Japan is famous for its ramen and street food, and even for some of the exclusive treats you can find at convenience stores, but that isn’t to say there aren’t restaurants for those of a more refined palate. Despite being a prestigious and difficult-to-obtain status, as of 2025, Japan is home to 539 Michelin-starred restaurants, with Tokyo alone beating Paris as the city with the largest number of Michelin-grade restaurants (194 compared to Paris’ 123), and Kyoto and Osaka taking up third and fourth place with 103 and 95, respectively. Therefore, whether you’re celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or just want to treat yourself whilst you’re on holiday, today we’ll introduce you to some of the best Michelin-starred restaurants that we think you’ll love.
Tasting menu dish at Ginza Harutaka – Photo Credit: TABLEALL
Tokyo
Ginza Harutaka
If you’re looking for seafood, or more specifically sushi, but want to experience Michelin-starred dining, Ginza Harutaka is the place to be. Another establishment with the full three stars, the man in charge, Takahashi Harutaka, trained for 13 years at Sukiyabashi Jiro, another famous Michelin-starred sushi restaurant, and therefore knows exactly how to put together a dinner you’ll never forget. Whilst the smaller venue (only 12 seats) makes this a difficult place to reserve, it allows for each night to be unique and for every customer to receive the utmost attention from the staff and chefs that really make this a stand-out experience.
Standard menu price: ¥50,000
Opening hours: Monday – Saturday, 17:00 – 24:00
Website: https://gfs3000.gorp.jp/
Location: 〒104-0061 Tokyo, Chuo City, Ginza, 8 Chome−3−1 6階
Nakiryu ramen – Photo Credit: Nakiryu Official Website
Nakiryu
Perhaps more unassuming than the other establishments on this list, Nakiryu is one of the only ramen restaurants in Japan to receive a Michelin star. Kazumasa Saito puts so much care and craft into each dish; we’re sure you’ll love whatever you choose from Nakiryu’s menu. Tucked away in a corner of Tokyo, this is the perfect place if you want to be more relaxed (and within budget!) but still enjoy some of the highest-quality food Japan’s capital city has to offer. After all, ramen is a must-try for most when visiting Japan, so why not treat yourself to some of the highest quality?
Standard menu price: ¥1,000
Opening hours:
- Monday, 11:30 – 15:00
- Wednesday – Sunday (Lunch), 11:30 – 15:00
- Wednesday – Sunday (Dinner), 18:00 – 21:00
Website: https://gurunavi.com/en
Location: 〒170-0005 Tokyo, Toshima City, Minamiotsuka, 2 Chome−34−4 ＳＫＹ南大塚 １F
Elegant dish from Hommage – Photo Credit: Hommage Official Website
Hommage
Prioritising precision, Noboru Arai’s philosophy of ‘simple and minimal’ allows the dishes at Hommage to really leave an impression. Specialising in French cuisine but taking inspiration from a wide range of international chefs, the few ingredients in each dish allow you to appreciate each individual component of your meal and create some incredibly presented courses in this pocket of downtown Tokyo. Situated only a stone’s throw away from Senso-ji, this is a great place to treat yourself to an exquisite dinner after exploring the iconic streets of Asakusa.
Tasting menu price: ¥16,000 – 55,000
Opening hours:
- Tuesday – Sunday (Lunch), 11:30 – 15:00
- Tuesday – Sunday (Dinner), 18:00 – 22:30
Website: https://www.hommage-arai.com/en/index.html
Location: 4 Chome-10-5 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032
Meat course served at HAJIME – Photo Credit: Michelin Guide
Osaka
HAJIME
Starting with one of Osaka’s best. Nestled in the city nicknamed the ‘nation’s kitchen’, HAJIME received the maximum three Michelin stars a mere year and a half after its 2008 opening and has continued to bring excellent service and even better food to residents of Osaka and tourists since then. They base their operations around the principle of the ‘6 gastronomies’: restaurant, installation, singularity, medical, social and space. With the décor including subtle nods to the theme of planets and ‘dialogue with the earth,’ Hajime Yoneda offers diners a unique experience and food that reflects a true respect for nature.
Tasting menu price: ¥83,000
Opening hours: Daily, 17:00 – 23:00
Website: https://www.hajime-artistes.com/en/6-gastronomies/restaurant/
Location: 〒550-0002 Osaka, Nishi Ward, Edobori, 1 Chome−9−11 アイ・プラス江戸堀 １F
Tsuchisaka-san preparing tempura – Photo Credit: Shunsaiten Tsuchiya Official Website
Shunsaiten Tsuchiya
Specialising in tempura, owner Yukihiko Tsuchisaka uses his years of training in Japanese cuisine to bring an interesting twist to a classic. In another setting where the small capacity allows for a more intimate experience, you can really see Tsuchisaka’s motto of ‘true devotion’ at work as he meticulously prepares your meal before your eyes. Ever the welcoming host, this dining setup also allows you to chat with the man behind this restaurant’s two-star reputation, making this the perfect place for anyone looking to see more of the behind-the-scenes operations of fine dining.
Tasting menu price: ¥8,800 – 35,000
Opening hours:
- Tuesday – Saturday (Lunch), 12:00 – 14:30
- Monday – Saturday (Dinner), 18:00 – 21:30
Website: https://tempura-tsuchiya.com/
Location: 41-4 Toyotsucho, Suita, Osaka 564-0051
Tasting courses at Nishitenma Ichigaya – Photo Credit: JPNEAZY
Nishitenma Ichigaya
One of the newest additions to the Michelin Guide, Nishitenma received its Michelin star in 2025, but that’s not to say it doesn’t still have a lot of experience. Basing their menu around the four seasons of Japan, Nishitenma provides a menu that reflects the produce in season at the time of your visit for that fresh taste, ensuring moments of inspiration and surprise. Blending Osaka specialities with fine dining and French techniques, Nishitenma provides a variety of new and interesting flavours that are exclusive to this restaurant alone, including their seafood with miso sauce américain.
Tasting menu price: ¥11,000 – 24,000
Opening hours:
- Daily (Lunch), 11:30 – 14:00
- Daily (Dinner), 17:00 – 23:00
Website: https://ichigaya.savor-japanese-restaurant.com/#menu
Location: 2 Chome-10-9 Nishitenma, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0047
Fish course at Gion Sasaki – Photo Credit: Gion Sasaki Official Website
Kyoto
Gion Sasaki
Another three-star establishment offering some of the best food in the world, Gion Sasaki is the place to go if you want a glimpse into the future of Japanese cuisine. Aside from putting his own experience into practice, owner Hiroshi Sasaki often collaborates with his apprentices to come up with new menu ideas, allowing Gion Sasaki to offer an interesting blend of old and new, of traditional well-loved Japanese dishes and a taste of the future. Home to other world-class chefs such as Kiyomi Mikuni, and a charming brick oven to get that perfect taste, this is a must-visit for anyone with a love for Michelin-starred food.
Tasting menu price: ¥22,000 – 44,000
Opening hours:
- Thursday – Saturday (Lunch), from 12:00 (no fixed closing time)
- Tuesday – Saturday (Dinner), from 18:30 (no fixed closing time)
Website: https://gionsasaki.com/
Location: 566-27 Komatsucho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0811
Seasonal dish at Kyoyamato – Photo Credit: Kyoyamato Official Website
Kyoyamato
Being awarded two Michelin stars earlier this year, Kyoyamato focuses on an experience that ‘stimulates the five senses and satisfies the heart’. With its timeless aesthetic that resembles the traditional sukiya design and gardens overlooking some of the most iconic scenes in Kyoto, this charming setting allows for a tranquil and sophisticated evening out. Fulfilling its philosophy of the five senses, diners can expect to experience a feast not only for the eyes and mouth but also relish new textures, aromas, and even sounds.
Tasting menu price: ¥16,500 – 49,500
Opening hours:
- Daily (Lunch), 11:30 – 13:00
- Daily (Dinner), 17:00 – 19:00
Website: https://www.kyoyamato.com/
Location: 359 Masuyacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0826
Dish with edible flowers at Da terra – Photo Credit: Michelin Guide
Other areas
Da terra
Away from the busy cities, Da terra is surrounded by luscious farmland that immediately sets the tone for this fresh-produce restaurant. With many of the ingredients being cultivated by the chef’s own family before being carefully prepared by hand, it’s easy to see why this charming establishment received not only a Michelin star for its high-quality cooking but also a green star for its clear respect for nature. The menu at this traditional house-turned-restaurant is a unique adventure through the seasons and a clear, thoughtful love letter to the world around us.
Tasting menu price: ¥9,900 – 14,000
Opening hours: Friday – Tuesday, 12:00 – 22:00
Website: https://da-terra.jp/
Location: 884 Kawahara, Asuka, Takaichi District, Nara 634-0141
Food is an important part of any culture; it helps people connect and learn new things through their taste buds, and hopefully, now you will be able to go forth and experience what Japan has to offer in fine dining and cuisine of the highest quality. Whether it be intimate ramen shops, planet-themed experiences, or food so fresh you can see the farm it came from out of the window, there really is something for every taste and a wide range of unforgettable experiences to have through food in Japan.
Featured Photo Credit: ELEVATE
