic Strategies

Strategy A: "Sushi Ikan First" (Atmosphere as top priority)

Process:

1. 2-3 days before visit → Call Sushi Ikan

   • Ask "Is omakase for 2 people available on that day?"
   • If reservation isn't available, switch to Plan B then

2. Same day afternoon → Call Sushi Ikan again to confirm

   • Or go in person and try "Can we pop in for a moment?"

3. If not available → Move to Rikimaru immediately

   • Opens at 16:00, so going during evening hours (18-19:00) increases chances of finding a table

Pros: Best atmosphere / Cons: Variable outcome

Strategy B: "Rikimaru Confirmed" (Stability as top priority) ⭐ Recommended

Process:

1. Same day 16:00-17:00 → Visit Rikimaru in person or call

   • Shortly after opening, high probability of available seating
   • Time slot before reservations build up

2. Complete reservation → Relax and do other activities (shopping, walk, etc.)

3. Evening time → Enjoy your meal comfortably

Pros: Almost certain / Cons: Atmosphere slightly less refined than Sushi Ikan (but still upscale)

🚨 Important Note: Limitations of My Information

I need to tell you something very important here:

What I've told you is based on information as of 2026-10-07.
When you actually visit:

• Business hours may have changed
• Regular closure days may have changed
• Reservation policies may have changed
• The restaurant may have closed

Therefore, you must check before visiting:

1. Confirm "Open now" status on Google Maps
2. Call directly to ask if same-day visit is possible (absolutely essential)
3. Verify regular closure days

💡 My Honest Advice

If it's your first date and you want to go without same-day reservations:

✅ I recommend Rikimaru Robatayaki.

Reasons:

• The charcoal-grilled atmosphere is sufficiently upscale and romantic
• This is where Choo Sung-Hoon recommends when "enjoying grilled food and drinks in Osaka in the evening"
• Confirmed status (video and actual location match)
• Going right after opening (16:00-17:00) has a very high probability of same-day seating
• You can enjoy drinks together, which creates good first-date atmosphere

What about Sushi Ikan?

• The atmosphere is top-tier, but same-day uncertainty is high
• If you're living there rather than visiting, you can try calling multiple times in advance to catch an opportunity
• If it's a same-day visit during a trip, the risk is significant

📱 Pre-Visit Checklist

[ ] Visit morning → Check Rikimaru on Google Maps "Open now" status
[ ] 30 minutes before 16:00 opening → Call or visit in person
[ ] If seating available → Confirm same-day reservation or ask "Can we come now?"
[ ] Reconfirm business hours and last order (based on Google Maps)
[ ] Save address after reservation confirmed

Conclusion: **Rikimaru Robatayaki** + **visiting right after opening on the same day** = the most realistic and safe choice for your first date! 😊

If you'd like to know more about other areas or different conditions, please let me know!

That's a good idea! I'll show you the complete list of Tokyo restaurants. This way you'll be able to find child-friendly places by directly checking Google Maps and Tabelog reviews.

🗾 Complete Tokyo Restaurant List (1-23)

📊 Restaurants with High Child-Friendly Potential (Recommended)

Based on cuisine type, soft or simple foods:

✅ Curry (suitable for children to eat)

• #18 Chiisana Curry-ya — Confirmed ⭐

✅ Sushi (soft texture)

• #13 Tokyo Sushi Itamae Sushi Akasaka Branch — Confirmed ⭐

✅ Dessert/Snacks

• #14 Matsuba-ya Saryo — Confirmed (possible after-meal visit)

✅ Hamburger (child menu possibility)

• #8 Village Vanguard Diner Kichijoji — Confirmed ⭐

🔍 Next Steps: Direct Verification

With the restaurant numbers above, confirm the following:

1. Google Maps Search: Restaurant name + area → look for "child," "kids," "highchair" keywords in recent reviews
2. Tabelog Search: Check each restaurant's business hours, regular closure days, and latest reviews
3. YouTube Video Viewing: Watch Choo Sung-Hun's videos for each number to confirm atmosphere, food, and space
4. Phone Contact: Ask directly "Can I visit with my 3-year-old child?"

Important Notes:

• #2 Tonkatsu Marushichi is closed, so exclude it
• #19 and #23 have unconfirmed locations, so information is incomplete
• The curry, sushi, and hamburger restaurants don't necessarily have confirmed children's menus, so please verify in advance

Do you have any other questions, or would you like to know more about specific restaurants?