Harden's survey result
Summary
“Would have expected a lot more from a Japanese restaurant within Japan House” is too often the verdict on this venue within the Japanese Government’s year-old showcase for all things Nipponese, which occupies Kensington’s former Derry & Toms department store. The place is not without advocates of its “attractive” design and “beautiful presentation” but even fans acknowledge it’s “on the expensive side” and some critics report really bad trips with “overly complex and heavy”, or even “shockingly bad” dishes.
Summary
“Would have expected a lot more from a Japanese restaurant within Japan House” is too often the verdict on this venue within the Japanese Government’s year-old showcase for all things Nipponese, which occupies Kensington’s former Derry & Toms department store. The place is not without advocates of its “attractive” design and “beautiful presentation” but even fans acknowledge it’s “on the expensive side” and some critics report really bad trips with “overly complex and heavy”, or even “shockingly bad” dishes.
Summary
The Japanese Government’s meticulously designed new cultural centre and store – Japan House in Kensington’s old Derry & Toms department store – opened in June 2018 and is one of three globally aiming to showcase Nipponese heritage and craft. Its robatayaki and sushi restaurant is brought to us by Akira Shimizu, former chef of Engawa. It’s far from being a showcase for budget Japanese dining however!
For 30 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Akira at Japan House?
Restaurant details
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Always | £75.00 |  |
|
 |
| Starter | Main | Veggies | Pudding |
|---|---|---|---|
| £4.00 | £29.30 | £13.00 | £8.00 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £27.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £2.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
101-111 Kensington High Street, London, W8 5SA
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑4:30 pm, 6 pm‑11 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑4:30 pm, 6 pm‑11 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑4:30 pm, 6 pm‑11 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑4:30 pm, 6 pm‑11 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑4:30 pm, 6 pm‑11 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
Best Japanese restaurants nearby
Japanese restaurant in Kensington
Japanese restaurant in Kensington
Japanese restaurant in Kensington
Best similarly priced restaurants nearby
Chinese restaurant in Kensington
Italian restaurant in South Kensington
Italian restaurant in Notting Hill
