Japanese diners are the hardest to impress

Dedicated Japanese restaurant-goers are younger, more active and more critical than those in any of the other 44 cities in which Zagat publishes a restaurant guide.

This was revealed in the company's new guide to Tokyo restaurants, its first in English.

Zagat's Tokyo reviewers dined out nearly six times a week and averaged just over 30 years old. And they proved the toughest graders among Zagat surveys.

So the Kosaza-Shushi, said to serve food worthy of a last supper, had an "intimidating chef" and "anxiety-provoking" prices; the I Primi Italian restaurant was let down by "disappointing" food and ‘insolent' staff"; and Tensho was criticised for the inferior quality of its salt.