The Best Michelin-Starred Restaurants in Tokyo

Michelin-recognised restaurants like Narisawa help make Tokyo one of the best dining scenes on the planet
Michelin-recognised restaurants like Narisawa help make Tokyo one of the best dining scenes on the planet | © REUTERS / Alamy Stock Photo
Jessica Dawdy

Boasting more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other city in the world – and dominating San Pellegrino’s list of the best 50 restaurants in Asia – it’s no secret that Tokyo offers one of the best dining scenes on the planet. But its very best Michelin-starred restaurants? Read on to discover our top Tokyo restaurant picks.

To explore the wonders of the country, from neon-lit skyscrapers to bamboo forests dotted with ancient temples, join Culture Trip’s curated 12-day trip to Japan.

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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

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SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

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10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

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Ginza Kojyu

The three Michelin-starred Ginza Kojyu is one of the best places in Tokyo to experience kaiseki, a traditional Japanese multi-course. You’ll feel like you’re eating in someone’s living room thanks to the cosy interior and kitchen layout, from which you can watch your food being prepared at the counter. The seasonal menu emphasises traditional Japanese cuisine, along with a few experimental dishes. The restaurant is quite small and relatively affordable, so it’s best to reserve a table in advance.

Kagurazaka Ishikawa

Kagurazaka Ishikawa has been awarded three Michelin stars for its refined cuisine and all-round intimate dining experience – from the attentive staff who will help you find your way to the restaurant’s hidden alleyway location, to the chef who likes chatting away to customers. Guests are presented with several fixed courses, typically consisting of an appetiser, soup, sashimi and a grilled main. Seating is offered in elegant private dining areas or along the cypress-wood counter with a view of chef Hideki Ishikawa at work, while kimono-clad servers are a nod to the Shinjuku neighbourhood’s history as a prominent geisha district.

Joël Robuchon

Joël Robuchon is the eponymous restaurant from the world-renowned late chef Joël Robuchon, who set up numerous successful ventures around the world. Robuchon offers an outstanding take on modern French cuisine – and this two Michelin-starred restaurant, in Yebisu Garden Place, offers several set menus, along with an excellent selection of à la carte options. Be sure to save room for the delicious Kyoho grape mochi with fresh almond ice cream, soya milk and honey coulis.

L’Effervescence

L’Effervescence, a French term that translates to “bubbles”, “that which makes people gather” or “lively” (depending on the context), befits this three Michelin-starred restaurant perfectly. This French-themed restaurant, which harnesses the best of Japanese ingredients, is known for its upscale take on the McDonald’s takeaway apple pie; their version is made with wild boar or sage and matsutake mushrooms, and is served in a red takeaway box. The restaurant is also known for its exquisite desserts, including its caramelised apple and kuromoji ice cream served with muesli, plus its excellent list of French wines.

Narisawa

Chef Yoshihiro Narisawa’s culinary training in Italy, France and Switzerland is felt in his dishes, which are rustled up with European cooking techniques. Narisawa is deeply passionate about the environment, and this is reflected in his dishes, which are designed to mirror the Japanese seasons with fresh Japanese ingredients. The two Michelin-starred restaurant is particularly well-known for its unusual Bread of the Forest and Moss Butter, which rises at the table while you are enjoying your other courses.

RyuGin

RyuGin strikes a balance between time-honoured Japanese cooking techniques and original dishes. It has earned three Michelin stars for its menu that’s limited to a seasonal full-course degustation set, along with à la carte options available at certain times of night. Many dishes include hot and cold elements, such as the restaurant’s signature dessert that incorporates fruit that’s both boiling and frozen with liquid nitrogen. The significance of its name – Ryugin that means “singing dragon” or “dragon song” – can be felt in all aspects of the restaurant decor, from the plates to the artworks of the mythical creature on the walls.

Quintessence

Quintessence’s culinary philosophy is based on three principles: respecting the product by only using premium ingredients, pursuing the cooking process by pushing the boundaries of current culinary practices, and attention to detail in the seasoning process to enhance the subtle flavours of the food. Before opening Quintessence, chef Shuzo Kishida worked at L’Astrance restaurant in Paris, where he learned the restaurant’s now-signature technique of cooking meats for an extended period of time at a low temperature. Menus at this three Michelin-starred restaurant are carte blanche, so the chef decides on the featured dishes each day based on seasonal ingredients.

Hommage

Chef and owner Noboru Arai spent two years honing his cooking skills in France before opening this swanky Tokyo eatery in the traditional Asakusa district of Tokyo. Serving fine French food with a Japanese twist, Hommage has earned two Michelin stars for its ever-changing menus, which include vegetarian options on request and decorative cakes. Expect fresh seasonal ingredients for dishes such as the foie gras and scallop tart, plus an extensive wine collection.
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Amy Blyth contributed additional reporting to this article.

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