Asia · Japan
Where to eat in Japan, region by region
Japan eats by region, and often by prefecture. Start with the dishes and drinks of each one, then the places that do them best, from three-star counters to the ramen shop with a ticket machine and the market at the end of the street.
1,731places
8regions
397starred tables
60towns
Going to Japan?Plan every meal across the whole country, or pick Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Filter by region, save places, see them on a map.
Plan my Japan food tripTokyo & Kanto
308 places in 10 towns
What to eat
- Edomae sushi Traditional Tokyo-style sushi.
- Monjayaki Savory pan-fried batter dish cooked on a griddle, a Tokyo specialty.
- Utsunomiya gyoza Dumplings from Utsunomiya, Tochigi.
- Mito natto Fermented soybeans from Mito, Ibaraki.
- Odawara kamaboko Fish cake from Odawara, Kanagawa.
What to drink
- Hitachino Nest (Ibaraki) Craft brewer named in a Japanese-drinks guide (japanesetaste); Ibaraki location is general knowledge.
- COEDO Beniaka (Saitama) Dark lager.
- Yokohama Beer Pale Ale Pale ale from Yokohama.
Where to start
- 7 Chome Kyoboshi 3 starsTokyo · Tempura · $$$$Ginza 5-5-9, Ozio Ginza Building 6F, Chuo-kuAdd to my trip
- Azabu Kadowaki (麻布 かどわき) 3 starsTokyo · Kaiseki · $$$$2-7-2 Azabujuban, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0045 · +81 3-5772-2553Add to my trip
- Harutaka (はる鷹) 3 starsTokyo · Edomae sushi · $$$$6F, 8-3-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061 · +81 3-3573-1144Add to my trip
- Joel Robuchon Tokyo (Chateau Restaurant) 3 starsTokyo · French · $$$$Yebisu Garden Place, 1-13-1 Mita, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-0062 · +81 3-5424-1347Add to my trip
- Kagurazaka Ishikawa (神楽坂 石川) 3 starsTokyo · Kaiseki · $$$$5-37 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0825 · +81 50-3138-5225Add to my trip
- Kanda (神田) 3 starsTokyo · Kaiseki · $$$$1F, Toranomon Hills Residential Tower, 1-1-1 Atago, Minato-ku, Tokyo (Tabelog gives Japanese address only) · 03-6459-0176 (Japan domestic; +81 3-6459-0176)Add to my trip
- L'Effervescence 3 starsTokyo · Innovative French · $$$$2-26-4 Nishiazabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0031 · +81 3-5766-9500Add to my trip
- L'Osier 3 starsTokyo · French · $$$$7-5-5 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061 · +81 3-3571-6050Add to my trip
Towns
Tokyo 247Nikko 13Kawagoe 13Kamakura 11Saitama 10Yokohama 6Narita 3Chiba 3Hakone 1Miura (Kanagawa) 1
Kyoto & Kansai
751 places in 7 towns
What to eat
- Takoyaki Octopus balls, an Osaka street staple.
- Osaka okonomiyaki Savory pancake, Osaka.
- Kyo-yasai Kyoto's heritage vegetables, the base of Kyoto cooking.
- Kobe beef Premium wagyu from Hyogo.
- Kakinoha sushi Sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves, Nara.
- Kaiseki Multi-course seasonal Kyoto dining; Kyoto holds six Michelin three-star restaurants in the 2026 guide.
What to drink
- Nada sake (Hyogo) Largest sake-producing region, 70+ breweries, aromatic and elegant, mostly Yamadanishiki (Palate Project).
- Fushimi sake (Kyoto) Soft and graceful; Tango style is richer and fragrant (Palate Project).
- Uji matcha Uji is among the earliest tea-growing areas in Japan and the largest matcha producer; Kyoto tea quality still rated highest (gjtea.org).
- Minoh Beer (Osaka) Pilsner and stout from Osaka.
- Umeshu (Osaka) Osaka is also known for plum liqueur (Palate Project).
Where to start
- Gion Sasaki Michelin 3 starsKyoto · Japanese cuisine; Michelin 3 stars566-27 Komatsucho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0811 · +81 75-551-5000Add to my trip
- Hajime Michelin 3 starsOsaka · Innovative cuisine; Michelin 3 stars1-9-11 Edobori, Nishi-ku, Osaka 550-0002 · +81 6-6447-6688Add to my trip
- Hyotei Michelin 3 starsKyoto · Japanese cuisine; Michelin 3 stars35 Nanzenji Kusagawacho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8437 · +81 75-771-4116Add to my trip
- Isshisoden Nakamura Michelin 3 starsKyoto · Japanese cuisine; Michelin 3 stars136 Matsushitacho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8093 · +81 75-221-5511Add to my trip
- Kashiwaya Osaka Senriyama Michelin 3 starsOsaka · Japanese cuisine; Michelin 3 stars2-5-18 Senriyamanishi, Suita, Osaka 565-0851 · +81 6-6386-2234Add to my trip
- Kikunoi Honten Michelin 3 starsKyoto · Japanese cuisine; Michelin 3 stars459 Shimokawaracho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0825 · +81 75-561-0015Add to my trip
- Miyamaso Michelin 3 starsKyoto · Japanese cuisine; Michelin 3 stars375 Hanase Harachicho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 601-1102 · +81 75-746-0231Add to my trip
- Mizai Michelin 3 starsKyoto · Japanese cuisine; Michelin 3 stars613 Maruyamacho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0071 · +81 75-551-3310Add to my trip
Towns
Chubu & Hokuriku
171 places in 27 towns
What to eat
- Hitsumabushi Grilled eel served in stages, Nagoya/Aichi.
- Miso katsu Pork cutlet with miso sauce, Aichi.
- Hida beef Premium wagyu from Gifu.
- Shinshu soba and oyaki Buckwheat noodles and stuffed dough buns, Nagano.
- Hegisoba Buckwheat noodles served on a wooden tray, Niigata.
- Shiro ebi (white shrimp) Small white shrimp from Toyama Bay.
- Echizen crab Prized snow crab from Fukui.
- Hotaru ika (firefly squid) Toyama Bay, Namerikawa is the main port; eaten as sashimi, kama-age hotpot or pickled (shun-gate).
What to drink
- Niigata sake Clean crisp tanrei karakuchi style, about 90 breweries, highest sake consumption per capita (Palate Project).
- Nagano sake Over 80 breweries, fruity and aromatic (Palate Project).
- Shizuoka tea Largest tea-producing region in Japan, known for fukamushi sencha (gjtea.org).
- Koshu wine (Yamanashi/Nagano) Wine regions Yamanashi, Nagano and Hokkaido, native grapes Koshu and Muscat Bailey A.
- Yo-Ho Brewing (Nagano) Yona Yona Ale and other beers.
Where to start
- Hijikata Aichi 2019: 3 starsNagoya · JapaneseAdd to my trip
- Sushi Ueda Aichi 2019: 3 starsNagoya · SushiAdd to my trip
- Yamazaki Toyama 2016: 3 starsToyama PrefectureAdd to my trip
- Otome Sushi (Otome Zushi) Michelin Guide Hokuriku...Kanazawa · Sushi4-10 Kikura-machi, Kanazawa · 076-231-7447Add to my trip
- Installation Table ENSO L'asymetrie du calme Michelin Guide Hokuriku...KanazawaAdd to my trip
- Kataori Michelin Guide Hokuriku...KanazawaAdd to my trip
- Koizumi Michelin Guide Hokuriku...KanazawaAdd to my trip
- Kyodaizushi Michelin Guide Niigata...Niigata PrefectureAdd to my trip
Towns
Kanazawa 44Nagoya 40Takayama 21Matsumoto 12Toyama 8Fukui 8Shizuoka 6Niigata 4Nagano 3Niigata Prefecture 3Nagano (Togakushi) 2Imizu (Shinminato) 2
Hokkaido
85 places in 5 towns
What to eat
- Sapporo ramen Ramen from the capital of Hokkaido.
- Soup curry Curry served as a broth.
- Jingisukan Grilled lamb barbecue.
- Obihiro butadon Pork rice bowl from Obihiro.
- Yubari melon Premium melon.
- Snow crab January is crab season in parts of Hokkaido.
What to drink
- Hokkaido sake Light and crisp, suited to seafood; Otokoyama and Takasago named (Palate Project).
- Yoichi whisky Robust with a hint of smoke (japanesetaste); Hokkaido location is general knowledge.
- Abashiri Ryuhyo Draft Lager from Abashiri Brewery, Hokkaido.
- Hokkaido wine Hokkaido is named as a wine region.
Where to start
- Molière Michelin Guide Hokkaido...Sapporo · FrenchAdd to my trip
- Sushi Miyakawa Michelin Guide Hokkaido...Sapporo · Japanese (sushi)Add to my trip
- Nigiri Kukizen (Kukuzen) Michelin Guide Hokkaido...Otaru · Japanese (sushi) · $$$$1-10-7 Ironai, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0031 · 0134-27-2888Add to my trip
- Himeshara Michelin Guide Hokkaido...Sapporo · JapaneseAdd to my trip
- Nukumi Michelin Guide Hokkaido...Sapporo · JapaneseAdd to my trip
- Sushisai Wakichi Michelin Guide Hokkaido...Sapporo · Japanese (sushi)Add to my trip
- Suyama Michelin Guide Hokkaido...Sapporo · JapaneseAdd to my trip
- Tempura Araki Michelin Guide Hokkaido...Sapporo · Japanese (tempura)Add to my trip
Towns
Tohoku
66 places in 19 towns
What to eat
- Wanko soba Buckwheat noodles served in small bowls, Iwate.
- Gyutan Grilled beef tongue, Sendai/Miyagi.
- Kiritanpo Pounded rice formed around a stick and grilled, Akita.
- Imoni Taro and meat stew, Yamagata.
- Kitakata ramen Ramen from Kitakata, Fukushima.
What to drink
- Akita sake AK-1 yeast gives aromatic ginjo; 'land of beautiful sake' (Palate Project).
- Yamagata sake Own yeast and rice (Dewasansan, Dewanosato), smooth and aromatic (Palate Project).
- Iwate Nanbu Toji sake Nanbu Toji is one of Japan's three largest brewer guilds; Nanbu Bijin named (Palate Project).
- Miyagikyo whisky Softer and more fragrant (japanesetaste); Miyagi location is general knowledge.
- Ginga Kogen Beer (Iwate) Hefeweizen.
Where to start
- Date no Gyutan (Gyutandori) One of the four best-known...Sendai · GyutanGyutandori, Sendai Station 3F, 1-1-1 Chuo, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0021Add to my trip
- Kisuke (Gyutandori) One of the four best-known...Sendai · GyutanGyutandori, Sendai Station 3F, 1-1-1 Chuo, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0021Add to my trip
- Rikyu (Gyutandori) One of the four best-known...Sendai · GyutanGyutandori, Sendai Station 3F, 1-1-1 Chuo, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0021Add to my trip
- Zenjirou (Gyutandori) One of the four best-known...Sendai · GyutanGyutandori, Sendai Station 3F, 1-1-1 Chuo, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0021Add to my trip
- Aji Tasuke (Honten) Aji Tasuke Honten; follows...Sendai · Gyutan (beef tongue)Add to my trip
- Azumaya (Honten) Wanko soba specialist for...Morioka · Wanko sobaAdd to my trip
- Bannai Shokudo (Main Store) Founded 1958; known for...Kitakata · Shina sobaAdd to my trip
- Ganso Enban Gyoza Manpuku Founded 1953; known as the...Fukushima City · Enban gyozaAdd to my trip
Towns
Sendai 19Morioka 11Akita 6Aizuwakamatsu 6Yamagata 4Kitakata 4Aomori 3Odate 2Hirosaki 1Yuzawa 1Oga Peninsula 1Oga 1
Chugoku & Shikoku
148 places in 33 towns
What to eat
- Hiroshima okonomiyaki Layered savory pancake.
- Hiroshima oysters Local oysters.
- Izumo soba Buckwheat noodles from Shimane.
- Matsuba snow crab Prized crab from Tottori.
- Kawara soba Noodles grilled on hot tiles, Yamaguchi.
- Sanuki udon Thick udon from Kagawa, Shikoku.
- Taimeshi Sea bream rice dish, Ehime.
- Katsuo (bonito) Bonito, the signature fish of Kochi.
What to drink
- Hiroshima sake Round, elegant, lightly sweet, 40+ breweries (Palate Project).
- Okayama Omachi sake Made with indigenous Omachi rice (Palate Project).
- Tottori sake Full-bodied with a very dry finish (Palate Project).
- Kochi sake Light, refreshing, suits local seafood (Palate Project).
- Ehime sake 40+ breweries, mild and lightly sweet (Palate Project).
Where to start
- Akatora One Michelin starOnomichi · Izakaya2-4-4-43 Tsuchido, Onomichi, Hiroshima 722-0035Add to my trip
- Ajiyoshi Two Michelin starsFukuyama · JapaneseAdd to my trip
- Erba One Michelin starFukuyama · ItalianAdd to my trip
- Higashiyama One Michelin starOnomichi · JapaneseAdd to my trip
- Obanzai Kimura One Michelin starFukuyama · Kyoto home-style obanzaiAdd to my trip
- Tessen One Michelin starFukuyama · JapaneseAdd to my trip
- Icchan Bib GourmandHiroshima · OkonomiyakiAdd to my trip
- Yagenbori Hassho Bib GourmandHiroshima · OkonomiyakiAdd to my trip
Towns
Hiroshima 22Takamatsu 14Matsuyama 13Kochi 13Onomichi 10Shimonoseki 10Tottori 9Okayama 8Fukuyama 6Izumo 6Matsue 6Tokushima 6
Kyushu
161 places in 19 towns
What to eat
- Hakata tonkotsu ramen Pork-bone broth ramen, Fukuoka.
- Motsu nabe Offal hotpot, Fukuoka.
- Chanpon Noodle soup with seafood and vegetables, Nagasaki.
- Saga beef Premium wagyu.
- Kagoshima beef Premium wagyu.
What to drink
- Kagoshima imo (sweet potato) shochu Called the 'Kingdom of Shochu' (Palate Project); rich and earthy.
- Amami brown-sugar shochu Said to be found nowhere else in Japan.
- Oita barley shochu Mellow, easy-drinking.
- Yame gyokuro (Fukuoka) About half of national gyokuro volume; harvest late April to early May (gjtea.org).
- Kumamoto sake Balanced acidity, floral aromas from Kumamoto Yeast No. 9 (Palate Project).
Where to start
- Ryotei Sagano Three Michelin starsFukuoka · Japanese2-21-19 Sumiyoshi, Hakata-ku, FukuokaAdd to my trip
- Sushi Gyoten Three Michelin starsFukuoka · Sushi1-2-12 Hirao, Chuo-ku, FukuokaAdd to my trip
- Sushi Sakai Three Michelin starsFukuoka · Sushi2F, 3-20 Nishi-nakasu, Chuo-ku, FukuokaAdd to my trip
- Aburayama Sanso Two Michelin starsFukuoka · Fugu (inn)147 Higashi-aburayama, Jonan-ku, FukuokaAdd to my trip
- Amegen Two Michelin stars; one starKaratsu · Japanese1058-2 Hamatamamachigotanda, Karatsu CityAdd to my trip
- Chakaiseki Nakahan Two Michelin starsFukuoka · Japanese (chakaiseki)2F Bay Hill Court, 3-19 Nishi-nakasu, Chuo-ku, FukuokaAdd to my trip
- Chikamatsu Two Michelin starsFukuoka · Sushi2-6-19 Yakuin, Chuo-ku, FukuokaAdd to my trip
- Chiso Nakamura Two Michelin starsFukuoka · Japanese2-10 Tsumashoji, Hakata-ku, FukuokaAdd to my trip
Towns
Fukuoka 41Kumamoto 25Kagoshima 25Nagasaki 21Miyazaki 10Kitakyushu 9Karatsu 6Beppu 6Saga 4Kiyama 2Takeo 2Oita 2
Okinawa
41 places in 11 towns
What to eat
- Soki soba Noodles topped with stewed pork rib.
- Goya chanpuru Stir-fried bitter melon with tofu.
- Awamori Okinawa's local distilled spirit, listed by japan.travel among local foods.
What to drink
- Awamori Single-distilled from Thai long-grain rice with black koji, usually 25-30% ABV; aged versions called kusu; Kumesen, Ryukyu, Zuisen brands.
- Orion beer Okinawa lager by Asahi.
- Helios Distillery Sheequarsar White Ale Okinawa craft beer.
- Okinawa craft rum Okinawa and Kagoshima developing small-batch rum.
Where to start
- BAR NOBU Tabelog 3.53Ishigaki · Bar · $$1F TOMO Bldg, 12-8 Misakicho, Ishigaki CityAdd to my trip
- Bar Auru (BAR Owl) Tabelog 3.67Naha · Bar · $$$2F Kanetomo Sangyo Bldg, 1-8-7 Kumoji, NahaAdd to my trip
- El Lequio Tabelog 3.60Naha · Bar · $$Asato Bldg, 1-3-3 Asato, NahaAdd to my trip
- IslandBrewing Tabelog 3.35Miyakojima · Bar · $$615-1 Hirara-shimozato, Miyakojima CityAdd to my trip
- Ryukyu Mixology Style Bar Alchemist Tabelog 3.55Naha · Bar · $$102, 2-10-19 Kumoji, NahaAdd to my trip
- KozakuraNaha · Bar3-12-21 Makishi, Naha, OkinawaAdd to my trip
- Naha City First Makishi Public MarketNaha · Market · $$Add to my trip
- AWAMORI+Naha · Bar1-1-18 Maejima, Naha, OkinawaAdd to my trip
Towns
Naha 26Nakijin 3Nago 3Motobu 2Chatan 1Kunigami 1Ishigaki 1Miyakojima 1Kin 1Onna 1Okinawa main island (town not stated) 1
The three-star tables we could confirm
- Kagurazaka Ishikawa Tokyo
- Quintessence Tokyo
- Myojaku Tokyo
- Sazenka Tokyo
- L'Effervescence Tokyo
- Chateau Restaurant Joel Robuchon Tokyo
- Kanda Tokyo
- Sezanne Tokyo
- L'Osier Tokyo
- Harutaka Tokyo
- Azabu Kadowaki Tokyo
- RyuGin Tokyo
- Miyamaso Kyoto
- Mizai Kyoto
- Hyotei Kyoto
- Gion Sasaki Kyoto
- Taian Osaka
- Kashiwaya Osaka Senriyama Osaka
- Hajime Osaka
How to book and eat well in Japan
- Tabelog, TableCheck and Omakase.in are the most widely used reservation platforms; TableCheck and Omakase.in offer English interfaces for some restaurants, and Omakase.in suits counter-style dining.
- A hotel concierge often has direct relationships with restaurants, speaks Japanese, and is described as the most reliable route for high-demand or phone-only places.
- Book omakase and counter seats about 4 to 6 weeks ahead; they fill fast and late arrival disrupts the whole service. Arriving 10-15 minutes late can cost you the seat.
- Cancel at least 24 to 48 hours ahead. Premium restaurants increasingly charge cancellation fees, and many are moving to deposit or prepayment systems.
- TableCheck is a platform only; each restaurant sets its own free-cancellation deadline (in Japan time), fee rate and no-show rule. A credit-card guarantee may be charged for late cancellation or no-show, and reducing party size late can trigger a fee. A credit card is easier than a debit or prepaid card because of holds.
- Pocket Concierge: reservations generally cannot be modified or cancelled once confirmed; if the restaurant has no policy, the default (as of June 23, 2026) is 100% for same day, one business day before and no-shows, 50% for two or three business days before. Screenshot the policy screen.
- Tell the restaurant about allergies when booking; high-end places may not be able to accommodate broad restrictions.
- Some restaurants also take bookings by Instagram, Facebook or LINE direct message.
Etiquette
- Tipping is not expected and staff may chase you down thinking you forgot money; say 'gochisosama deshita' instead.
- Slurping ramen, soba or udon is accepted and even encouraged.
- Never stand chopsticks upright in rice or pass food chopstick to chopstick, both associated with funerals; use the thicker end to take from shared plates.
- Eating while walking is generally poor manners except at food stalls and festivals; fine on the shinkansen, frowned upon on commuter trains.
- Izakaya usually add a seating charge with a small appetizer (otoshi), often around 300 yen, and it appears on the bill.
- Many traditional izakaya take only cash or certain Japanese cashless options such as PayPay or IC cards; carry cash as backup (byFood).
- Call staff with 'sumimasen'; ask for the bill with 'okanjo onegai shimasu'; at small places, pay at the counter on the way out.
- Use the oshibori only on hands, not face or neck; say 'itadakimasu' before eating; remove shoes where seating is raised.
- At a good sushi counter do not ask for extra wasabi; the chef considers the dish complete.
Eating by season
- Summer. Hiyashi-chuka (chilled ramen), unaju (eel over rice) and kakigori shaved ice.
- Autumn. Called the season of food: matsutake mushrooms, chestnuts, yakiimo, persimmons and sanma (Pacific saury).
- Winter. Oden, nabe hotpots, toshikoshi soba on New Year's Eve, zenzai, mikan; January is snow crab season in parts of Hokkaido and the Sea of Japan coast.
Search all 1731 places
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Every place comes from a published source (Michelin Guide Japan, Tabelog lists, city guides and food writers). Some Michelin stars come from older guides (Hokkaido 2017, others 2016-2021) and may have changed. Where a source gave no address, phone or booking method we leave it blank rather than guess, and we have not confirmed every place is still open. Hours and prices change, so confirm before you go. All city guides