The Verdict
FARO sits on the tenth floor of the Shiseido building in Ginza, where chef Kotaro Noda reads Italian cooking through Japanese ingredients. The restaurant reopened under Shiseido in late 2018 with Noda at the helm, after he spent more than two decades cooking in Italy.
It holds one Michelin star in the Tokyo guide, retained for a sixth straight year in the 2026 edition, plus a Michelin Green Star for sustainable practice. Both lunch and dinner are set menus, and FARO is unusual for Japanese fine dining in offering a full vegan course alongside the regular one.
The Kitchen
Kotaro Noda is the executive chef and the only Japanese chef to have earned Michelin stars at two different Italian restaurants. His signature at FARO is a black risotto coated in black olive powder, built from black beans from Ishikawa, chestnut beans from Hokkaido, and the red kidney bean called Kita Rosso, seasoned with a black-koji jugoya miso so the grain stays distinct and the center turns creamy. The vegan tasting course is a rare sight at this level in Tokyo.
The Room
FARO occupies the tenth floor of the Tokyo Ginza Shiseido building at 8-8-3 Ginza in Chuo City, a short walk from Ginza station. The room is modern and pared back, with Ginza views, set well above the street. The name means "lighthouse" in Italian, a nod to the restaurant's outlook over the district.
Best for an Anniversary
For an anniversary, a client dinner, or a special lunch in Ginza, FARO pairs a one-star kitchen with a calm, high-floor setting and a genuine vegan option. Book the set dinner, and request the vegan course in advance if you want it. See our anniversary and impress-clients guides.
Not For
Not for a casual walk-in or a quick plate of pasta. FARO is a set-menu fine-dining room with prices to match, and the kitchen reinterprets Italian cooking rather than serving trattoria standards. Diners after a relaxed, low-cost Italian meal should look elsewhere in the city.
Reservations
FARO takes reservations for set lunch and dinner; the vegan course should be requested when booking. Dinner runs about 20,000 yen for eight or more courses, with a 15,000-yen vegan option and a 10,000-yen lunch. Book ahead, since the room is small and Ginza demand is steady.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is FARO worth it in Tokyo?
FARO is worth it for inventive Italian cooking through a Japanese lens, a one-Michelin-star restaurant on the tenth floor of the Shiseido building in Ginza. Chef Kotaro Noda also holds a Michelin Green Star for sustainability and runs a rare fine-dining vegan course. Dinner is set at around 20,000 yen for eight or more courses.
What should I order at FARO?
FARO serves set lunch and dinner menus, both available in vegan versions; the signature is Noda's black risotto coated in black olive powder, made with Japanese beans and a black-koji miso. The dinner runs about 20,000 yen for eight-plus courses, with a 15,000-yen vegan option and a 10,000-yen lunch.
Does FARO have a Michelin star?
Yes. FARO holds one Michelin star in the Tokyo guide, retained for a sixth straight year in the 2026 edition, plus a Michelin Green Star for sustainable practice. Chef Kotaro Noda is the only Japanese chef to earn stars at two different Italian restaurants. It reopened under Shiseido in late 2018.
Where is FARO and how do I book?
FARO is on the tenth floor of the Tokyo Ginza Shiseido building at 8-8-3 Ginza in Chuo City, a short walk from Ginza station. It takes reservations for set lunch and dinner, and the vegan course should be requested when booking. For more starred rooms, see our Tokyo dining guide above.
Also in Tokyo
Explore the full Tokyo dining guide, or compare FARO with Nihonryori RyuGin, Florilege and Sazenka. For more tasting menus, see our tasting menu guide.