Nikawa (にかわ) Ise

We visited this place for our final dinner during our trip to Mie. I discovered this yakitori restaurant, which was selected as a 2026 bronze winner near Ise Jingu, on Tabelog! I made a reservation the day before, and it's definitely a must to book in advance! Reservations can be made through Tabelog. After visiting Ise Jingu in the evening, we arrived at the restaurant around 6 PM, just a 10-minute drive away! There was a parking lot right in front of the restaurant. As we arrived, the owner peeked out to greet us, and we entered the restaurant. The spacious L-shaped counter created a pleasant atmosphere. For the meal, we opted for the omakase course. ❤️ The drink selection was extensive! This time, we chose cold-brewed green tea. ☺️♡♡ It was refreshing and paired perfectly with the rich yet clean-tasting yakitori! ~ Omakase Course ♥ ~✩ Cold-brewed green tea ✩ Chicken breast tataki ✩ Chicken thigh tataki ✩ Chicken soup ✩ Chicken meatball ✩ Engawa (flounder fin) ✩ Chicken skin ✩ Eggplant ✩ Outside skirt ✩ Tsukune (chicken meatball) ✩ Duck ✩ Liver ✩ Asparagus ✩ Skin-on neck ✩ Thigh with wasabi ✩ To finish off - Ramen - Chochin mini rice bowl ✩ Hojicha (roasted green tea) ✩ Mizu yokan (sweet red bean jelly) We started with the cold-brewed green tea. ❤️ The first dish was chicken breast tataki with okra paste! It was a unique combination. ✨ The seasoning was a bit mild, but the meat was tender and juicy. ♥ The okra paste paired wonderfully with it! Personally, I prefer a bit more salt, but this restaurant focuses on the natural flavors of the ingredients! Next up was my favorite, chicken thigh tataki, served with sweet Manji peppers. ❤️ With each bite, the umami burst in my mouth! ✨ The salt enhanced the deliciousness! The Manji pepper was sweet, highlighting the quality of the ingredients. ☺️ The chicken soup was clear and piping hot, with a refreshing richness! We started with the chicken meatball skewers. ❤️ They were juicy and full of flavor! I still felt they could use a bit more salt. Next was the engawa, which was small but had a nice, firm texture! Then came the chicken skin, which was crispy and fragrant. Next, we had eggplant, simmered in chicken fat and served with a butter sauce. It was soft and had a delightful texture! Next was the outside skirt, which we enjoyed with wasabi. ☺️ It had a nice firm texture! The tsukune was finished with pepper and was packed with flavor—personally, this was my favorite skewer! ❤️ Then came the duck, which had a rich flavor! The liver was grilled with sauce and melted in my mouth. ✩ The asparagus was crisp and had a great bite! The skin-on neck was juicy and plump! Finally, we had the thigh with wasabi, which was rare and lightly seasoned, making it refreshing and light. Overall, the seasoning was on the milder side, allowing us to savor the natural flavors of the yakitori! To finish off, we had ramen and a chochin mini rice bowl. ❤️ Both were just the right size! ✨ They were perfect for finishing off the meal. ☺️♥ We concluded with hojicha and mizu yokan! The combination of gin and salt created a slightly bitter yet sweet flavor that enhanced the sweetness and was delicious! ✩ This restaurant is close to Ise Jingu and has parking available! If you're driving to Ise Jingu, I highly recommend this yakitori course where you can enjoy the natural flavors of the ingredients! ❤️ Less

I heard for the first time in my life, "We cook along the fibers of the chicken." In other words, it shows how dedicated they are to grilling.I finally got to visit Nikawa, a place I had been curious about for a long time! Since it was right after the Obon holiday, the restaurant was almost empty, which made it enjoyable to chat with the staff.Each skewer was prepared with great care, and the first dish, the onion (incredibly juicy and sweet!), along with the soriresu (chicken thigh) were particularly delicious.Previously, they started serving at 6 PM, but now on weekends, they have two seating times at 5 PM and 7:30 PM, so please keep that in mind if you plan to visit.I will definitely come back. Thank you very much! Less

Located just a stone's throw from Ise Jingu Shrine, Nikawa is a must-visit for yakitori lovers.It seems that customers come from all over the country.The aroma of binchotan charcoal, the exquisite grilling technique, and the perfection of each skewer are truly remarkable.It was a great meal.〈Notes〉- Reservation only Omakase Course (JPY 13,000)- Starts at 18:00 sharp- Selected as one of the Top 100 Yakitori Restaurants in the WEST for 2023/2024/2025- Recipient of the Tabelog Award 2026 Bronze✨- A special space with only counter seating- Uses long-term raised chicken- Seasonal grilled vegetables are also incredibly delicious- 8-minute walk from Ise City Station〈The restaurant's commitment〉✔️ Long-term raised chicken × Binchotan charcoalThe yakitori grilled with carefully selected binchotan charcoal has an unparalleled aroma and flavor.✔️ Perfect grilling for each skewerThe crispiness of the skin and the melt-in-your-mouth texture of the liver come out at the perfect timing...✔️ Seasonal vegetables are also star-worthyNot just the yakitori, but the grilling of the vegetables is also at a level that will impress✨✔️ A special feeling with only counter seatingIn a calm space with only 7 seats, enjoying yakitori while experiencing the live cooking is the best. Less

I travel across the country in search of delicious food, focusing on Tabelog award-winning restaurants, renowned establishments, and Michelin-starred places. I use this as a memo for the places I've visited, so my comments are brief. I am grateful for my daily meals. It was a great meal.◆Awards◆Tabelog Bronze Award 2026Tabelog Yakitori WEST 100 Best Restaurants 2025◆Crowd Level◆I was able to make a reservation without any issues.◆Parking◆Available in front of the restaurant.◆Duration of Stay◆Approximately 2.5 hours.◆Cuisine◆Evening course.◆Comments◆None in particular.＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝- Scores are primarily determined by the taste of the dishes within their respective genres.- Additional points or deductions are made based on cost performance, service, ambiance, and facilities.- For accommodations, roadside stations, golf courses, and similar facilities, I evaluate the entire establishment on a 0.5 scale.For detailed evaluation criteria, please refer to my profile.＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝I appreciate all the "likes," "follows," and "saves" from everyone. Thank you for reading until the end. I hope this helps you in choosing a restaurant. Less

This yakitori restaurant is located in Ise, just a short walk from Kintetsu Ise City Station and the Ise Jingu Geku Shrine. On this occasion, I made a reservation using Tabelog's booking feature. The restaurant opened promptly at 6 PM, with all seats at the counter, allowing diners to watch the cooking process. The current owner is the second generation, and it turns out that the original owner was the owner's grandfather. The restaurant has undergone a complete transformation in style, creating a calm atmosphere. They are very particular about their ingredients, sourcing chicken from a farm in Ashizuri, Kochi, where they raise their own original breed. The flavorful chicken used here is a result of that dedication. The first dish served was grilled chicken, which was incredibly rich in flavor and might just be my personal favorite. Of course, the skewers were delicious as well, especially the tsukune, which had an explosion of meaty goodness. The grilled vegetables were limited to asparagus, but they were also sweet and juicy, making for a delightful dish. As for drinks, I enjoyed local beers, Kakuya Beer and Himitsu Beer, both of which were of high quality. While some reviews mentioned minimal explanations, I found that if you ask, the staff will provide thorough explanations. The owner also proactively engages with customers who show interest, creating a welcoming atmosphere. Overall, I had a thoroughly satisfying yakitori dinner that filled both my stomach and heart. Less

I had been curious about Nikawa for a long time! Everything was delicious, but the sashimi in the first half was particularly good, while the grilled items in the second half didn’t quite stand out for me. I didn’t find anything truly impressive... maybe I had set my expectations too high.The portions for the grilled items were on the smaller side, which was just right for my light appetite, but I think most people would likely want to order extra! Everyone at the surrounding tables was ordering more, and there was a bit of an awkward wait for the final dish.I’m not very strong with alcohol due to my constitution, and my companions aren’t either, yet the staff asked us for drink refills quite early, which made me feel that the service could use a little improvement.I would love to visit again if I get the chance! Less