Sasanoyuki

Sasanoyuki is a historic Japanese tofu kaiseki restaurant located in Negishi, Taito-ku, Tokyo. Founded in 1691 (Genroku 4) by the first-generation Tadayu Tamaya, it is celebrated as the birthplace of silken tofu (kinugoshi tofu) in Edo. The restaurant's name derives from a poetic compliment by the imperial prince Kōben Hōshinnō, who praised the tofu's beauty as resembling snow on bamboo grass (sasa no yuki). Sasanoyuki has been a cultural fixture for centuries, frequented by literary figures such as Masaoka Shiki and Natsume Sōseki. It operates as a traditional ryōtei-style establishment offering multi-course tofu meals, and it continues to use traditional well water and bittern (nigari) in its tofu production. After a temporary closure in 2020 for renovation, it reopened in August 2024 at a new location adjacent to the Shiki-an. The restaurant remains a privately held, family-run business, now in its 333rd year (as of 2024).

Sasanoyuki was founded in 1691 (Genroku 4) by Tadayu Tamaya, the first generation, who moved from Kyoto to Edo accompanying Prince Kōben Hōshinnō of Ueno's Kan'ei-ji temple. He established a tofu tea house in Negishi (then Negishi Shinden) and is credited with creating Edo's first silken tofu (kinugoshi tofu). The prince, fond of the tofu, praised it as 'beautiful as snow piled on bamboo grass' and named it 'Sasanoyuki', which became the shop's name. The original signboard bestowed at that time is still displayed in the restaurant. Over the centuries, Sasanoyuki became a cultural hub, attracting literary figures such as Masaoka Shiki, who wrote a haiku about it in 1897, and Natsume Sōseki. The restaurant has preserved traditional tofu-making methods using well water drawn from 80 meters underground and bittern (nigari). In the early 20th century, it was featured in guidebooks and thrived during events like the Iriya morning glory festival. The ninth-generation owner, Takichi Okumura, began writing tofu as '豆富' (tofu) about 80 years ago, avoiding the character '腐' (rot) for a restaurant. In December 2020, the restaurant temporarily closed due to building deterioration. It reopened in August 2024 at a new location adjacent to the Shiki-an in Negishi. As of 2024, it operates as a traditional tofu kaiseki restaurant, offering a single course menu for 6,000 yen (tax included).

• 2024

  Reopened in August at a new location next to Shiki-an.

• 2020

  Temporarily closed in December due to building deterioration.

• 1944

  Ninth-generation owner Takichi Okumura began writing tofu as '豆富'.

• 1930

  Menu included ankake, hiyayakko, nimono tofu, and iri tofu.

• 1910

  Featured in guidebooks; meals cost 50 sen.

• 1897

  Masaoka Shiki composed a haiku about Sasanoyuki.

• 1691

  Founded by Tadayu Tamaya in Negishi, Edo; first to make silken tofu in Edo.

• 1691

  Named 'Sasanoyuki' by Prince Kōben Hōshinnō.

High-end traditional Japanese tofu kaiseki restaurant with over 330 years of history, emphasizing heritage, craftsmanship, and cultural patronage.

• Tofu kaiseki course

  A single course menu offered at both lunch and dinner for 6,000 yen (tax included).

• Kinugoshi tofu

  Silken tofu made with traditional well water and bittern.

1. 1笹乃雪 公式サイトsasanoyuki.com
2. 2笹乃雪 - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org
3. 3Sasanoyuki - Wikidatawikidata.org