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Higashi-Nakano: One of Tokyo’s Best Areas for Local Eats

Pizzeria Ciro is located in arguably one of the better places for local eats in Tokyo, and a personal favourite of mine: Higashi-Nakano Station.

It’s only about a 30-minute walk from Shinjuku Station, or 2 stops by train, but it feels completely different. It’s a very relaxed, cool little town that still has an old vibe while mixing in some modern elements too.

I came to Higashi-Nakano for food often. Every time I walked down the main restaurant street, there was this pizza place on my right called “Pizzeria Ciro.” I was always curious about it but never had the chance to go in.

Is Pizza in Japan Actually Good?

A common misconception is that pizza in Japan isn’t real pizza. I’d say this only applies to places where pizza isn’t the main dish. At a proper pizzeria, it’s very hard to get a bad one.

Just look at this place. It literally has “pizzeria” in its name, and it’s written in Italian, so I knew it would be good.

Neapolitan pizza is easily the most common style of pizza in Japan. In fact, you’ll very rarely find anything else. Part of me wants to indulge in a big meat lovers pizza, but instead I’m faced with Domino’s serving ramen pizza (yes, this was actually a thing), ironically made in collaboration with the creator of my favourite style of ramen, [Iekei].

Reservations and Lunch at Pizzeria Ciro

Eventually I got around to booking a reservation for a weekday afternoon, and surprisingly the place was full of people. I guess that’s a testament to how popular it is.

The only catch is that Pizzeria Ciro only accepts reservations by phone. I can’t confirm whether they speak English, so it may help to have a Japanese speaker call for you.

If you’re going for lunch, you should be able to get in without a reservation. They don’t take reservations at lunchtime and seat people in the order they arrive, so you may have to wait a little.

Award-Winning Neapolitan Pizza in Tokyo

Pizzeria Ciro has been voted into Japan’s top 100 pizza restaurants for 4 years since 2017. They serve authentic Neapolitan pizza, plus calzone, which is one of their most popular dishes.

What We Ordered at Pizzeria Ciro

The menu has a lot on it: various pizzas, calzones and appetizers. My buddy and I ended up keeping it simple:

• Prosciutto and burrata (starter)
• Margherita
• Quattro Formaggi with Italian honey (+¥300)

The prosciutto was actually good, which is honestly uncommon in Japan. Usually you end up with some random thinly sliced ham, lol.

The pizzas were excellent. They were perfectly Neapolitan style, floppy but with a crispy crust, and they let their simplicity take the reins instead of the toppings.

PSA: I saw they have an “Americano” pizza topped with French fries, LOL, so maybe disregard what I said about everything being authentic… Just kidding. The menu specifically says it’s popular with kids.

Pizzeria Ciro Prices: Is It Worth It?

Pizzas start at ¥1,500 (the margherita), and honestly I think that’s a very good deal, especially for the quality. For authentic Neapolitan pizza in Tokyo, this is great value.

The Calzone: What I’m Ordering Next Time

I saw a few other people order the calzone. It looked really good and very big, lol, which is good because I eat a lot.

I’ve only had calzone once before, when I attempted to make it in grade 9 foods class. It actually wasn’t that bad, but I definitely need a proper one, so that’s what I’m getting next time I’m here.

Italian Desserts and Atmosphere

They also have a wide variety of Italian desserts. I managed to restrain myself, but they all looked really good.

It’s a cool little shop with small tables, and it kind of felt like what I’d imagine a pizzeria in Italy to be like.

Final Thoughts on Pizzeria Ciro Higashi-Nakano

If you get sick of Japanese food, or simply want to try Japan’s take on Italian, I suggest you come to Pizzeria Ciro. It’s a 1-minute walk from Higashi-Nakano Station and just 2 stops from Shinjuku, so it’s an easy trip.

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More about me

Different types of ordering systems in Japan explained

Purchase an onigiri to keep me fuelled throughout my journey 🍙