1.
high-class Japanese restaurant; exclusive traditional dining establishment
An upscale traditional Japanese restaurant offering elaborate multi-course meals in a refined, private setting, often with tatami rooms and a garden.
高級料亭で食事をした。
I dined at a high-class Japanese restaurant.
接待には高級料亭がよく使われる。
High-class restaurants are often used for business entertainment.
あの高級料亭は完全予約制で、一見さんお断りだそうだ。
That exclusive restaurant apparently requires full reservations and doesn't accept walk-in guests.
Composed of 高級 (high-class; luxury) + 料亭 (traditional Japanese restaurant). A 料亭 is already an upscale establishment, so the addition of 高級 emphasizes the top tier — places with famous chefs, exquisite gardens, and often a policy of refusing first-time guests (一見さんお断り).
CULTURAL NOTES:
These establishments are closely associated with Japanese business culture and politics. They serve as venues for 接待 (business entertainment), confidential meetings, and high-profile gatherings. Prices are rarely displayed, and bills can reach hundreds of thousands of yen per person.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 高級料亭で接待する: to entertain at an exclusive restaurant
- 老舗の高級料亭: a long-established upscale restaurant
- 高級料亭の懐石料理: kaiseki cuisine at a high-end restaurant
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 料亭: traditional Japanese restaurant — the base word, already implies a certain level of formality
- 割烹: Japanese cuisine restaurant — a more casual counter-style fine dining
- 懐石料理店: kaiseki restaurant — focuses on the multi-course format