Cologne · Sushi · a la carte
Kintaro
Traditional Japanese sushi & tempurasashimitempuratatami seatingCologne's oldest Japanese restaurant
Kintaro is Cologne's first and oldest Japanese restaurant, founded in 1988 by Takusaburo Arakawa, who came to Cologne from Japan in 1978. The Arakawa family continues to run one of Germany's most storied authentic Japanese dining rooms, with tatami seating and sushi courses booked months in advance.
- Price
- ¥¥
- Area
- Friesenviertel / Gereonsviertel
- Since
- 1988
- Chef
- Takusaburo Arakawa
- Owner
- Takusaburo Arakawa (Japanese)
Plate № 20
About
When Takusaburo Arakawa opened Kintaro in 1988, he gave Cologne its very first sushi restaurant — and more than three decades later, the Arakawa family continues to serve some of the finest traditional Japanese cuisine in Germany. Arakawa arrived in Cologne from Japan in 1978 and spent a decade immersing himself in the city before opening Kintaro in the Friesenviertel neighbourhood. The restaurant is intimate and thoughtfully designed, with tatami seating available for guests who wish to dine in the traditional Japanese style. The sushi courses crafted personally by Takusaburo have become legendary — seats are often reserved months in advance, particularly during Cologne trade fairs. The menu draws on classic Japanese tradition: fresh sushi, sashimi, tempura, soups and seasonal specials, all prepared with decades of practised skill.
Neighborhood & visiting
Kintaro sits in Friesenviertel / Gereonsviertel, one of Cologne's neighborhoods where authentic Japanese kitchens have taken root. Reservations are available online — for a focused sushi counter this is strongly recommended. Check the posted hours before you go — traditional sushi restaurants often close between service periods.
Why it's on Washoku Guide
- Cologne's oldest Japanese restaurant — 35+ years of unbroken tradition under the founding Arakawa family from Japan.
- Sushi courses by chef-owner Takusaburo Arakawa are so sought-after they are booked months in advance.
- Tatami seating available — one of the few restaurants in Cologne to offer this traditional Japanese dining format.
- Founding member of Cologne's Japanese culinary heritage — a reference point for every subsequent Japanese restaurant in the city.
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Frequently asked
About Kintaro
- Is Kintaro an authentic traditional japanese sushi & tempura restaurant in Cologne?
- Yes — Kintaro is featured in Washoku Guide because it meets our authenticity standard for traditional japanese sushi & tempura in Cologne: a kitchen grounded in Japanese technique, ingredients and preparation consistent with Japanese practice, and a focused sushi format.
- Where is Kintaro located?
- Kintaro is located at Friesenstraße 16, 50670 Köln, Germany, Cologne, Germany in the Friesenviertel / Gereonsviertel neighborhood.
- Do I need a reservation at Kintaro?
- Kintaro accepts reservations online. For an authentic sushi experience, especially at a focused counter, booking ahead is strongly recommended.
- What is the price range at Kintaro?
- Kintaro sits in the ¥¥ price range — typical for traditional japanese sushi & tempura of this format in Cologne.
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