Mouriya Sogo

Mouriya is one of the oldest Kobe beef restaurants in Japan, with roots tracing to 1869 — the same era Kobe opened its port to foreign trade. The Sogo branch, located near Sannomiya station in Chuo-ku, sits within the department store building and caters to a mix of businesspeople, tourists, and locals who return specifically for the teppanyaki tradition the Mouriya name represents across Hyogo Prefecture. The restaurant's central offering is authentic Kobe beef teppanyaki and sukiyaki. The beef served here carries full Kobe beef certification — Tajima wagyu raised in Hyogo Prefecture and graded by the Japan Meat Grading Association. The sirloin steak, priced between 12,000 and 20,000 yen per person, is seared on a polished iron teppan by chefs who have trained within the Mouriya house for years. The sukiyaki set at 8,800 yen is among the best-value ways to experience certified Kobe beef in a restaurant of this pedigree. The dining room at the Sogo location is formal and unhurried, with a neutral-toned interior, tablecloths, and a well-maintained kitchen visible behind the teppan counter. Noise levels are low; the room suits quiet business lunches and celebratory dinners equally well. The beverage programme includes Japanese whisky, sake, and wine. Mouriya is particularly popular for lunch because the wagyu lunch course gives access to certified Kobe beef at a price point below 10,000 yen. The restaurant's longevity — over 150 years in Kobe — reflects both the quality of its sourcing relationships and its conservative, craft-focused approach. The Sogo building location makes it accessible from central Sannomiya without navigating narrow side streets.